RCA History

Three noteworthy events mark the dawn of United States history--the settlement of Jamestown in Virginia; the arrival of the Pilgrims in Massachusetts; and the establishment of New Amsterdam, now New York City, by Dutch colonists.

Commercial reasons, not religion, compelled the Dutch to settle the area. But with these pioneers came their church--a church that has survived on these shores continuously for nearly four hundred years--the Reformed Church in America.

Today, the Reformed Church in America includes 300,000 people of many cultures across the North American continent, remembering their heritage, growing together, reforming always to do the work of the global Christian church.

RCA Theology

Above all, our faith is centered in Christ. Every need of ours finds its answer in Jesus Christ. The final authority in the Reformed faith is Holy Scripture, the living Word of God, spoken to everyone through the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and makes it real and actual in our lives. This has always been and will always be the authentic wellspring of Reformed faith.

The following confessions and creeds are statements of Reformed beliefs:

Three historic documents--the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort
Three historic creeds--the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed

Presbyterian Church of the USA (PCUSA)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with denominational offices in Louisville, Kentucky, has approximately 2.3 million members, more than 10,000 congregations and 14,000 ordained and active ministers.

Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.

PCUSA Theology

Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What they mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike - to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.