• Explanatory Notes
• Chapter 1 Historical Context
• Chapter 2 Evolution of Mennonite Architecture
• Chapter 3 Directory of Mennonite Settlements
• Chapter 4 Chortitza Colony
• Chapter 5 Molotschna Colony
• Chapter 6 Bergthal Colony
• Chapter 7 Crimea
• Chapter 8 Markuslandt/Andreasfeld/Yakovlevo
• Chapter 9 Fürstenland Colony
• Chapter 10 Borozenko Colony
• Chapter 11 Schönfeld Colony
• Chapter 12 Yazykovo Colony
• Chapter 13 Zagradovka Colony
• Chapter 14 Baratov & Schlachtin Colonies
• Chapter 15 Memrik Colony
• Chapter 16 Ignatyevo Colony
• Chapter 17 Estates
• Chapter 18 Forestry Camps
• Chapter 19 Urban Centres
• Sources & Credits

Explanatory Notes

Page 17, last bullet, note author’s e-mail address has changed to friesen@ft3.ca

Chapter 1
Historical Context

Chapter 2
Evolution of Mennonite Architecture

Chapter 3
Directory of Mennonite Settlements

For an up-to-date list of Mennonite villages in Russia and Ukraine refer to "Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia".

Alexanderheim (page 63)

Note that in ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the village of Alexanderheim is included with the St. Saizewo (Memrik) settlement along with the villages of Alexanderpol and Ossokino. Refer to Chapter 15, Memrik Colony for Alexanderpol (page 561) and Ossokino (page 563).

Borissovo Colony (page 69)

In the village of Nikolaifeld, now known as Nikolaipol, there are still several Mennonite homes remaining.

Photo (top, right): Mennonite house, 2008
Photo (second row): 1908 Mennonite house, 2008

Source: E-mail and photos provided to author by Rosella Mitchell, Regina, SK, Nov. 11, 2008.

Don (page 71)

Note that in ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the town of Millerovo (page 699) is included with the Don Region settlement although it was not established by Mennonites.

Grigoryevka (page 71)

Note that in ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the village of Grigoryevka is included with the Naumenko Colony (page 77).

Judenplan (page 74)

In the village of Novopodolsk, a building has been located that appears to be a former Mennonite school. It’s walls were constructed using the Flemish bond brick pattern common to almost all Mennonite buildings constructed in what is now eastern Ukraine. The brick detailing around windows, at fascias and at the parapet also appear similar to buildings in other former Mennonite villages.

Source: Photos provided to author by Victor Penner, Zaporozhye, Ukraine, Oct. 2, 2006.

Kuban Colony (page 75)

The following replaces everything after the first paragraph.
The villages of Wohldemfürst, known as the upper village, and Alexanderfeld, known as the lower village, were located adjacent to each other with their main streets at right angles. Village schools were established in both villages at the outset. In Wohldemfürst a one room school building was constructed in 1866. In 1881 it was converted to two rooms to accommodate junior high classes. It was expanded several more times to become a five room school. The one room school building in Alexanderfeld was also expanded several times to become a four room school. The village cemeteries were located behind the schools. In 1913 a secondary school (Zentralschule) with three classes was established. It was accommodated in the credit union building that was constructed the same year in Alexanderfeld. On a large mound between the two villages a music building was erected. It soon received an addition that included a large auditorium used for concerts and other community activities. Other community facilities included a post office, a doctor’s office, a pharmacy and the administrative centre (volost) for the Velikoknyazhesk Municipality.

The settlement eventually achieved great prosperity through raising sheep, winegrowing, milk production and grain growing. Industry also thrived with several factories including the Goerzen farm machinery factory and a cheese factory, various flour mills, stores, workshops and a progressive credit union that collectively sold all of its members’ grain and owned its own cleaning mill. In the 1880s some members from the Mennonite Church in the Molotschna Colony also settled here and in the 1890s constructed their own church building behind the music building. By 1904 it had a population of 2,000 people. However this settlement suffered heavily during the Revolution. Some Mennonites emigrated from the Colony to Canada. Of those who stayed, many were later exiled and those who remained during World War II were deported to Kazakhstan.

Today the former Wohldemfürst and Alexanderfeld form one village known as Kucebeevskoe, located near the Russian city of Nevinnomyssk. A number of former Mennonite buildings still exist including the credit union building, the Wohldemfürst village school building, the cheese factory, part of the Goerzen factory and the pharmacy. Although the cemeteries have been destroyed and the gravestones hauled away to a nearby windbreak, a few Mennonite names can be identified.

Following are the names of the Kuban villages.

1. Credit Union Building, Alexanderfeld
This building was constructed in 1913. The exterior walls were built of red brick with the typical Flemish bond pattern. In addition to housing the administrative offices of the credit union organization, the building was also used to accommodate various community organizations including the secondary school, with three classes, that was formed in 1913. Although in good condition, the building is currently not in use.

Photo: Credit Union Building, Alexanderfeld, 2008

2. Goerzen Factory, Alexanderfeld
Based on its location this one storey brick building is thought to be the former Jacob Goerzen agricultural machinery factory, one of three factories in the Colony. It appears that the roof structure may have been destroyed and replaced. The building has also been expanded substantially at both ends with the additions utilizing a different brick pattern. A tall cast iron fence surrounds it. The building is currently used for manufacturing.

Photo: Goerzen Factory, Alexanderfeld, 2008

3. Village School Building, Wohldemfürst
This building was constructed with brick exterior walls and a Cornies-style roof (hip gable), similar to village school buildings constructed in the Molotschna Colony. A raised parapet with an arched section is located above the main entrance and includes the dates of 1866 and 1908(?). The first date likely indicates when it was built. Several additions were constructed and it eventually became a five room school including junior high. The second date may refer to one of these additions. The exterior walls have been whitewashed.

Photo: Village School Building, Wohldemfuerst, 2008

4. Cheese Factory, Wohldemfürst
This one storey building was constructed with exterior brick walls utilizing the Flemish bond brick pattern, although not consistently. The brickwork below the eaves and especially around windows was quite decorative. The building has been modified over time. The exterior walls have been painted white, the roofing has been replaced with corrugated cement-asbestos and some of the windows have been replaced. It was recently used as a school but currently is not in use. Based on its location it is thought to be the former cheese factory.

Photo: Cheese Factory, Wohldemfuerst, 2008

5. Mennonite Building, Wohldemfürst
The roof slope of this red brick building resembles that of the typical Mennonite village house. Also the walls have been constructed utilizing the Flemish bond brick pattern. However the building is smaller and the overall proportions appear quite different. This suggests that it was designed to complement the Mennonite houses of the village but that its function was different. Based on its location, this building could be either the pharmacy or the doctor’s office. The gable has the date 1914 on it, formed with brickwork, suggesting the year it was built. It is currently used as a private residence.

Photo: Mennonite Building, Wohldemfuerst, 2008

6. Cemeteries
The remains of gravestones have been found in a nearby windbreak. The names Nickoli Wiebe and David R…. have been identified.

Sources: The Kuban Settlement by C.P. Toews, H. Friesen, A. Dyck; Numerous e-mails to author from Aaron Witmer, Goodhue, MN, Aug./Sept., 2008. Also all photos sent by Aaron Witmer

Note that in ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the villages of the Tempelhof settlement (page 89) are included with the Kuban Colony.

Naumenko Colony (page 77)

Note that in ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the village of Grigoryevka (page 71) is included with the Naumenko Colony. Also the town of Barvenkovo (page 676) is included with the Naumenko Colony although it was not established by Mennonites.

Omsk (a.k.a. Friesenov) (page 80)

Note that in ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the Omsk settlement is referred to as Friesenov.

Pavlodar (page 83)

Note the village of Sofieyevka (1906) was also known as Friedensfeld.

Slavgorod Colony (a.k.a. Barnaul) (page 85)

According to ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the villages of Glyaden #1 to #4 and of Ebenfeld, Lichtfelde, Ivanovka and Sluchanyoye are the same villages. Therefore the list of villages for the Glyaden Settlement of the Slavgorod Colony should read as follow:

Glyaden Settlement (a.k.a. Lichtfelde)

Note that some sources suggest the Glyaden Settlement had five villages and that the village of Ivanovka (#3) was abandoned and a new village of the same name established at another location.

Trubetskoye (page 91) (add: a.k.a. Pachtdorf)

Note that in ‘Compilation of Mennonite Villages in Russia’ the Trubetskoye settlement is referred to as Pachtdorf.

Wiesenfeld (page 92)

Additional information:

The village of Wiesenfeld (N 48 31.382, E 35 36.473), one of two villages forming the Wiesenfeld Settlement, was founded by Jacob David Reimer, one of the early leaders of the Mennonite Brethren Church. He bought the land in fall of 1789 from three brothers, family name Tenta. One source indicates that the land was known by the name Magrowa meaning ‘my grave’ because it was thought to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman who was killed there. The first settlers, which included three of Reimer’s sons and his son-in-law, arrived in 1880. The village was laid out with most farmyards on the east side of the main village street. The village school, the blacksmith shop and one farmyard were located on the opposite side of the street, with the flour mill, shepherd’s house, well and cemetery also on the west side but set back from the street. There was also a brick & tile factory.

It was attacked during the Civil War by Makhno bands causing the villagers to flee. Most sources suggest that the village ceased to exist in 1919 but some suggest that it was resettled by other Mennonite families during the early 1920s. In any case Wiesenfeld no longer exists. Although overgrown with trees, the foundations of some of the buildings were still evident in 1999. In 2006 the gravestone of Jacob David Reimer and his wife, Wilhelmine (nee Strauss), was located in the yard of a local Ukrainian farmer, whose grandfather had known Jacob Reimer. Many years ago, when the cemetery had been converted to a grain field, he had brought the stone to his yard to save it. Plans are currently underway by descendants of Jacob and Wilhelmine Reimer to have the stone moved to Canada. Following is the information found on the stone.

Little is known of the fate of Kronsfeld, the other village of the Wiesenfeld settlement.

Sources: Letter to Descendants of Wiesenfeld from Gert and Katherine Martens, Winnipeg, MB, June 2008;Letter to Walter & Marina Unger from John Hodges and Susie Friesen-Hodges, Mittersil, Austria, Aug. 15, 2002; E-mail to author from Gert and Katherine Martens dated June 29, 2008.

Chapter 4
Chortitza Colony

Burwalde

1. Store (page 101)
This building functioned as a post office for many years. In recent years its exterior has been modernized and the interior has been renovated. It is now used as a public library.

Source: Site visit by author, Oct. 3, 2007.

Chortitza

Refer to Fig. 4.8 Village Plan (page 105) and replace with corrected village plan.

5. Gerhard Peters House (page 110)
The Gerhard Peters house is fairly typical of the houses built in the Chortitza Colony. The decorative brickwork at the eaves, the two arched windows in the gable with the projecting brickwork over them and the similar brick detailing over the lower windows suggest that this house was constructed in the early 1900s.

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Dec. 6, 2008.

21. Hospital (page 127)
Another early photo of the former doctor’s residence (see Fig. 4.62 and Fig. 4.63)

Source: Mennonitische Forschungsstelle, Weierhof, Germany

Insel Chortitza

Photo: Helena Hildebrandt, 1775-1833

Kronsweide

2. Bethania Mental Health Institute (page 149)
Photo: Old Postcard of Salem Men's Ward, ca. 1911 (see Fig. 4.98)

Source: Mennonite Heritage Centre Archives Photograph Collection, Winnipeg, MB.

Neuenburg

Fig. 4.101 and Fig. 4.102 (page 151).
This Mennonite house was recently demolished.

Source: Site visit by author, Oct.3, 2007.

Neuosterwick

Rosengart

1. Village School Building (page 185)
This building is still used today. Its exterior has recently been modernized.
Source: Site visit by author, Oct.3, 2007.

Rosental

6. Colony Garden (page 196)
There is nothing remaining of the tree nursery, the Johann Bartsch house or the doctor’s residence. However, one large former Mennonite building still remains. It is located parallel to and north west of the creek that runs through the area of the former Colony Garden. It is currently used as an automobile repair shop. The owner has indicated that according to the documents that came with the purchase, the building was constructed in 1875 and was once used as a hospital. It, however, does not resemble the original Colony hospital.

Sources: E-mail to author from Victor Penner, Zaporozhye, Ukraine, July 11, 2006; Photos and notes provided to author by Arthur Kroeger, Winnipeg, MB, May, 2006.

10. Kröger Factory & House
Fig. 4.205 (page 201) should read: “D. D. Kröger house, 1995.”

Schöneberg

An old stone bridge located toward the east end of the village is thought to be original.

Source: E-mail to author from Victor Penner, Zaporozhye, Ukraine, July 11, 2006.

Schönhorst

1. Village School Building (page 207)
Used as a clinic and community centre for the last few years this building has recently been modernized on the exterior and its interior has been renovated.

Source: Site visit by author Oct. 6, 2008.

1. Franz Isaac House (page 204)
This house was identified as a Mennonite house with initials F. J. on the gable. It has since been identified as the Franz Isaac House and the initials on the gable have been identified as F. I.

Source: Note to author from D. D. Klippenstein, Calgary, AB, Oct. 7, 2006.

Chapter 5
Molotschna Colony

Alexanderkrone

2. Secondary School Building (page 238)
Until a few years ago this former secondary school building (Zentralschule) was used as a dormitory for migrant workers but recently it was demolished and the bricks reused.

Fürstenau

1. Village School Building
The interior of this building was recently renovated. It is now used as a library and clinic.

Source: Conversation with John Martens, Victoria, BC, Nov. 17, 2008.

3. Wilhelm Neufeld House (page 267)

Photo: Wilhelm Neufeld House, 2007

Gnadenfeld

7. Toews Lumber Yard (page 279)
This building is U-shaped with two wings extending toward the street. The west wing served as the Toews family residence and the east wing was a hardware store. Connecting these two wings at the rear was the lumber yard. The building is now used as a private residence.

Source: As remembered by Jacob Toews, Lancaster, PA, in conversation with author on site, Oct. 7, 2006.

9. Klaas Heide House (page 280)
A summer kitchen connected the barn to the east portion of the rear wall of the house. The building is no longer in use.

Source: As remembered by Wally Unruh, Rosemary, AB, in conversation with author on site, Oct. 9, 2006.

11. Mennonite House
This former Mennonite house is fairly typical in terms of its proportions and detailing. However the windows in the front façade, the three arched windows in the gable and the three randomly located windows below, give it a unique appearance. Both the house and the yard are being developed as a local museum, containing a fine collection of Mennonite furniture, tools, farm implements and other artifacts.

Photo (left): Village plan (see Fig. 5.60, page 271)
Photo (right): Mennonite house & museum, 2008

Source: E-mail and photo forwarded to author by Dema Bratchenko, Molochansk, Ukraine, Nov. 14, 2008.

Grossweide

1. Orphanage (page 284)
An old postcard of the orphanage, ca. 1910
(see Fig. 5.83)

Source: Herta Janzen, Winnipeg, MB.

Halbstadt (page 289)

Photo: Old Postcard of the Mennonite Church Building, ca.1900
(see Fig. 5.91)

Source: Lydia Church, Grimsby, ON.

1. H. H. Willms Mill (page 290)
It is said that an underground tunnel connected this building with the Credit Union Building (page 294).

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Dec. 3, 2006.

2. Hermann Neufeld Brewery (page 291)

Photo: Hermann Neufeld brewery, 2007

Source: Volodymyr Kuzyk, Kiev, Ukraine

5. Credit Union Building (page 294)

Photo: Credit union interior, 2007

6. Secondary School Building (page 295) An old post card of the secondary school building, Halbstadt Ca. 1900 (see Fig. 5.110) Source: Paul Toews, Fresno, CA.
Photo: Secondary school exterior, Halbstadt, 2007
Photo: Secondary school interior, Halbstadt, 2007
10. Girls' School Building (page 300) Photo: Old postcard of girls' school building, ca. 1905 (see Fig. 5.124) Source: Elinore Fast, Winnipeg, MB.

For more information about the Mennonite Centre see www.mennonitecentre.ca

13. Jakob Fehderau House (page 304)
The Fehderau House was built in 1904. Fig. 5.133 should read: “Fehderau house, 1904.”

Hamberg

Fig. 5.137 This Mennonite house-barn was probably built by Johann and Elizabeth (Olfert) Nickel. They sold it in 1874 before immigrating to the USA. The building no longer exists.

Source: Letter to author from Mary Jane Goossen, Dinuba, CA, indicating that this photo is in her possession.

Konteniusfeld (page 308)

A well preserved gravestone and a badly damaged gravestone have been found in the cemetery. The preserved stone contains the following information:

Münsterberg (page 332)
Refer to list of gravestones and change date for Maria Neumann, as follows:

Source: Site visit by author Oct. 4, 2007.

Muntau

1. Hospital (page 334)
In the last few years families from Canada have funded the supply and installation of new laboratory equipment, renovations to the emergency room, new toilet and shower facilities, new electrical wiring and improvements to the ambulance access.

Neukirch (page 336)

Recently a monument has been erected by local villagers, to honour the Mennonite past of Neukirch and adjacent villages. The inscription on this granite stone reads as follows in Ukrainian, Russian and English.

"To the inhabitants of the villages Alexanderkrone, Friedensruh, Kleefeld, Lichtfelde, Prangenau, Neukirch, Steinfeld who fell in the wars, holodomor, repression and deportation."

Photo: Udarnik Monument, 2008

Source: E-mail and photo forwarded to author by George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Nov. 9, 2008.

Ohrloff (page 338)
Additional information:
By 1913 the village of Ohrloff was serviced with electricity.

Many houses and most barns were demolished by 1938 and the bricks used to build a new village nearby. Many gravestones were taken to Halbstadt and used to make sidewalks, although a few still remain. However the memorial to Johann Cornies, which was a broken marble column expressing his incomplete work, no longer exists.

Photo: Early photo of village street, Ohrloff

Source: Heinrich Hayo Schroeder report sent to author by James Urry, Wellington, NZ.

1. Mennonite Church Building (page 339)
In 1936 this building, along with an adjacent Schroeder farm, was converted to a home for mentally challenged children. It initially accommodated 175 children.

Photo: An old postcard of the Ohrloff Mennonite Church.
Source: Laura Gossen, St. Catherines, ON.

Source: Heinrich Hayo Schroeder report forwarded to author by James Urry, Wellington, NZ.

2. Secondary School Building (page 341)
By 1938 this school had been expanded to 10 grades with up to 400 students and 15 teachers. Soon after 1938 it was closed by the government.

Source: Heinrich Hayo Schroeder report forwarded to author by James Urry, Wellington, NZ.

Photo to replace Fig. 5.190 Secondary School building (page 342)

Source: Mennonitische Forschungsstelle, Weierhof, Germany

5. Cemetery (page 345)
Delete reference to Heinrich Heinrich Reimer gravestone and to it being badly damaged and located deep in the ground. Add the following:

Source: Site visit by author Oct. 9, 2006.

Petershagen

1. Mennonite Church Building (page 348)
Prior to the church building being closed in the 1920s the interior was described as having a central aisle leading to the pulpit and smaller aisles along the side walls. Another aisle crossed the floor leading from the side entrance. On either side of the central aisle were long pews with comfortable backs. The front platform was raised with seating for the preachers on one side and the preceptors on the other side. At the rear of the sanctuary, above the main entrance, was a choir loft. The church building was surrounded by large well kept trees.

Source: Notes by John P. Dyck, Springstein, MB, undated.

Rückenau

2. Home for the Elderly (page 356)
The exterior of this building has recently been modernized and so the original brick detailing is no longer evident.

Source: Site visit by author Oct. 4, 2007.

Rudnerweide

Fig. 5.217. (page 359).
This former Mennonite House is now a Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Source: Site visit by author October 7, 2006.

Schönau (page 362)

The Dolina public school has a room containing a small museum. It includes historic Mennonite documents and artifacts.

Source: Site visit by author Oct. 5, 2007.

Sparrau

One of the Dolgoye villagers is in possession of a 1938 map of Sparrau in Russian.

Photo: 1938 map of Sparrau

Source: E-mail to author from Victor Penner, Zaporozhye,Ukraine, Oct. 18, 2005.

Tiege

1. Mennonite Brethren Church Building (page 370)
Another photo of the Mennonite Brethren Church building.
Source: Photo provided by Robert Unruh, Saskatoon, SK

Photo: Postcard of M. B. Church building, Tiege

2. Maria School for the Deaf (page 373)
This building is no longer used as an administrative centre. However, its large auditorium is used for special village events. It also contains a library and a small museum.

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Nov. 11, 2008.

3. Ohrloff Girls' School Building (page 370)
An old postcard of the Ohrloff Girls' School Building.

Source: Robert Unruh, Saskatoon, SK

Photo: Postcard of Ohrloff Girls' School, Tiege

Tiegerweide

Fig. 5.251 (page 377).
This village school building was recently demolished.
Source: Site visit by author Oct. 4, 2007.

Waldheim

1. Hospital (page 379)
In 2004 a new roof (replacing the corrugated cement-asbestos) and new toilet facilities were installed in this hospital, funded by descendants of the Warkentin family. Also a plaque was placed in the hospital to recognize the role of and Kornelius Warkentin (1865-1936) and Aganetha Warkentin/Janz (1865-1955) in its establishment.

Source: Dr. Henry Dirks, Winnipeg, MB and site visit by author Oct. 9, 2004.

2. I. J. Neufeld Factory (page 380)
The plaque states: “As manufacturers and millers the Mennonites played a strategic role in the industrialization of southern Ukraine. The I. J. Neufeld Agricultural Machinery factory was established in this village in 1890 and became a major supplier of modern agricultural machinery throughout Tsarist Russia.”

Source: Site visit by author Oct. 9, 2004.

Chapter 6
Bergthal Colony

Chapter 7
Crimea

Refer to list of Mennonite settlements (page 396) and note that the village of Baragon is today known as Vavilovo.

Source: Site visit by author, Oct. 3, 2006.

Annenfeld (page 398)
This village was established in 1860 when a group of Mennonites from the village of Ohrloff in the Molotschna Colony under the leadership of Jakob Wiebe purchased a Tatar village called Schuscha and named it Annenfeld.

Source: “The Schardau Heritage, Andreas & Aganetha Flaming and their Descendants,” by Leland Harder, page 11.

Chapter 8
Markuslandt/Andreasfeld/Yakovlevo

Eigenfeld

4. Cemetery (page 424)
The following additional gravestone has been identified.

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Aug. 21, 2004.

Neu-Schönwiese

5. Cemetery (page 428)
The following additional gravestones have been identified.

Source: E-mails to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Aug. 5, 2004 and Nov. 26, 2006.

Chapter 9
Fürstenland Colony

Chapter 10
Borozenko Colony

Hochstädt (page 449)
This may have been a Lutheran village at one time. An existing school building with pointed arched windows does not appear to be Mennonite.

The following gravestone has been identified in the cemetery.

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Aug. 5, 2004.

Schöndorf (page 450)
There are a number of Mennonite houses as well as the village school that are still in good condition.

Add the following:

Cemetery

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Aug. 5, 2004.

Chapter 11
Schönfeld Colony

Chapter 12
Yazykovo Colony

Franzfeld

1. Mennonite House (page 480)
This Mennonite house was built in 1904. It has recently been renovated and now functions as a bed & breakfast. Fig. 12.11 should read: “1904 Mennonite house, 2001.”

Source: Site visit by author, Oct.8, 2004.

3. Village School Building (page 481)
This building no longer functions as a school. It has recently been renovated including new windows and new roof. It is now used as a church.

Source: Notes given to author by John Martens, Victoria, BC, Oct. 10, 2008.

Hochfeld

1. Village School Building (page 486)
This building has recently been renovated and is now used as a church and as a community centre.

Source: Notes given to author by John Martens, Victoria, BC, Oct. 10, 2008.

Nikolaifeld

9. Cemetery (page 497)
Note the following correction (name and dates). The gravestone identified as Peter Enns should read as follows:

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, Aug. 5, 2004.

Petersdorf

Originally a private estate established by Daniel Peters in about 1833, Petersdorf became a village of the Yazykovo Colony in 1873. The village no longer exists but the following gravestones have been identified.

Source: Notes given to author by John Martens, Victoria, BC, Oct. 10, 2008.

Chapter 13
Zagradovka Colony

Neu-Schönsee

1. Secondary School Building (page 509)
An old postcard of the secondary school building.
See Fig. 13.12 and Fig. 13.13.
Source: Herta Janzen, Winnipeg, MB

Photo: Postcard of secondary school building, Neu-Schönsee

Nikolaifeld

1. Mennonite Church Building (page 511)
An old postcard of the Mennonite Church Building.
See Fig. 13.20.
Source: Herta Janzen, Winnipeg, MB

Photo: Postcard of Mennonite Church Building, Nikolaifeld

Reinfeld (page 515)

All that remains of the village are the trees along the former village street, a few fruit trees and a frame-shaped gravestone. The area that was once the village of Reinfeld is now part of Sofievka.

(47-26-41N, 33-16-18E)

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Aug. 2004.

Chapter 14
Baratov & Schlachtin Colonies

Gnadental

1. Village School Building (page 525)
Refer to Fig. 14.1. This is not a photo of the former Mennonite village school. The school still exists. It is the first long building on the left when entering the village. Following is a photo of the school. It is the only Mennonite building still remaining.

Photo: Village school building, Gnadental, 2005

Sources: E-mail to author from Ludmilla Karyaka, Zaporozhye, Ukraine, July 6, 2005; Letter to author from Justina Neufeld, North Newton, KS, Oct. 7, 2005.

Chapter 15
Memrik Colony

Alexanderpol

1. Village School Building (page 562)
This village school building was demolished in 2005.

Chapter 16
Ignatyevo Colony

New York

6. Hamm Bros. Building (page 579)
This mixed-use building was demolished in 2006.

10. Cemetery (page 585)
Refer to list of gravestones and note additional information for Abr. Janzen, as follows:

Source: E-mail to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Dec. 29, 2006.

Chapter 17
Estates

Felsental (page 605)
Felsental is now known as Rushevka. The following stones have been found in the nearby cemetery:

Source: Notes given to author by Gert and Katherine Martens, Winnipeg, MB, October 13, 2006.

Juschanlee (page 608)
Underground tunnels, tile finished and up to 200 m long, some extending beyond the property limits of the estate, have recently been discovered. Also a large black stone monument base has been found (47-02-59N, 35-42-04E). In 2004 a monument to Johann Cornies was erected.

Sources: E-mails to author from George Dyck, Beamsville, ON, Aug. 2004 and Dec. 3, 2006; Letter to author by Wilmer Harms, Newton, KS, Jan. 9, 2005.

1. Reimer House (page 610)
The dining room table is said to have accommodated up to 25 people. There was a pipe through the centre of the table with a tap that provided wine to the diners.

Photo: Floor tile pattern, Reimer house, Juschanlee, 2006

Source: 1918 Description of Ohrloff, G. J. Toews, sent to author by James Urry, Wellington, NZ.

Chapter 18
Forestry Camps

Vladimirov

1. Vladimirov Forestry Camp (page 662)
An old postcard of the Vladimirov Forestry Camp.
See Fig. 18.12.
Source: Herta Janzen, Winnipeg, MB

Photo: Postcard of Vladimirov Forestry Camp

Chapter 19
Urban Centres

Melitopol

Photo: Early photo of front façade showing influence of Mennonite church in Montau, West Prussia

Source: Mennonitische Forschungsstelle, Weierhof, Germany

Several former Mennonite buildings still remain.

2. Klassen & Co. Factory (page 699)
Established in 1886 in the village of Kiziyar on what was then the outskirts of Melitopol by Jakob A. Klassen and Wilhelm J. Klassen, this factory became known as the Klassen & Co. Fabrik landwirtschaftlicher Maschinen und Geräte and developed into a complex of one and two storey brick buildings with large windows and fine brick detailing. In this facility a variety of agricultural machinery and equipment was manufactured, including threshing machines, reapers, mowers and plows. The factory was nationalized after the Civil War and converted into a motorcycle and automobile repair shop serving the Red Army. In 1926 it became known as the State Factory for Agricultural Machinery No. 2, producing equipment for flour mills and grain elevators. By 1932 it was also manufacturing various grain handling equipment and commercial bakery equipment. In 1947 it was converted to the manufacturing of equipment for the food processing industry. As of 1998 it was owned by a private joint-stock company, Melitopolprodmash Production Association and was ISO 9001 certified for quality assurance. A modern eight storey office building is now part of the factory complex. It includes a museum that depicts the history of the factory and displays products once manufactured by the Klassen factory. The office/reception building and a portion of another original Klassen factory building still remain.

Photo (left): Office/reception building, 2004

Photo (right): Klassen & Co. factory, 1880s
Legend for buildings remaining: 1. Office/reception building 2. Factory building

3. Klassen House
This two storey masonry house was constructed for one of the owners of the Klassen factory. Located on German Street, it featured modest brick detailing below the eaves, a variety of arched windows and a large turret-like structure at the corner. It has been modified over time including painting of the exterior walls, replacement of the roof structure and the installation of corrugated cement-asbestos roofing. The building is still in use.

Photo: Klassen house, 2006

Orekhov (page 707)

By 1852 there were two windmills (brothers Kornelius and Johann Eitzen, Kornelius Heinrichs), a flourmill (brothers Abraham and Peter Neufeld) and a treadmill and oil mill (Aaron Wiens) operating in Orekhov. In the late 1870s Johann Heinrich Janzen built the first steam-powered flourmill and in 1880 he built a second one. In 1895 an agricultural machinery factory with foundry was established by Johann Krüger. A second agricultural machinery factory was started by Abraham Martens. In 1895 an oil processing plant was also constructed. It was purchased and renovated by Johann H. Janzen’s son, Jakob, in 1911 and is said to have operated until the 1970s. As mayor Johann H. Janzen (who was generally referred to as Ivan Andreievich) established a 14 bed municipal hospital in 1900. In 1912 his son, Jakob, constructed a movie theatre and in 1914 his son, Heinrich, was responsible for installing electric lights and telephone lines along German Street (Karl Marx Street today). By 1915 a branch of the Neufeld factory in Waldheim, Molotschna Colony (page 380), had been established in Orekhov.

By 1867 the Mennonite population totaled 32 while in 1913, out of a total population of 8,600, there were 86 Mennonites. In 1938 Orekhov became a city. By 1990 it had a population of over 21,000. Today a number of former Mennonite buildings still exist in Orekhov and one gravestone has been identified.

1. Johann H. Janzen House
This large two storey palace-like building was constructed by Johann Heinrich Janzen as his private residence. It was built as an urban structure with its front façade abutting the street. This ornate façade includes large arched windows with decorative trim and tall Greek-style columns. The main floor is raised well above sidewalk level, creating a grand scale for the building. Construction was completed in 1915. The building exterior has been painted to emphasize the classical design. Today it is the Orekhov City Hall.

Photo (left): Main entrance, Johann Janzen house, 2007
Photo (right): Johann Janzen house, 2008

2. Janzen Mill
This steam-powered flour mill was constructed in 1880 by Johann H. Janzen on a large property located along German (Nemetzkaya) Street (now Karl Marx Street). Other buildings on the property included the owner’s house at one corner, an apartment building for employees at the other corner and several ancillary buildings. The mill building itself is long and narrow and is located adjacent to and parallel with German Street. The three storey section of the building housed the milling equipment. At one end was a two storey machine room and at the other end a one storey storage room and office. The red brick walls were built with minimal ornamentation and were constructed utilizing the English bond brick pattern rather than the Flemish bond pattern common to most Mennonite buildings at that time. Ownership was eventually transferred to Johann’s son, Heinrich. In 1908 it was valued at 40,000 rubles. The building is now used as a canning plant.

Photo: Janzen mill, 2007

Sources: Copies of SAS documents provided to author by Serhij Besj, Orekhov, Ukraine; Photo provided by Jerry Schmidt, Nanaimo, BC.

3. Heinrich Janzen House
Located next to the Janzen flour mill at the corner of German Street and Michailovskaya Street this large residence was also built by Johann H. Janzen. It is likely that ownership was transferred to Heinrich Janzen at the same time that the flour mill was transferred. The exterior walls were constructed of brick and then covered with an exterior plaster finish, articulated to suggest a series of structural columns with windows in between. Both arched and peaked pediments were placed well above the windows, increasing the apparent scale of the building. Over time the building has been modified. Many windows have been filled in and the roof has been replaced with corrugated cement-asbestos.

Photo: Heinrich Janzen house, 2007

Sources: Copies of SAS documents provided to author by Serhij Besj, Orekhov, Ukraine; Photo provided by Jerry Schmidt, Nanaimo, BC.

4. The Illusion Theatre
This movie theatre was constructed in 1912 by Jakob Janzen on Gogol Street. It featured a large foyer, main floor and balcony sloped seating for approx. 340 people and a large stage. The classical style front façade was quite elegant and was flanked by three street level shops. The building is still in use although the exterior has been changed substantially.

Photo (left): Illusion Theatre, 2008
Photo (right): Front elevation

Source: Copies of SAS documents and photos provided to author by Serhij Besj, Orekhov.

5. Martens Factory
This factory was established by Abraham Martens to manufacture agricultural machinery. The walls of this one storey U-shaped building were constructed of brick. In several locations brick walls extend up through the roof, appearing like fire walls. A dormer with an arched window at the centre of the building appears to emphasize what may have been the main entrance. The building has been changed significantly. The exterior walls have been painted white and the roof has been replaced with corrugated cement-asbestos. It is now used as a dairy processing plant.

Photo: Martens factory, 2007

Source: Photo provided by Jerry Schmidt, Nanaimo, BC.

6. Krüger Factory
In 1895 an agricultural machinery factory with foundry was established by Johann Krüger. It produced mowers, threshing machines and various types of mills and stoves. In 1908 it was valued at 10,000 rubles. It still exists, as part of a factory producing agricultural machinery.

Source: Mennonites in the Cities of Imperial Russia, Vol. 1, Helmut T. Huebert.

7. Mennonite School Building
Completed in 1897 this school was constructed primarily through the efforts of Johann H. Janzen. The main entrance is emphasized by four round columns supporting a small pediment. The corners of the building are detailed to suggest clusters of three columns. Decorative curved brick detailing is located below the eaves. All exterior walls including the columns and pediment were built of brick with a plaster finish. The original roof has been replaced with corrugated cement-asbestos panels. The building is still in use.

Photo: Mennonite school building, 2007

Sources: Copies of SAS documents provided to author by Serhij Besj, Orekhov, Ukraine; Photo provided by Jerry Schmidt, Nanaimo, BC.

Sources & Credits