First United Mennonite Baptist Church
The Mennonite Brethren are part of the more extensive Christian expression called Anabaptism (meaning "baptized again"). This group of Mennonites adopted Baptist principles while attempting to maintain their distinct Mennonite identity. Their identity is founded on 475 years of witness since the Reformation. Many German Mennonites immigrated to North America from the Russian Empire, settling primarily in the Midwest and Canadian regions of the United States and Canada. Some of them found the winters quite harsh, especially in Canada, and sought warmer climates. Some of those came west to Oregon and settled in Portland. Mission work in Portland appears to have been especially challenging, and numerous unsuccessful attempts by several Mennonite groups in Oregon preceded the emergence of viable congregations.
According to Kevin Enns-Rempel, archivist at the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Fresno, California, the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church was mainly comprised of Volga Germans. It was, therefore, culturally different from the larger Mennonite Brethren Church. The Protestant Volga Germans were generally Lutheran or Reformed in Russia. The Volga Germans spoke a different German dialect from the "Low German" Mennonites, who mostly lived further west of the Volga. Some of these Volga Germans joined the Mennonite Brethren Church in Russia, and others did so after migrating to North America in the 1870s. The Sutton and Hastings, Nebraska, Mennonite Brethren Churches were comprised almost entirely of such Volga German converts to the Mennonite Brethren Church. Many members of the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church may have come from these Nebraska settlements. This was true for ministers Heinrich Hölzer (also Helzer, Hilser, or Helser), Heinrich Reisbich, Conrad Heinrich Urbach, and deacon Nickolas L. Popp. The first four ministers of the church were either born in Norka, Russia, or descended from parents born there.
Mr. Enns-Rempel states that little is known about the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church. The church was never large, geographically isolated from other Mennonite Brethren congregations, and culturally distinct from the larger Mennonite Brethren Church. It appears to have left behind little documentary evidence for historians to work with.
Some of the families in the church included Cook (Koch), Dill, Fast*, Friesen*, Heinrich, Helser, Huwa, Koch, Martens*, Nachtigal (Nightengale)*, Pauli, Popp, Reisbich, Ross, Sauer, Schnell, Schwindt, Singer, Sittner, Urbach, and Wittenberg. (* = Family surnames believed to be Mennonite in origin. Other surnames appear to belong to Volga German families.)
According to Kevin Enns-Rempel, archivist at the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies in Fresno, California, the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church was mainly comprised of Volga Germans. It was, therefore, culturally different from the larger Mennonite Brethren Church. The Protestant Volga Germans were generally Lutheran or Reformed in Russia. The Volga Germans spoke a different German dialect from the "Low German" Mennonites, who mostly lived further west of the Volga. Some of these Volga Germans joined the Mennonite Brethren Church in Russia, and others did so after migrating to North America in the 1870s. The Sutton and Hastings, Nebraska, Mennonite Brethren Churches were comprised almost entirely of such Volga German converts to the Mennonite Brethren Church. Many members of the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church may have come from these Nebraska settlements. This was true for ministers Heinrich Hölzer (also Helzer, Hilser, or Helser), Heinrich Reisbich, Conrad Heinrich Urbach, and deacon Nickolas L. Popp. The first four ministers of the church were either born in Norka, Russia, or descended from parents born there.
Mr. Enns-Rempel states that little is known about the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church. The church was never large, geographically isolated from other Mennonite Brethren congregations, and culturally distinct from the larger Mennonite Brethren Church. It appears to have left behind little documentary evidence for historians to work with.
Some of the families in the church included Cook (Koch), Dill, Fast*, Friesen*, Heinrich, Helser, Huwa, Koch, Martens*, Nachtigal (Nightengale)*, Pauli, Popp, Reisbich, Ross, Sauer, Schnell, Schwindt, Singer, Sittner, Urbach, and Wittenberg. (* = Family surnames believed to be Mennonite in origin. Other surnames appear to belong to Volga German families.)
Photograph of Heinrich Helser (seated in the wheelchair) next to his wife, Christina (née Ross). Standing from left to right: George Samuel, John Charles, Marnell Jack, Heinrich (Henry), Peter Frederick. Sitting from left to right: Emma, Christina, Heinrich (Henry) H. Sr., Magdalene (Lena), Christine. The photo was taken in 1900 at the home of Heinrich and Christina in Portland. Photograph and description contributed by Loretta Woodward and Marna Helser Hing.
According to the limited available documents, the Mennonite Brethren congregation began meeting in the Albina area of Portland by 1891, ten years after the arrival of the first Volga Germans in Portland. By 1892, the church had 22 members, with Heinrich H. Helser serving as its leader.
Heinrich Helser was born January 17, 1844, in Norka, Russia. Heinrich married Christina Ross, who was also born in Norka. Heinrich and Christina left Norka in 1878, bound for America. They first settled in Hastings, Nebraska, in a Mennonite community. The commune had a large central house surrounded by cottages. By November 1891, the Helsers had settled in Portland.
Articles of Incorporation for the congregation were filed in 1893. By 1895, the group had 38 church members and was considered part of the Mennonite Brethren home mission work.
Heinrich Helser's leadership of the church ended in 1900. Around this time, approximately thirty-three members of the Mennonite Brethren Church decided to disband their congregation. They were accepted as members of the Albina German Baptist mission, which became the Second German Baptist Church. Within a short time, members of the Mennonite Brethren breakaway group became disenchanted with the Albina German Baptist Mission. They formed a new congregation known as the First United Mennonite Baptist Church.
New Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of Oregon on May 1, 1902, for the Deutsche Getaufte Mennoniten Brueder-Gemeinde of Albina, Portland (The German Baptist Mennonite Brethren Congregation of Albina in Portland). Rev. Johann Heinrich (Henry) Reisbich became the leader of the church. Like Henry Helser, Rev. Reisbich was also born in Norka, Russia. Also mentioned as incorporators are Adam Schmidt, H.J. Helser, Nickolas L. Popp, and H.H. Helser (the son of Henry Helser).
Heinrich Helser was born January 17, 1844, in Norka, Russia. Heinrich married Christina Ross, who was also born in Norka. Heinrich and Christina left Norka in 1878, bound for America. They first settled in Hastings, Nebraska, in a Mennonite community. The commune had a large central house surrounded by cottages. By November 1891, the Helsers had settled in Portland.
Articles of Incorporation for the congregation were filed in 1893. By 1895, the group had 38 church members and was considered part of the Mennonite Brethren home mission work.
Heinrich Helser's leadership of the church ended in 1900. Around this time, approximately thirty-three members of the Mennonite Brethren Church decided to disband their congregation. They were accepted as members of the Albina German Baptist mission, which became the Second German Baptist Church. Within a short time, members of the Mennonite Brethren breakaway group became disenchanted with the Albina German Baptist Mission. They formed a new congregation known as the First United Mennonite Baptist Church.
New Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of Oregon on May 1, 1902, for the Deutsche Getaufte Mennoniten Brueder-Gemeinde of Albina, Portland (The German Baptist Mennonite Brethren Congregation of Albina in Portland). Rev. Johann Heinrich (Henry) Reisbich became the leader of the church. Like Henry Helser, Rev. Reisbich was also born in Norka, Russia. Also mentioned as incorporators are Adam Schmidt, H.J. Helser, Nickolas L. Popp, and H.H. Helser (the son of Henry Helser).
"A Church Organized". Statesman Journal [Salem, Oregon], 2 May 1902, Page 5. Courtesy of Marilyn Mullins Schunke.
In 1905, the church was located at 313 Russell (now about 70 NE Russell), presumably on the property mentioned in the 1902 Articles of Incorporation. This was likely a small building that had quickly outgrown its original purpose.
A new church building was constructed at 3524 NE 6th Avenue in 1910. Membership was 37 people in 1912. Rev. Henry Reisbich served the congregation until 1913. In 1914, the new church building served as a temporary sanctuary for the newly formed Zion German Congregational Church, which was initially organized in the home of Conrad Helzer, possibly a relative of Heinrich Helser.
A new church building was constructed at 3524 NE 6th Avenue in 1910. Membership was 37 people in 1912. Rev. Henry Reisbich served the congregation until 1913. In 1914, the new church building served as a temporary sanctuary for the newly formed Zion German Congregational Church, which was initially organized in the home of Conrad Helzer, possibly a relative of Heinrich Helser.
Photo from the Zion Congregational Church 40th Anniversary booklet.
In these early years, tensions within the congregation existed, in part due to the influence of some members' Seventh-day Adventist and Baptist backgrounds, and perhaps also due to the tensions between Volga Germans and ethnic Mennonite Brethren. The congregation appears to have always struggled during its lifetime.
The church was viewed as a home mission during much of its existence. The Portland and Dallas, Oregon, churches were affiliated with other Mennonite Brethren conferences until the Pacific District Council (PDC), comprising congregations in Washington, Oregon, and California, was established in 1913. By 1916, and for some years thereafter, there was a home mission and congregation in Portland, which merged in 1930.
For many years, the congregation lacked strong resident leadership, and for some time, ministers from the church in Dallas, Oregon, preached regularly in Portland, often every other Sunday. Ministers Peter C. Hiebert (1907-1908) and Heinrich S. Voth (1909-1915) frequently filled the void.
It is remembered that a lame baker, a single man named Peter Heinrich, would regularly send a long green box with two layers of cookies home with Rev. Heinrich Voth after his weekend in Portland. According to the PDC yearbooks, Peter Heinrich, also born in Norka, Russia, served as the church's lay leader from 1913 until he moved to California in 1926, often with an ordained preacher or two and a deacon. By 1926, church membership had declined to 10 people.
New Articles of Incorporation were filed in 1927, and Conrad Heinrich Urbach, the son-in-law of Henry Reisbich, became the church's lay leader, serving until 1934. Membership fluctuated widely during these years. During these years, the stress of adapting to urban culture and financial problems contributed to the church's demise. Even among German-speaking people living in the area, mission outreach never gained significant traction. The response of younger people to cultural changes in the larger world brought considerable conflict and stress, as in other Volga German churches. The loss of younger people continued the congregation's decline, and the work nearly ended in 1932 but was revived in 1933.
Jacob Koch began leadership of the church as a layman in 1934 and continued until 1936.
In 1937, Rev. Frank F. Friesen assumed leadership of the struggling congregation, which had only 24 members.
The church was viewed as a home mission during much of its existence. The Portland and Dallas, Oregon, churches were affiliated with other Mennonite Brethren conferences until the Pacific District Council (PDC), comprising congregations in Washington, Oregon, and California, was established in 1913. By 1916, and for some years thereafter, there was a home mission and congregation in Portland, which merged in 1930.
For many years, the congregation lacked strong resident leadership, and for some time, ministers from the church in Dallas, Oregon, preached regularly in Portland, often every other Sunday. Ministers Peter C. Hiebert (1907-1908) and Heinrich S. Voth (1909-1915) frequently filled the void.
It is remembered that a lame baker, a single man named Peter Heinrich, would regularly send a long green box with two layers of cookies home with Rev. Heinrich Voth after his weekend in Portland. According to the PDC yearbooks, Peter Heinrich, also born in Norka, Russia, served as the church's lay leader from 1913 until he moved to California in 1926, often with an ordained preacher or two and a deacon. By 1926, church membership had declined to 10 people.
New Articles of Incorporation were filed in 1927, and Conrad Heinrich Urbach, the son-in-law of Henry Reisbich, became the church's lay leader, serving until 1934. Membership fluctuated widely during these years. During these years, the stress of adapting to urban culture and financial problems contributed to the church's demise. Even among German-speaking people living in the area, mission outreach never gained significant traction. The response of younger people to cultural changes in the larger world brought considerable conflict and stress, as in other Volga German churches. The loss of younger people continued the congregation's decline, and the work nearly ended in 1932 but was revived in 1933.
Jacob Koch began leadership of the church as a layman in 1934 and continued until 1936.
In 1937, Rev. Frank F. Friesen assumed leadership of the struggling congregation, which had only 24 members.
Photograph of Frank F. Friesen Sr.'s family. Frank F. Friesen Jr. ministered at the Mennonite Brethren Church. This photo is shown on page 162 of the book "Apart and Together: Mennonites in Oregon and Neighboring States, 1876- 1976" by Hope K. Lind.
The church disbanded in 1938 (its last report to the Pacific District Conference was in 1937). Most of its members were older people. The remaining members were advised to join the Mennonite Brethren Church in Dallas, Oregon, approximately 60 miles southwest of their location. For most, this was not a practical option.
The records of the Second German Baptist Church note that several members of a small Mennonite Brethren Church in Albina joined their church at this time.
The Pacific District Council sold the church property in 1939, and the funds were held for new work in Portland. In 1940, the committee for home missions reported that they had found no new opportunities, and the money was loaned to a new congregation in West Salem.
The leaders of the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church include the following (dates are approximate):
The records of the Second German Baptist Church note that several members of a small Mennonite Brethren Church in Albina joined their church at this time.
The Pacific District Council sold the church property in 1939, and the funds were held for new work in Portland. In 1940, the committee for home missions reported that they had found no new opportunities, and the money was loaned to a new congregation in West Salem.
The leaders of the Portland Mennonite Brethren Church include the following (dates are approximate):
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1891-1900
1901-1913 1913-1926 1926-1934 1934-1936 1937-1938 |
The signature of Frank F. Friesen, Jr. from Elsie Virginia Reisbick’s Petition for Naturalization filed in the United States District Court of Oregon, at Portland, Oregon, on 15 March 1938. The image of Elsie’s Petition can be found on Ancestry at image 1562 of 1847 in Oregon, U.S., Naturalization Records 1865-1991. If browsing it is on (Roll 51) Petition and Record, 1937-1938; #11826-12341 . The original source: Idaho, Oregon, and Washington Petitions for Naturalization, 1932-1991. Records of the District Courts of the United States, RG 21. The National Archives at Seattle, Seattle, Washington. Courtesy of Marilyn Mullins Schunke.
Former First United Mennonite Baptist Church as of May 2004. This structure is now being used as a residence.
Sources
Jantzen, G. H. and Kevin Enns-Rempel. "Dallas Mennonite Brethren Church (Dallas, Oregon, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. 2007. Web. 9 Feb 2019.
Lind, Hope Kauffman. Apart and Together: Mennonites in Oregon and Neighboring States, 1876-1976, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1990
75 Years of Fellowship: Pacific District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches 1912-1987, Fresno, Calif.: Pacific District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches, 1987.
Zion Congregational Church 40th Anniversary Book. Portland, OR: Zion Congregational Church, 1954. Print.
What to see and how to see it, Portland, Oregon. Portland Chamber of Commerce, 1905.
"A Church Organized". Statesman Journal [Salem, Oregon], 2 May 1902, Page 5. Downloaded from Newspapers.com by Marilyn Schunke on 19 Jun 2021.
Lind, Hope Kauffman. Apart and Together: Mennonites in Oregon and Neighboring States, 1876-1976, Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1990
75 Years of Fellowship: Pacific District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches 1912-1987, Fresno, Calif.: Pacific District Conference of the Mennonite Brethren Churches, 1987.
Zion Congregational Church 40th Anniversary Book. Portland, OR: Zion Congregational Church, 1954. Print.
What to see and how to see it, Portland, Oregon. Portland Chamber of Commerce, 1905.
"A Church Organized". Statesman Journal [Salem, Oregon], 2 May 1902, Page 5. Downloaded from Newspapers.com by Marilyn Schunke on 19 Jun 2021.
Last updated October 3, 2025