River Brethren

There are three bodies of River Brethren in existence:

• Brethren in Christ Church
• Old Order River Brethren
• United Zion Church

The River Brethren began about 1778 in Pennsylvania. Martin Boehm, (later bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ) was initially the spiritual leader of those who formed the River Brethren. Such brethren were often known by their locality. A group of brethren north of Marietta, Pennsylvania on the east side of the Susquehanna River became known as the River Brethren. The River Brethren distanced themselves from Boehm and the United Brethren movement. They were influenced by the Dunkers and developed a conviction that trine immersion was the scriptural form of baptism. Yet they did not join the Dunker movement. The first confessional statement of this group was formulated around 1780.