Myrtle Buschert

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50374759
• Name: Myrtle Bast
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-46963

Notes:

Bast, Myrtle Buschert, daughter of Norman and Mary (Weber) Buschert, was born in Carstairs, Alta., May 20, 1908; died of a heart attack at St. Joseph's Hospital, Orange Co., Calif., Mar. 13, 1987; aged 78 y. On Mar. 10, 1942, she was married to Bill Bast, who died in 1953. Surviving are 3 children (Delmore, Mary, and Ron), 5 grandchildren, one sister (Mabel), and 3 brothers (Lorne, Gordon, and Roy). Funeral services were held at West Zion Mennonite Church in charge of James Miller; interment in West Zion Cemetery.

Gospel Herald - Volume 80, Number 20 - May 19, 1987 - page 350

Myrtle married William Bast Mar 1942. William (son of George E. Bast and Annie Schrag) was born Feb 1903, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 17 Jan 1953, Brooks, , Alberta, Canada; was buried , West Zion Mennonite Cemetery, near, Carstairs, , Alberta, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00028-2071.2
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Agricultural Laborer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer Son
• Residence: 1933, Carstairs, , Alberta, Canada

Notes:

BUSCHERT. Norman Buschert was born Oct. 2, 1872, near Kitchener, Ont.; died at his home Nov. 16, 1935, near Carstairs, Alta.; aged 63 y. 1 m. 14 d. He left his native home and came to Alberta in 1899; taking up a homestead where he resided till death. On Dec. 2, 1903, he was united in marriage to Mary Weber formerly of Kitchener. To this union were born 6 children. He leaves his sorrowing widow, 4 sons (Earl, Lorne, Roy, and Gordon), 2 daughters (Myrtle and Mabel), 3 grandchildren, 6 brothers (Ira, Joseph, Ammon, and Chester of Ontario; Ivan of Cereal; Ephraim of Dogpound, Alta.) And 1 sister (Mrs Alexander Sherriffs of Carstairs). He united with the West Zion Mennonite Church on Sept. 15, 1901, the time when the church was first organized. He was ordained deacon in 1925, serving in this office till the Lord called him home.About a year ago he suffered with a stroke, but had regained his health. Then about 2 weeks before his death he suffered with an inward stroke and the day before his death his one side was paralyzed. Death quickly followed. From the time he took sick he was unable to talk or show very little signs of recognition; but we have the consolation that he lived a Christian life. May he rest in peace. Funeral services were held Nov. 19 at the West Zion Mennonite Church near Carstairs. Interment in adjoining cemetery. Text, II Cor 5: 1; "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Gospel Herald - Vol. XXVIII, No. 36 - December 5, 1935, pages 766, 767.

______________________________


Norman C. Buschert: deacon in the West Zion Mennonite Church near Carstairs, Alberta, was born 2 October 1872 near Kitchener, Ontario, and died 16 November 1935 near Carstairs, Alberta. He married Mary Weber, formerly of Berlin (Kitchener), on 2 December 1903. They were the parents of 6 children.

Norman Buschert purchased a homestead in the Carstairs district in 1900 and was one of the founding members when the West Zion Mennonite Church was organized in 1901. Mary Weber was one of two young ladies who arrived in Carstairs from Ontario in 1902. She and Norman were the first couple to be married in the West Zion Mennonite church. They remained in the community and continued to serve the church all through their married life.

In 1925 Norman Buschert was ordained by lot to the office of deacon, a position he filled diligently and sacrificially until the time of his fatal illness in 1935. He suffered a stroke in 1934 but regained his health briefly but died shortly after a second stroke in November of 1935.

Regehr, Ted D. "Buschert, Norman C. (1872-1935)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. December 2003. Web. 25 February 2011. https://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/B8592.html.

Norman married Mary Weber 15 Sep 1901. Mary (daughter of Bishop Elias E. Weber and Mary Shoemaker) was born 20 Dec 1875, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 26 Jun 1961, Brooks, , Alberta, Canada; was buried , West Zion Mennonite Cemetery, near, Carstairs, , Alberta, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Buschert
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7837.14
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Buschert, Mary, daughter of Elias and Mary (Shoemaker) Weber, was born near Breslau, Ont., Dec. 20, 1875; died at the Brooks (Alta.) Hospital, June 26, 1961; aged 85 y. 6 m. 6 d. She was married to Norman Buschert, who died in 1935. surviving are 4 sons and 2 daughters (Earl, Didsbury; Lorne, Calgary; Roy and Gordon, Carstairs; Mrs. Myrtle Bast, Duchess; and Mrs. Mabel Francis Cartairs), 24 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and one brother (Amos, Vancouver, B.C.). She enjoyed good health until just a few weeks before her death. She was a member of the West Zion Church, Carstairs, Alta., where funeral services were held June 29, in charge of C. J. Ramer and Linford D. Hackman

Gospel Herald - Volume LIV, Number 28 - July 18, 1961, pages 638, 639, 640

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00028-2071.1
• Occupation: 1881, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

BUSCHERT - Wendell Buschert was born at Williamsburg, Ont., Sept. 13, 1847; passed away to his eternal rest at Breslau, Ont., on May 30, 1917; aged 69 y. 8 m. 28 d. His entire life was spent in Waterloo county. Bro. Buschert was a member of the Mennonite Church for many years, keeping the faith unto the end. He was married in 1871 to sister Lydia Cressman, to which union were born 12 children, 2 of them dying in infancy. There are left to mourn his departure a sorrowing wife, 7 sons, 3 daughters, 3 brothers, 2 sisters and 23 grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Breslau on Sunday afternoon, June 3, conducted by J. S. Woolner and Oscar Burkholder. Text, 11 Cor. 5: 1.

Gospel Herald - Volume X, Number 13 - June 28, 1917, page 256

Wendel married Lydia Cressman 26 Nov 1871, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Lydia (daughter of Joseph Cressman and Veronica "Fanny" Shantz) was born 14 Mar 1850, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 19 Mar 1927, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Lydia Buschert
• Eby ID Number: 00028-2071
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Lydia Cressman, "was born March 14th, 1850. She is married to Wendel Bushard. They reside near Winterbourne, Ontario, where he is engaged in farming."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_______________________________


BUSCHERT - Lydia Cressman was born Mar. 14, 1850; died at her home in Breslau, Ont., Mar. 19, 1927; aged 77 y. 5 d. On Nov. 26, 1871, she was united in marriage with Wendell Buschert. To this union were born 8 sons and 4 daughters. Her husband, 2 daughters, and 1 son have preceded her in death. She leaves 7 sons, 2 daughters, 29 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren. Sister Buschert united with the Mennonite Church during the ministry of Bishop Joseph Hagey, and died in the faith of her choice. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon, March 22, from her late home to the Cressman Mennonite Church, Breslau, and interment was made in adjoining cemetery. Services conducted by Oscar Burkholder. Text, 1 Cor. 13: 12.


Gospel Herald - Volume XX, Number 1 - April 7, 1927 page 14,15,16

Other Events:

• Occupation: Cressman Mennonite Church, Breslau, Ontario; minister
• Eby ID Number: 00127-7837
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; labourer
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1901, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

Bishop Elias Weber," the eldest son of David and Catherine (Eby) Weber,was born in Berlin, February 22nd, 1834. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm. During the winter months he attended the common public schools. On March 20th, 1855, he was married to Mary Shoemaker. They now reside on the old "Kunniman Farm," one mile west of Breslau, on the Berlin Road. They have a family of nine children, namely: VII Sarah, died young; VII Simon, died young; VII Lovina, married to Jacob Woolner; VII Leah, died young; VII Nancy, married to Aaron Schiedel; VII Lydia, married to David Reist; VII Amos, married to Rosilla Wambold and resides at home with his father; VII Israel, and VII Mary. In his younger days he joined the church of his choice, the Mennonite, and a few years later he was chosen as a deacon. He was afterwards called to the ministry on the Cressman field of labor, and finally, upon the death of Bishop Joseph Hagey, he was ordained bishop. He is of genial and sociable disposition, but guards himself against frivolity. He is generally well received by the people by all, and it may be said of him that he is one of those men who make for themselves many friends and few enemies. His talent as a minister compares favorably with that of the majority of our day. His education is rather limited, but he has studied and made good progress in the acquisition of Bible knowledge. His preaching is spiritual and at most times powerful and convincing, having great effect on the large audience generally present. That he has the confidence and high esteem of the whole congregation is evident from the fact that he was chosen as one of the candidates for the office of bishop. May he be spared for many years to come, and may his labors be crowned with glorious success in winning souls for the Lord."

Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_____________________________________________

Weber, Elias (1834-1909)

Elias Weber: bishop and farmer; born 22 February 1834 in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario to David and Catherine (Eby) Weber. He was the oldest child in a family of five sons and six daughters. He was a grandson of Bishop Benjamin Eby. On 20 March 1855 Elias married Mary Shoemaker (6 April 1832-14 November 1921). They had six daughters and three sons. Elias died 23 January 1909.
By vocation Elias Weber was a farmer; he and his family lived west of the town of Breslau. His education was limited to the primary schools of his day.

As a young man Elias Weber joined the Cressman congregation at Breslau. In 1867 he was ordained as a deacon for the congregation, and in 1874 as a minister. After the death of Bishop Joseph Hagey , he was ordained in 1879 as the bishop for the Waterloo Township churches. The major crisis of his bishopric was the division within the Ontario Mennonite Conference that led to the formation of the Old Order Mennonite conference in the late 1880s. Abraham Martin was the conservative bishop in Waterloo County, who held responsibility for the congregations in Woolwich Township. In 1885 a number of converts resulted from a series of evening meetings in Woolwich Townships. Martin opposed these revivalistic-style meetings and refused to instruct or baptize the group of over 30 coverts. After some delay, Elias Weber agreed to baptize the converts, which he did in three different groups from May-July, 1885. A series of other issues found Bishops Martin and Weber on different sides, and in 1889 the division became final.

Elias Weber also helped to organize the Alberta Conference (later the Alberta-Saskatchewan Conference and still later the Northwest Mennonite Conference ) in July 1903. He ordained Amos Bauman as the bishop for the three-congregation conference at that time.
Elias Weber was said to have a genial, but cautious, personality. He was not as gifted speaker as some other leaders in the conference, nor did he leave a legacy of writings. But Weber provided moderate leadership at a time more educated, aggressive Mennonite leaders from the U.S. were influencing the Ontario churches in more progressive directions.

Steiner, Sam. "Weber, Elias (1834-1909)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. April 2002. Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 14 Nov 2005
_______________________________

Breslau (Cressman) Mennonite Church

Services were begun in Breslau in 1815. In 1834, Benjamin Eby's log meeting house, which had been built in Berlin in 1813, was moved to Breslau to the Cressman farm. Preaching services which were held every four weeks began in the reconstructed meeting house in 1837. A new brick church was built in 1856, at which time the old log meeting house was moved to Frederick Schaefer's brickyard. The old building may have been used for storage or an office until approximately 1880 when it was clad with white "Breslau Brick" from the brickyard, and used as a home by Frederick Schaefer and his family. The address of the house is reported to have been 18 Woolwich Street; it was still standing in 1985, according to Alder 1985, with the original log walls possibly preserved within the brick ones.
A summer Sunday School was begun in June of 1872. It was held in the Breslau schoolhouse until 1877 when it was moved to the church. Sunday School continued on in the summers only until 1889 when Sunday School classes began to be held all year.
The 1856 white brick church was taken down in March 1908, and was replaced with a new white brick church. In 1968 the name of the church was changed from Cressman Mennonite Church to Breslau Mennonite Church. Major renovations were made to the church in the same year. It is of interest to know that land amounting to approximately three acres was deeded to the congregation by Christian C. Snyder in three parcels, in 1837, 1859, and 1870.
Joseph Hagey, the first minister at Cressman's, was ordained on February 10, 1839. He was ordained bishop in 1851. Ministers who followed him in serving the church at Breslau were Jacob Woolner Sr., Elias Weber, Isaac A. Wambold, Jacob S. Woolner, and Oscar Burkholder. Services were held every four weeks from 1837-1867, and bi-weekly from 1867-1894 when weekly services were begun

Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

Elias married Mary Shoemaker 20 Mar 1855. Mary (daughter of George D. Shoemaker and Anna "Nancy" Shuh) was born 6 Apr 1832, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 14 Nov 1921; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Shoemaker
• Name: Mary Weber
• Eby ID Number: 00112-7113
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1911, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Bretheran

Notes:

Mary Shoemaker, "was born April 6th, 1832. She is married to Bishop Elias Weber. They reside on the old "Kunneman Farm" one mile west of Breslau and have quite a family, most of whom are married."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-84784
• Residence: 1845, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Wendel married Hannah Derstein 4 Feb 1845, Preston (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Hannah was born 11 Apr 1819, , USA; died 5 Mar 1855, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , Pioneer Park Mennonite Cemetery, [formerly Weber Mennonite Biehn Drive Cemetery] Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Hannah Buschert
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-84785
• Residence: 1845, Blenheim Twp., Oxford Co., Ontario, Canada

Notes:

On the 5th inst., Mrs. Wendel Buschart, while on a sleigh ride, was upset and thrown with such violence against a stump that she died the following day; age about 34. Berlin Telegraph


The Christian Guardian 28 Mar 1855, pg 99

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00028-2067
• Residence: 1841, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Joseph Cressman, "the eldest was born August 4th, 1819. On May 11th, 1841, he was married to Veronica Shantz. She was born October 27th, 1819, and died in Breslau, Ontario, September 7th, 1893. They resided on the farm now possessed by their son, Moses, where he died January 6th, 1888. To them were born seven children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

______________


CRESSMAN. On the 5th of January, near Breslau, Waterloo county, Ont., of paralysis, Joseph Cressman, aged 68 years, 5 months and 2 days. Buried on the 8th at Cressman's Meeting-house, where a large congregation of friends and acquaintances assembled to pay their last respects and adieu to the beloved brother, whom we believe fell asleep in Jesus. He left a widow and 5 children and a number of grandchildren to mourn his departure. Funeral services by E. E. Weber and J. Woolner.


Herald of Truth, Vol. XXV, Number 3, February 1, 1888, Pages 44, 45

Joseph married Veronica "Fanny" Shantz 11 May 1841, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Veronica (daughter of Isaac Shantz and Esther Bechtel) was born 27 Oct 1819, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 7 Sep 1893, Breslau, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 10 Sep 1893, Breslau Mennonite Cemetery, Breslau, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Fanny Shantz
• Name: Frances Shantz
• Name: Veronica "Fanny" Cressman
• Eby ID Number: 00110-6831
• Residence: 1841, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Veronica Shantz, "was born October 27th, 1819, and died September 7th, 1893. On May 11, 1841, she was married to Joseph Cressman."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

______________________________


CRESSMAN - On the 7th of September, 1893, at Breslau, Ontario, sister Veronica, widow of the late Bro. Joseph Cressman, aged 73 y., 10 m., 11 d. She died with a living hope. Buried on the 10th at Breslau, followed to the grave by many relatives and friends. She leaves a number of children and grandchildren to mourn their loss. Funeral services were held by Jacob Woolner in German, and by Amos Eby in English.


Herald of Truth , Vol. XXX, No. 19, October 1, 1893 - Page 310, 311

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00127-7836
• Residence: 1836, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer

Notes:

David Weber," the second son of Benjamin and Veronica (Martin) Weber, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, June 22nd, 1811. When a mere lad he came to Canada with his parents, in 1817. He was raised a little to the north of the town of Waterloo where his father resided. The old home is now in possession of Joseph Weber, a grandson of old Benjamin Weber. He was married to Catherine Eby, February 3rd, 1833. She was a daughter of Bishop Benjamin Eby, and was born July 25th, 1815. and died March 30th, 1867. After their marriage they moved on the farm now forming a part of the town of Berlin. In 1849 they left this place and moved three miles east of Berlin, on the farm (east end of lot No. 120, German Company Tract) now possessed by his sons, Theodore and Henry. Here they resided until their deaths. He died September 17th,1877. His family consisted of eleven children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

________________________

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

Early Catholic settlers in Berlin travelled to St. Agatha for worship services. Father John Wiriath recorded only six Catholic families in Berlin as of 1837. Father Wiriath was followed by Fathers Peter Schneider and Simon Sanderl who served Berlin from their base at St. Agatha. The next missionaries in the area were the Jesuits, Fathers Lucas Caveng and Bernard Fritsch, who served from 1847. More Catholics settled in Berlin and when it was chosen as the county seat in 1852, with the expected arrival of additional settlers, plans were made to construct a church.

A site at Weber and Young Streets was purchased from Mr. David Weber, and the cornerstone for the church was laid in 1854. This brick church was completed and dedicated in 1856, but was used only on an average of perhaps once a month as the congregation had to share the time of the priests from St. Agatha. While Rev. George Laufhuber was priest from 1857-1859 a Separate School was organized. The congregation was primarily German at this time. Father Laufhuber was followed by Fathers P. Edward Glowacki (or Glowalski) and Francis Breitkopf, and then by Rev. Dr. Louis Funcken (1866-1890). Regular services began in 1866. Additions were made to this church with a new Sanctuary in 1871, and a larger Sacristy in 1881. A new school was built in 1874, and a new convent in 1885.

Land for the present church, adjacent to the old one, was purchased in 1899, sod was turned on Sunday, May 27, 1900 and the cornerstone of the new church building was laid on September 30, 1900. Dedication services were held in the new church on December 13, 1903. The full name of the church is Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows

Waterloo County Churches A Research Guide To Churches Established Before 1900 By Rosemary Ambrose

David married Catharine Eby 3 Feb 1833. Catharine (daughter of Bishop Benjamin Eby and Maria "Mary" Brubacher) was born 25 Jul 1814, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 30 Mar 1867, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Catharine Weber
• Name: Katharina Eby
• Eby ID Number: 00031-2447
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Catharine Eby, "the fourth member and the second daughter of Benjamin Eby, was born July 25th, 1814. She was married, February 3rd, 1833, to David, son of Benjamin and Veronica (Martin) Weber. They moved on their farm now forming the North Ward of the town of Berlin. Their farm buildings were situated near where the Grand Trunk Railroad station is now situated. Some time before the Grand Trunk Railway was built they sold their farm to Rev. Abraham Weber and moved two and three-fourths miles east of Berlin, on the east end of lot No. 120, where they resided until their deaths. She died March 30th, 1867, and he died September 17th, 1877. To them were born eleven children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

_________________________________________


On the 30th of March, in Waterloo Township, Waterloo Co., C. W., of consumption, CATHERINE, wife of David WEBER, and daughter of Bish. Benjamin Eby, deceased, aged 52 years, 8 months, and some days. She calmly fell asleep in Jesus. She was buried at Christian Eby's burying-ground, on which occasion Enoch Detweiler and Daniel Wismer delivered appropriate addresses.


HERALD OF TRUTH - Volume IV, Number 5 - May 1867 - Page 78

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00112-7112
• Occupation: 1824, Upper Salford Twp, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania; weaver
• Immigration: 1825, , Ontario, Canada
• Land: Bef 1831, Waterloo Township - German Company Tract Lot 119, Waterloo County, Ontario
• Occupation: 1852, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; farmer
• Occupation: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Gentleman
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

George Shoemaker, "the third son of George Shoemaker, was born on the homestead of his grandfather, Jacob Shoemaker, in Frederick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, October 5th, 1803. From 1822 to 1824 he served his apprenticeship as weaver with one William Gratz who resided in Upper Salford Township. After having served his apprenticeship he made his home with Jacob Clemens. In 1825 he, in company with Jacob Clemens and family, Abraham Clemens and family, and others, came to Canada. During the first summer of his sojourn here he followed his trade, weaving. He had his shop at Deacon Abraham Clemens' place a little north of Preston. In the fall of the same year he engaged himself to Jacob Clemens who had selected as his home the farm situated on the west side of the Grand River, opposite Breslau, now occupied by Joseph Cressman. Here he was one year. The next five years he spent in "chopping and logging" (clearing land) for various parties within this township. In 1828 he purchased his farm, being part of lot No. 119, German Company's Tract, from old Samuel Bricker (formerly owned by old Hannes Eby), at the following rates, one hundred acres at $3 per acre and thirty-one acres at at $2 per acre. On June 8th, 1830, he was married to Anna Shuh who was born December 31st, 1808, and died August 20th, 1895. Soon after their marriage they moved on their farm where he still resides. He is now past 94 years of age. His family consisted of ten children"


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].

__________________

Shoemaker - On the 8th of December 1897 at his home near Berlin, Waterloo Co., Ont., of the infirmities of old age, Bro. George Shoemaker, aged 94 years, 2 months and 3 days. Bro. Shoemaker was the third son of George Shoemaker, and was born on the homestead of his grandfather Jacob Shoemaker in Frederic Twp., Montgomery Co., Pa., Oct. 5, 1803. In his youth he worked at the loom for William Kratz of Upper Salford Twp. In 1825, in company with Jacob and Abraham Clemens and their families and others he emigrated to Canada, and for a while worked at his trade, that of weaver. Later he made his home with Jacob Clemens on the west side of the Grand River near Breslau. He afterward bought a farm two miles east of Berlin, on which he spent the remainder of his long life. On the 8th of June 1830 he was married to Anna Shuh, who died Aug. 20th 1895. He united with the Mennonite church in his youth, and was a faithful member. To them were born ten children, several of whom preceded their father. A number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren remain to mourn the loss of a kind grandparent. The remains were laid to rest in the C. Eby graveyard, Berlin, on the 11th of December, followed by an immense concourse of relatives and friends. Funeral services by E. S. Hallman in English from 1 Pet. 1: 3,4, and by Noah Stauffer in German from Prov. 12: 28.


Herald of Truth, Vol. XXXV, No. 1, January 1, 1898 - page 13, 14

George married Anna "Nancy" Shuh 8 Jun 1830, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Anna (daughter of Rev. Henry Shuh and Mary Kaufman) was born 31 Dec 1808, York Co., Pennsylvania; died 20 Aug 1895; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Anna "Nancy" Shoemaker
• Name: Nancy Shuh
• Eby ID Number: 00107-6440
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1891, Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite

Notes:

Anna Shuh, "the eldest of named family, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 31st, 1808. On June 8th, 1830, she was married to George D Shoemaker, a farmer. She has had a family of ten children, of whom six are still living. Her death took place August 20th, 1895."


Eby, Ezra E. (1895). A biographical history of Waterloo township and other townships of the county: being a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character. Berlin [Kitchener, Ont.]: [s.n.].