Black Brethren Pioneer John T. Lewis Celebrated for Black History Month

Lewis, a close friend of Mark Twain, was one of the few Black members of the Church of the Brethren before the Civil War

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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For Black History Month 2026, the Church of the Brethren is celebrating the faith and witness of John T. Lewis, an African American Dunker (Brethren) who was baptized into the faith in Maryland in 1853 at the age of 18. Lewis had a close friendship with author Mark Twain and was known for his heroic actions in saving the lives of Twain's relatives.

Why it matters

Lewis was one of the few Black members of the Church of the Brethren in the years before the Civil War, a time when the denomination was largely segregated. His story highlights the contributions of early African American Brethren and the connections between the Brethren community and prominent figures like Mark Twain.

The details

Lewis served as a coachman for Twain's father-in-law and later as a tenant farmer at Twain's Quarry Farm in New York, where the famous writer spent many summers. In 1877, Lewis saved the lives of Twain's sister-in-law, her young daughter, and their nurse when their carriage was headed for a dangerous turn. Twain described how Lewis "gathered his vast strength and...seized the gray horse's bit as he plunged by and fetched him up standing!" Though cut off from the Brethren church later in life, Lewis wrote that he had "tried to be faithful to the New testament and order of the Brethren."

  • Lewis was baptized into the Church of the Brethren in Maryland in 1853 at the age of 18.
  • In 1877, Lewis saved the lives of Twain's relatives in a dramatic carriage incident.
  • In 1903, Lewis was photographed with the "Mumma Meeting House Bible" that had been stolen from the church during the Civil War Battle of Antietam and later returned.

The players

John T. Lewis

An African American member of the Church of the Brethren who was baptized in Maryland in 1853 and later became close friends with author Mark Twain.

Mark Twain

The famous American author who was close friends with John T. Lewis and admired him as "the most picturesque of men" and "an implacable Dunker-Baptist."

Nathan Dykeman

A Union soldier from Millport, New York who stole the "Mumma Meeting House Bible" from the Church of the Brethren during the Civil War Battle of Antietam.

John E. Otto

The last resident preacher at the Mumma Meeting House, who was contacted by John T. Lewis to help return the stolen Bible to the congregation.

Frank Ramirez

The author of the article "Old Bibles and Radical Compassion" who refers to the "Mumma Meeting House Bible" as the "John Lewis Bible."

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What they’re saying

“I have before me the Mumma Meeting House Bible, but I like to call it the John Lewis Bible. Bless his heart, he sent it back here.”

— Frank Ramirez, Author (Messenger magazine)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

John T. Lewis' story highlights the important contributions of early African American members of the Church of the Brethren and the connections between the Brethren community and prominent figures like Mark Twain. His life of faith, heroism, and commitment to the Brethren values serves as an inspiring example during Black History Month.