In 1870, the new Russian ruler, Alexander II, revoked the privilege of military exemption, and many Mennonite families immigrated to various places in the United States and Canada. In 1904 some of the families from the Midwest settled in Reedley.  An organizational meeting was held at the home of P. T. Harms on June 12, 1905 marking the official beginning of the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. The first RMBC building was constructed on the corner of 14th & L and was dedicated on January 31, 1909 with Elder Abraham Schellenberg as guest speaker.