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The governing body of our denomination is called the General Assembly, consisting of commissioners elected by presbyteries from around the world. Half of the commissioners are ordained ministers, and half are Elders—ordained lay leaders.
Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
Portions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States have separated from the main body, and some parts have reunited, several times. The greatest division occurred in 1861 during the American Civil War. The two branches created by that division were reunited in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), currently the largest Presbyterian group in this country. [Learn more about the history of the Presbyterian Church]
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About Us