Jacob Engle

Who is Jacob Engle?

Jacob Engle is considered the father of the River Brethren, or Brethren in Christ, denomination. He was involved in their separation from the Mennonites. Engle was born in Switzerland and was an infant when his family emigrated to Pennsylvania to flee religious persecution. Jacob Engle was the second son of Ulrich and Anna. The Engles emigrated from the canton of Basel in Switzerland with their eight children. They sailed from Rotterdam and arrived in Philadelphia on October 1, 1754. They established a homestead in northwest Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He is listed as the founder of the River Brethren later renamed Brethren in Christ. About 1776 the River Brethren group was organized and Jacob was made the first bishop. This information is from "Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania" published by J. H. Beers co. in 1903.