United Brethren in Christ (Cincinnati, Ohio)

The United Brethren in Christ (Cincinnati, Ohio) refers specifically to one of the factions or denominations that emerged following the schism within the Church of the United Brethren in Christ in 1889. This split was primarily over the issue of secret societies (particularly Freemasonry) and the need for greater clarity and strictness regarding the church's confession of faith. The faction based in Cincinnati, Ohio, generally opposed changes to the original confession and discipline of the United Brethren in Christ.

Following the 1889 General Conference in York, Pennsylvania, where a revised constitution and confession were adopted, those opposed to these changes, including a significant contingent in Ohio centered around Cincinnati, maintained what they considered the original, unaltered doctrine and polity of the United Brethren in Christ. This group continued to operate under the name United Brethren in Christ, often appending geographic identifiers like "Cincinnati, Ohio" to distinguish themselves from the larger, more progressive branch that would later merge into the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

The Cincinnati-based United Brethren in Christ continued to emphasize traditional Methodist doctrines, plain dress (in some congregations), and a strong stance against secret societies. They maintained their own publishing house and educational institutions to propagate their beliefs and train ministers. This faction represented a conservative element within the broader history of the United Brethren in Christ tradition, seeking to preserve what they viewed as its founding principles. The legacy of this branch can be traced through its ongoing presence and influence within certain conservative Protestant circles, although its prominence has diminished over time.