Our Presbyterian Heritage

Our Unique Name

The word "Presbyterian" comes from the Greek word (presbuteros) or "elder." From earliest times congregations were led by those who demonstrated maturity through experience and spiritual growth. Presbyterian churches are "elder churches" in that they are governed as representative democracies by elected lay people and called people.

What is "Reformed Theology?"

Presbyterians belong to the historic stream of Christian believers who, beginning in the 1500s in Europe, began to "re-form" their faith on the basis of biblical principles, instead of reliance on Catholic Church traditions. Those who are reformed in their faith believe that the Bible is the final arbiter of spiritual thinking and practice. God's Living Word (Jesus) continues to speak over the centuries through the written Word (scriptures of the Old and New Testaments)

Some Historical Highlights

John Calvin published Institutes of the Christian Religion (1536), the primary interpretative tool for Reformed thinking and living. Calvin became the spiritual director of Geneva, Switzerland, which modeled this new way of relating to Christ.

 

John Knox, a refugee in Geneva (1554-1559), returned to his native Scotland, spreading Presbyterian views.

 

 

The Westminster Assembly of Divines (1640s) gathered 121 English and Scottish pastors for five years to write The Westminster Confession and its related catechisms (statements of faith in question and answer form), the fullest expression of Reformed theology.

Francis Makemie established the first presbytery in America (1709). The first General Assembly met in 1789, and the denomination was divided into northern and southern branches during the Civil War. The groups were reunited in 1983 as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

George Washington Gale led a pioneer group of settlers to the western Illinois prairie in 1837 to found a city, a college, and a church. The city became Galesburg. The school became Knox College. The church was the antecedent of the current First Presbyterian Church.

George Duffield, author of the text of the hymn "Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus," was pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church in Galesburg (an antecedent of the current congregation) from 1865 to 1869.

The Present Church Building of the First Church in Galesburg, at Prairie and Ferris streets, was dedicated in December 1893, and has been renovated a number of times. A centennial addition, including an elevator, was completed in 1993. In 2006 the final stages of the addition were completed in addition to the installation of new video and sound equipment in the sanctuary.