RIVER BRETHREN  , the name of a group of three Christian communities in the United States of America, descended from Swiss settlers near the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania in 1750 . The first pastor was Jacob Engle, who became head of the community in 1770 . Their system is based on literal obedience to the commands of the New Testament, and they have points of similarity both with the Mennonites and with the Dunkards . They practise foot-washing and baptism by trine immersion; are strict sabbatarians and simple in their manner of life . The three branches are: (1) The Brethren in Christ, who are the most elaborately organized and are numerous in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kansas; they have also formed churches in New York and in Canada, and missions in South Africa, India and Texas . In 1909 they had 174 ministers, and 65 churches with 3675 communicants . (2) The Old Order, or Yorker Brethren, consists of a small body which separated from the main body in 1843 and maintained more strictly the original practice . They are found specially in York county, Pennsylvania (whence the name " Yorkers ") . In 1909 they had 24 ministers, 9 churches, and 423 communicants . (3) The United Zion's Children date from 1853, when a small body left the parent communion on minor questions of administration . They had in 1909 22 ministers and 28 churches with 749 communicants, all in Pennsylvania .