Brotherhood of St. Andrew

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew was formed on November 30, 1883, by a group of young men at St. James Church in Chicago. Inspired by James Houghteling, who taught a Bible class at the parish, the twelve men committed themselves to following the example of St. Andrew, the apostle who brought Peter to Christ. Their aim was to bring men back to church by practicing personal evangelism among men and boys.

As their work spread, the Brotherhood grew into a national organization with formal chapters, a shared mission, and common practices, including daily prayer and weekly efforts to connect others with the church. By the end of its first seven years, the Brotherhood boasted 15,000 members in 17 countries.

Over the years, the Brotherhood evolved to meet the needs of the times. During both World Wars, it supported chaplains and service members through outreach and care, while in peacetime, it emphasized leadership development and community service. Though it once distanced itself from The Episcopal Church’s social justice efforts, it has since embraced localized service work as a form of ministry, including prison outreach and disaster relief. The Brotherhood continues to operate through local chapters, focusing on faith, community, and service.