First Presbyterian Church (Washington, Pennsylvania)

The First Presbyterian Church 1793, alternatively known as the First Presbyterian Church, is a Presbyterian church in Washington, Pennsylvania. It has been the de facto college church for Washington & Jefferson College since the early 19th century. It's under the Washington Presbytery.

History

It was founded in 1793 under the auspices of the Presbytery of Redstone.Matthew Brown, who was President of Washington Academy at the time, was the first pastor. The congregation first met in the stone academy building of the Washington Academy.

Then, the congregation worshipped at the second courthouse, where the pastor would stand in the judge's bench and preach to the congregation. The congregation acquired its first building in 1806. As Washington progressed beyond the pioneer stage, the townsfolk began to partake in more leisurely activities, including the playing of cards and attending dances. Reverend Matthew Brown gave a rebuke to this immorality in a famous sermon known as the Serpent Sermon.

First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church (and variations such as Old First Presbyterian Church or First Presbyterian Church and Rectory) may refer to:

Canada

United States

Alabama

Arizona

First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia)

The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, USA, is located on 21st and Walnut, built in an array of architectural styles of leading Philadelphia architects.

History

The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia was organized around 1692. Religious services began in a building known as the "Barbadoes Warehouse", located on the northwest corner of Second and Chestnut Streets. For a time, both Baptists and Congregationalists shared this facility with the Presbyterians.

In 1704, the congregation moved to the south side of High Street (now Market Street) at the corner of Bank Street. Here the first Presbyterian church in Philadelphia was established. Then, in 1793, it was renovated and made more spacious and elegant. Twenty-seven years later it was abandoned, due to unsafe conditions and the encroachment of the surrounding business district.

A new church was erected at Washington Square (Seventh and Locust Streets). At this church, in 1837, came the formation of the New School Assembly, from which emerged the Second Church.

Presbyterianism

Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism which traces its origins to the British Isles. Presbyterian churches derive their name from the presbyterian form of church government, which is government by representative assemblies of elders. Many Reformed churches are organized this way, but the word "Presbyterian," when capitalized, is often applied uniquely to the churches that trace their roots to the Scottish and English churches that bore that name and English political groups that formed during the English Civil War. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity of grace through faith in Christ. Presbyterian church government was ensured in Scotland by the Acts of Union in 1707 which created the kingdom of Great Britain. In fact, most Presbyterians found in England can trace a Scottish connection, and the Presbyterian denomination was also taken to North America mostly by Scots and Scots-Irish immigrants. The Presbyterian denominations in Scotland hold to the theology of John Calvin and his immediate successors, although there are a range of theological views within contemporary Presbyterianism. Local congregations of churches which use presbyterian polity are governed by sessions made up of representatives of the congregation (elders); a conciliar approach which is found at other levels of decision-making (presbytery, synod and general assembly).

Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Presbyterian Church (USA), or PC(USA), is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S., and known for its relatively progressive stance on doctrine. The PC(USA) was established by the 1983 merger of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, whose churches were located in the Southern and border states, with the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, whose congregations could be found in every state.

The denomination had 1,667,767 members and 20,383 ordained ministers in 9,829 congregations at the end of 2014. Though its membership has declined over the past several years, the PC(USA) remains the largest and most visible Presbyterian denomination in North America, with roughly 3 million adherents. The PC(USA) is a member of the National Council of Churches, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Council of Churches, and Christian Churches Together. Denominational offices are located in Louisville, Kentucky.

Presbyterian Church in America

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is the second largest Presbyterian church body and the largest conservative Reformed denomination in the United States. The PCA is Reformed in theology, Presbyterian in government, and active in missions. It is characterized by a blend of Reformed practice and broad evangelicalism.

History

Background