Russian evangelical sects tracing their origin to a group of Bible students in SW Russia about 1845. A certain Reformed pastor Bohnekämper conducted pietistic devotional hours (Stunden) for Russian peasants as well as German settlers. Under his son Karl the religious movement called “Stundism” arose about 1862, freed itself from all connection with the Reformed Church, and became purely Russian in character. Despite persecution by church and state, Stundism spread widely. The majority gradually linked up with Russian Baptists, being called “Stundo-Baptists” in distinction from the Baptist group originating from J.G. Oncken. The Stundists proper sought to maintain the original connection with the Stundenhalter among the Swabian colonists.