Plymouth Brethren Christian Church

Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
(Raven-Taylor Exclusive Brethren)
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationPlymouth Brethren
PolityConnectional
LeaderBruce Hales
FounderRaven/Taylor
Origin1848 (as Exclusive Brethren; incorporated as PBCC in 2012)
London
Separated fromPlymouth Brethren (N.B. The Open Brethren and the Exclusive Brethren, which emerged from the schism, dispute which party was responsible for it).
Separationsnumerous schisms.
Members46,000
Primary schools43 (United Kingdom, 38 (Australia), 36 (North America); a few elsewhere

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) (an Australian Public Company Limited by Guarantee, ACN: 158 542 075) also known as Raven Brethren or Taylorites is a Christian denomination currently led by Australian businessman Bruce Hales. The group is a subset of the Exclusive Brethren, a Plymouth Brethren group.[1][2] The PBCC was established in the early nineteenth century. At this time many Christians were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the Anglican Church, which they deemed as too closely resembling the Catholic Church in doctrine and ritual.

Some of the most prominent teachers of the Brethren were living in Plymouth, UK. By 1829 the first permanent meetings were held in simple meeting rooms and these gathering places became known as those of the Plymouth Brethren. There are now over 50,000 people who identify as members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. These people are spread across 17 countries including Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, UK and Europe.

In 2012, the group incorporated under the name Plymouth Brethren (Exclusive Brethren) Christian Church Limited.[3][4]

  1. ^ "Exclusive Brethren". Reachout Trust. 9 January 2008. Archived from the original on 31 October 2004.
  2. ^ "Top marks for sect schools that shun the modern world". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
  3. ^ Doherty, Bernard (2013). "The 'Brethren Cult Controversy':Dissecting a Contemporary Australian 'Social Problem'". Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review. 4 (1): 27. doi:10.5840/asrr20134117.
  4. ^ "Search results Company no 08175944". Companies House. Archived from the original on 29 December 2008. Retrieved 24 January 2014.