Church of the Brethren

Church of the Brethren

1451 Dundee Ave.
Elgin, IL 60120
United States

Attesting Officer
Mr. Joseph Cunningham
Secretary, the General Council of C.U. of the U.S.A


Media Contact
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, Director of News Services

42.064064, -88.2621633


Eight German Pietists/Anabaptists, including their leader, Alexander Mack, founded the Brethren movement in 1708 in Schwarzenau, Germany. Begun in reaction to spiritual stagnation in state churches, the Brethren formed their own movement, modeled on the first-century church. They practice believer baptism, anointing, and the love feast. They have no other creed than the New Testament, hold to principles of nonviolence, no force in religion, Christian service, and simplicity. They migrated to the colonies beginning in 1710 and settled at Germantown, Pennsylvania, moving westward and southward to plant congregations across the United States and Puerto Rico. Emphasis on religion in daily life led to the formation of Brethren Volunteer Service in 1948, which continues today. There are now sister denominations and missions in Nigeria, Haiti, India, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and mission workers in several other places around the world.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2010
120,041
58,946
0
120,041
1,043
2009
121,781
58,830
0
121,781
1,047
2008
123,855
59,084
0
123,855
1,049
2007
125,418
61,125
0
125,418
1,055
2006
127,526
63,571
0
127,526
1,064
2004
131,201
67,591
0
131,201
1,068
2003
132,481
132,481
1,062
2001
134,828
71,737
0
134,828
1,070
1997
141,400
141,400
1,095
1996
141,811
141,811
1,106
1995
143,121
143,121
1,114
1994
144,282
144,282
1,127
1993
146,713
146,713
1,135
1992
147,912
147,912
1,139
1990
148,253
148,253
1,095
1989
149,681
149,681
1,102
1988
151,169
151,169
1,079
1987
154,067
154,067
1,052
1986
155,967
155,967
1,059
1985
159,184
159,184
1,045
1984
161,824
161,824
1,044
1983
164,680
164,680
1,067
1982
168,844
168,844
1,063
1981
170,267
170,267
1,064
1980
170,839
170,839
1,063
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
There is no data yet
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2010
690
0
27,598
27,598
2009
724
0
27,902
27,902
2008
760
0
28,456
28,456
2007
760
0
31,006
31,006
2006
664
0
31,837
31,837
2004
785
0
35,671
35,671
2003
773
36,739
2001
788
0
37,916
39,897
1997
858
43,577
1996
897
46,183
1995
964
49,543
1994
1,040
0
1993
1,027
0
1992
894
0
1987
929
56,848
1986
971
59,410
1985
964
60,754
1984
972
61,182
1983
957
61,376
1982
978
61,067
1978
1,061
70,156
1977
1,033
73,243
1976
1,061
77,967
1975
1,061
79,913
1974
1,061
80,027
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2010
$19,930,435
$92,270,210
$57,862,213
$72,339,775
2009
$16,952,618
$89,631,907
$55,910,074
$72,679,289
2008
$18,163,083
$87,494,968
$55,092,034
$69,331,885
2007
$20,233,969
$88,668,503
$55,008,609
$68,434,534
2006
$20,157,405
$92,834,308
$55,696,921
$72,676,903
2004
$19,038,122
$90,440,250
$54,587,920
$71,402,128
2003
$20,756,646
$93,876,819
$73,120,173
2001
$22,869,690
$91,660,623
$52,432,047
$68,790,933
1997
$16,720,527
$77,644,344
$60,923,817
1996
$13,830,836
$74,355,393
$60,524,557
1995
$22,599,214
$82,841,632
$60,242,418
1994
$24,155,595
$81,366,277
$57,210,682
1993
$23,278,848
$80,097,846
$56,818,998
1992
$21,748,320
$79,703,215
$57,954,895
1989
$13,519,772
$65,441,592
$51,921,820
1988
$13,370,216
$61,378,873
$48,008,657
1987
$19,342,402
$64,544,134
$45,201,732
1986
$17,859,101
$61,390,394
$43,531,293
1985
$16,509,718
$57,168,622
$40,658,904
1984
$15,136,600
$52,880,127
$37,743,527
1983
$14,488,192
$54,214,935
$39,726,743
1982
$12,844,415
$47,908,983
$35,064,568
1981
$12,929,076
$44,570,095
$31,641,019
1980
$11,663,976
$41,477,241
$29,813,265
1979
$10,161,266
$38,583,950
$28,422,684