Church of the Brethren is not the same as Mennonite although lots of Brethren were Mennonites before they were Brethren. The Church of the Brethren (called German Baptist Brethren) was formed in Germany in 1708. Seven of the original eight members were Presbyterians and the other was a Lutheran. They baptized each other at the River Eder, near Schwarzenau. Their first minister was Alexander Mack, but no single person was ever recognized as the 'founder.' Many converts were Anabaptists like the followers of Menno Simon (Mennonites) with some difference in the form of service, the chief one being an insistence on baptism by immersion, hence they have popularly been called "Dunkers" or Dunkards (from the German word 'to dip'). They were persecuted in Germany and came to America in 1719 and settled near Philadelphia. This small group was led by Peter Becker, a weaver. My ancestors include Elder Johannes Naas and when he came to Pennsylvania in 1723, large numbers flocked to Germantown to hear him preach - Martin & Catherine Urner were among them as well as my ancestor Johannes Heinrich Landis and wife Elizabeth. The Landises and Urners were among six baptised that day in Wissahickon Creek. In 1724 Martin Urner was elder in charge of a second congregation instituted by Peter Becker. By 1891 there were estimated to be about 100,000 in America. Their tenets were industry, frugality, abstaining from extravagance and worldly display. The New Testament was their rule of faith. None were recognized as members until they were baptised by being dipped three times. Feet-washing was another ordinance, brothers washing brothers, and sisters washing sisters, never each other. They held love-feasts with unlimited food, Christ's supper being the authority for it. At communion they gave thanks for bread and wine - observed once or twice a year at every church, always at night. Church government is republican. Women kept their heads covered in church. Speakers in their church received no salary. (One sees some similarities to Quakers here too though in my research I have never seen converts either way). There are Brethren History books detailing the various churches and congregations - wonderful source for genealogists. There is also a Brethren mailing list on RootsWeb. Probably more than you ever wanted to know - Nadine ----- Original Message ----- From: Sandra Ferguson <ferg@intelos.net> To: <PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2000 1:33 PM Subject: [PACHESTE] Mennonites > Is the Church of the Brethren the same as the Mennonite? If so, there > were "3 churches between 1725 and 1785 built on the Schuylkill. These must > have been in Chester co, as the Montgomery co churches are included in other > districts. the oldest one is on the Schuylkill road, in East Coventry Twp, > abouyt 3 miles from Pottstown, dated 1728. > The first Mennonite church in the vicinity of Phoenixville, located on > the ridge mear the residence of the Heckel family. Erection date unknown. > In 1772 was erected the Mennonite meeting-house in Phoenixville, located > on Main Street. > This sect, driven from the homes of their ancestry by persecution was > once numerous among the German inhabitants of PA, but is gradually becoming > extinct. It's membership at Phoenixville has dwindled down to a few > people" [this was written in 1889]. > Sandra > > > > > > > > > ----Original Message----- > From: Larry Cook <l.cook@mindspring.com> > To: PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com <PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: Sunday, July 23, 2000 1:52 PM > Subject: [PACHESTE] Looking for COOK PA Ancestors > > > >I am trying to track down my Pennsylvania ancestors. > > > >Henry COOK (b. 1825, d. 1912) married Mary HOLLOWBUSH (or Hollabush) on > >about > >11-27-1851 in a Church of the Brethren in Chester County, PA. > > > >I learned just this week that Henry's father is Samuel COOK, who married > >Hannah REIFSNYDER. I learned this by obtaining a copy of Henry's death > >certificate. > >The only other information given about Samuel and Hannah is that they were > >both born in Prussia. > >The information on Henry's death certificate came from his son, John Wilson > >Cook, I, so > >I believe it is highly credible. > > > >Does anyone have Samuel and Hannah COOK in their tree, or know of any other > >trees having these names? > >Does anyone know how I can get any information about the Chester County > >congregation of the Church of the Brethren? > >I have posted an inquiry on the Brethren's mailing list, as well. I've also > >reviewed their web site, but can't find any information on this > >congregation. > > > >Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks. > > > > > > > >==== PACHESTE Mailing List ==== > >Visit the PA GenWeb Archives at > >http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/pafiles.htm > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== PACHESTE Mailing List ==== > Stop by our associated website for Chester County Genealogy at > http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacheste/chester.htm > > > > >