[InterestedQuestioner]

There are "branches" that predate Protestantism ~ Mennonites, for example, claim their origins among the Apostles themselves. So did the Cathers before they were exterminated.

There's no way that I will have time to read through this whole thread, so please forgive me if this has been corrected already.

The Mennonites were founded by Menno Simons, sometime during the 1530's. Menno was a former Catholic priest.

[muawiyah]

Yes, they are named after him, but he moved into a situation where there was a pre-existing tradition of separate apostolic origin.

No doubt it took a former priest to set up all the additional rules those folks live under.