www.brethren.org

Basic History
Germans who had been influenced by both Pietism and Anabaptism founded this denomination in 1708 in the town of Schwarzenau, Germany. One of the founders was Alexander Mack, a miller. Despite threat of prosecution, five men and three women gathered at the Eder River for baptism, an illegal act since all had been baptized as infants. They understood baptism as an outward symbol of their new faith and as a commitment to living that faith in community. This new group simply called themselves Brethren.

Though the early Brethren shared many beliefs with other Protestants, issues which separated them from the state churches included discipleship and obedience, reinstitution of the New Testament church, church discipline, biblicism, and nonresistance.

Due to growing persecution and economic hardship, Brethren began immigrating to North America in 1719 under the leadership of Peter Becker. By 1740, most Brethren had left Europe, including Mack. The first congregation in the New World was organized at Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1723.

Throughout the 1700s, new congregations were formed along the East Coast from Pennsylvania to Georgia. By the mid-1800s Brethren had settled in several Midwest states and by the 1850's on the West Coast.

Expansion across the continent and changes due to the Industrial Revolution caused strain and conflict among the Brethren. In the early 1880s a major schism took place resulting in a three-way split. The largest branch after the schism was the German Baptist Brethren, who changed their name to the Church of the Brethren in 1908.

Basic Beliefs
Members of this denomination do not hold to any creed, except the New Testament. Their principles emphasize peace-making, simple living, and service. They also emphasize the living out of faith in daily life.

During the 20th century Church of the Brethren focused on educating its young people by developing Sunday schools, camping, youth programs, and colleges; strengthening emphasis on service, foreign and home missions, non-violence and peacemaking; and increasing its ecumenical involvement. Brethren are widely known for their efforts in relief and rehabilitation work, student changes, disaster service, work camps, and faith expeditions.

One of the most distinctive features of Brethren worship has been the observance of the love feast - a communion service that includes feet washing, a simple meal, and partaking of the communion elements of unleavened bread and grape juice.

Leadership
Moderator -Phill Carlos Archbold
Moderator-elect - Paul Grout
Executive Director of the General Board-Judy Mills Reimer

Basic Facts
In 1999, the church had 1,020 congregations reporting 138,300 members, with 1,194 ordained ministers serving as pastors.

Location
Church of the Brethren
1451 Dundee Av.
Elgin, IL 60120
Phone (847) 742-5100
Fax (847) 742-6103