View source for Presbyterianism

{{Short description|Branch of Protestant Christianity}}
{{about|the branch of Reformed Protestantism|the method of church organization|Presbyterian polity}}
{{Redirect|Presbyterian church||Presbyterian Church (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
[[File:Fourth Chicago.jpg|thumb|Sanctuary of [[Fourth Presbyterian Church (Chicago)|Fourth Presbyterian Church]] in [[Chicago]], Illinois, U.S.]]
[[File:First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.png|thumb|[[First Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh)|First Presbyterian Church]] in [[Pittsburgh]]]]
[[File:Presbyterian-Church-in-Ireland-Logo.svg|thumb|The [[burning bush]], a common symbol used by Presbyterian churches, used by the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.presbyterianireland.org/about-us/historical-information/burning-bush|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130618032809/http://www.presbyterianireland.org/about-us/historical-information/burning-bush|title=Burning Bush &#124; Presbyterian Church Ireland|archive-date=18 June 2013|access-date=16 June 2013}}</ref> The [[Latin]] inscription underneath translates as "burning but flourishing". Alternative versions of the motto are also used, such as "Nec Tamen Consumebatur" (yet not consumed).|248x248px]]
{{Reformed Christianity}}

'''Presbyterianism''' is a historically [[Reformed Christianity|Reformed]] [[Protestantism|Protestant]] tradition named after its form of [[ecclesiastical polity|church government]] by representative assemblies of [[Presbyterian polity#Elder|elders]], known as "presbyters".<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Presbyterianism? |url=https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/presbyterianism |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Ligonier Ministries |language=en-US}}</ref> Though other Reformed churches are structurally similar, the word ''Presbyterian'' is applied to churches that trace their roots to the [[Church of Scotland]] or to [[English Dissenters|English Dissenter groups]] that were formed during the [[English Civil War]], 1642 to 1651.<ref>{{cite book |last=Benedict |first=Philip |author-link=Philip Benedict |title=Christ's Churches Purely Reformed: A Social History of Calvinism |location=New Haven |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-300-10507-0 |page=xiv}}
</ref>

Presbyterian theology typically emphasises the [[sovereignty of God]], the [[Sola scriptura|authority of the Scriptures]], and the necessity of [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] through [[Faith in Christianity|faith]] in Christ. Scotland ensured Presbyterian church government in the 1707 [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Protestant Religion and Presbyterian Church Act 1707|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/aosp/1707/6|work=The National Archives|publisher=United Kingdom|access-date=19 October 2011|archive-date=21 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821213324/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/aosp/1707/6|url-status=live}}</ref> which created the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]]. In fact, most Presbyterians in England have a Scottish connection. The Presbyterian denomination was also taken to [[North America]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]], mostly by [[Scottish Americans|Scots]] and [[Scotch-Irish American|Scots-Irish]] immigrants.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kTfMT2Bc2iYC&dq=presbyterian+australia+new+zealand&pg=PA14 | title=Presbyterianism }}</ref> Scotland's Presbyterian denominations hold to the [[Reformed theology]] of [[John Calvin]] and his immediate successors, although there is a range of theological views within contemporary Presbyterianism. Local congregations of churches that use [[Presbyterian polity]] are governed by [[Session (Presbyterianism)|sessions]] made up of representatives of the congregation ([[Presbyterian elder|elders]]), a [[Conciliarity|conciliar]] approach as with other levels of decision-making ([[Presbytery (church polity)|presbytery]], [[Presbyterian synod|synod]], and [[General Assembly (presbyterian church)|general assembly]]). There are roughly 75&nbsp;million Presbyterians in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Who Are Presbyterians and What Do They Believe?|url=https://www.learnreligions.com/presbyterian-church-denomination-701366|access-date=2020-09-14|newspaper=Learn Religions|language=en|archive-date=8 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708174321/https://www.learnreligions.com/presbyterian-church-denomination-701366|url-status=live|author-first1=Mary|author-last1=Fairchild|date=25 April 2019}}</ref>

Presbyterianism's roots lie in the [[Magisterial Reformation]] of the 16th century. John Calvin's [[Republic of Geneva]] was particularly influential, along with Calvin's student, [[Scottish Reformation|Scottish Reformer]] [[John Knox]] who worked with civil magistrates to establish the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, writing the book of [[Book of Common Order|common order]] and eventually the [[Scots Confession]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-03 |title=Church of Scotland {{!}} History & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Church-of-Scotland |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Most Reformed churches that trace their history to Scotland are either presbyterian or [[Congregational polity|congregationalist]] in government. In the 20th century, some Presbyterians played an important role in the [[Ecumenism|ecumenical movement]], including the [[World Council of Churches]]. Many Presbyterian denominations have found ways of working together with other Reformed denominations and Christians of other traditions, especially in the [[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]. Some Presbyterian churches have entered into [[United and uniting churches|unions]] with other churches, such as the [[Continental Reformed Protestantism|Continental Reformed]], [[Congregational church|Congregationalists]], [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]], [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]], and [[Methodists]]. Presbyterians in the United States came largely from [[Scottish American|Scottish]], [[Scotch-Irish American|Scots-Irish immigrants]], and also from [[New England]] communities that were originally [[Congregationalism in the United States|Congregational]] but changed because of an agreed-upon [[Plan of Union of 1801]] for frontier areas.<ref>{{cite book |author=Englund-Krieger |first=Mark J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Llz6CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA40 |title=The Presbyterian Mission Enterprise: From Heathen to The Partner |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-63087-878-8 |pages=40–41 |access-date=19 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429180904/https://books.google.com/books?id=Llz6CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA40 |archive-date=29 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Presbyterian identity==
{{further|History of Christianity in Scotland|Christianity in Medieval Scotland}}
[[File:Iona Abbey, Entrance and St John's Cross. - geograph.org.uk - 113441.jpg|thumb|[[Iona Abbey]] in [[Scotland]], founded by [[Saint Columba]]]]
===Early history===
{{main|Christianisation of Scotland}}

Presbyterian tradition, particularly that of the [[Church of Scotland]], traces its early roots to the Christian Church founded by [[Saint Columba]], through the 6th century [[Hiberno-Scottish mission]].<ref name="Atkins2016">{{cite book|last=Atkins|first=Gareth|title=Making and Remaking Saints in Nineteenth-Century Britain|date=1 August 2016|publisher=Manchester University Press|language=en |isbn=978-1-5261-0023-8|page=104|quote=For many Presbyterian evangelicals in Scotland, the 'achievements of the Reformation represented the return to a native or national tradition, the rejection of an alien tyranny that had suppressed ... Scotland's true character as a Presbyterian nation enjoying the benefits of civil and religious liberty'. What they had in mind was the mission established by Columba at Iona and the subsequent spread of Christianity through the Culdees of the seventh to eleventh centuries. For Presbyterian scholars in the nineteenth century, these communities of clergy who differed in organisation and ethos from later monastic orders were further evidence of the similarity between early Christianity in Ireland and Scotland and later Presbyterianism. This interpretation of the character of the Celtic Church was an important aspect of Presbyterian identity in global terms. At the first meeting in 1877 of the Alliance of the Reformed Churches holding the Presbyterian System (later the World Alliance of Reformed Churches), Peter Lorimer (1812–79), a Presbyterian professor in London, noted 'that the early Church of St. Patrick, Columba, and Columbanus, was far more nearly allied in its fundamental principles of order and discipline to the Presbyterian than to the Episcopalian Churches of modern times'.}}</ref><ref name="TaylorAnderson1852">{{cite book|last1=Taylor|first1=James |last2=Anderson|first2=John |title=The Pictorial History of Scotland|year=1852|language=en|page=51|quote=The zealous Presbyterian maintains, that the church established by Columba was formed on a Presbyterian model, and that it recognized the great principle of clerical equality.}}</ref><ref name="Bradley2013">{{cite book|last=Bradley|first=Ian|title=Columba|date=24 July 2013|publisher=Wild Goose Publications|language=en|isbn=978-1-84952-272-4|page=29|quote=Columba has found favour with enthusiasts for all things Celtic and with those who have seen him as establishing a proto-Presbyterian church clearly distinguishable from the episcopally governed church favoured by Rome-educated Bishop Ninian.}}</ref> Tracing their apostolic origin to [[John the Apostle|Saint John]],<ref name="DickensLewis1920">{{cite journal |last=Dickens-Lewis |first=W. F. |year=1920 |title=Apostolicity of Presbyterianism: Ancient Culdeeism and Modern Presbyterianism |journal=The Presbyterian Magazine |publisher=[[Presbyterian Church (USA)]] |volume=26 |issue=1–7 |page=529 |quote=The Culdees who claimed at the Synod of Whitby apostolic descent from St. John, as against the Romish claim of the authority of St. Peter, retired into Scotland.}}</ref><ref name="Thomson1896">{{cite book|last=Thomson|first=Thomas|title=A History of the Scottish People from the Earliest Times|url=https://archive.org/details/ahistoryscottis00annagoog|year=1896|publisher=Blackie|language=en|page=[https://archive.org/details/ahistoryscottis00annagoog/page/n181 141]|quote=...for the primitive apostolic church which St. John had established in the East and Columba transported to our shores. Thus the days of Culdeeism were numbered, and she was now awaiting the martyrs doom.}}</ref> the [[Culdees]] practiced [[Christian monasticism]], a key feature of [[Celtic Christianity]] in the region, with a [[presbyter]] exercising "authority within the institution, while the different monastic institutions were independent of one another."<ref name="Mackay1902">{{cite book|last1=Mackay|first1=John|last2=Mackay|first2=Annie Maclean Sharp|title=The Celtic Monthly|year=1902|publisher=Archibald Sinclair|language=en|page=236}}</ref><ref name="Atkins2016" /><ref name="HannrachainArmstrong2014">{{cite book|last1=Hannrachain|first1=T. O'|last2=Armstrong|first2=R.|last3=hAnnracháin|first3=Tadhg Ó|title=Christianities in the Early Modern Celtic World|date=30 July 2014|publisher=Springer|language=en|isbn=978-1-137-30635-7|page=198|quote=Presbyterians after 1690 gave yet more play to 'Culdeeism', a reading of the past wherein 'culdees' (derived from céli dé) were presented as upholding a native, collegiate, proto presbyterian church government uncontaminated by bishops.}}</ref> The Church in Scotland kept the Christian feast of Easter at a date different from the [[See of Rome]] and its monks used a unique style of [[tonsure]].<ref name="Rankin1884">{{cite book|last=Rankin|first=James|title=The Young Churchman: lessons on the Creed, the Commandments, the means of grace, and the Church|year=1884|publisher=William Blackwood and Sons|language=en|page=84|quote=For seven whole centuries (400–1100 A.D.) there existed in Scotland a genuine Celtic Church, apparently of Greek origin, and in close connection with both Ireland and Wales. In this Celtic Church no Pope was recognized, and no prelatical of diocesan bishops existed. Their bishops were of the primitive New Testament style—presbyter-bishops. Easter was kept at a different time from that of Rome. The tonsure of the monks was not, like that of Rome, on the crown, but across the forehead from ear to ear. The monastic system of the Celtic Church was extremely simple—small communities of twelve men were presided over by an abbot (kindred to the Patriarch title of the Greeks), who took precedence of the humble parochial bishops.}}</ref> The [[Synod of Whitby]] in 664, however, ended these distinctions as it ruled "that Easter would be celebrated according to the Roman date, not the Celtic date."<ref name="Skinner1999">{{cite book|last=Sawyers|first=June Skinner|title=Maverick Guide to Scotland|publisher=Pelican Publishing|year=1999|language=en|isbn=978-1-4556-0866-9|page=57|quote=The Celtic Church evolved separated from the Roman Catholic Church. The Celtic Church was primarily monastic, and the monasteries were administered by an abbot. Not as organized as the church in Rome, it was a much looser institution. The Celtic Church celebrated Easter on a different date from the Roman, too. Life within the Celtic Church tended to be ascetic. Education was an important element, as was passion for spreading the word, that is, evangelism. The Celtic brothers led a simple life in simply constructed buildings. The churches and monastic buildings were usually made of wood and wattle and had thatched roofs. After the death of St. Columba in A.D. 597, the autonomy of the Celtic Church did not last long. The Synod of Whitby in 664 decided, once and for all, that Easter would be celebrated according to the Roman date, not the Celtic date. This was the beginning of the end for the Celtic Church.}}</ref> Although Roman influence came to dominate the Church in Scotland,<ref name="Skinner1999" /> certain Celtic influences remained in the Scottish Church,<ref name="Eggins2015">{{cite book|last=Eggins|first=Brian|title=History & Hope: The Alliance Party in Northern Ireland|date=2 March 2015|publisher=History Press|language=en|isbn=978-0-7509-6475-3|page=15|quote=After the Synod of Whitby in about 664, the Roman tradition was imposed on the whole Church, though remnants of the Celtic tradition lingered in practice.}}</ref> such as "the singing of [[metrical psalms]], many of them set to old Celtic Christianity Scottish traditional and folk tunes", which later became a "distinctive part of Scottish Presbyterian worship".<ref name="Bowden2005">{{cite book|last=Bowden|first=John Stephen|title=Encyclopedia of Christianity|year=2005|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|language=en|isbn=978-0-19-522393-4|page=242|quote=A distinctive part of Scottish Presbyterian worship is the singing of metrical psalms, many of them set to old Celtic Christianity Scottish traditional and folk tunes. These verse psalms have been exported to Africa, North America and other parts of the world where Presbyterian Scots missionaries or Emigres have been influential.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Hechter|first=Michael |title=Internal Colonialism: The Celtic Fringe in British National Development|year=1995|publisher=Transaction Publishers|language=en|isbn=978-1-4128-2645-7|page=168|quote=Last, because Scotland was a sovereign land in the sixteenth century, the Scottish Reformation came under the influence of John Knox rather than Henry Tudor. The organization of the Church of Scotland became Presbyterian, with significant Calvinist influences, rather than Episcopalian. Upon incorporation Scotland was allowed to keep her church intact. These regional religious differences were to an extent superimposed upon linguistic differences in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. One of the legacies of the Celtic social organization was the persistence of the Celtic languages Gaelic and Welsh among certain groups in the periphery.}}</ref>

===Development===
[[File:John Knox woodcut.jpg|thumb|[[John Knox]], leader of the 16th century [[Scottish Reformation]]]]
Presbyterian history is part of the [[history of Christianity]], but the beginning of Presbyterianism as a distinct movement occurred during the 16th century [[Protestant Reformation]]. As the [[Catholic Church]] resisted the Reformers, several different theological movements splintered from the Church and bore different denominations. The Presbyterian Church (The Church of Scotland) was a direct break off of the Roman Catholic Church as were the Anglican Church and the Lutheran Church. 

Presbyterianism was especially influenced by the French theologian [[John Calvin]], who is credited with the development of [[Reformed theology]], and the work of [[John Knox]], a Scottish Catholic Priest who studied with Calvin in Geneva and brought back Reformed teachings to Scotland. An important influence on the formation of Presbyterianism in Britain also came from [[Jan Łaski|John a Lasco]], a Polish reformer, the founder of a [[Stranger churches|Stranger's Church]] in London, based on the Geneva models.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kang |first=Min |title=John Calvin and John a Lasco on Church Order |year=2011 |pages=6, 44}}</ref>

The Presbyterian church traces its ancestry primarily to Scotland. In August 1560, the [[Parliament of Scotland]] adopted the [[Scots Confession]] as the creed of the Scottish Kingdom. In December 1560, the ''[[First Book of Discipline]]'' was published, outlining important doctrinal issues but also establishing regulations for church government, including the creation of ten ecclesiastical districts with appointed superintendents which later became known as [[Presbytery (church polity)|presbyteries]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Established Church of Scotland|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13627a.htm|encyclopedia=Catholic Encyclopedia|access-date=26 September 2010|archive-date=20 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120000221/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13627a.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In time, the Scots Confession would be supplanted by the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]], and the [[Westminster Larger Catechism|larger]] and [[Westminster Shorter Catechism|shorter catechisms]], which were formulated by the [[Westminster Assembly]] between 1643 and 1649.

==Characteristics==
Presbyterians distinguish themselves from other denominations by [[doctrine]], institutional organisation (or "church order") and [[worship]], often using a "Book of Order" to regulate common practice and order. The origins of the Presbyterian churches are in [[Reformed Christianity]], also called Calvinism. Many branches of Presbyterianism are remnants of previous splits from larger groups. Some of the splits have been due to doctrinal controversy, while some have been caused by disagreement concerning the degree to which those ordained to church office should be required to agree with the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]], which historically serves as an important confessional document&nbsp;— second only to the Bible, yet directing particularities in the standardisation and translation of the Bible&nbsp;— in Presbyterian churches.

Presbyterians place importance on education and lifelong learning, tempered with the belief that no human action can affect [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]].

Continuous study of the scriptures, theological writings, and understanding and interpretation of church doctrine are embodied in several statements of faith and [[catechism]]s formally adopted by various branches of the church, often referred to as "[[subordinate standard]]s".

===Government===
{{Main|Presbyterian church governance}}
[[File:Lorimer, Ordination.jpg|thumb|Painting by [[John Henry Lorimer]], ''The Ordination of Elders in a Scottish Kirk'', 1891, now in the [[National Gallery of Scotland]].]]
Presbyterian government is by councils (still known as ''courts'' in some countries, as ''boards'' in others) of elders. Teaching and ruling elders are ordained and convene in the lowest council known as a [[Session (Presbyterianism)|''session'']] or ''[[Consistory (Protestantism)#Reformed usage|consistory]]'' responsible for the discipline, nurture, and mission of the local [[Wiktionary:congregation|congregation]]. Teaching elders (pastors or ministers) have responsibility for teaching, worship, and performing sacraments. Pastors or ministers are called by individual congregations. A congregation issues a call for the pastor or minister's service, but this call must be ratified by the local presbytery. The pastor or minister is a teaching elder, and Moderator of the Session, but is not usually a member of the congregation; instead, this person is a member of the Presbytery of which the given church is a member.

Ruling elders are elected by the congregation and ordained to serve with the teaching elders, assuming responsibility for the nurture and leadership of the congregation. Often, especially in larger congregations, the elders delegate the practicalities of buildings, finance, and temporal ministry to the needy in the congregation to a distinct group of officers (sometimes called deacons, which are ordained in some denominations). This group may variously be known as a "Deacon Board", "Board of Deacons" "Diaconate", or "Deacons' Court". These are sometimes known as "presbyters" to the full congregation. Since the 20th century, most denominations allow women to be teaching or ruling elders.

Above the sessions exist presbyteries, which have area responsibilities. These are composed of teaching elders and ruling elders from each of the constituent congregations. The presbytery sends representatives to a broader regional or national assembly, generally known as the [[General Assembly (presbyterian church)|General Assembly]], although an intermediate level of a ''[[synod]]'' sometimes exists. This congregation / [[Presbytery (presbyterian church)|presbytery]] / [[synod]] / [[General Assembly (presbyterian church)|general assembly]] schema is based on the historical structure of the larger Presbyterian churches, such as the [[Church of Scotland]] or the [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]]; some bodies, such as the [[Presbyterian Church in America]] and the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]], skip one of the steps between congregation and General Assembly, and usually the step skipped is the Synod. The [[Church of Scotland]] abolished the Synod in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/how_we_are_organised/historical_records |title=Church of Scotland – Historical Records |date=22 February 2010 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=6 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506183027/http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/how_we_are_organised/historical_records |url-status=live }}</ref>

Presbyterian governance is practiced by Presbyterian denominations and also by many other [[Reformed churches]].<ref>Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA): Part I: The Book of Confessions, p. 267.</ref>

=== Doctrine ===<!-- This section is linked from [[Conscience]] -->
{{see also|Reformed theology}}
[[File:Celtic cross draped for Easter.jpg|thumb|A Celtic cross draped for [[Easter]] at a Presbyterian church in [[Virginia]]]]
[[File:USVA headstone emb-04.svg|thumb|A Presbyterian Cross, used by the [[United States National Cemetery Administration|National Cemetery Administration]], a division of the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers|url=http://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/emblems.asp|publisher=[[United States Department of Veterans Affairs]]|access-date=22 March 2015|archive-date=4 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504164426/https://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/emblems.asp|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

Presbyterianism is historically a confessional tradition. Confessional churches express their faith in the form of "confessions of faith", which have some level of authoritative status. In confessional churches, theology is not solely an individual matter. While individuals are encouraged to understand Scripture, and may challenge the current institutional understanding, theology is carried out by the community as a whole. It is this community understanding of theology that is expressed in confessions.<ref name="lostsoul">D. G. Hart, "The Lost Soul of American Protestantism." Rowman and Littlefield, 2004.{{page needed|date=June 2013}}</ref>

There is a spectrum of approaches to [[confessionalism (religion)|confessionalism]]. The manner of [[Confessional subscription|subscription]], or the degree to which the official standards establish the actual doctrine of the church, is a practical matter leading to the decisions rendered in ordination and in the courts of the church to largely determine what the church means, representing the whole, by its adherence to the doctrinal standard.

Some Presbyterian traditions adopt only the [[Westminster Confession of Faith]] as the doctrinal standard to which teaching elders are required to subscribe, in contrast to the [[Westminster Larger Catechism|Larger]] and [[Westminster Shorter Catechism|Shorter]] catechisms, which are approved for use in instruction. Many Presbyterian denominations, especially in North America, have adopted all of the [[Westminster Standards]] as their standard of doctrine which is subordinate to the Bible. These documents are [[Calvinist]] in their doctrinal orientation. The [[Presbyterian Church in Canada]] retains the Westminster Confession of Faith in its original form, while admitting the historical period in which it was written should be understood when it is read.

The Westminster Confession is "The principal [[subordinate standard]] of the [[Church of Scotland]]" but "with due regard to liberty of opinion in points which do not enter into the substance of the Faith" (V).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/general-assembly/church-law/church-constitution |title= Church Constitution |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 26 February 2010|website= Church of Scotland |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref> This formulation represents many years of struggle over the extent to which the confession reflects the Word of God and the struggle of conscience of those who came to believe it did not fully do so (e.g. [[William Robertson Smith]]). Some Presbyterian churches, such as the [[Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], have no such "[[conscience]] clause".

The [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]] has adopted the ''[[Book of Confessions]]'', which reflects the inclusion of other [[Reformed confessions]] in addition to the Westminster Standards. These other documents include ancient creedal statements (the [[Nicene Creed]], the [[Apostles' Creed]]), 16th-century Reformed confessions (the [[Scots Confession]], the [[Heidelberg Catechism]], the [[Second Helvetic Confession]]), and 20th century documents ([[Barmen Declaration|The Theological Declaration of Barmen]], [[Confession of 1967]] and [[A Brief Statement of Faith]]).

The Presbyterian Church in Canada developed the confessional document ''Living Faith'' (1984) and retains it as a subordinate standard of the denomination. It is confessional in format, yet like the Westminster Confession, draws attention to original Bible text.

Presbyterians in Ireland who rejected Calvinism and the Westminster Confessions formed the [[Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland]].

[[J. Gresham Machen|John Gresham Machen]], the prominent Presbyterian theologian and Professor of [[New Testament]] at [[Princeton Seminary]] between 1906 and 1929, led a revolt against modernist doctrine in his ''Christianity and Liberalism'' (1923) that critiqued theological modernism. He argued that modernism and liberal theology was a false religion, a pretender that cloaks itself in Christian language – "Liberalism". This religion, he claimed, is a marriage of naturalism, humanism, secularism, and sentimentalism all rolled into one.

===Worship and sacraments===
====Worship====
{{Main|Presbyterian worship}}
[[File:Presbyterian Catechising.jpg|thumb|Presbyterian [[Catechesis|catechising]] in the 19th century]]
[[File:A Scottish Sacrament.jpg|thumb|''A Scottish Sacrament'', a portrait by Henry John Dobson]]
Presbyterian denominations that trace their heritage to the British Isles usually organise their church services inspired by the principles in the [[Directory of Public Worship]], developed by the [[Westminster Assembly]] in the 1640s. This directory documented [[Reformed worship]] practices and theology adopted and developed over the preceding century by British [[Puritan]]s, initially guided by John Calvin and John Knox. It was enacted as law by the [[Parliament of Scotland]], and became one of the foundational documents of Presbyterian church legislation elsewhere.

Historically, the driving principle in the development of the standards of Presbyterian worship is the [[Regulative principle of worship]], which specifies that (in worship), what is not commanded is forbidden.<ref>[[Westminster Confession of Faith]], Chapter XXI, paragraph I.</ref>

Over subsequent centuries, many Presbyterian churches modified these prescriptions by introducing hymnody, instrumental accompaniment, and ceremonial [[vestment]]s into worship. However, there is not one fixed "Presbyterian" worship style. Although there are set services for the [[Lord's Day]] in keeping with [[first-day Sabbatarianism]],<ref name="Wigley1980">{{cite book|last=Wigley|first=John|title=The Rise and Fall of the Victorian Sunday|year=1980|publisher=Manchester University Press|language=en|isbn=978-0-7190-0794-1|page=800|quote=Following the formulation of the Westminster Confession, fully fledged Sabbatarianism quickly took root too, being embodied in an Act of 1661, then spreading northwards and westwards as the Highlands were opened up after the '45, during which time the doctrine lost its original force and vigour in the Lowlands.|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofvictor0000wigl}}</ref> one can find a service to be evangelical and even revivalist in tone (especially in some conservative denominations), or strongly liturgical, approximating the practices of [[Lutheranism]] or more of [[Anglicanism]],{{Clarify|date=January 2010}} or semi-formal, allowing for a balance of hymns, preaching, and congregational participation (favored by many American Presbyterians). Most Presbyterian churches follow the traditional liturgical year and observe the traditional holidays, holy seasons, such as [[Advent]], Christmas, [[Ash Wednesday]], [[Holy Week]], Easter, [[Pentecost]], etc. They also make use of the appropriate [[Liturgical colours#Reformed churches|seasonal liturgical colors]], etc. Many incorporate ancient liturgical prayers and responses into the communion services and follow a daily, seasonal, and festival lectionary. Other Presbyterians, however, such as the [[Reformed Presbyterian churches|Reformed Presbyterians]], would practice [[a cappella]] [[exclusive psalmody]], as well as eschew the celebration of holy days.
[[File:First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh.png|thumb|[[First Presbyterian Church (Pittsburgh)|First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh]] (Conservative PCUSA Church)]]
Among the [[Paleo-orthodoxy|paleo-orthodox]] and [[emerging church]] movements in Protestant and evangelical churches, in which some Presbyterians are involved, clergy are moving away from the traditional black [[Geneva gown]] to such vestments as the [[alb]] and [[chasuble]], but also [[cassock]] and [[surplice]] (typically a full-length Old English style surplice which resembles the [[Celts|Celtic]] alb, an ungirdled liturgical tunic of the old [[Gallican Rite]]), which some, particularly those identifying with the Liturgical Renewal Movement, hold to be more ancient and representative of a more ecumenical past.

====Sacraments====
{{see also|Reformed baptismal theology|Lord's Supper in Reformed theology}}
[[File:Presbyterian Church Communion Table.jpg|thumb|Presbyterian Church Communion Table]]
Presbyterians traditionally have held the Worship position that there are only two [[sacraments]]:
* [[Baptism]], in which they [[Infant baptism|baptize infants]], as well as unbaptized adults by the [[Aspersion]] (sprinkling) or [[Affusion]] (pouring) method in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, rather than the [[Baptism#Immersion|Immersion]] method.
* The [[Eucharist|Lord's Supper]] (also known as Communion), in which Presbyterians believe in the Real Presence of Christ (pneumatic presence) in the spiritual sense, in the bread and wine through the Holy Spirit, as opposed to being locally present as in [[transubstantiation]].

==Architecture==
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2024}}
[[File:Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church.jpg|thumb|Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church USA]]
[[File:Cold Spring Presby from SE.JPG|thumb|[[Cold Spring Presbyterian Church]], rebuilt in 1823, near [[Cape May, New Jersey]]]]
[[File:4th Presbyterian Chicago 2004-11 img 2602.jpg|thumb|The [[Fourth Presbyterian Church (Chicago)|Fourth Presbyterian Church]] in [[Chicago]], built in 1914]]
[[File:Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.jpg|thumb|[[Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church]], built in the 1970s, an example of modern church architecture]]
Some early Presbyterians, which were influenced by the puritan movement, were careful to distinguish between the "church", which referred to the ''members'', and the "meeting house", which was the building in which the church met. (Quakers still insist upon this distinction.) Until the late 19th century, very few Presbyterians ever referred to their buildings as "churches". Presbyterians believed that meeting-houses (now called churches) are buildings to support the worship of God. The [[Interior decoration|decor]] in some instances was austere so as not to detract from worship. Early Presbyterian meeting-houses were extremely plain. No stained glass, no elaborate furnishings, and no images were to be found in the meeting-house. The pulpit, often raised so as only to be accessible by a staircase, was the centerpiece of the building. But these were not the standard characteristics of the mainline Presbyterians. These were more of the wave of Presbyterians that were influenced by the Puritans.

In the late 19th century a gradual shift began to occur. Prosperous congregations built imposing churches, such as [[Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago]], [[Brick Presbyterian Church (New York City)|Brick Presbyterian Church]] in New York City, [[Shadyside Presbyterian Church]] in Pennsylvania, St Stephen Presbyterian in Fort Worth, Texas, and many others.

While Presbyterian churches historically reflected prevailing architectural trends, the 20th century saw a greater embrace of modern architectural styles, particularly the [[Modern architecture|modernist movement]] characterized by clean lines, geometric shapes, and open floor plans.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is Modern Architecture? Everything You Ever Wanted to Know |url=https://www.thespruce.com/modern-architecture-4797910 |author-last1=Thomann|author-first1=Lauren|year=2024|access-date=2024-02-27 |website=The Spruce |language=en}}</ref> Prominent examples include [[Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church]] in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with expansive, light-filled sanctuary and angular design elements. Similarly, the [[National Presbyterian Church]] in Washington, D.C., features a striking facade clad in limestone and punctuated by large windows, alongside abstract stained-glass windows. Both of these were designed by famed architect [[Harold E. Wagoner]].

Usually a Presbyterian church will not have statues of saints, nor the ornate altar more typical of a [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] church. Instead, there is a "communion table", usually on the same level as the congregation, and sometimes elevated similar to an altar, however surrounded by the chancel. There may be a rail between the communion table and the chancel behind it, which may contain a more decorative altar-type table, choir loft, or choir stalls, lectern and clergy area. The altar is called the communion table, and the altar area is called the chancel by Presbyterians. In Presbyterian, and in Reformed churches, there may be an altar cross, either on the communion table or on a table in the chancel. By using the "empty" cross, or cross of the Westminster/Celtic cross, Presbyterians emphasize the resurrection and that Christ is not continually dying, but died once and is alive for all eternity. Quite a few Presbyterian church buildings are decorated with a cross, that has a circle around the center, or Celtic cross. This not only emphasizes the resurrection, but also acknowledges historical aspects of Presbyterianism. A baptismal font will be located either at the entrance or near the chancel area. Presbyterian architecture generally makes significant use of symbolism. One may also find decorative and ornate stained glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible. Some Presbyterian churches will also have ornate statues of Christ or graven scenes from the Last Supper located behind the chancel. [[St. Giles' Cathedral]] in Scotland has a crucifix next to an ornate elevated communion table that hangs alongside. The image of Christ is more of a faint image, with a more modern design.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://stgilescathedral.org.uk/st-giles-life/ |title=Cathedral Life |work=St GILES' CATHEDRAL |date=24 September 2018 |access-date=29 July 2020 |archive-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806133437/https://stgilescathedral.org.uk/st-giles-life/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==By region==
===Europe===
====Scotland====
[[File:Covenanters in a Glen.jpg|thumb|''Covenanters in a Glen'', a depiction of an illegal [[conventicle]]]]
[[John Knox]] (1505–1572), a [[Scottish people|Scot]] who had spent time studying under [[John Calvin|Calvin]] in Geneva, returned to [[Scotland]] and urged his countrymen to reform the Church in line with [[Calvinism|Calvinist]] doctrines. After a period of religious convulsion and political conflict culminating in a victory for the [[Lords of the Congregation|Protestant party]] at the [[Siege of Leith]] the authority of the [[Catholic Church]] was abolished in favour of [[Scottish Reformation|Reformation]] by the legislation of the [[Scottish Reformation Parliament]] in 1560. The Church was eventually organised by [[Andrew Melville]] along Presbyterian lines to become the national [[Church of Scotland]]. [[King James VI and I]] moved the Church of Scotland towards an episcopal form of government, and in 1637, James' successor, [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and [[William Laud]], the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], attempted to force the Church of Scotland to use the [[Book of Common Prayer]]. What resulted was an armed insurrection, with many Scots signing the ''[[Solemn League and Covenant]]''. The [[Covenanter]]s would serve as the government of Scotland for nearly a decade, and would also send military support to the [[Roundhead|Parliamentarians]] during the [[English Civil War]]. Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, [[Charles II of England|Charles II]], despite the initial support that he received from the Covenanters, reinstated an episcopal form of government on the church.

However, with the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688 the Church of Scotland was unequivocally recognised as a Presbyterian institution by the monarch due to Scottish Presbyterian support for the aforementioned revolution and the [[Acts of Union 1707]] between Scotland and England guaranteed the Church of Scotland's form of government. However, legislation by the [[United Kingdom parliament]] allowing [[patronage]] led to splits in the Church. In 1733, a group of ministers [[First Secession|seceded from the Church of Scotland]] to form the Associate Presbytery, another group seceded in 1761 to form the [[Relief Church]] and the [[Disruption of 1843]] led to the formation of the [[Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)|Free Church of Scotland]]. Further splits took place, especially over theological issues, but most Presbyterians in Scotland were reunited by the 1929 union of the established Church of Scotland and the [[United Free Church of Scotland]].

There are today ten Presbyterian denominations in Scotland. These are, listed by number of congregations within Scotland: the [[Church of Scotland]], the [[Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]], the [[United Free Church of Scotland]], the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland]], the [[Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)]], the [[Didasko|Didasko Presbytery]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://sites.google.com/view/didaskoscotland/home |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=sites.google.com |language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Associated Presbyterian Churches|Associated Presbyterian Church]], the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland]], the [[International Presbyterian Church]] and two congregations of the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]]. Combined, they have over 1500 congregations in Scotland.

Within Scotland the term "[[kirk]]" is usually used to refer to a local Presbyterian church. Informally, the term "The Kirk" refers to the Church of Scotland. Some of the values and ideals espoused in Scottish Presbyterian denominations can be reflected in this reference in a book from Norman Drummond, chaplain to the Queen in Scotland.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Drummond|first1=Norman|title=The Power of Three: Discovering what really matters in life|date=2010|publisher=Hachette (Hodder & Stoughton)|location=London|isbn=978-0-340-97991-4|language=en}}</ref>

'''Chart of splits and mergers of the Scottish Presbyterian churches'''
{{Chart top|width=70%|Splits and mergers of the Scottish Presbyterian churches}}
{{Tree chart/start|align=left}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | CS  | CS=[[Church of Scotland]] ([[Scottish Reformation Parliament|1560]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | CO  |-|-|(| CO=[[Covenanters]] ([[Rescissory Act 1661|1661]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |)|-|-|.|!| |CS=[[Church of Scotland]] (1688)}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | CS  | |CS=[[Church of Scotland]] ([[Glorious Revolution in Scotland|1688]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |)|-|-| EP  |EP=[[Episcopal polity|Episcopalians]] (1689)}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | RP  | | |!| | | |!|RP=[[Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland|RPCS]] (1690)}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |!| | | EC  |EC=[[Scottish Episcopal Church]] ([[Scottish Episcopalians Act 1711|1711]])}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |!| | | |`|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |!|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |)|-|-|-| SE  | SE=[[First Secession|Associate Presbytery]] (1733)}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |!| | |,|-|^|-|.| | }}
{{Tree chart| | | | | |!| | | |!| | BR  | | AN  | BR=[[Burgher (Church history)|Burghers]] (1747)| AN=[[Anti-Burgher]]s (1747)}}
{{Tree chart| RC  |-|-|b|-|-|-|(| | |!|!| |!|!| | RC=[[Relief Church]] (1761)}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!| | |!| NL  |!| | NL=[[Old and New Lights|New Lights]] (1800s)}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!| | |!|!| |)|b|.}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!| | |!| US  |!|!| US=[[United Secession Church]] (1820)}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!| | |!| |!| |!|!}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!|,|-|b|-|b|-|b|(}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | CS  | |!| |!| |!|!| CS=Church of Scotland (1822)}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!|,|-|^|-|b|.|!|!|}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!|!| | | |!| OS  |OS=[[Original Secession Church|Original<br />Secession<br />Church]] (1827)}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | CS  | | | |!| |!| CS=Church of Scotland (1839)}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |!| | | | |!| |!}}
{{Tree chart| |!| | | |!| | | |)|-| FC  |!| |!| FC=[[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|Free Church of Scotland]] ([[Disruption of 1843|1843]])}}
{{Tree chart| |!| |,|-|b|-|-|-|b|-|-|b|-|'| |!}}
{{Tree chart| | US  | |!| | | |!| | |!|,|-|-|(| US=[[United Presbyterian Church (Scotland)|United<br />Presbyterian<br />Church]] (1847)}}
{{Tree chart| | |!| | |!| | | |!| | FC  | | |!| FC=Free Church of Scotland (1852)}}
{{Tree chart| | |!| | |)|-|-|-|b|-|.|!| | | |!| }}
{{Tree chart| | |!| | |!| | | |!| | FC  | | |!| FC=Free Church of Scotland (1876)}}
{{Tree chart| | |!| | |!| | | |!| | |!| | | |!| }}
{{Tree chart| | |!| | |!| | | |!| | |)| FP  |!| FP=[[Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland]] (1893)}}
{{Tree chart| | |!| |,|b|-|-|-|b|-|-|(| |!| |!| }}
{{Tree chart| | | UF  |!| | | |!| | FC  |!| |!| UF=[[United Free Church of Scotland]] (1900)| FC=[[Free Church of Scotland (since 1900)|Free Church of Scotland]] (1900)}}
{{Tree chart| | | |)|-|b|-|-|.|!| | |!| |!| |!| }}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| |!| | | CS  | |!| |!| |!| CS=Church of Scotland (1929)}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| |!| | | |!|,|-|b|-|b|-|'| }}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| |!| | | CS  | |!| |!| CS=[[Church of Scotland]] (1956)}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| |!| | | |!| | |!| |)| AP  | AP=[[Associated Presbyterian Churches|Associated<br />Presbyterian<br />Churches]] (1989)}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| |!| | | |!| | |)|-|b|-|b|-| FP  |FP=[[Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)|Free<br />Church of Scotland<br />(Continuing)]] (2000)}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| |!| DD  |(| | |!| |!| |!| | |!| DD=[[Didasko]] (2017)}}
{{Tree chart| | | |!| |!| |!| |!| | |!| |!| |!| | |!}}
{{Tree chart/end}}
{{Chart bottom}}

====England====
{{Main|English Presbyterianism}}
In England, Presbyterianism was established in secret in 1592. [[Thomas Cartwright (Puritan)|Thomas Cartwright]] is thought to be the first Presbyterian in England. Cartwright's controversial lectures at [[Cambridge University]] condemning the [[episcopal polity|episcopal]] hierarchy of the [[Elizabethan era|Elizabethan]] Church led to his deprivation of his post by Archbishop [[John Whitgift]] and his emigration abroad. Between 1645 and 1648, a series of ordinances of the [[Long Parliament]] established Presbyterianism as the polity of the [[Church of England]]. Presbyterian government was established in London and Lancashire and in a few other places in England, although Presbyterian hostility to the [[Execution of Charles I|execution]] of [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and the establishment of the republican [[Commonwealth of England]] meant that Parliament never enforced the Presbyterian system in England. The [[Stuart Restoration|Restoration of the monarchy]] in 1660 brought the return of [[Episcopal polity|Episcopal church government]] in England (and in Scotland for a short time); but the Presbyterian church in England continued in Non-Conformity, outside of the established church. In 1719 a major split, the [[Thomas Bradbury (minister)|Salter's Hall controversy]], occurred; with the majority siding with [[nontrinitarian]] views. [[Thomas Bradbury (minister)|Thomas Bradbury]] published several sermons bearing on the controversy, and in 1719, "An answer to the reproaches cast on the [[dissenting minister]]s who subscribed their belief of the Eternal Trinity." By the 18th century many English Presbyterian congregations had become [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] in doctrine.

A number of new Presbyterian Churches were founded by [[Scottish people|Scottish]] immigrants to England in the 19th century and later. Following the 'Disruption' in 1843 many of those linked to the Church of Scotland eventually joined what became the [[Presbyterian Church of England]] in 1876. Some, such as Crown Court (Covent Garden, London), St Andrew's (Stepney, London) and [[Swallow Street]] (London), did not join the English denomination, which is why there are Church of Scotland congregations in England such as those at [[Crown Court Church|Crown Court]], and [[St Columba's Church, London|St Columba's]], Pont Street (Knightsbridge) in London. There is also a congregation in the heart of London's financial district called London City Presbyterian Church that is affiliated with the Free Church of Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=London City Presbyterian Church |url=https://lcpc.org.uk/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland also have a congregation in London,<ref>{{Cite web |title=London Congregation – Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland |url=https://www.fpchurch.org.uk/location/london-congregation/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.fpchurch.org.uk}}</ref> as do the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster – along with five others in England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster – Churches |url=https://www.freepresbyterian.org/churches/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1972, the [[Presbyterian Church of England]] (PCofE) united with the [[Congregational Church in England and Wales]] to form the [[United Reformed Church]] (URC). Among the congregations the PCofE brought to the URC were Tunley (Lancashire), [[Aston Tirrold]] (Oxfordshire) and John Knox Presbyterian Church, Stepney, London (now part of [[Stepney Meeting House]] URC) – these are among the sole survivors today of the English Presbyterian churches of the 17th century. The URC also has a presence in Scotland, mostly of former [[Congregational church|Congregationalist]] Churches. Two former Presbyterian congregations, [[Downing Place United Reformed Church, Cambridge#St Columba's Church|St Columba's, Cambridge]] (founded in 1879), and [[St Columba's United Reformed Church, Oxford|St Columba's, Oxford]] (founded as a chaplaincy by the PCofE and the [[Church of Scotland]] in 1908 and as a congregation of the PCofE in 1929), continue as congregations of the URC and university chaplaincies of the [[Church of Scotland]].

In recent years a number of smaller denominations adopting Presbyterian forms of church government have organised in England, including the [[International Presbyterian Church]] planted by evangelical theologian [[Francis Schaeffer]] of the [[L'Abri|L'Abri Fellowship]] in the 1970s – now with fifteen English-speaking congregations in England, and 6 Korean-speaking congregations. There is also the [[Evangelical Presbyterian Church in England and Wales]] founded in the North of England in the late 1980s.

====Wales====
In [[Wales]], Presbyterianism is represented by the [[Presbyterian Church of Wales]], which was originally composed largely of [[Calvinistic Methodists]] who accepted Calvinist theology rather than the [[Arminianism]] of the Wesleyan Methodists. They broke off from the Church of England in 1811, ordaining their own ministers. They were originally known as the Calvinist Methodist connexion and in the 1920s it became alternatively known as the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

====Ireland====

Presbyterianism ({{langx|ga|Preispitéireachas}}, {{langx|sco|label=[[Ulster Scots dialect|Ulster Scots]]|Prisbytairinism}}) is the largest Protestant denomination in [[Northern Ireland]] and the second largest on the island of Ireland (after the [[Anglican]] [[Church of Ireland]]),<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kiprop |first1=Victor |title=Religion Demographics Of Northern Ireland |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religion-demographics-of-northern-ireland.html#:~:text=%20Religion%20Demographics%20of%20Northern%20Ireland%20%201,religion%20of%20Northern%20Ireland.%20It%20is...%20More%20 |website=www.worldatlas.com |date=16 April 2019 |publisher=World Facts |access-date=2 September 2021}}</ref> and was brought by Scottish [[Plantation of Ulster|plantation settlers]] to [[Ulster]] who had been strongly encouraged to emigrate by James VI of Scotland, also [[James I of England|James I of Ireland and England]]. After the start of the plantation of Ulster in 1606, several thousand Scottish Presbyterians moved to the northern counties of Ireland.<ref name=UHF>{{cite web |url=  https://ulsterhistoricalfoundation.com/ulster-plantation/movement-of-british-settlers  |title= Movement of British Settlers |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Ulster Historical Foundation |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>  The first official [[Edward Brice|Presbyterian gathering]] in Ireland was held in 1613.<ref>{{cite web |url=  https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/plantation/religious/rl02.shtml  |title= The Plantation of Ulster: Presbyterianism - Rev Dr Robert Tosh |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= BBC |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>  The Presbytery of Ulster was formed in 1642 separately from the established Anglican Church; by 1659 there were nearly 80 presbyteries.<ref name=UHF /> By 1715, the northern province of Ulster had a population of 600,000; more than 200,000 of these came from Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |url=  https://scottishtartansmuseum.org/education/ulster-scots/ |title= Ulster Scots |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Scottish Tartan Museum |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>          

Presbyterians, along with [[Catholic]]s in Ulster and the rest of Ireland, suffered under the discriminatory [[Penal Laws against Irish Catholics|Penal Laws]] until they were revoked in the early 19th century. Presbyterianism is represented in Ireland by the [[Presbyterian Church in Ireland]], the [[Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland]], the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]], the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church of Ireland]] and the [[Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Ireland)|Evangelical Presbyterian Church]].

====France====
There is a Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) in central Paris: [[The Scots Kirk, Paris|The Scots Kirk]], which is English-speaking, and is attended by many nationalities. It maintains close links with the Church of Scotland in Scotland itself, as well as with the [[Reformed Church of France]].

====Italy====
{{further|Waldensians}}

The Waldensian Evangelical Church (Chiesa Evangelica Valdese, CEV) is an Italian Protestant denomination. The church was founded in the 12th century. After the Protestant Reformation, it adhered to Calvinist theology and became the Italian branch of the Presbyterian churches. As such, the church is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
[[File:Presbyterian Family Connections.jpg|thumb|upright=2|Evolution of Presbyterianism in the [[United States]]]]

===North America===
{{See also|List of Presbyterian churches in North America}}
[[File:The First Presbyterian Church Phoenix.JPG|thumb|[[First Presbyterian Church (Phoenix, Arizona)|First Presbyterian Church]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]]]
[[File:Westminster Presbyterian Church Los Angeles.jpg|thumb|Westminster Presbyterian Church in [[Los Angeles]]]]
Even before Presbyterianism spread with immigrants abroad from Scotland, there were divisions in the larger Presbyterian family. Some later rejoined only to separate again. In what some interpret as rueful self-reproach, some Presbyterians refer to the divided Presbyterian churches as the "Split Ps".

====United States====
{{see also|Presbyterianism in the United States}}
Presbyterianism first officially arrived in Colonial America in 1644 with the establishment of Christ's First Presbyterian Church in Heemstede/ Hempstead, Nieuw Amsterdam/ New York. The Church was organized by the Rev. Richard Denton.

In 1703 the first Presbytery in Philadelphia was established. In time, the presbytery would be joined by two more to form a synod (1717) and would evolve into the [[Presbyterian Church in the United States of America]] in 1789. The nation's largest Presbyterian denomination, the [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]] – PC (USA) – can trace its heritage to the original PCUSA, as can the [[Presbyterian Church in America]] (PCA), the [[Orthodox Presbyterian Church]] (OPC), the [[Bible Presbyterian Church]] (BPC), the [[Cumberland Presbyterian Church]] (CPC), the [[Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America]], the [[Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States)|Evangelical Presbyterian Church]] (EPC), and the [[Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians]] (ECO).

Other Presbyterian bodies in the United States include the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America]] (RPCNA), the [[Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church]] (ARP), the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States]] (RPCUS), the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly]], the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church – Hanover Presbytery]], the [[Covenant Presbyterian Church]], the Presbyterian Reformed Church, the Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States, the [[Korean American Presbyterian Church]], and the [[Free Presbyterian Church of North America]].

The territory within about a {{convert|50|mi|km|0|adj=on}} radius of [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], is historically the greatest concentration of Presbyterianism in the Southern United States, while an almost identical geographic area around [[Pittsburgh]], Pennsylvania, contains probably the largest number of Presbyterians in the nation.

The PC (USA), beginning with its predecessor bodies, has, in common with other so-called "mainline" Protestant denominations, experienced a significant decline in members in recent years. Some estimates have placed that loss at nearly half in the last forty years.<ref>{{Citation|url=http://www.layman.org./layman/news/2006-news/big-losses-projected.htm |publisher=Layman |title=News |year=2006 |contribution=Big Losses Projected  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705214053/http://www.layman.org/layman/news/2006-news/big-losses-projected.htm |archive-date=5 July 2008 }}.</ref>

Presbyterian influence, especially through [[Princeton theology]], can be traced in modern [[Evangelicalism]]. [[Randall Balmer]] says that:

{{Blockquote|Evangelicalism itself, I believe, is a quintessentially North American phenomenon, deriving as it did from the confluence of [[Pietism]], Presbyterianism, and the vestiges of [[Puritanism]]. Evangelicalism picked up the peculiar characteristics from each strain – warmhearted spirituality from the Pietists (for instance), doctrinal precisionism from the Presbyterians, and individualistic introspection from the Puritans – even as the North American context itself has profoundly shaped the various manifestations of evangelicalism: fundamentalism, neo-evangelicalism, the holiness movement, Pentecostalism, the charismatic movement, and various forms of African-American and Hispanic evangelicalism.<ref>{{cite book| first = Randall| last = Balmer| title = The Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=syUupeVJOz4C&pg=PR8| year = 2002| publisher = Westminster John Knox Press| pages = vii–viii| isbn = 978-0-664-22409-7| access-date = 27 June 2015| archive-date = 6 September 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150906081358/https://books.google.com/books?id=syUupeVJOz4C&pg=PR8| url-status = live}}</ref>|author=Randall Balmer|title=The Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism (2002)}}

In the late 1800s, Presbyterian missionaries established a presence in what is now northern [[New Mexico]]. This provided an alternative to the Catholicism, which was brought to the area by the Spanish [[Conquistador|Conquistadors]] and had remained unchanged. The area experienced a "mini" reformation, in that many converts were made to Presbyterianism, prompting persecution. In some cases, the converts left towns and villages to establish their own neighboring villages. The arrival of the United States to the area prompted the Catholic church to modernize and make efforts at winning the converts back, many of which did return. However, there are still stalwart Presbyterians and Presbyterian churches in the area.

{{update span|Lutherans, [[Episcopal Church (USA)|Episcopalians]], and Presbyterians historically tend to be considerably wealthier<ref name="THE EPISCOPALIANS">{{cite news|last=Ayres|first=B. Drummond Jr. |date=28 April 1981|title=The Episcopalians: An American Elite with Roots Going Back to Jamestown|newspaper=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/28/us/the-episcopalians-an-american-elite-with-roots-going-back-to-jamestown.html|url-status=live|access-date=2012-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119035058/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/28/us/the-episcopalians-an-american-elite-with-roots-going-back-to-jamestown.html|archive-date=19 January 2018}}</ref> and have been better educated (having more [[Academic degree|graduate]] and post-graduate degrees per capita) than most other religious groups in United States.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/34863/chapter-abstract/298281487?redirectedFrom=fulltext |title= 
The Oxford Handbook of Presbyterianism; Presbyterians and Higher Education |last1= Guthrie|first1= David S.|last2= Derreth |first2= R. Tyler|date= 12 August 2019 |website= Oxford Academc |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref><ref>Irving Lewis Allen, "WASP—From Sociological Concept to Epithet", ''Ethnicity,'' 1975 154+</ref> They are disproportionately represented in the upper reaches of American business,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Hacker|first=Andrew|year=1957|title=Liberal Democracy and Social Control|journal=[[American Political Science Review]]|volume=51|issue=4|pages=1009–1026 [p. 1011]|doi=10.2307/1952449|jstor=1952449|s2cid=146933599 }}</ref> law, and politics.<ref>{{cite web |url=  https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/01/02/faith-on-the-hill-2025/ |title= Faith on the Hill |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2 January 2025 |website= Pew Research |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Baltzell|url=https://archive.org/details/protestantestabl00baltrich|title=The Protestant Establishment|year=1964|page=[https://archive.org/details/protestantestabl00baltrich/page/9 9]|publisher=New York, Random House|url-access=registration}}</ref>|date=August 2025}} They are part of a group known as [[White Anglo-Saxon Protestants]] (WASPs).

====Canada====
[[File:Rev Bruin Romcas Comisco, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.png|thumb|Reverend [[Bruin Romkes Comingo]], 1st Presbyterian Minister in Canada, at [[St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Lunenburg)|St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church]] in [[Lunenburg, Nova Scotia|Lunenburg]]]]
In Canada, the largest Presbyterian denomination – and the largest Protestant denomination – was the [[Presbyterian Church in Canada]], formed in 1875 with the merger of four regional groups. In 1925, the [[United Church of Canada]] was formed by the majority of Presbyterians combining with the [[Methodist Church]], Canada, and the [[Congregational church|Congregational Union of Canada]]. A sizable minority of Canadian Presbyterians, primarily in southern [[Ontario]] but also throughout the nation, withdrew, and reconstituted themselves as a non-concurring continuing Presbyterian body. They regained use of the original name in 1939.

===Latin America===
[[File:Catedral Presbiteriana, Rio de Janeiro.jpg|thumb|A Presbyterian cathedral in [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil]]
Presbyterianism arrived in Latin America in the 19th century.

==== Mexico ====
[[File:IglesiaSionSLP.jpg|thumb|[[National Presbyterian Church in Mexico|National Presbyterian Church]] in the historic center of [[San Luis Potosí (city)|San Luis Potosí]], Mexico]]
The biggest Presbyterian church is the [[National Presbyterian Church in Mexico]] (''Iglesia Nacional Presbiteriana de México''), which has around 2,500,000 members and associates and 3000 congregations, but there are other small denominations like the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico which was founded in 1875 by the Associate Reformed Church in North America. The [[Independent Presbyterian Church in Mexico|Independent Presbyterian Church]], the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Mexico, and the [[National Conservative Presbyterian Church in Mexico]] are existing churches in the Reformed tradition.

==== Brazil ====
In Brazil, the [[Presbyterian Church of Brazil]] (''Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil'') totals approximately 1,011,300 members;<ref>{{cite web |title=Estatísticas 2011 Dados Estimados |url=http://www.executivaipb.com.br/site/estatisticas/estatistica_2011.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924004821/http://www.executivaipb.com.br/site/estatisticas/estatistica_2011.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=30 January 2018 |website=Executivaipb.com.br |language=pt}}</ref> other Presbyterian churches (Independents, United, Conservatives, Renovated, etc.) in this nation have around 350,000 members. The [[Renewed Presbyterian Church in Brazil]] was influenced by the charismatic movement and has about 131 000 members as of 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Igreja Presbiteriana Renovada do Brasil |url=http://www.iprb.org.br/inic.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101121902/http://www.iprb.org.br/inic.htm |archive-date=1 November 2016 |access-date=25 May 2013 |publisher=IPRB |language=pt}}</ref> The [[Conservative Presbyterian Church in Brazil]] was founded in 1940 and has eight presbyteries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Igreja Presbiteriana Conservadora do Brasil |url=http://www.ipcb.org.br |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521041043/http://ipcb.org.br/ |archive-date=21 May 2013 |access-date=25 May 2013 |publisher=IPCB |language=pt}}</ref> The Fundamentalist Presbyterian church in Brazil was influenced by [[Carl McIntire]] and the US [[Bible Presbyterian Church]] and has around 1 800 members. The [[Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil]] was founded in 1903 by Rev. Eduardo Carlos Pereira, has 500 congregations and 75 000 members. The [[United Presbyterian Church of Brazil]] has around 4 000 members. There are also ethnic Korean Presbyterian churches in the country. The [[Evangelical Reformed Churches in Brazil]] has Dutch origin. The [[Reformed Churches in Brazil]] were recently founded by the [[Canadian and American Reformed Churches|Canadian Reformed Churches]] with the [[Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated)]].

[[Congregational church|Congregational]] churches present in the country are also part of the Calvinistic tradition in Latin America.

==== Other Latin American states ====
There are probably more than four million members of Presbyterian churches in all of Latin America. Presbyterian churches are also present in Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Argentina, Honduras and others, but with few members. The Presbyterian Church in Belize has 17 churches and church plants and there is a Reformed Seminary founded in 2004. Some Latin Americans in North America are active in the [[Presbyterian Cursillo Movement]].

===Africa===
[[File:Christ Presbyterian Church Akropong.jpg|thumb|[[Christ Presbyterian Church, Akropong|Christ Presbyterian Church]] in [[Akropong]], Ghana]]
Presbyterianism arrived in Africa in the 19th century through the work of Scottish missionaries and founded churches such as [[St Michael and All Angels Church, Blantyre, Malawi]]. The church has grown extensively and now has a presence in at least 23 countries in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/africa/ |publisher= PC(USA) |title= Worldwide Ministries, Africa |access-date= 7 December 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130815182043/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/africa/ |archive-date= 15 August 2013  }}</ref>

African Presbyterian churches often incorporate diaconal ministries, including social services, emergency relief, and the operation of mission hospitals. A number of partnerships exist between presbyteries in Africa and the PC(USA), including specific connections with Lesotho, Cameroon, Malawi, South Africa, Ghana and Zambia. For example, the Lackawanna Presbytery, located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, has a partnership with a presbytery in Ghana. Also the Southminster Presbyterian Church, located near Pittsburgh, has partnerships with churches in Malawi and Kenya. The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, western Africa is also active in mostly the southern states of this nation with strong density in the south-eastern states. [[Hope Masterton Waddell|Hope Waddel]]'s missionary expedition in the mid 19th century, and later [[Mary Slessor]]'s work in coastal regions of the then British colony has brought about the church in these areas.

'''Cameroon'''

The [[Presbyterian Church in Cameroon]] is a member of reformed churches in Cameroon.

====Kenya====
The [[Presbyterian Church of East Africa]], based in Kenya, has 500 clergy and 4&nbsp;million members.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/kenya/ | publisher = PC(USA) | title = Worldwide Ministries, Kenya | access-date = 7 December 2012 | archive-date = 15 August 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130815202357/http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/global/kenya/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

==== Malawi ====
The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Malawi (RPCM) has 150 congregations and 17 000–20 000 members{{Citation needed|date = September 2018|reason = Dubious}}. It was a mission of the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland. The Restored Reformed Church works with RPCM. Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Malawi is an existing small church. Part of the Presbyterian Church in Malawi and Zambia is known as CCAP, Church of Central Africa-Presbyterian. Often the churches there have one main congregation and a number of prayer houses. Education, health ministries, and worship and spiritual development are important.

====Southern Africa====
The Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa was formed in 1923, following missionary work by the Free Church of Scotland with indigenous Africans at the Lovedale Mission.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://unitingpresbyterian.org/who-we-are/ |title= Who We Are |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Uniting Presbyterian Church |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref> In 1992, it was renamed as the Reformed Presbyterian Church.<ref>{{cite journal |url= https://scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1017-04992014000300013 |title= The growth model for managing change in African Christianity: The case of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in a Cape Town township |last= Masondo |first= Sibusiso |date= December 31, 2014 |journal= Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae |volume= 40 |issue= 2 |pages= 189–206 |publisher= Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae, Vol.40 n.2 |access-date=  August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref> In 1999, it united with the (historically European) Presbyterian Church in South Africa to form the [[Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://academic.oup.com/edinburgh-scholarship-online/book/45228 |title= Bantu Presbyterian Church of South Africa: A History of the Free Church of Scotland Mission |last= Duncan |first= Graham A. |date= |website= Oxford Academic |publisher= |access-date=  August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=  https://www.oikoumene.org/member-churches/uniting-presbyterian-church-in-southern-africa |title= Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= January 1948|website= World Council of Churches |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>	    

====Northern Africa====
* [[Presbyterian Church in Sudan|The Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and Sudan]], founded in 1902 by American missionaries in [[Malakal]], was deprived of foreign pastors since 1962 by decision of the Sudanese government but it continued to grow. It is now the 3rd largest Christian church in Sudan with 1,000,000 members, shared between [[Sudan]] and [[South Sudan]].<ref name = PCSSS>{{cite web | url = https://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/presbyterian-church-of-the-sudan | publisher = the website of the [[World Council of Churches]] | title = Presbyterian Church of South Sudan and Sudan | date = January 1965 | access-date = September 14, 2018 | archive-date = 18 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181118184224/https://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/presbyterian-church-of-the-sudan | url-status = live }}.</ref>
* The [[Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church|Presbyterian Evangelical Church of Sudan]] was founded in the north of the country and in Khartoum by the same American missionaries in the late 19th century but left under the guidance of Egyptian evangelical pastors of Coptic origin.<ref name = PCSSS />
In addition, there are a number of Presbyterian Churches in north Africa, the most known is the Nile Synod in Egypt and a recently founded synod for Sudan.

===Asia===

==== Hong Kong ====
[[The Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China]] (CCC) is a uniting church formed by [[Presbyterians]] and [[Congregationalists]], which inherited the [[Reformed tradition]]. [[The Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China|HKCCCC]] is also the only [[Mainline Protestant|mainline]] Reformed church in Hong Kong.

[[Cumberland Presbyterian Church Yao Dao Secondary School]] is a Presbyterian school in [[Yuen Long]], [[New Territories]]. The [[Cumberland Presbyterian Church]] also have a church on the island of [[Cheung Chau]]. There are also [[Korean Christians in Hong Kong|Korean Christians]] resident in Hong Kong who are Presbyterians.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.hkelim.com |title= Home page |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Hong Kong Elim Church |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.hkmission.org |title= Home page |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Hong Kong Korean Exodus Mission Church |publisher= |access-date= August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>

====South Korea====
{{main|Presbyterianism in South Korea}}
Presbyterian Churches are the biggest and by far the most influential Protestant denominations in South Korea, with close to 20,000 churches affiliated with the two largest Presbyterian denominations in the country.<ref>{{cite web | place = [[Korea|KR]] | title = History | url = http://www.pck.or.kr/Eng/History/MajorH.asp | publisher = The Presbyterian Church of Korea | access-date = 1 August 2011 | archive-date = 18 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110718113130/http://www.pck.or.kr/Eng/History/MajorH.asp | url-status = dead }}.</ref> In South Korea there are 9&nbsp;million Presbyterians, forming the majority of the 15&nbsp;million Korean [[Protestant]]s. In South Korea there are 100 different Presbyterian denominations.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/touched-devotion-south-korea | title = Touched by Devotion in South Korea | type = article | publisher = Christian Reformed Church | date = 4 October 2010 | access-date = 4 September 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170709093000/https://www.crcna.org/news-and-views/touched-devotion-south-korea | archive-date = 9 July 2017  }}.</ref>

Most of the Korean Presbyterian denominations share the same name in Korean, 대한예수교장로회 (literally means the Presbyterian Church of Korea or PCK), tracing its roots to the United Presbyterian Assembly. A Presbyterian schism began with a Japanese shrine worship enforced during the Japanese colonial period and the establishment of a minor division (Koryu-pa, 고려파, later The Koshin Presbyterian Church in Korea, Koshin 고신) in 1952. In 1953 a second schism happened when the theological orientation of the Chosun Seminary (later [[Hanshin University]]) founded in 1947 could not be tolerated in the PCK and another minor group (The [[Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea]], Kijang, 기장) was separated. The last major schism had to do with the issue of whether the PCK should join the WCC. The controversy divided the PCK into two denominations, The Presbyterian Church of Korea (Tonghap, 통합) and The General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea (Hapdong, 합동) in 1959. All major seminaries associated with each denomination claim heritage from the [[Pyongyang Theological Seminary|Pyung Yang Theological Seminary]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://reformednews.co.kr/sub_read.html?uid=824&section=sc4 | script-title = ko:리폼드뉴스 | language = ko | publisher = Reformed news | place = KR | access-date = 7 August 2011 | archive-date = 22 July 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110722134614/http://reformednews.co.kr/sub_read.html?uid=824&section=sc4 | url-status = live | date = 28 May 2009 }}</ref>

Korean Presbyterian denominations are active in evangelism and many of its missionaries are being sent overseas, being the second biggest missionary sender in the world after the United States. GMS, the missionary body of the "Hapdong" General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches of Korea, is the single largest Presbyterian missionary organization in Korea.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://kcm.kr/dic_view.php?nid=39503 | publisher = KCM | title = Search | access-date = 7 August 2011 | place = KR | archive-date = 29 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193844/http://kcm.kr/dic_view.php?nid=39503 | url-status = live }}.</ref> In addition there are many Korean-American Presbyterians in the United States, either with their own church sites or sharing space in pre-existing churches as is the case in Australia, New Zealand and even Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia with Korean immigration.

The Korean Presbyterian Church started through the mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Australian Presbyterian theological tradition is central to the United States. But after independence, the 'Presbyterian Church in Korea (KoRyuPa)' advocated a Dutch [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] position. In the 21st century, a new General Assembly of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church of Korea (Founder. [[Ha Seung-moo]]) in 2012 declared itself an authentic historical succession of Scottish Presbyterian John Knox.

====Taiwan====
The [[Presbyterian Church in Taiwan]] (PCT) is by far the largest Protestant denomination in [[Taiwan]], with some 238,372 members as of 2009 (including a majority of the island's [[Formosan Aboriginals|aborigines]]). [[English Presbyterian Mission]]ary [[James Laidlaw Maxwell]] established the first Presbyterian church in [[Tainan]] in 1865. His colleague [[George Leslie Mackay]], of the [[Canadian Presbyterian Mission]], was active in [[Tamsui]] and north Taiwan from 1872 to 1901; he founded the island's first university and hospital, and created a written script for [[Taiwanese Minnan]]. The English and Canadian missions joined as the PCT in 1912. One of the few churches permitted to operate in Taiwan through the era of Japanese rule (1895–1945), the PCT experienced rapid growth during the era of [[Kuomintang]]-imposed martial law (1949–1987), in part due to its support for democracy, human rights, and [[Taiwan independence]]. Former [[Republic of China|ROC]] president [[Lee Teng-hui]] (in office 1988–2000) was a Presbyterian.

====India====
[[File:Jowai Presbyterian Church.JPG|thumb|Jowai Presbyterian Church in India]]
In the mainly Christian Indian state of [[Mizoram]], Presbyterianism is the largest of all [[Christian denomination]]s. It was brought there by [[missionaries]] from [[Wales]] in 1897. Prior to Mizoram, Welsh Presbyterians started venturing into northeast India through the [[Khasi Hills]] (now in the state of [[Meghalaya]] in India) and established Presbyterian churches all over the Khasi Hills from the 1840s onwards. Hence, there is a strong presence of Presbyterians in [[Shillong]] (the present capital of Meghalaya) and the areas adjoining it. The Welsh missionaries built their first church in [[Sohra]] (aka [[Cherrapunji]]) in 1846. The Presbyterian church in India was integrated in 1970 into the [[United Church of Northern India – Presbyterian Synod|United Church of Northern India]] (originally formed in 1924). It is the largest Presbyterian denomination in India.

===Oceania===
====Australia====
{{See also|List of Presbyterian denominations in Australia}}
[[File:Timeline of Aust. Pres. Denominations.png|thumb|upright=2|Timeline of the Presbyterian denominations in [[Australia]] over the past century, and the movement of congregations from one to another]]
In [[Australia]], Presbyterianism is the fourth largest denomination of Christianity, with nearly 600,000 Australians claiming to be Presbyterian in the 2006 Commonwealth Census. Presbyterian churches were founded in each colony, some with links to the Church of Scotland and others to the Free Church. There were also congregations originating from United Presbyterian Church of Scotland as well as a number founded by [[John Dunmore Lang]]. Most of these bodies merged between 1859 and 1870, and in 1901 formed a federal union called the [[Presbyterian Church of Australia]] but retaining their state assemblies. The [[Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia]] representing the Free Church of Scotland tradition, and congregations in Victoria of the [[Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia|Reformed Presbyterian Church]], originally from Ireland, are the other existing denominations dating from colonial times.

In 1977, about 70% of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, along with most of the [[Congregational Union of Australia]] and all the [[Methodist Church of Australasia]], combined to form the [[Uniting Church in Australia]].<ref>Rowland Ward and Robert Humphreys, ''Religious Bodies in Australia'', 3rd edition ([[Wantirna, Victoria]]: New Melbourne Press, 1995), p. 77.</ref> The 30% that did not unite had various reasons for so acting, often cultural attachment but often conservative theological or social views. The permission for the ordination of women given in 1974 was rescinded in 1991.<ref name=Rev>{{cite web |url= https://revesbypc.org.au/2009/03/12/women-in-the-eldership/ |title= Women in the Eldership |last= Barns |first= Rev Dr Peter |date= March 12, 2009 |website= Revesby Presbyterian Church |publisher= |access-date=  August 12, 2025 |quote=}}</ref> This did not affect the two or three existing woman ministers.{{Citation needed|date = September 2018|reason = Dubious}} The approval of women elders given in the 1960s has been rescinded in most states.<ref name=Rev /> The exception was New South Wales, which has the largest membership.{{Citation needed|date = September 2018|reason = Dubious}} The theology of the church is now generally conservative and Reformed.{{Citation needed|date = September 2018|reason = Unclear. Which church?}} A number of small Presbyterian denominations have arisen since the 1950s through migration or schism.

====New Zealand====
[[File:Kaikorai Presbyterian Church Dunedin New Zealand.jpg|thumb|[[Kaikorai Presbyterian Church]] in [[New Zealand]]]]
In [[New Zealand]], Presbyterian is the dominant denomination in [[Otago]] and [[Southland Region|Southland]] due largely to the rich [[Scottish people|Scottish]] and to a lesser extent [[Ulster Scots people|Ulster-Scots]] heritage in the region. The area around Christchurch, Canterbury, is dominated philosophically by the [[Anglican]] denomination.

Originally there were two branches of Presbyterianism in New Zealand, the northern Presbyterian church which existed in the North Island and the parts of the South Island north of the [[Waitaki River]], and the [[Synod of Otago and Southland]], founded by [[Free Church of Scotland (1843–1900)|Free Church]] settlers in southern South Island. The two churches merged in 1901, forming what is now the [[Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand]].

In addition to the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, there is also a more conservative Presbyterian church called [[Grace Presbyterian Church of New Zealand]]. Many of its members left the largely liberal PCANZ because they were seeking a more conservative church. It has 17 churches throughout New Zealand.

====Vanuatu====
In [[Vanuatu]], the [[Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu]] is the largest denomination in the country, with approximately one-third of the population of Vanuatu members of the church. The PCV was taken to Vanuatu by missionaries from Scotland. The PCV (Presbyterian Church in Vanuatu) is headed by a moderator with offices in [[Port Vila]]. The PCV is particularly strong in the provinces of [[Tafea]], [[Shefa Province|Shefa]], and [[Malampa]]. The Province of [[Sanma Province|Sanma]] is mainly Presbyterian with a strong Catholic minority in the [[Francophone]] areas of the province. There are some Presbyterian people, but no organised Presbyterian churches in [[Penama]] and [[Torba Province|Torba]], both of which are traditionally Anglican. Vanuatu is the only country in the South Pacific with a significant Presbyterian heritage and membership. The PCV is a founding member of yjr Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC). The PCV runs many primary schools and Onesua secondary school. The church is strong in the rural villages.

==See also==
{{Portal|Reformed Christianity|Christianity|Religion}}
* [[Celtic cross]]
* [[English Presbyterianism]]
* [[Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy]]
* [[Ghost Ranch]]
* [[Puritan's Pit]]
* [[Reformed confessions of faith#Presbyterian|Presbyterian confessions of faith]]
* [[Religion in Scotland]]

===Churches===
* [[List of Presbyterian churches]]
* [[St Giles' Cathedral]] in [[Edinburgh]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* Stewart J. Brown. ''The National Churches of England, Ireland, and Scotland, 1801–46'' (2001)
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20090708014704/http://www.doulosresources.org/books/william/william.html William the Baptist]'' by James M. Chaney (Reformed Presbyterian perspective on baptism and infant baptism)
* [[Jay E. Adams]]. ''The Meaning and Mode of Baptism'' Thomas Shepard. (1975) (Reformed Presbyterian perspective on [[Aspersion]] and [[Affusion]])
* ''[http://www.apuritansmind.com/covenant-theology/children-and-church-membership-by-dr-thomas-shepard/ The Church Membership of Children, and Their Right to Baptism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111111114349/http://www.apuritansmind.com/covenant-theology/children-and-church-membership-by-dr-thomas-shepard/ |date=11 November 2011 }}'' (1662) (Reformed Presbyterian perspective on infants' right to church membership)
* [http://www.roanetnhistory.org/footenorthcarolina.html William Henry Foote. ''Sketches of North Carolina, Historical and Biographical...''(1846)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204211838/http://www.roanetnhistory.org/footenorthcarolina.html |date=4 February 2008 }} – full-text history of early North Carolina and its Presbyterian churches
* {{cite book |author=Andrew Lang |title=John Knox and the Reformation |url=https://archive.org/details/johnknoxandrefo00langgoog |year=1905 |publisher=Longmans, Green, and Company}}
* William Klempa, ed. ''The Burning Bush and a Few Acres of Snow: The Presbyterian Contribution to Canadian Life and Culture'' (1994)
* Marsden, George M. ''The Evangelical Mind and the New School Presbyterian Experience'' (1970)
* Mark A. Noll. ''Princeton And The Republic, 1768–1822'' (2004)
* Frank Joseph Smith, ''The History of the Presbyterian Church in America'', Reformation Education Foundation, Manassas, Virginia, 1985
* William Warren Sweet, ''Religion on the American Frontier, 1783—1840, vol. 2, The Presbyterians'' (1936), primary sources
* Ernest Trice Thompson. ''Presbyterians in the South'' vol 1: to 1860; Vol 2: 1861–1890; Vol 3: 1890–1972. (1963–1973)
* Leonard J. Trinterud, ''The Forming of an American Tradition: A Re-examination of Colonial Presbyterianism'' (1949)
* ''Encyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America'' (1884)
* St. Andrews Prebystarian church in Lahore, Pakistan.[http://www.pcpnabharoad.com Church Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401163317/https://pcpnabharoad.com/ |date=1 April 2020 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.pcusa.org/101/101-history.htm |title=Presbyterian 101 – Mission and Ministry – GAMC |publisher=Pcusa.org |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090902103505/http%3A//www.pcusa.org/101/101%2Dhistory.htm |archive-date=2 September 2009}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.cathedralofhope.org/about/church-history-architecture.html |title=History and Architecture :: East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania :: "The Cathedral of Hope" |publisher=Cathedralofhope.org |access-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725145645/http://www.cathedralofhope.org/about/church-history-architecture.html |archive-date=25 July 2011}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Davies |first=A. Mervyn |title=Presbyterian Heritage |year=1965}}
* {{cite book |last1=Feldmeth |first1=Nathan P. |last2=Fortson |first2=S. Donald III|last3=Rosell |first3=Garth M. |last4=Stewart |first4=Kenneth J.|title=Reformed and Evangelical across Four Centuries: The Presbyterian Story in America|publisher=Eerdmans |year=2022 |location=Grand Rapids, MI}}
* {{cite book |last1=Lingle |first1=Walter L. |last2=Kuykendall |first2=John W. |title=Presbyterians: Their History and Beliefs |url=https://archive.org/details/presbyteriansthe0000ling |url-access=registration |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=1978 |edition=4th rev. |location=Atlanta, Georgia}}
* {{cite book |last=Smylie |first=James H. |title=A Brief History of the Presbyterians |url=https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofpr00smyl |url-access=registration |year=1996 |publisher=Geneva Press |location=Louisville, Kentucky |isbn=978-0-664-50001-6}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.phcmontreat.org Presbyterian Heritage and History Center]
* [http://www.prpbooks.com/ Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing]

{{History of Christianity}}
{{Religion topics}}
{{Evangelicalism in the United States}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Presbyterianism| ]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]