When the Grace Brethren movement began
in 1939, there were two districts in the eastern U.S.- the Pennsylvania District (later changed to the East District), including
churches in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and the Southeast District, including churches in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee
and Washington D.C.
The
wide area covered by the East and Southeast Districts made fellowship difficult, so, in 1945 the problem was solved by the
forming of seven churches into the Atlantic Fellowship of Brethren Churches, composed of our eastern-most churches in
the East and Southeast Districts.
Within
eleven years, the expanding Atlantic District was divided into northern and southern portions to enhance the work of the Lord. The northern portion became the “Northern Atlantic District,” and received
official recognition by the Annual Conference in Winona Lake, Indiana on August 21, 1956.
The
original seven churches were in Allentown (Bethlehem), PA, Harrisburg, PA, Hatboro, PA, Palmyra, PA, Philadelphia, PA (1st
Brethren and 3rd Brethren), and York, PA.
Currently,
this Northern Atlantic Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches consists of thirty churches in eastern Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, and New England. With strong church planting, camping, youth and many other auxiliary organizations, our vibrant Northern
Atlantic Fellowship continues to be blessed of God with growth. Our Annual
Celebration is held every March.*
*For a complete NAF history, see "A History of Grace Brethren Churches, Northern Atlantic District, 1956-1986," Brethren
Heritage Press, Gettysburg, PA ©1991.
