The Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew

Some History

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew began as a prayer and Bible study group of young men led by a layman, Mr. James lL. Houghteling, at St. James Episcopal Church, Chicago.The Rector, the Rev. W.H. Vibbert, asked Mr. Houghteling to have his group of twelve men work with a drunken man who had appealed to him for help. At one of their meetings, this man suggested they call themselves a Brotherhood of St. Andrew since they, like St. Andrew, were trying to reach out to their brothers and bring them to Christ. Mr. Houghteling then asked permission of the Rector to form a lay Brotherhood of St. Andrew to minister to men living in rooming houses and hotels around the church. Permission was granted, and the first meeting of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew was held on St. Andrew's Day November 30, 1883, in a basement meeting room (now St. Andrew's Chapel) at St. James Cathedral.

The brotherhood began putting Bibles in rooming houses and hotels around the church, nearly 25 years before the
Gideons began their work in hotels. As word of the tremendous success of this lay ministry spread other Brotherhood chapters were formed in Episcopal Churches in the area.
In 1886 the Brotherhood introduced a new program which was adopted by the Episcopal Church as the Lay Readers Program. This program was an evalgelistic outreach designed to establish Episcopal Mission Churches in small developing communities around Chicago. Brotherhood lay Readers would conduct services of Morning and Evening Prayer. Between the two services they conducted Church School programs for children,and Bible studies for adults.
in 1908, an Act for the Incorporation of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew was passed and signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt. Section 2 of this Act clearly states, "That the sole object of said corporation shall be the spread of Christ's Kingdom among men."
1970-BSA created FAITH ALIVE, an instrument used to stimulate renewal in the church.
1972-PEWSAction (Prayer, Evangelism, Service in Action) was born.

In November, 2006, Brother John Les Callett came to St. John's to assist in the installation of a new chapter of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. Seven new members were installed with Dave Kemble as president of the chapter. Deacon Thom McPherson was instrumental in the formation of the new chapter. He was already a member, transfering here from the Diocese of Georgia.