Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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Rev. Samuel R. Knechtel[1]

Male 1857 - 1947  (90 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Samuel R. Knechtel 
    Prefix Rev. 
    Born 11 Apr 1857  Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 
    Gender Male 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68752063 
    Name S. R. Knechtel  [5] 
    Residence 1861  Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Evangelical Society 
    Occupation 1891  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Clergyman 
    Residence 1891  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Evangelical 
    Occupation 1901  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Clergyman 
    Occupation 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Minister 
    Residence 1911  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Evangelical 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-99407 
    Died 14 May 1947  [6] 
    Buried First St. Johns Cemetery, Sebringville, Perth Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Person ID I99407  Generations
    Last Modified 28 Jan 2025 

    Father Johann Valentin "Valentine" Knechtel,   b. 23 Jul 1817, , Bavaria, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Apr 1896, Milverton, Mornington Twp., Perth Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Mother Barbara Rudy,   b. 1814, , Alsace Lorraine, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 7 Jun 1894, , Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 80 years) 
    Married 3 Mar 1840  Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    Family ID F8322  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Mary Ann Otto,   b. 3 Jan 1854, New Hamburg, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Apr 1921, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 67 years) 
    Married 28 Apr 1885  Ellice Township, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Children 
     1. Laura Magdalena Knechtel,   b. 10 Feb 1886, South Cayuga Township, Haldimand Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Gordon Valentin Knechtel,   b. 10 Aug 1887, Haldimand, Rainham Township, Haldimand Co., Ontario? Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Sep 1918, Epinonville, Departement de la Meuse, Lorraine, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 31 years)
     3. Walter Valentine Knechtel,   b. 10 Aug 1887, South Cayuga Township, Haldimand Co., Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2025 
    Family ID F25584  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Caroline Rannie,   b. 16 Sep 1873, Hay Twp., Huron Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Aug 1964, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 90 years) 
    Last Modified 29 Jan 2025 
    Family ID F45960  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Bridgeport United Church

      The early Evangelical Association congregations in Berlin and Waterloo date back to August 1839 when a Camp Meeting was held over a number of days at David Erb's farm (Lot 7, German Company Tract) at Lexington. Classes (or congregations) in Berlin and in Waterloo were organized at that meeting by Bishop John Seybert - on August 29th. Twenty-six charter members were divided into the two classes. Class leader for Waterloo and vicinity was Jacob Hoffman . His brother, John , was class leader for Berlin.

      The Waterloo class, along with classes at Lexington and Breslau, was connected to the Berlin Mission until the organization of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Association in 1864. The Waterloo Mission was formed at that time. In 1866 the Breslau class was merged with the Lexington class and in 1876 the Lexington class, with 31 members, was referred to as the Bridgeport class for the first time.

      An old log schoolhouse was purchased in 1879 for $500.00 on condition that it be used only for Sunday School services, not for preaching. The exterior walls were covered with lumber and the building was dedicated on November 9, 1879. A new white brick church was built ten years later, in 1889, when the old schoolhouse became inadequate for the growing congregation. This church was in use until 1934 when the present building was completed. A decision had been made at a congregational meeting in July 1933 to proceed with construction of a new church. The ground-breaking service was held on August 28, 1933 and on October 1 of that year the cornerstone was laid by Rev. W.J. Zimmerman. Dedication services were held in the new red brick church on Sunday March 18, 1934. In 1942 the old brick church was sold to Mr. Minnacker for $100. An addition which was built on to the west side of the church in 1958 provided additional space for the Sunday School, as well as offices and a kitchen. The new complex was dedicated on November 30, 1958 with Professor John F. Schaefer of Naperville, Illinois preaching the dedication sermon.

      Bridgeport and Waterloo were a joint parish from 1876 until 1910, when Bridgeport was joined with Strasburg. This association lasted until 1914 when Bridgeport called its own full-time pastor. The Evangelical Church joined with the United Brethren in Christ Church on November 16, 1946 to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church. On January 1, 1968 when the Evangelical United Brethren joined with the United Church, Emmanuel's name was changed once again - to Emmanuel United Church. In February 1987 the congregation voted to change the name of the church to Bridgeport United Church.

      Rev. J. Kaechele (1864-1865) was pastor in 1864 when the Waterloo Mission was formed; Solomon Kraft was the Bridgeport class leader when the schoolhouse was bought in 1879 and Rev. S.R. Knechtel (1888-1891) was pastor in 1889 when the new white brick church was built.

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

      __________________________

      Rev. S. Knechtel Taken by Death

      Oldest member of the Canada Conference of the Evangelical Church both in years of service and age, Rev S. R. Knechtel, 88, died at his residence, 24 Caroline St., early today. Rev. Mr. Knechtel served the conference for 64 years and was presiding elder for 16 years. He was elected presiding elder in 1899, and was the first pastor of the Olivet Evangelical Church, built in 1935. The church grew from a Sunday School in a private residence in 1931 to a regular congregation which expanded rapidly and. resulted in erection of the church. The aged minister retired the following year. The son of the late Valentine and Barbara Knechtel he was born near Heidelberg, April 11, 1859. In 1866 the Knechtel family, of which Rev, Mr. Knechtel was the last member, moved to Perth County, where he joined the Evangelical Church in Rostock, Dec. 17, 1871. In 1879 he enrolled at North Western College, Naperville, 211., and, graduated in the German course in 1883. Immediately after graduation he entered the active ranks of ministry and Served in Hay Circut, Gainsborough, Waterloo Station; Bridgeport, New Hamburg, Campden and Kitchener. In 1931 he moved to Kitchener and in May, 1932, he was placed in charge of the Sunday School which later became Olivet Church. Surviving are his wife, one step-son, Milton Heyrock, Detroit, one daughter, Mrs. John B. (Laura) Dengis, Stratford, and One step-daughter, Mrs. Frank McCutcheon,. London. One son Gordon was killed in the First World War. The remains will rest at the Ratz-Bechtel Funeral Home Until 11 a.m. Saturday, when removal will be made to the Olivet Evangelical Church for service at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Sebringviile Cemetery. Rev., Dr. H. A. Kellerman, district superintendent of the conference will Officiate. Friends may pay their respects at the church until the hour of the service.


      Paper Unknown

  • Sources 
    1. [S1573] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo City - 1891, Section 4 Page 45.

    2. [S137] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1901, Berlin (Town/Ville) A-4 Page 7.

    3. [S340] Census - ON, Waterloo, Berlin - 1911, Div. 28 Pg. 2.

    4. [S915] Census - ON, Waterloo, Woolwich - 1861, District. 11 Page 102.

    5. [S2403] News - Unidentified Newspaper Obituary, Obituary of Mary Otto - Knechtel.

    6. [S3231] Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/68752063.

    7. [S9] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Canada Museum und Allgemeine Zeitung (1835-1840), 9 Mar 1840:49.
      3 Mar 1840 Rev Bindemann m. Valentin Knechtel to Spr Barbara Ruby, both from Berlin, Waterloo Co., Upper Canada.

    8. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Samuel R Knechtel Born: Ontario Canada Age: 26 Born: abt 1859 Father: Valentine Knechtel Mother: Barbara Knechtel Spouse: Mary Ann Otto Age: 31 Born: abt 1854 born: Ont Canada Father: Valentine Otto Mother: Magdalena Otto married 28 Apr 1885 married: Perth, Ellice

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 11 Apr 1857 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Evangelical Society - 1861 - Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 28 Apr 1885 - Ellice Township, Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Clergyman - 1891 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Evangelical - 1891 - Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Clergyman - 1901 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Minister - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Evangelical - 1911 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - First St. Johns Cemetery, Sebringville, Perth Co., Ontario Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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