The Church of the Brethren originated in 1708 when eight persons were baptized in the Eder River near Schwarzenau, Germany. In an effort to put the New Testament teachings into practice, the early Brethren found themselves at odds with the religious and political leaders of eighteenth century Germany. Persecution brought them to the New World where they embraced religious freedom.

After settling in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, the church gradually moved across the United States and initiated mission partnerships in India, China, Nigeria, Sudan, Ecuador, South Korea, and more recently, in Brazil land the Dominican Republic. Mission staff and Brethren Volunteer Service workers are assigned throughout the U.S. and more than a dozen countries around the world. The Brethren passion for social justice led to the formation of CROP (Christian Rural Overseas Program) and Heifer Project International.

There are approximately 1,000 Church of the Brethren Congregations throughout the United States and the church is affiliated with six colleges (Elizabethtown College, Juniata College, Bridgewater College, Manchester College, McPherson College, and the University of Laverne) and one theological seminary (Bethany Theological Seminary). The denominational staff is housed at the Church of the Brethren Office in Elgin, IL and the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, MD. Other agencies affiliated with the Church of the Brethren include: Association of Brethren Caregivers, Brethren Benefit Trust, Church of the Brethren Credit Union, and On Earth Peace Assembly. For more information visit: www.brethren.org. While times have changed, the Church of the Brethren continues to maintain the basic beliefs of the first Brethren and seeks to find new ways to continue the work of Jesus in the world.

The Friendship Church of the Brethren unofficially began on May 28, 1951, as a journey of faith on the part of several people who met in the home of Brother and Sister Jacob and Mae Shaver in Linthicum, MD. With the blessing of the First Church of the Brethren on Liberty Heights Avenue in Baltimore, the founding members of Friendship accepted the call to initiate a Brethren presence on the south-side of Baltimore.

The church received its official charter in 1953 and met in the women's club of Linthicum, the Fire Hall and local schools until the building was erected in 1955. The Christian Education wing was added in 1966. The Friendship Church of the Brethren has a Co-op Nursery School that meets the needs of children and parents in the community. The church also works with local schools, civic organizations, and other churches in an effort to connect its outreach mission to the community. The 50th Anniversary of the congregation was celebrated on September 28, 2003.