The Presbyterian Christian Church is founded on the teachings of Protestant reformer John Calvin. The church gets its name from the authority structure within the denomination, which gives elected leaders or "presbyters" the ability to govern the membership in conjunction with ordained ministers.
Here are six key events in the evolution of the Presbyterian Christian denomination since it began:
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1.
According to Patheos, "Presbyterian and Reformed churches have both gone through numerous periods of splits and reunifications, and have spread throughout the world primarily through missionary activity and migration."
2. Although 17th century historical accounts mention the founding of several Presbyterian churches in Long Island, it is not until 1706 that the American Presbyterianism officially begins. In 1706, the Presbytery of Philadelphia held its first meeting attended by seven ministers including Reverend Francis Makemie from Ireland. By 1716, the Presbytery was divided into three groups, Philadelphia, New Castle and Long Island.
3. A revitalization of religious piety termed "The first Great Awakening" affected Protestants, including Presbyterians in 18th century. National Humanities Center reports, "The earliest manifestations of the American phase of this phenomenon - the beginnings of the First Great Awakening - appeared among Presbyterians in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Led by the Tennent family - Reverend William Tennent, a Scots-Irish immigrant, and his four sons, all clergymen - the Presbyterians not only initiated religious revivals in those colonies during the 1730s but also established a seminary to train clergymen whose fervid, heartfelt preaching would bring sinners to experience evangelical conversion."
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4. In 1768, Presbyterian Minister John Witherspoon
joined the colonies as the President of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). Although his primary focus was on divinity, he was also a student of politics and supported the revolutionary cause. In 1776, Witherspoon was elected to the Continental Congress and was the only Christian minister to sign the Declaration of Independence.
5. During the Civil War, American Presbyterians divided into southern and northern branches.
The Presbyterian Historical Society describes Presbyterians during this time as "Witnesses to a great moral earthquake" during which they were presented with "soul-wrenching challenges."
6. In 1983, the southern and northern church branches reunited. This reunion brought the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. together to form the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States with an estimated membership of 1.8 million.
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