About the Archives

The Brethren Church Archives is the sole repository of artifacts and materials for the Brethren Church. The Brethren Church was formed in 1883 in a division with the German Baptist Brethren (now the Church of the Brethren). The Brethren movement originated in 1708 in Germany and combined elements from both Anabaptism and Pietism.

The archives houses a wide variety of artifacts related to the Brethren Church and to the Brethren movement in general: periodicals; some 2000 books and pamphlets; congregational, district, and regional records; ministerial records; materials related to boards, committees, and auxiliaries of the denomination; General Conference and Executive Board records; artifacts and records from Brethren missions, and numerous photographs and videos, as well as electronic media.

The archives are open throughout the year, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, except for the week of the Brethren General Conference in July, the week of Thanksgiving, and between Christmas and the New Year. Visitors and researchers should contact Dale Stoffer via email at dstoffer@ashland.edu in preparation for their visit.