Dictionary.net

Also called "Christians" and "Campbellites," a religious body founded in 1809 by Thomas and Alexander Campbell. Taking the express teachings of the Bible as the only authoritative guide in religious matters, their purpose was to bring about Christian unity. Their first stage consisted in the uniting in one body of various Protestants of Western Pennsylvania, chiefly Presbyterians and Baptists. Thence they spread westward. In 1831 they were joined by another body which had grown up upon similar principles in Kentucky and neighboring States. In 1867 the number of Disciples in the United States was estimated at 425,000. The census of 1890 ascribed to them 7246 organizations and 641,000 members.