ABSTRACT

The Brethren are a group of Protestant denominations which trace their origins back to eight people in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708. The eight people, three women and five men, sought to live according to the principles of the New Testament, both in their individual lives and in their community life. In their search they were greatly influenced by Pietism and Anabaptism. By 1750 most of the early Brethren had moved from Europe to colonial America. Over the next one hundred fifty years, the Brethren spread across America as far as the West Coast. During the 1880s major divisions occurred with a more conservative group and a more liberal group each leaving the main body. Today there are five major groups of Brethren – Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Dunkard Brethren, Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, and Old German Baptist Brethren.