Church of Brethren Evolution: 6 Key Events for Christian Denomination Since It Began

The Church of the Brethren originated in Germany in 1708, but followers began settling in more tolerant areas of America during the 1700s, expanding through the 1800s. They appealed to Christians who desired more attention to Scriptures from their church.

These six events reveal how the Church of the Brethren changed from the 19th century to present day:

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1. Division had entered the church by the 1880s among liberal, conservative and moderate groups. New denominations were created, such as the Older Orders of the German Baptist Brethren. The moderate and largest group had been known as the German Baptist Brethren since the 1850s. In 1908 this group adopted the Church of the Brethren name.

2. However, divisions continued within the church throughout the 1900s. Conservative members formed the Dunkard Brethren in 1926. The Brethren Church saw the formation of the Fellowship of Grace Churches in 1939 and that group split into another denomination, the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches by the 1990s.

3. Divisions did not dissuade the missionary work by the core of the Church of the Brethren. In the 1940s, the church became active in national and world Christian councils, especially striving for peace. Members developed social-action projects on a large-scale and an international basis throughout World War II. As in World War I, Brethren also served in combat and non-combat roles during World War II.

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4. The Church of the Brethren continued its efforts for peace with the International Voluntary Service in 1948. The program utilized the work of thousands of volunteers in the U.S. and around the world in social projects that preceded the Peace Corps.

5. Peacemaking and missionary work increased throughout the 20th century. The Brethren promoted volunteer services in Brazil, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Sudan, India, China and South Korea.

6. Numbers continued to increase for memberships of the various Brethren groups in the 21st century. The Church of the Brethren had about 100,000 members with some 1,000 congregations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, but millions of people attended their services in Africa, Asia and South America.

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