1. Jesus Christ is the one and only son of God, who died for our sins and arose from the dead. (I Corinthians 15:1-8)
2. The Bible is the inspired word of God. (II Timothy 3:16)
3. Every person has worth as a creation of God, but all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
4. Forgiveness of sins and eternal life are available to those who trust Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. (John 3:16)
5. Those accepting Christ should repent of their sins, confess their faith and be baptized into him. (Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38)
6. The church is the body of Christ on earth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and exists to save the lost and edify the saved. (Ephesians 4:1-16, Matthew 28:19-20)
7. Jesus Christ will one day return to earth and reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
The Church of the Brethren, formerly called Dunkers, originated in the 18th Century, the church being a natural outgrowth of the Pietistic movement following the Reformation in Europe. By 1729, most of the Brethren had arrived in America. Richland COB was originally a part of the Tulpehocken Church of the Brethren, east of Myerstown, which was organized in 1841 with 35 members. Eventually the Myerstown, Heidelberg, and Richland congregations were formed in 1919, with Richland's organization becoming official on August 16 of the same year with a membership of 170. Charter members of the congregation in 1919 included Stella Bollinger, Michael Kurtz, Mazie Layser, Rufus and Emma Phillipy, Milton Royer, and Susan Ziegler.
On February 1, 1914, dedication was held for the original building for the budding Richland COB. Prior to occupying the current site, the early congregation worshipped in a building on East Main Street which later became the facility for the Richland Lutheran Congregation and now is occupied by the Richland Library. In August of 1960, ground was broken for the new sanctuary. Dedication for the new sanctuary was held on November 26, 1961. The Richland congregation is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019.
