Our Story

Grantham Mennonite Brethren Church was established in 1973 from the people, resources, and labour of a fellow St. Catharines congregation, Scott St. Mennonite Brethren Church. Sunday worship at Scott St. was in German and English, as most of its families were of German-speaking refugees who had fled Communist Russia. But as Scott St. grew in members they established other churches in the city, envisioning new congregations to welcome their English-speaking friends and neighbours. Pooling resources and logging 15,000 volunteer hours in the areas of architecture, management, and manual labour, Grantham MB was born in the heart of North End St. Catharines.

Through the years, God has been very good to us—giving opportunities to join in God’s redemptive work in the world, changing lives, and inviting others to follow Jesus. We have not forgotten the stories of our first members who initially shaped our community, many who still offer their wisdom, prayer, and leadership to this day. However, our story is also ever-expanding to include new and surprising people who did not grow up with the name “Mennonite,” but are now part of its rich tapestry in our local congregation.

Our local experience as a Mennonite Brethren congregation is echoed among our global family, the International Community of Mennonite Brethren. As a unique movement originating among South Russian Mennonites in the 1860s, traditional Mennonite culture originally included things particular to that place and people; many of those traditions are still handed down today. But as God has invited diverse people from all over the world into our fellowship, our “traditional Mennonite culture” now includes foods, songs, and stories from South India, to Africa, to South America.


"Grantham Mennonite Brethren Church" ~ https://gameo.org/
"Mennonite Brethren: Tell me about them" ~ https://www.mennonitebrethren.ca/
"International Community of Mennonite Brethren" ~ https://www.icomb.org/