Date Founded: 1723
Membership/Number of Clergy: 120,041/1,816 as of 2010
Headquarters: 1451 Dundee Ave, Elgin, IL 60120
Schools & Seminaries: Bridgewater College, Elizabethtown College, Juniata College, Manchester University, McPherson College, University of La Verne
Publications: Messenger, Basin & Towel
Website: http://www.brethren.org/
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram
Core Beliefs: The Brethren follow four practices, or ordinances that express their beliefs in following Jesus: baptism, the love feast, foot washing, and anointing. Brethren believe in full-immersion baptism, but they kneel in the baptistry and go forward three times rather than backwards as in other full-immersion churches. the love feast, or communion, is practiced twice a year. Foot washing is part of the love feast, and anointing with oil is done at the request of the member during a specific time of illness or hardship.
The Brethren are a "peace" church that works for non-violent solutions to conflicts and is opposed to war. Historically, Brethren, along with Mennonites and Quakers, have been persecuted for their anti-war stance and refusal to serve in the military. The concept of peace today has expanded into a strong belief in social justice and the founding of many ministries in this area.
Short History: Founded by German immigrants in Germantown, PA. A three-way schism occurred in the early 1880s. The largest group after the split was the German Baptist Brethren who became the Church of the Brethren in 1908.
Local Churches: The closest church to Louisville is Constance Church of the Brethren,
4760 River Road, Hebron, KY 41048 in northern KY. Use the Find a Church function to locate other churches.
