The Old Order River Brethren are a denomination of Anabaptist Christianity with roots in the Radical Pietist movement. They originated around 1778 in Pennsylvania, United States. The Old Order River Brethren continue the practice of plain dress and emphasize the symbolic nature of outdoor baptism, which they perform regardless of weather, even breaking ice as a symbol of their commitment to follow Jesus regardless of the cost.
They hold conservative beliefs, including the rejection of war, alcohol, tobacco, and worldly pleasures. The group is known for its commitment to traditional practices and plain dress, reflecting a conservative and traditionalist approach to their faith and lifestyle.
The Old Order River Brethren, also known as the Brethren in Christ, are a conservative Anabaptist group with a distinctive emphasis on traditional practices and plain dress. They are a close-knit community that places a strong emphasis on nonconformity to the world and the teachings of Jesus.
The group’s commitment to simplicity is reflected in their rejection of modern conveniences and technologies, as well as their agrarian lifestyle.
The Old Order River Brethren are known for their dedication to community, humility, and service, and they place a strong emphasis on nonresistance and nonviolence. Their commitment to traditional practices and plain dress sets them apart as a distinctive and traditionalist Anabaptist group within the broader religious landscape of the United States.
The Old Order River Brethren, sometimes confused with the Amish, originated around 1780 near the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
They accentuate the teachings of Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, where non-resistance to enemies is stressed. They emphasize honest relationships with neighbors and co-workers, daily family worship, careful raising and teaching of children, respect for the elderly, and volunteering.
Many River Brethren ladies are quilters, and they use their quilting talents to help others. Family relationships and passing down of traditions are important to the Old Order River Brethren, and they hold Quilting Bees to benefit their children’s schools and missions. They drive cars, usually black, and have electricity, computers, and microwaves if they are useful to their business and home life