William Ivens

William Ivens (June 28, 1878 – June 18, 1957) was a religious and political figure in Manitoba, Canada. He was a leading figure in the Winnipeg General Strike, and subsequently served as a Labour member of the Manitoba legislature from 1920 to 1936.

Ivens was born in Barford, in Warwickshire, England, and came to Canada in 1896. He was educated at Wesley College, Winnipeg and the University of Manitoba, gaining a Master of Arts degree and becoming an ordained minister in the Methodist Church.

Ivens began his ministerial career at a time when the social gospel was on the rise in Canada. He was stationed at the McDougall Methodist Church in Winnipeg in 1916, and called for the church to lead the labour movement in its struggle against the prevailing tendencies of North American capitalism. He also supported the efforts of the Moral and Social Council of Canada to bring about large-scale social reform, and developed a reputation as a radical minister.

In 1917 and 1918, Ivens was opposed by several members of his congregation by defending conscientious objectors to World War I and criticizing the management of the war. He expressed these opinions as a private citizen in newspaper articles, rather than from his pulpit; nevertheless, many church members opposed him as insufficiently patriotic in wartime.

Although there were several petitions presented in Ivens's favour (he had improved the financial status of McDougall during his time as its minister), the overseeing body removed him from the church in June 1918 in an effort to restore local unity. Ivens agreed to stand down on condition that he be granted a year's leave to establish a "workers' church". Before the end of the month, he had founded the first Labour Church in the City of Winnipeg.

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