A Conservative Anabaptist denomination characterized by a commitment to simplicity, nonconformity, and the practice of adult baptism.
The Dunkard Brethren Church is a Conservative Anabaptist denomination that originated from the Schwarzenau Brethren tradition and officially established itself as a separate entity in 1926 in the United States. This split from the Church of the Brethren was driven by concerns over perceived liberal shifts in practice and doctrine, particularly regarding the abandonment of traditional dress codes and other apostolic standards which some members felt were foundational Christian practices. The denomination is named after its distinctive practice of baptism by triple immersion (trine immersion), which is derived from the German word “dunken,” meaning “to dunk.”
Historically, the roots of the Dunkard Brethren can be traced back to the early 18th century during the Radical Pietist revival in Germany, led by Alexander Mack. Influenced by Pietism and Anabaptist traditions, this movement emphasized personal holiness, the new birth, and a return to the practices of the early apostolic church. Fleeing economic persecution in Europe, many early members migrated to Pennsylvania, USA, in the early 1700s, where they established and expanded their congregations over the centuries.
In 1926, the formation of the Dunkard Brethren Church was catalyzed by significant theological concerns articulated by B.E. Kesler and his followers through “The Bible Monitor.” Kesler’s refusal of a seat at the Church of the Brethren’s Annual Conference in 1923 led to separate meetings that culminated in the formal establishment of the Dunkard Brethren Church when similar grievances were dismissed at the 1926 Conference.
The church adheres to several distinct ordinances that underscore its commitment to scriptural directives and the physical demonstration of faith and humility. These include baptism by immersion, foot washing, the holy kiss, head covering, communion, and anointing of the sick. Such practices reflect the church’s ongoing commitment to living out New Testament teachings. Despite its relatively small size, with about 1,035 members across 26 congregations as of 2001, the Dunkard Brethren Church remains active in both evangelism and missionary work, focusing on upholding the teachings and practices they believe reflect the true intentions of the New Testament church.
Overall, the Dunkard Brethren Church embodies a blend of Anabaptist and Pietist principles, emphasizing a conservative lifestyle, adult baptism, and other traditional Christian ordinances, maintaining its distinctive identity within the broader Christian community.
image via Cornerstone Dunkard Brethren
