Elam S. Martin: Father of the Orthodox Mennonite Church

Elam Snyder Martin (1907-1987), Orthodox Mennonite bishop for 30 years, is considered the "Father" of the Orthodox Mennonite Church in Ontario, Canada. From deep Mennonite roots on both sides of his family, Elam Martin grew up to embrace and indeed define the growing expression of Mennonite orthodoxy in southwestern Ontario.

Family History

Elam S. Martin, born April 30, 1907 in Waterloo County, in the Canadian province of Ontario, was the son of John W. Martin and Leah Snyder Martin, both of pioneer Mennonite families. John was the son of David B. Martin and Catherina Weber, the latter a descendant of Joseph Bechtel, first Mennonite minister ordained in Waterloo County in 1804. David B. Martin (1838-1920), a Minister in the Old Order Mennonite Church in Ontario