Brotherhood of St. Andrew

What is the Brotherhood of St. Andrew?

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is an international ministry to Christian men and boys. It was incorporated by an Act of the U. S. Congress, signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, on May 30, 1908. That Act states in part, "...the sole object of said corporation shall be the spread of Christ's Kingdom among men." The corporate office is located in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.

Our History

A group of 12 young men meeting regularly for prayer and Bible study at St. James Church, Chicago, Illinois, under the direction of Mr. James L. Houghteling, recognized a need in their parish and the community. They asked permission of their rector, the Rev. W. H. Vibbert, to form a group to reach out and minister to men, following the example of Andrew in bringing his brother Peter to meet Jesus. They brought men from rooming houses and the streets - even drunkards - to their Bible study. The first meeting of this new brotherhood was held on St. Andrew's Day, 1883.

They initially adopted just two rules, Prayer and Service. They came together to pray, study scripture, and plan how to reach out to other men with the Good News. They soon became a spiritual force in the parish, and news of what they were doing spread very quickly, so that by 1886, there were over 100 groups across the U. S. and Canada. There was also interest throughout the Anglican Communion. A meeting of group representa- tives was coincidental with the Episcopal Church's General Convention in Chicago, where it was decided that a National Office was needed to coordinate what was becoming an international ministry. Each group then accepted the authority of the National Office and became known as a Chapter.

By 1899 the Brotherhood had reached Japan and the Philippines, and by 1900, chapters had been chartered in Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, China, South Africa, Panama, Scotland, Brazil and Alaska. While many of these original Chapters are no longer active, there are many new ones in such countries as Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania, Antigua, Anguilla, Grenada, St. Kitts, Barbados and Chile. Chapters in Japan, the Philippines, Africa and Jamaica operate independently of the U. S. and have their own National Council Meetings and Conventions.

The Brotherhood’s ministry to men is quite well established around the world. Over the years, numerous ministries have come into being; many still exist today. 

Mark LaSorsa, Convener