The Mennonite Brethren have their roots in evangelical Christianity of the sixteenth century reformation. Men such as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingle, John Calvin, Conrad Grebel and Menno Simons called for a return to the faith of the New Testament Church.

Among the early reformers was a group of people who held that for true renewal to take place, they would need to abandon some of the current priorities, such as adapting the religion a civil ruler chose to impose on his subjects. They believed that the true church was composed of those who voluntarily followed Christ and that infant baptism was invalid. Believers were to be baptized upon confession of faith. Hence, the name "Anabaptist" (re-baptized) was given to the group. Because of this belief, many suffered martyrs death both from Catholics and Protestants.

Although many died because of their belief, the movement grew and attracted a young Catholic priest from the Netherlands, named Menno  Simons. After his conversion, he attracted numerous followers and soon people called them Menists or Mennonites. Although they preferred to call themselves simply "Brethren" or "Christians", the name “Mennonite” gained widespread acceptance.

As a result of intense persecution, the Anabaptists began to seek other locations to live. After Catherine the Great offered free land and religious freedom, some migrated to Russia.

The Mennonite Brethren Church came into being in the wake of a religious renewal in the mid-nineteenth century in the Russian Ukraine. As a result of Bible study and spiritual renewal, on January 6, 1860, a group of eighteen family heads formed a church and dedicated it to the principles of the New Testament faith. Later groups of Mennonite Brethren migrated to North America and settled in various parts of the North American continent. Today, Mennonite Brethren (MB) are scattered over six continents and number around 176,000.

Waterloo Mennonite Brethren (WMB) is a member of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches of North America. Although each local church is autonomous in the governance of its affairs, we also work together with other Mennonite Brethren churches in North America in supporting various ministries and projects. As an example, our world missions program and our Seminary are supported by all the MB Churches in North America.

The Canadian Mennonite Brethren Church has churches in 8 provinces. WMB is one of 32 MB churches in Ontario. WMB is a member of the Ontario Conference, Canadian Conference and the General Conference. Our churches are bound together by a common commitment to win people to Jesus Christ and to disciple them in the faith.

WMB began as a Sunday School outreach effort in 1960. The work was sponsored by the Kitchener Mennonite Brethren Church.  After working with children and their parents for a number of years, WMB formally became a church on January 1, 1967 with 25 charter members. The group met at the Brighton Public School until the first phase was completed at our present location in April, 1973. The present sanctuary was built in the summer of 1989.

WMB as a church family includes people from many diverse religious backgrounds, having in common our belief in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour. WMB has had a significant ministry in our community over the years but we believe the greatest days are yet to come. God has brought together an ordinary group of people who have an extraordinary desire to be used of Christ in our day. The Lord is building His church around the world and we are excited that Waterloo MB is part of His plan!