The History of the Presbyterian Church

John Calvin founded the Presbyterian Church in Switzerland in 1541. Calvin based Presbyterianism on the same concepts of Lutheranism, except that it differed in the doctrines of eternal security and predestination. The Presbyterian Church also owes much of its history to John Knox, who helped spread it through Scotland and England.

Calvin and the Presbyterian Church

Calvin originally studied at a Catholic ministry, but later changed to lead a new church. He believed that the Scriptures were the sole authority and not the priests, which differed drastically from Catholicism. This difference from Catholicism made Presbyterianism one of the new Reformed religions, which were just starting at the time. Calvin made the focus of the religion on building a better world through the salvation of souls and hard work. These tenets made the religion very popular in the United States during the late 1700s and 1800s.

The spread of the church

Knox helped spread the new church throughout Europe with his emphasis on the religion and the moral tenets of the church. With his influence, Presbyterianism became the official religion of Scotland in 1690 and it is still the official state religion today. After spreading through Scotland and England the religion came to America with new immigrants. The church spread massively in America with its focus on discipline and hard work. Members of the church were major supporters of the Temperance Movement and the abolition of slavery as well. The church remains one of the largest Christian organizations in the United States today.

The Presbyterian Church is a relatively new establishment, formed in the 15th Century by John Calvin. Thanks to the efforts of John Knox in addition to faithful followers worldwide, it is now one of the most globally recognized Christian-based faiths.