Brethren History
A brief history of the Plymouth Brethren
A brief history of the exclusive Plymouth Brethren. The sect now controlled by Bruce Hales and previously his father John Hales.
Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
Led by Sydney based businessman Bruce Hales, The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is a tiny sect, with circa 54,000 members worldwide. The breakdown geographically is based on published information and ex-brethren members. Located in the UK (18,000), Australia (16,000), New Zealand (8,000), United States and Canada (6,000). They also have a small number of followers in Argentina, The Caribbean, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands & Sweden (6,000). They are also known as the Exclusive Brethren.
Origins
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) is a Christian denomination that originated in the early 19th century in Plymouth, Devon, England. The church was founded by a group of Christians who were dissatisfied with the practices of the Church of England and sought to return to what they believed were the teachings and practices of the early church.
The origins of the Plymouth Brethren can be traced back to the 1820s, when a group of Christians in Dublin, Ireland, began meeting for Bible study and prayer. Among these Christians were John Nelson Darby, a former Church of Ireland clergyman, and Benjamin Wills Newton, a curate in the Church of England. The group soon grew in numbers and began to meet in a home in Plymouth, Devon, England.
The Plymouth Brethren were committed to the idea of returning to the simple, unadorned worship and practices of the early church. They rejected the hierarchical structure of the Church of England and other established churches, and instead believed in the priesthood of all believers. They placed a strong emphasis on the study of the Bible, and believed that the Holy Spirit would guide them in interpreting its teachings.
In 1830, the Plymouth Brethren officially broke away from the Church of England, and the first Plymouth Brethren chapel was built in Plymouth. The movement soon spread throughout England and Ireland, and later to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and India.
One of the key leaders of the Plymouth Brethren was John Nelson Darby. He was a prolific writer and theologian, and is credited with developing the doctrine of dispensationalism, which holds that God interacts with humanity in different ways in different time periods or "dispensations". This concept has had a significant influence on evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity, particularly in the United States.
The Plymouth Brethren also developed a unique style of worship, which was characterized by simplicity and informality. They rejected the use of clergy and formal liturgy, and instead emphasized the importance of congregational singing, prayer, and the sharing of personal testimonies. They also believed in the practice of "open worship", which allowed any member of the congregation to share a message or a prayer during the service.
Over time, the Plymouth Brethren became increasingly fragmented, as different groups developed their own interpretations of the movement's teachings and practices. Some groups remained closely tied to the original Plymouth Brethren tradition, while others developed their own distinct traditions and beliefs.
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, which is also known as the Exclusive Brethren, is one of the largest and most conservative groups to have emerged from the Plymouth Brethren movement. The Exclusive Brethren place a strong emphasis on separation from the world and the maintenance of strict moral standards. They have been criticized for their strict social codes, which include restrictions on the use of technology, participation in politics, and association with non-members.
Since the last large split in the 1970 following the 'Aberdeen incident' the exclusive brethren under the last Hales leadership have become a much more commercially focused cult.
This has led to the creation of a brethren eco-system which in many ways is a coercive control of brethren members by the leadership. Leaving often means giving up jobs, homes, families.
The origins of the Plymouth Brethren can be traced back to the 1820s, when a group of Christians in Dublin, Ireland, began meeting for Bible study and prayer. Among these Christians were John Nelson Darby, a former Church of Ireland clergyman, and Benjamin Wills Newton, a curate in the Church of England. The group soon grew in numbers and began to meet in a home in Plymouth, Devon, England.
The Plymouth Brethren were committed to the idea of returning to the simple, unadorned worship and practices of the early church. They rejected the hierarchical structure of the Church of England and other established churches, and instead believed in the priesthood of all believers. They placed a strong emphasis on the study of the Bible, and believed that the Holy Spirit would guide them in interpreting its teachings.
In 1830, the Plymouth Brethren officially broke away from the Church of England, and the first Plymouth Brethren chapel was built in Plymouth. The movement soon spread throughout England and Ireland, and later to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and India.
One of the key leaders of the Plymouth Brethren was John Nelson Darby. He was a prolific writer and theologian, and is credited with developing the doctrine of dispensationalism, which holds that God interacts with humanity in different ways in different time periods or "dispensations". This concept has had a significant influence on evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity, particularly in the United States.
The Plymouth Brethren also developed a unique style of worship, which was characterized by simplicity and informality. They rejected the use of clergy and formal liturgy, and instead emphasized the importance of congregational singing, prayer, and the sharing of personal testimonies. They also believed in the practice of "open worship", which allowed any member of the congregation to share a message or a prayer during the service.
Over time, the Plymouth Brethren became increasingly fragmented, as different groups developed their own interpretations of the movement's teachings and practices. Some groups remained closely tied to the original Plymouth Brethren tradition, while others developed their own distinct traditions and beliefs.
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, which is also known as the Exclusive Brethren, is one of the largest and most conservative groups to have emerged from the Plymouth Brethren movement. The Exclusive Brethren place a strong emphasis on separation from the world and the maintenance of strict moral standards. They have been criticized for their strict social codes, which include restrictions on the use of technology, participation in politics, and association with non-members.
Since the last large split in the 1970 following the 'Aberdeen incident' the exclusive brethren under the last Hales leadership have become a much more commercially focused cult.
This has led to the creation of a brethren eco-system which in many ways is a coercive control of brethren members by the leadership. Leaving often means giving up jobs, homes, families.
The Aberdeen Incident
Back in 1970, the 3 day meetings were held over various weekends. James Taylor Jnr, the then leader was in the UK and he had already ministered in Reigate and Preston. It was towards the end of July when he arrived in Aberdeen to minister at a further 3 day meeting. At that time the leader would stay with one of the 'elders' in the area and so it was that Taylor Jnr was a guest of leading Aberdeen member James Alec Gardiner, at his home in Abbotswell Crescent in the Tullos/Kincorth area of Aberdeen. Earlier in his UK visit Taylor Jnr had stayed in Harrow with English brethren couple Alan & Madeline Ker. The Ker's had taken a flight to Scotland and were also present in Aberdeen. On Saturday 25th July, Taylor Jnr ministered the 3 day meeting at the Music Hall in Aberdeen, it was reported that his speech fuelled by Whisky, his lubricant of choice, included swearing, blasphemy and was rambling, and somewhat incoherent. The congregation responded with laughter, sometimes hysterically.
It was during that evening, back at the home of James Gardiner that events transpired, which would further ignite the flames. Gardiner and another leading brethren member Stanley McCallum had become concerned at the amount of time Taylor Jnr was spending alone in his bedroom with Madeline Ker. On the Saturday evening they had knocked multiple times on the door over period of time, without response, they then later opened the bedroom door to find Taylor Jnr in bed with a naked Mrs Ker. Taylor Jnr left the following morning and returned to New York. The story however was to receive national press coverage and through a series of denials and changes to Taylor Jnr's version of events, the story rumbled on. There was even a picture of Taylor Jnr with Mrs Ker whilst her husband Alan was away on business. It was clearly of significant importance to the brethren worldwide as news of what had happened spread. It culminated in Taylor Jnr ex-communicating communities from fellowship and many communities shunning Taylor Jnr in return. It was particularly noticeable in Scotland, where the followers of the Taylor Jnr brethren left in huge numbers. In total it is believed approximately half of the global Taylor Plymouth Brethren left fellowship in the following weeks.
Taylor Jnr passed away just a few months later in October 1970 and the new leader James Symington, a farmer from North Dakota, claimed the Aberdeen incident was a revival for the Exclusive Brethren. On the Plymouth Brethren website they state, Taylor Jnr, after ministering on four different continents in the months before his death, was "physically exhausted".
In a final Aberdeen 1970 plot twist, the grandson of the late Madeline Ker, is today employed by Sante Group, the company that was awarded Covid contracts of circa £950 million under their previous name Unispace. Madeline & Alan Ker went on to become directors of the now long established family business Orthene Chemicals. Which is now ran by their son Charles. Techniclean Supply was part of Orthene Chemicals prior to being sold to two other brethren families in 2018. Techniclean Supply was also awarded a large PPE contract for £20 million in 2020.
It was during that evening, back at the home of James Gardiner that events transpired, which would further ignite the flames. Gardiner and another leading brethren member Stanley McCallum had become concerned at the amount of time Taylor Jnr was spending alone in his bedroom with Madeline Ker. On the Saturday evening they had knocked multiple times on the door over period of time, without response, they then later opened the bedroom door to find Taylor Jnr in bed with a naked Mrs Ker. Taylor Jnr left the following morning and returned to New York. The story however was to receive national press coverage and through a series of denials and changes to Taylor Jnr's version of events, the story rumbled on. There was even a picture of Taylor Jnr with Mrs Ker whilst her husband Alan was away on business. It was clearly of significant importance to the brethren worldwide as news of what had happened spread. It culminated in Taylor Jnr ex-communicating communities from fellowship and many communities shunning Taylor Jnr in return. It was particularly noticeable in Scotland, where the followers of the Taylor Jnr brethren left in huge numbers. In total it is believed approximately half of the global Taylor Plymouth Brethren left fellowship in the following weeks.
Taylor Jnr passed away just a few months later in October 1970 and the new leader James Symington, a farmer from North Dakota, claimed the Aberdeen incident was a revival for the Exclusive Brethren. On the Plymouth Brethren website they state, Taylor Jnr, after ministering on four different continents in the months before his death, was "physically exhausted".
In a final Aberdeen 1970 plot twist, the grandson of the late Madeline Ker, is today employed by Sante Group, the company that was awarded Covid contracts of circa £950 million under their previous name Unispace. Madeline & Alan Ker went on to become directors of the now long established family business Orthene Chemicals. Which is now ran by their son Charles. Techniclean Supply was part of Orthene Chemicals prior to being sold to two other brethren families in 2018. Techniclean Supply was also awarded a large PPE contract for £20 million in 2020.
Leaders
Bruce D Hales: 2002 to present
John S Hales: 1987 to 2002
James H Symington: 1972 to 1987
James Taylor Jnr: 1959 to 1970
James Taylor Snr: 1910 to 1953
Frederick E Raven: b)1837 d)1903
John Nelson Derby: b)1800 d)1882
John S Hales: 1987 to 2002
James H Symington: 1972 to 1987
James Taylor Jnr: 1959 to 1970
James Taylor Snr: 1910 to 1953
Frederick E Raven: b)1837 d)1903
John Nelson Derby: b)1800 d)1882
Follow Us
All our reporting and investigations are free and accessible to all readers.
We therefore kindly ask that you consider supporting Brethren Exposed and Open & Candid with donations.
We therefore kindly ask that you consider supporting Brethren Exposed and Open & Candid with donations.
Brethren Exposed is part of the Open & Candid group.
Copyright brethrenexposed.com all rights reserved 2024. Open & Candid Ltd, Company No SC762730