BERTIE

The history of the early bishops and ministers of Black Creek, before the church was built, now known as the Bertie church of the Brethren in Christ (Tunker). Elders, or overseers, were John Winger, Peter Winger, Abraham Winger, Jonas Winger, Bert Sherk, and William Charlton.

The ministers were John Sider, Sr. and father of Bishop John Sider of Wainfleet. Martin Climenhaga, Abraham Zimmerman, Asa Bearss, Nicholas Michael, George Detwiler of Waterloo and later editor of Evangelical Visitor, Gervin Bearss, Albert Rugle, Alvin Winger, now bishop of Markham district, Jesse Winger, Warren Winger, Edward Nigh and James Sider.

The deacons were Daniel Fretz, David Climenhaga, Christian Bitner, Benjamin Barnhart, Daniel Climenhaga, John Winger, David Winger, Peter Winger, Andrew Winger, Emanuel Fretz, Levi Winger, Norman Winger, John Ruegg, Peter Sider and Fred Climenhaga.

Bishop Abraham Winger died in 1904, aged 75 years. He married Magdalene Sider who died in 1877, aged 51 years. His son, Jonas Winger, succeeded him as bishop after his death. Of Black Creek district, names of rninisters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren that have served in the ministry: Jesse Winger, Warren Winger, Marshall Winger, Walter Winger, Reuben Climenhaga, John Climenhaga, Asa Climenhaga. Naaman Climenhaga, John Nigh, Edward Nigh and Jerome Nigh. Great-grand-children serving at present: Arthur Climenhaga, bishop, and David Climenhaga, minister, both in Africa; Bert Winger, minister in Africa; Paul Nigh, Roy Nigh, Laura Steckley, missionary in India; Annie E. Winger, missionary in Africa, and several deacons that served in Black Creek district. Over ninety-five percent of his descendants belonged to the church of their grandfather. One reason was, they were taken to church regularly from childhood by their parents every Sunday, according to the report received from Bishop Alvin Winger. I don't think we have another family over the whole brotherhood that can beat this, which speaks well for the Wingers.

Bishop John Winger was one of the founders of the River Brethren, known as Tunkers in Canada, and came to Black Creek and took up 200 acres of land in 1793. He died in 1828. He had been given exemption and also a right to marry, the same as the Church of England, by the Canadian government. I have a letter handed to me from Bishop Alvin Winger, that Bishop Hans Winger of Black Creek wrote to a young convert of Waterloo district about 1825. "By your request I find myself in duty, also unpressed to write to you, heartily greeting you with the peace of the Lord. I was highly rejoiced to hear of your conversion, dear child and sister in the Lord. Be comforted and not fearful and let yourself not be made weak through the temptation of the enemy for conversion is variously experienced. As I perceive from your writing you have found peace and comfort and consolation in your God and that you wish to remain true to your God. Remain by this resolution and let thyself not be weakened through the temptation of the enemy. As it does not depend on such great light but on faithfulness, be faithful until death and thou shalt receive the Crown of Life. Be diligent in prayer and flee the vanities of youth and have your company with the children of God and you will save your pearl of great price and be preserved for Eternal Life. So much from your old friend and brother Hans Winger, the elder, to you dear child and sister, Sophia Fortni."

The next bishop was Peter Winger, son of the above and his son Abraham was next. Last was Jonas Winger, son of Abraham. At present are Bert Sherk and William Charlton, who are still living and have the oversight of Bertie and Clarence Centre district which is the largest district in Ontario as far as numbers go.

Bishop John Winger, along with Elder John Doner and Deacon Christian Heise of Gormley, were the first leaders of the Ontario church. Elder Hans and his descendants were the founders of Wainfleet and Springvale and other districts in that section. John Doner and Christian Steckley and later Peter Cober were the founders of Waterloo and later Nottawa. Peter Cober and Jacob Heise took in the Love feasts that were held in the barns of Bishop Winger and John Sider, Martin Climenhaga's barns and a lot more barns we have no record of, before they built their church in 1876, were attended by large crowds from far and near. A lot came from the States. Bishop Jacob Engle started the church at that time. The Love feasts were one of the big days and there would be a lot of ministers and deacons and members from all the district and there would generally be a lot baptized at that time. Their general conferences were held in their houses just by the Ontario church till 1879, then they united with the brethren of the United States and had one large conference. I have in my possession an obituary of Nicholas Michael that is taken out of the Evangelical Visitor. He was a brother-in-law to Elder Asa Bearss. Elder Christ Winger and Asa Bearss started the mission work at Houlton.

I also received a letter from Bishop Alvin Winger who is a grandson of his, that contains some facts regarding the life of Brother Bearss. He was born in 1840. His father belonged to the Reformed Mennonite Church and his mother to the Quakers. At the age of 21 he married Nancy Michael who proved to be a real minister's wife which was a great blessing to him. In 1867 they gave their hearts to Him and united with the Tunker church. Three years later they were called to the ministry and were steadfast to the end. They united with the church at a house meeting presided over by the venerable Elder Peter Cober who baptized them in Lake Erie. Brother Bearss was a great doctrinal preacher. I once heard him preach on baptism when my wife united with the church which was the best sermon I ever heard on the subject. During Brother Bearss' lifetime he preached over 350 funeral sermons and married over 100 couples. One of his favorite hymns was "Down at the Cross Where My Saviour Died."

Michael: Elder Nicholas C. Michael was born March 16, 1837; died May 17, 1922. The late Elder Michael was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Michael, long deceased. His father was born in Mohawk Valley, N.Y. His mother, whose maiden name was Christena Shisler, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., and came with her parents to Canada early in the 19th century. They were united in marriage in 1824 and settled on a farm near Sherkston, where they died and where the subject of this obituary was born. Though ailing for some time, he was confined to his bed only a short time, dropsy being the chief cause of his death.

Elder Michael was converted in 1864 and united with the Brethren in Christ Church and was ordained to the ministry three years later, fifty-two years ago. He was first married to Anna Haun in 1862, who departed this life in 1881. They had three children; Melvin, Mrs. John H. Sherk of Ridgeway, Ont., and Joseph, who at a few years of age died and was buried the same day as his mother. Elder Michael was again married in 1884 to Sr. Mary Winger of Stevensville, Ont., to this union was born one daughter, Nancy (Mrs. N. Sider).

He called his family to his bedside the day before he died and bade them good-bye with counsel saying he might become unconscious later, but he did not and his praises and prayer the morning he died were marvelous.

The funeral was held at the house, was very largely attended, and was conducted by Bishop John Sider of Wainfleet, assisted by Bishop Bert Sherk. Text: "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

He leaves to mourn, besides a host of relatives and friends, his wife, three children, one brother, David Michael, twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.