The Evangelical Church or Evangelical Association , also known in the late 1700s as the New Methodist Conference and in the early 1800s as the Albright Brethren , was a "body of American Christians chiefly of German descent". It was Wesleyan–Arminian in doctrine and theology, as well as Methodist Episcopal in its form of church government.
71-861: In 1946, the majority of the congregations of the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethren in Christ to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church . Those congregations who did not participate in this merger are represented by the Evangelical Church of North America , along with the Evangelical Congregational Church , both of which continue the tradition of the Albright Brethren. The Evangelical Church
142-474: A plurality of elders (also known in some congregations as shepherds, bishops, or pastors) who are sometimes assisted in the administration of various works by deacons . Elders are generally seen as responsible for the spiritual welfare of the congregation, while deacons are seen as responsible for the non-spiritual needs of the church. Deacons serve under the supervision of the elders, and are often assigned to direct specific ministries. Successful service as
213-404: A German translation of Methodist Episcopal Church Book of Discipline, was introduced six years later. In 1816, the church took on the name "The Evangelical Association" at its first annual conference. It was not until 1839 that a bishop was elected to replace Albright. John Seybert was elected as part of the young denomination's move towards centralized leadership, and 1843 saw the institution of
284-514: A barn belonging to Isaac Long in Lancaster, Pennsylvania . Martin Boehm (1725–1812), a Mennonite preacher, spoke of his becoming a Christian through crying out to God while plowing in the field. Philip William Otterbein (1726–1813), a Reformed pastor at York, Pennsylvania , left his seat, embraced Boehm and said to him, "Wir sind Brüder (we are brethren)." The followers of Boehm and Otterbein formed
355-520: A deacon is often seen as preparation for the eldership. Elders and deacons are chosen by the congregation based on the qualifications found in Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Congregations look for elders who have a mature enough understanding of scripture to enable them to supervise the minister and to teach, as well as to perform governance functions. In lieu of willing men who meet these qualifications, congregations are sometimes overseen by an unelected committee of
426-537: A general conference, composed of delegates chosen by the annual conferences and constituting the highest legislative and judicial authority in the church. By 1892, the association numbered 148,506 members, not including children, with 1,864 ministers and 2,043 churches, in the United States, Canada, and Germany. In 1891, some members of the Evangelical Association left in a controversy over the ownership of
497-587: A growing number of nondenominational churches, which are often congregationalist in their governance. Although autonomous, like minded congregations may enter into voluntary associations with other congregations, sometimes called conventions, denominations, or associations. Congregationalism is distinguished from episcopal polity which is governance by a hierarchy of bishops , and is also distinct from presbyterian polity in which higher assemblies of congregational representatives can exercise considerable authority over individual congregations. Congregationalism
568-560: A loose movement for many years. It spread to include German-speaking churches in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio. In 1800, they began a yearly conference. Thirteen ministers attended the first conference at the home of Peter Kemp in Frederick, Maryland . At that conference in 1800, they adopted a name, the United Brethren in Christ. Boehm and Otterbein, now in their 70s, were elected as bishops. The United Brethren Church claims to be
639-562: A mission district meets those requirements, it can apply for national conference status through this procedure: These are the current mission districts: (see also: other Protestant missionary societies in China during the 19th century ) The General Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, International, meets every three years. It is the highest governing body of the church, and
710-454: A mission district, and operated under the supervision of the Canadian national conference, organized as a national conference in 2019. Here is the total list of national conferences: In addition there are various mission districts. A mission district is a collection of churches in a country which are not yet organized into a national conference. Instead, those churches are under the supervision of
781-612: A national conference. For example, UB Global, the joint mission organization of the United Brethren churches in the United States and Canada, currently oversees a mission district in India and the two churches in Macau , while the Hong Kong Conference oversees the work in Thailand . Any mission district can seek status as a national conference if it meets and maintains the following criteria: If
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#1732851853379852-480: A publishing house, national offices, and Huntington College . Wright served as bishop until 1905. Until 1946 two groups operated under the name Church of the United Brethren in Christ, distinguished by whether they were the Church of the United Brethren in Christ (Old Constitution) or the Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution) . Both claimed 1800 as their founding date, with heritage dating to 1767, and
923-777: A small group of members withdrew (primarily over a desire for a stronger stand on pacifism) to form one of the denominations known as the United Christian Church around the middle of the 19th century. In 1848 a small group withdrew to form the Republican United Brethren Church. They later merged with another small splinter group called the Reformed United Brethren Church to create the Evangelical United Brethren Association . The Evangelical United Brethren Association
994-654: A strong stand against slavery in 1821. After 1837, slave owners were no longer allowed to remain as members of the United Brethren Church. In 1847, the United Brethren founded Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio , which continues today. In 1853, the Home, Frontier, and Foreign Missionary Society was organized. Expansion occurred into the western United States, but the church's stance against slavery limited expansion to
1065-633: A two-year effort to merge into the Missionary Church USA denomination. Although the California churches had strongly supported the initiatives of UBHope, a group which opposed joining with the Missionary Church, USA, and although many of the ideas ultimately adopted originated from UBHope, the California churches continued to disagree with the direction of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA. The smaller group of churches resulting from
1136-639: A very similar ecclesiology , refusing to permit outside control or oversight of the affairs of the local church. Ecclesiastical government is congregational rather than denominational. Churches of Christ purposefully have no central headquarters, councils, or other organizational structure above the local church level. Rather, the independent congregations are a network with each congregation participating at its own discretion in various means of service and fellowship with other congregations. Churches of Christ are linked by their shared commitment to restoration principles. Congregations are generally overseen by
1207-687: Is based on the local congregation . It continues today. In 1946, the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethren in Christ at a meeting in Johnstown, Pennsylvania , to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church . This body, in turn, united with the Methodist Church (USA) in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church . A group of clergy and about fifty local churches withdrew at this time, probably in protest against theological and social liberalism in mainline American Methodism, and formed
1278-654: Is believed to have united with several other groups to form the Christian Union in 1864. In 1909 the Christian Union split into the Christian Union and the Churches of Christ in Christian Union . They are not to be confused with the Evangelical Association that later was known as the Evangelical Church, before merging to become The Evangelical United Brethren Church . The largest "branching" came in 1889 when
1349-484: Is composed of representatives from the various national conferences. Each national conference can send two delegates. The national conference of each country elects its own highest official (often called the bishop). These national conference officials make up an international Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets annually to take care of business between sessions of the General Conference. The Church of
1420-626: Is held as a first consideration when a church makes a decision to grant or decline financial contributions to such agencies, which are legally external and separate from the congregations they serve. These practices also find currency among non-denominational fundamentalist or charismatic fellowships, many of which derive from Baptist origins, culturally if not theologically. Most Southern Baptist and National Baptist congregations, by contrast, generally relate more closely to external groups such as mission agencies and educational institutions than do those of independent persuasion. However, they adhere to
1491-641: Is no church other than the local church, and denominations are in variance to Scripture." These Christian traditions use forms of congregational polity. Congregationalism is a Protestant tradition with roots in the Puritan and Independent movements. In congregational government, the covenanted congregation exists prior to its officers, and as such the members are equipped to call and dismiss their ministers without oversight from any higher ecclesiastical body. Their churches ordinarily have at least one pastor, but may also install ruling elders. Statements of polity in
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#17328518533791562-659: Is not limited only to organization of Christian church congregations. The principles of congregationalism have been inherited by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Canadian Unitarian Council . The term congregational polity describes a form of church governance that is based on the local congregation. Each local congregation is independent and self-supporting, governed by its own members. Some band into loose voluntary associations with other congregations that share similar beliefs (e.g.,
1633-446: Is part of the current Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The complete list of colleges surviving as independent entities, include: Congregationalist polity Congregational polity , or congregationalist polity , often known as congregationalism , is a system of ecclesiastical polity in which every local church (congregation) is independent, ecclesiastically sovereign, or " autonomous ". Its first articulation in writing
1704-791: Is the Cambridge Platform of 1648 in New England . Major Protestant Christian traditions that employ congregationalism include Baptist churches, the Congregational Methodist Church , and Congregational churches known by the Congregationalist name and having descended from the Independent Reformed wing of the Anglo-American Puritan movement of the 17th century. More recent generations have witnessed
1775-565: The Church of the United Brethren in Christ in a few years. He also studied with a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He became a member of a local Methodist study group and became a powerful preacher. The group authorized him as a lay preacher. Feeling that God had called him to ministry, he decided in 1796 to become a traveling preacher, following in the Methodist Episcopal Church pattern, preaching in homes, vacant buildings, and street corners. He wrote, "I began my travels in
1846-492: The Episcopal Baptists that have an episcopal system . Independent Baptist churches have no formal organizational structure above the level of the local congregation. More generally among Baptists , a variety of parachurch agencies and evangelical educational institutions may be supported generously or not at all, depending entirely upon the local congregation's customs and predilections. Usually doctrinal conformity
1917-493: The Evangelical Church in 1946 to form a new denomination known as the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB). This in turn merged in 1968 with The Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church (UMC). The Wright-led faction, The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Old Constitution, continues today as the denomination of about 550 congregations, with 47,300 members in fifteen countries. The US National Conference consists of about 200 churches and 25,000 members in
1988-539: The Evangelical Church of North America . Church of the United Brethren in Christ The Church of the United Brethren in Christ is an evangelical Christian denomination with churches in 17 countries. It is Protestant , with an episcopal structure and Arminian theology, with roots in the Mennonite and German Reformed communities of 18th-century Pennsylvania , as well as close ties to Methodism . It
2059-593: The Evangelical Church of North America . Later, because of international laws and legal requirements by Revenue Canada, the Canadian branch of the Evangelical Church of North America withdrew to form its own denomination. The Evangelical Church in Canada then merged with the Missionary Church of Canada to form the Evangelical Missionary Church in Canada. Fraternal ties between the Evangelical Church and
2130-557: The Freemasons , the proper way to modify the church's constitution, and other issues split the United Brethren into majority liberal and minority conservative blocs, the latter of which was led by Bishop Milton Wright (father of the Wright Brothers ). Both groups continued to use the name Church of the United Brethren in Christ . The majority faction, known as the Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution) , merged with
2201-793: The Mennonite Brethren in Christ . The Mennonite Brethren in Christ eventually contributed to the convergence of denominations of what is now the Missionary Church , USA, headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana . The remainder of the Wegner/Swank Brethren in Christ became the Pentecostal Brethren in Christ before becoming part of the Pilgrim Holiness Church , which merged to become part of the Wesleyan Church . In addition
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2272-651: The Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church (UMC). In Canada the more liberal United Brethren group after 1889 joined with the Congregationalists in 1906. The Congregationalists then joined with the Methodist Church and most of the Presbyterian Churches in Canada in 1925 to form the United Church of Canada . The more conservative United Brethren Church after 1889 continues to this day as
2343-405: The Missionary Church . The joining was tentatively scheduled to occur in 2005 but was defeated by a vote of the membership in 2004. This action, had it received a favorable vote, would have combined the United Brethren churches in the United States into the Missionary Church USA, so that all of those congregations would have become Missionary Church congregations. At the 2005 National Conference of
2414-687: The Moravian Church .) Although there was influence by Pietism and the Moravians on the founders of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, there is no direct organizational link. Likewise, there are no organizational connections with the Brethren denominations coming out of the German Brethren and Swiss Brethren movements, nor are there any connections with various Latter Day Saint groups that use "United Brethren" in their name. Known branches of
2485-903: The United Brethren Church in Canada . When EUB churches in the United States entered the UMC in 1968, congregations in Central Canada merged with the United Church of Canada. In 1968, a number of the Evangelical United Brethren Churches in the US and Canada left the Evangelical United Brethren Church/United Methodist Church. Some rejoined the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, other denominations, or remained independent. Most joined to form
2556-1031: The Willow Creek Association and the Unitarian Universalist Association ). Others join "conventions", such as the Southern Baptist Convention , the National Baptist Convention or the American Baptist Churches USA (formerly the Northern Baptist Convention). These conventions generally provide stronger ties between congregations, including some doctrinal direction and pooling of financial resources. Congregations that belong to associations and conventions are still independently governed. Most non-denominational churches are organized along congregationalist lines. Many do not see these voluntary associations as " denominations ", because they "believe that there
2627-512: The priesthood of all believers . No special titles are used for preachers or ministers that would identify them as clergy . Churches of Christ emphasize that there is no distinction between "clergy" and " laity " and that every member has a gift and a role to play in accomplishing the work of the church. Methodists who disagreed with the episcopal polity of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South left their mother church to form
2698-403: The 1889 division became known as the Church of the United Brethren in Christ (Old Constitution) . Later, after the other Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution) changed names with its 1946 merger with the Evangelical Church, "Old Constitution" was dropped from the name. Today, they are often casually referred to as United Brethren (UB) or the United Brethren Church (UBC). In
2769-543: The Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments , is the inspired Word of God; and that salvation is through faith, repentance and following after Christ. The church holds two ordinances: baptism and the Lord's supper . The church takes a neutral position on the observance of feet washing , stating, "the example of washing feet is left to the judgment of every one to practice or not...". For
2840-505: The Church of the United Brethren in Christ include several congregations led by United Brethren founder Martin Boehm . Initially known as River Brethren , they developed into several denominations, including the Brethren in Christ Church, Calvary Holiness Church , Old Order River Brethren/Yorker Brethren , and United Zion Church . While they were associated with the United Brethren during
2911-659: The Confession of Faith of 1815, as well as a set of seven Core Values adopted in 2001. The other international governing documents include a Constitution and By-Laws. The General Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, International, meets every three years. It is the highest governing body of the church, and is composed of representatives from the ten national conferences. Each national conference can send two delegates, usually its Bishop or General Superintendent and its Missions Director. The national conference of each country elects its own highest official (often called
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2982-774: The Evangelical Missionary Church have been maintained. In 1981 a group of former Evangelical United Brethren churches in Pennsylvania separated from the Evangelical Church of North America over concerns regarding the ownership of congregational property. They established the Association of Evangelical Churches . The Association began an annual slate of ministry events with Family Camp in August 1982, and has since added Men's Retreat, Ministers' Retreat, Youth Retreat, and Ladies Retreat. In addition, its Board of Ministry trains, licenses, and ordains workers for ministry. The Association
3053-741: The Reformed Church, pastoring a Reformed Church in Baltimore, Maryland from 1774 until his death in 1813. Martin Boehm was excluded by the Mennonites in 1775. He joined the Methodist Church in 1802, while remaining bishop of the United Brethren until his death in 1812. Francis Asbury , bishop of the Methodist Church in America, spoke at the memorial services of both of these United Brethren bishops. Otterbein had assisted in Asbury's ordination. The United Brethren took
3124-528: The United Brethren Church, USA significant changes were passed that initiated a major restructuring and refocusing of the denomination. The new organizational structure eliminated the multiple geographical "annual conferences" which had existed since 1810, and replaced them with smaller groupings, called "clusters", consisting of 5-10 churches and their senior pastors. Clusters were designed to better equip congregations and their leadership while building stronger relationships and accountability. The new structure did
3195-451: The United Brethren in Christ, USA is the United Brethren national conference for the United States. Its national offices are located in Huntington, Indiana. Led by an elected bishop, it is composed of clergy and lay representatives from US congregations and US-sponsored mission fields. The national conference meets every two years. On October 14, 2003, the Executive Leadership Team of the United Brethren Church, USA voted to pursue joining with
3266-408: The United States, plus mission districts in Haiti and India. The United States national office is located in Huntington, Indiana , as is the denomination's only college, Huntington University . Though the church was not organized until 1800, its roots reach back to 1767. In May of that year, a Great Meeting (part of the interdenominational revival movement the First Great Awakening ) was held at
3337-404: The United States, there are churches in Canada, Costa Rica , El Salvador , Guatemala , Haiti , Honduras , Hong Kong , India, Jamaica , Liberia, Macau , Mexico, Nicaragua , Sierra Leone , France, and Thailand . Since its beginning in the 18th century, the Church of the United Brethren in Christ founded 34 colleges, seminaries, and academies in the United States. Only Huntington University
3408-487: The bishop). These national conference officials make up an international Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meets annually, usually electronically, to take care of business between sessions of the General Conference. Canadian Bishop Brian Magnus is the current chair of the United Brethren International Executive Committee. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, International currently consists of ten self-governing national conferences. Seven of them existed when
3479-436: The changes that led to the division of 1889 – local conferences have proportional representation at General Conference, and half of the delegates are laypersons. The present church contends that unlike in 1889, these changes were adopted constitutionally, by near consensus. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ is a conservative Trinitarian body of Christians that hold the deity, humanity, and atonement of Jesus ; that
3550-424: The changes violated the Constitution because they were not made by a 2/3 majority of all church members. Milton Wright (the father of aviation pioneers Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright ) was the only one of the church's six bishops to side with the minority. He and 13 other conference delegates left the meeting and resumed the session at the York Opera House. Arguing that based upon church constitution requirements
3621-439: The churches to form the United Evangelical Church . Thirty-one years later, in 1923, the two groups reunited under the name "The Evangelical Church". Those congregations which chose not to re-unite formed the Evangelical Congregational Church which, despite its name, has no historical relation with the Congregational churches derived from New England settlement. Rather, the name refers to its organizational structure , which
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#17328518533793692-485: The congregation's men. While the early Restoration Movement had a tradition of itinerant preachers rather than "located Preachers", during the 20th century a long-term, formally trained congregational minister became the norm among Churches of Christ. Ministers are understood to serve under the oversight of the elders. While the presence of a long-term professional minister has sometimes created "significant de facto ministerial authority" and led to conflict between
3763-730: The congregational tradition called "platforms". These include the Savoy Confession 's platform, the Cambridge Platform , and the Saybrook Platform . Denominations in the congregational tradition include the UCC , NACCC , CCCC , and EFCC . Denominations in the tradition support but do not govern their constituent members. Most Baptists hold that no denominational or ecclesiastical organization has inherent authority over an individual Baptist church. Churches can properly relate to each other under this polity only through voluntary cooperation, never by any sort of coercion. Furthermore, this Baptist polity calls for freedom from governmental control. Exceptions to this local form of local governance include
3834-447: The consensus process for amending the Constitution at the time made it difficult to amend; amendments required a 2/3 majority of all church members. However, the denomination believed these changes were necessary for the good of the church, and chose to enact them without this near consensus at the 1889 General Conference, held in York, Pennsylvania . They also adopted a new Confession of Faith. A minority, mostly conservative faction felt
3905-449: The early decades, they never joined when the movement formalized into a denomination. During the 19th century, John Swank and a small number of supporters left the United Brethren Church. They joined with a small faction that had broken from the larger Brethren in Christ Church. Led by John Wegner, this group was also known by the name " Brethren in Christ ". Part of this group, led by John Swank, later broke off and merged to become part of
3976-414: The first denomination to actually begin in the United States, rather than be transplanted from Europe. A Confession of Faith was adopted in 1815 (similar to one written by Otterbein in 1789), and it has remained the statement of church doctrine to the present. In 1841, they adopted a Constitution. It has remained mostly intact, being changed perhaps a dozen times. William Otterbein retained a connection with
4047-419: The first several decades the Church of the United Brethren in Christ was loosely organized, and known simply as the United Brethren Church. When they officially organized into a denomination they adopted the name "Church of the United Brethren in Christ" in order to avoid confusion with the Unitas Fratrum (Unity of the Brethren), or as it more commonly was called in English, the United Brethren (also known as
4118-542: The following: The covenant must be signed by each church and reciprocally signed by the bishop. If a church chooses not to sign the covenant, they are basically withdrawing from the denomination. The covenant, as most recently revised, includes these points: The total number of United Brethren churches is 600, with a membership of 47,300. In 2017, membership in the United States was around 20,000 in 180 congregations. The majority of United Brethren churches are located in Pennsylvania , Ohio , Indiana , and Michigan . Outside
4189-428: The international structure was adopted in 2001. Two more conferences, Mexico and the Philippines , were accepted as part of the denomination in 2005, and the U.B. churches in Guatemala became the tenth national conference in 2010. The Philippines National Conference was removed from membership by the 2017 General Conference. A group of nearly 30 churches in Haiti, which had affiliated with the United Brethren in 2000 as
4260-404: The late 1980s through the early 21st century, a need to comply with changing international laws resulted in the creation of a number of self-governing United Brethren "national conferences," organized by country. These independent national denominations covenanted together to create an interdependent body called the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, International. They must all agree to follow
4331-449: The main body divided into two groups. The larger group embraced a new constitution while the smaller group retained the original constitution. The larger group was known as the Church of the United Brethren in Christ or, later, The United Brethren Church (UB). In 1946 the United Brethren Church merged with the Evangelical Church to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church (EUB). In 1968 the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged with
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#17328518533794402-419: The majority faction had effectively withdrawn from the denomination, they declared themselves to be the true United Brethren Church. However, most of the congregations that sided with Wright lost their property. Wright led this group— comprising 10,000 to 15,000 constituents—in those early years as they reorganized. A new headquarters began taking shape in 1897 in Huntington, Indiana , with the establishment of
4473-410: The minister and the elders, the eldership has remained the "ultimate locus of authority in the congregation". There is a small group within the Churches of Christ which oppose a single preacher and, instead, rotate preaching duties among qualified elders (this group tends to overlap with groups which oppose Sunday School and also have only one cup to serve the Lord's Supper). Churches of Christ hold to
4544-407: The newly organized, unnamed church held its first annual conference, the church had 220 members. Here Albright was elected bishop. He also assigned preachers and did what business was needed. The Conference also adopted the episcopal form of government, articles of faith, and a book of discipline. Albright was asked to prepare a Book of Discipline. Albright died in 1808. A Book of Discipline, based on
4615-409: The same history up to 1889. In 1946, the larger New Constitution United Brethren church merged with the Evangelical Association to form the Evangelical United Brethren Church . That body in turn merged with The Methodist Church (USA) in 1968 to form the United Methodist Church . The present United Brethren Church is descended from the Old Constitution faction. This group eventually adopted two of
4686-422: The south. By 1889, the United Brethren had grown to over 200,000 members with six bishops. In that same year they experienced a division. Denominational leaders desired to make three changes: to give local conferences proportional representation at the General Conference; to allow laymen to serve as delegates to General Conference; and to allow United Brethren members to hold membership in secret societies. However,
4757-603: The year 1776 in the month of October in order to obey the call of God in proclaiming his holy way as revealed in the Gospel." He began speaking across eastern Pennsylvania, northern Maryland, and Virginia, and organizing small groups. At some point Albright asked Methodist Episcopal Church Bishop Francis Asbury to appoint a German-speaking ordained minister to serve his German-speaking groups with baptisms and communion. Bishop Asbury turned him down. By 1800 he had three groups with about 20 members, and by 1803 he had five groups with 40. Albright had never given any indication that he
4828-505: Was a member of the Christian Holiness Partnership . Four chairmen have served the Association since its inception: Rev. Evans Mitchell 1982–1986; Rev. Gary Lyons 1986–1998; Rev. James Nelson 1998–2006; and Rev. Allen Young since 2006. All but one of the churches of California Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA, withdrew from the denomination during the fall of 2005 and started their own group, called United Believers in Christ . The denomination had just gone through
4899-487: Was founded in 1800 by Jacob Albright (1759–1808), a German-speaking Christian native of the Lancaster , Pennsylvania , area, influenced by John Wesley and the Methodist Episcopal Church and by followers of Philip William Otterbein . In 1790, several of his children died of dysentery. Although a member of a German Lutheran church, he asked a friend of Otterbein to conduct the funeral. Impressed, he began daily studies with another member of Otterbein's group, which became
4970-526: Was interested in forming a new organization or church, but in 1803, at the insistence of the leaders of his classes, he called a general meeting of the lay leaders and preachers for November 1803. Besides himself, two preachers and 14 lay leaders attended. The group drew up a license and the two pastors ordained Albright. The group wrote a brief statement of faith. In 1806, a major revival movement spread throughout eastern Pennsylvania, affecting many religious groups. Albright's followers grew greatly. By 1807, when
5041-450: Was organized in 1800 by Martin Boehm and Philip William Otterbein and is the first American denomination that was not transplanted from Europe. It emerged from United Brethren churches that were at first unorganized, and not all of which joined this church when it was formally organized in 1800, following a 1789 conference at the Otterbein Church (Baltimore, Maryland) . In 1889, a controversy over membership in secret societies such as
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