The Brethren was started in Singapore by Philip Robinson (founder of Robinson and Company) and a few others in 1864.

Philip Robinson was born in England in 1831. He was converted to Christianity at the early age of 14 and came to Singapore in 1857. He started a firm with J. G. Spicer called Spicer and Robinson. But Spicer left not too long afterwards, the firm continued as Robinson and Company, which later became one of the largest commercial enterprises in Singapore.

  An Early Bethesda Hall

Robinson was not only a successful businessman but both he and his wife Elisa were a devout couple, brought up in the Brethren tradition. He and a few like-minded Christians rented a room at Bencoolen Street and named it the Mission Room, where the gospel could be preached and believers could meet for worship. On 3 July 1864, 7 believers met in that room for a service and thus began the Brethren movement in Singapore.

By 1866, the Mission Room was too small to house the increased attendance. Bethesda Chapel was then built at 77 Bras Basah Road. And within six months, a further extension had to be added to seat 150 people. From here, Brethren work spread to Neil Road and Upper Serangoon Road. From this humble beginning, the Brethren grew and expanded to the north and east and west of Singapore for the past 140 years.

Currently, there are 16 Brethren churches all over Singapore:

    Angora Brethren Chapel, 3 Pasir Panjang Hill, Singapore 118827
    Bethesda Chapel, 27 Lorong Melayu, Singapore 416913
    Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church, 300 Bedok North Avenue 3, Singapore 469717
    Bethesda Christian Centre, 1200 Sembawang 23 km, Singapore 758526
    Bethesda Church Bukit Arang, 114 Serangoon Avenue 3, Singapore 556110
    Bethesda Community, 300 Bedok North Avenue 3, Singapore 469717
    Bethesda (Frankel Estate) Church, 2-4 La Salle Street, Singapore 456930
    Bethesda Hall (Ang Mo Kio), 601 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, Singapore 569898
    Bethesda (Katong) Church, 17 Pennefather Road, Singapore 424441
    Bethesda Pasir-Ris Mission Church, 11 Pasir Ris Drive 2, Singapore 518458
    Bethesda Serangoon Church, 785 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534652
    Bukit Panjang Gospel Chapel, 12 Galistan Avenue, Singapore 669686
    Living Sanctuary Brethren Church, 2 Hougang Street 22, Singapore 538728
    Pasir Panjang Hill Brethren Chapel, 3 Pasir Panjang Hill, Singapore 118827
    River of Life Community Church, 17 Punggol Twenty Four Avenue, Singapore 829488
    Yio Chu Kang Chapel, 242 Yio Chu Kang Road, Singapore 545671