First Brethren Church of South Bend History:

           The first building housing the congregation of  “Progressive Brethren” was located at 1214 S. Michigan Street and was dedicated in the winter of 1886 as the South Bend Brethren Church. Elder David C. Ullery donated the property and building.  Rev. Henry R. Holsinger was the first pastor, and Evangelist Stephen Bashor preached evangelistic services that helped form the first congregation. Some of the church’s pastors during these early years were Dr. W.R. Furry, Rev. Frank B. Yoder, and Rev. D.F. Eikenberry

            Because of growth in membership, the congregation totally remodeled and revamped the church building on that site. It was dedicated in November of 1906 as The First Brethren Church. The congregation continued to grow under the leadership of Rev. A. T. Wirick, Rev. A. E. Thomas, and Rev. George W. Rench.  Additional property next to the church was purchased. A few years later this property became the site of a new building because the old building was destroyed by fire on November 12, 1920.

             That building served as the home of First Brethren Church of South Bend from when it was dedicated in April 1923 until June 1986 when the congregation relocated to its present location at 4909 S. Ironwood Dr.  Some pastors during that time were Rev. N. V. Leatherman, Dr. Robert F. Porte, Dr. Claud Studebaker, Rev. J. D. Hamel, Rev. John Byler, and Rev. P. Keith Bennett.  The congregation continues to worship, share the Good News of Jesus, and serve the community from the S. Ironwood Dr. location and has been blessed in growth of members, facilities, and programs. Rev. Larry R. Baker has been pastor since 1977.       

Brethren Church History:

            The Brethren Church traces its roots back to a small group Bible study in Germany in 1708.  The group believed that the “established” church of the day had gotten away from its Biblical teachings and practice.  They endeavored to order their lives according to the teaching of the Bible – especially the New Testament.

            They soon found themselves at odds with the “established” church especially over believer’s baptism and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Because of the political and social order of the day, they found themselves persecuted for their beliefs and practices.  Many fled to Holland and then to America to escape persecution.  Arriving in 1719 and after, they settled in the Germantown, Pennsylvania area.  One of the early Brethren, Christopher Saur (Sower) was a printer and a contemporary of Ben Franklin and printed German Bibles, hymn books, and other religious literature.

            The Brethren were plain people who endeavored to base their beliefs on the Bible and practice those beliefs in their daily lives. As they assimilated into the new land, they began to spread throughout the colonies.  Many times they were known a Dunkards,  German Baptists, or German Baptist Brethren.

            Like most denominations, they have had some divisions – usually over practice rather than doctrine. First Brethren Church of South Bend traces its history to the branch of German Baptist Brethren that we called “Progressive Brethren” in the 1880’s because of their desire to use every modern way possible to share the Good News of Jesus.

            A more detailed history can be found atThe Brethren Church Website