In 1860s and 1870s the traditionalists among the Brethren opposed the adoption of innovations such as revival meetings, Sunday schools, and foreign missionary work.
Women wear long dresses with the Brethren style cape (Triangular, loose in front and back), aprons and tied white head coverings.
In the early 1970s there were only about 20 families left in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren church, according to some estimates.
They have meeting houses south east of Covington, near Versailles and west of Pleasant Hill.
Since the formation of the Old Order German Baptist Brethren in 1921 this then misleading name fell mostly out of usage, but in some few cases it persists until today.