The village of Hawkesville is a short drive west of St Jacobs. It is on top of a bluff overlooking the picturesque Conestogo River valley. At one time it was a very thriving little town with 3 Churches, a woollen mill, a tannery, a grist mill a few blacksmiths, a wagon shop operated by the grandfather of the late Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, hotels etc. Today it boasts a few construction companies, a few furniture factories and some metalworking shops.
In the late 1940s as St Jacobs Mennonite Church was thinking of expanding their building, somebody mentioned that the United Church in Hawkesville was not being used and might be available to serve the members in that area. The United Church people were approached and after some discussion, they agreed to sell it to the Mennonites for a minimal fee, providing that it is used as a house of worship. After some renovations and deepening the basement and installing structural programs, it was dedicated in January 1950. The charter members came from St. Jacobs and Elmira Mennonite.
As the church grew it also built additions to the existing church, new programs were also added and some programs changed. Over the years pastors and mission workers have come from Hawkesville and have done the Lord’s work in the far reaches of the world.
In the late 1940s as St Jacobs Mennonite Church was thinking of expanding their building, somebody mentioned that the United Church in Hawkesville was not being used and might be available to serve the members in that area. The United Church people were approached and after some discussion, they agreed to sell it to the Mennonites for a minimal fee, providing that it is used as a house of worship. After some renovations and deepening the basement and installing structural programs, it was dedicated in January 1950. The charter members came from St. Jacobs and Elmira Mennonite.
As the church grew it also built additions to the existing church, new programs were also added and some programs changed. Over the years pastors and mission workers have come from Hawkesville and have done the Lord’s work in the far reaches of the world.
