Denominational Profile

Notes

The Christian or Open Brethren is one branch of the movement (popularly called the Plymouth Brethren) begun by John Nelson Darby in England in the 1820s. It has been more open to cooperation with believers in non-Brethren organizations.

Membership Data

Year	Clergy	Churches	Members
1935	-	633	22,961
1936	-	664	25,806
1944	-	-	25,000
1960	0	665	33,250
1971	0	740	37,500
1973	643	690	40,000
1975	340	750	70,000
1976	374	745	74,000
1978	380	800	74,000
1980	400	1,100	98,000
1982	500	1,100	98,000
1983	500	1,100	98,000
1984	500	1,150	98,000
1994	-	1,150	98,000
1997	500	1,150	100,000
2000	530	1,125	95,000
2002	530	1,165	85,050
2003	600	1,150	86,000
2005	600	1,150	86,000
2006	600	1,145	86,000

Data were taken from the National Council of Churches' Historic Archive CD and recent editions of the Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. Denomination descriptions provided by Dr. J. Gordon Melton, Director, Institute for the Study of American Religion (ISAR). [More information on data sources]