On Christmas Day 1723, the early Brethren who had traveled from Europe to settle in America broke
through the ice on the Wissahickon Creek in the area around Germantown (now located in the city of
Philadelphia) so that Peter Becker could baptize six people. Later that day they held the first Love Feast in America. That day marked the beginning of the first Brethren church here in America.

300 years later, the congregation of the Germantown Church of the Brethren is preparing to celebrate the 300th anniversary of their church. Several special events are being organized over the course of the next year to commemorate this anniversary. There is a special Christmas program scheduled for December 2022 to kick off this year-long celebration.

Throughout the month of February – Black History Month – the church will host a monthlong celebration of the role of Brethren in Black History. In addition, the Brethren Encyclopedia Board, who
are gathering in Elizabethtown July 26 to 29, 2023, are planning a one day gathering at Germantown on Saturday July 29.

This yearlong celebration will close with a closing celebration on Christmas Day 2023.