PCA HISTORICAL CENTER
Archives and Manuscript Repository for the Continuing Presbyterian Church


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The 50th Anniversary of
The Presbyterian Church in America, 1973-2023

A Timeline of People and Events Leading up to the Formation of the PCA

The Presbyterian Church in America looks back to December 4-7, 1973 as the date of its organization, as it meet for its first General Assembly at the Briarwood Presbyterian Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. But the formation of our denomination did not happen quickly; rather, it was decades in the making. The first stirrings appeared in the 1930's, then later a magazine began in 1942 with talk of a "continuing Presbyterian church," and finally there were groups formed in the 1960s intent on working toward the new denomination.

Organizations Formative of the PCA
Presbyterian Journal
(a voice for orthodoxy)
Presbyterian Evangelistic
Fellowship
Concerned Presbyterians
(ruling elders)
Presbyterian Churchmen United (pastors)
Org. 1942
Org. 1958
Org. 1964
Org. 1969
PJhome

Pictured above, home of the Presbyterian Journal, in Asheville, North Carolina
WmEHillJr
Rev. Wm. E. Hill, Jr.,
founder of the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship

Keyes
Ruling Elder Kenneth S. Keyes, likely creator
of the PCA motto.
RevSettle
Rev. Paul Settle, Executive Secretary of PCU.
For more information on each of these groups:
Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship Collection


Other Participants in the Formation of the PCA
Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA [org. 1929]
William A. McIlwaine's correspondence with Dr. J. Gresham Machen. Box 479, folder 45 — seven letters, dated 21 August 1934; 8 September 1934; 19 January 1935; 16 February 1935; 11 May 1935; 6 April 1936; and 20 May 1936 [one page each]; 
Pensacola Theological Institute [org. 1955]—a ministry of the McIlwain Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, FL, organized by their pastor at the time, Rev. Donald Graham. The list of past PTI speakers was a “who’s who” of 20th century theologians, pastors and teachers, such as D. Marin Lloyd-Jones, J.I. Packer, D. James Kennedy and R.C. Sproul.
Rev. Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-JonesRev. Nick Batzig tells the story of the Doctor's role in the formation of the PCA.
Reformed Theological Seminary/Jackson [org. 1966]—many of the PCA's founding fathers were educated at schools where, at best, there was a mixture of biblically faithful and modernist teaching. When RTS opened its doors, students came in droves.
Mt. Olive Tape Library [org. 1969] — https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2001/george-calhoun-a-tribute/ AND https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons.asp?keyword=mt%2E+olive+tape+library
 


1942
The Southern Presbyterian Journal began, led by
Dr. L. Nelson Bell and others concerned over evidences of modernism in the Presbyterian Church, U.S. (aka Southern Presbyterian Church)

1955
PCUS Presbyteries reject efforts to enter a three-way merger of the Presbyterian Church in the USA, the United Presbyterian Church of North America and the Presbyterian Church, U.S.
Much of the resistance against this merger came from the Journal and its readership.

1958
Bill Hill establishes the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship.

1959
G. Aiken Taylor becomes the new editor of what is now simply The Presbyterian Journal.

1965
Concerned Presbyterians, Inc. is formed under the leadership of Ruling elder Kenneth Keyes.

1966
Two Savannah churches, led by pastors Todd Allen and Clifford Brewton,
withdrew from the PCUS and began a fight to retain their church properties.

1969
Presbyterian Churchmen United is formed as a reform organization for ministers.

1970
The two Savannah churches which withdrew in 1966 finally won their property case
when it was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.


1971

The Steering Committee is formed to direct planning for a new denomination.

Brochures published by the Steering Committee [click on image to view the brochure in PDF]
Divorce
Ecumenism
Government
Ordination
Salvation
Spirituality
divorce ecumenism government ordination salvation spirituality

1972
To receive churches leaving the PCUS, Vanguard Presbytery is formed, September 7, 1972.

1973
Feb. 13th : Warrior Presbytery is formed by churches leaving Tuscaloosa Presbytery (PCUS).
May 18-19 : Convocation of Sessions met, voting 349-16 to call for a new denomination.
Aug. 7-9 : The Advisory Convention met, laying groundwork for the new denomination.
Dec. 4-7 : The First General Assembly met at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. The Assembly chose National Presbyterian Church as the name of the new denomination.

1974
After learning of a potential conflict with their chosen name, the Assembly chose a new name :
The Presbyterian Church in America.


 

 

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