Rev. Solomon B. Kraft

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00069-4171
• Residence: 1861, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Occupation: 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; carpenter
• Occupation: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Clerk
• Residence: 1871, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mennonite
• Residence: 1876, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Mill Wright
• Residence: 1881, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical Methodist
• Occupation: 1900, Buffalo, Erie, New York, United States; Minister

Notes:

Solomon B. Kraft, "was born December 9th, 1850. He was first married to Ellen Hewitt. She died, leaving one daughter named Ellen who died shortly after her mother. Several years after his first wife's decease he was married again to Bertha Birnstihl. They have no family. He entered the ministry of the Evangelical Association in April, 1882, and was stationed on different fields of labor in Canada. Some years ago he joined the New York conference and at present is stationed at Tonawanda, New York."

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a history of the early settlers and their descendants, mostly all of Pennsylvania Dutch origin: as also much other unpublished historical information chiefly of a local character.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.].

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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

Solomon married Ellen Hewitt 23 Sep 1871, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Ellen (daughter of Elisha Hewitt and Elspit Meldrum) was born 31 Mar 1856, Woolwich Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 5 May 1873, Bridgeport (Kitchener), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried , First Mennonite Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Solomon married Bertha Bierenstihl 12 Mar 1876, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Bertha (daughter of Adam Bierenstihl and Annie Straub) was born 20 Nov 1854, Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was christened 22 Jan 1864, Church Of New Jerusalem, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; died 9 Jun 1925, Batavia, Genesee, New York, USA; was buried , Elmwood Cemetery, Batavia, Genesee, New York, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: 00069-4171.2