In a significant religious event, a group of early reformers, including Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, and George Blaurock, chose to baptize one another in the home of Felix Manz's mother in Zürich, Switzerland, challenging the established church's doctrine. This baptism was not an isolated act but a demonstration of their commitment to the Anabaptist beliefs that emphasized believer's baptism, a personal decision of faith. Their actions were a direct response to the prevailing practice of infant baptism, which had been a norm in the Christian tradition for over a millennium. The gathering represented a pivotal moment in the broader Reformation movement, differentiating themselves from both the Protestant reformers and the Catholic Church.

The proceedings unfolded in secrecy due to the religious persecution faced by dissenters in the region. At this meeting, the group articulated their beliefs, rejecting the societal norms that bound church and state together and advocating for a separation between them. They favored voluntary membership in the community of believers and argued for the necessity of conscious faith in the baptism process. This act set into motion the growth of the Anabaptist movement, which would face intense scrutiny, persecution, and opposition from both church and state authorities, shaping the distinct identity and practices of future generations of Anabaptists and Mennonites.