Presbyterian History
Four Centuries of Worship and Witness
Presbyterianism grew out of the theology and teachings of Protestant reformers such as John Calvin. His writings in 16th-century Geneva crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him, including an emphasis on the grace of God in Jesus Christ and church government by representative assemblies called presbyteries.
In the past four centuries, Presbyterians have been active around the world, organizing the first presbytery in what would become the United States in 1706 and later establishing schools such as the college that is today’s Princeton University. The Second Great Awakening in the first decades of the 19th century further shaped the church’s identity, with congregations forming and American Presbyterians serving in mission fields domestically and internationally. The early 20th century clarified the church’s vision with the Six Great Ends of the Church, which emphasized gospel proclamation, spiritual fellowship, worship, truth preservation, social righteousness, and the exhibition of God’s Kingdom.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States, formed in 1983 through a reunion of branches that had separated around the time of the Civil War. As expressed in a 1958 church statement, since 1789 the General Assembly has affirmed “its responsibility to speak on social and moral issues for the encouragement and instruction of the [c]hurch and its members, seeking earnestly both to know the mind of Christ and to speak always in humility and love.”
In the 20th century, the church engaged Presbyterians and society at large across a range of issues, with justice for women, African Americans, migrants, and LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians some focuses in the United States. Denominational reorganization and lower church membership affected church life at the turn of the 21st century, with the PC(USA) looking for more ways to serve all of God’s kin-dom inside and outside the sanctuary — including new worshiping communities and outreach to individuals impacted by systemic racism and poverty.
Presbyterian Historical Society
Organized in 1852, the Presbyterian Historical Society is the oldest denominational archives in the United States and serves as the national archives for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor denominations.
Learn about research opportunities with PHS -- online or in Philadelphia -- and how the society works to to galvanize the transformative power of history in the PC(USA) and wider community.
