[Updated 31/12/2025]
The "Reformed" part of the name refers to this denomination’s adherence to the biblical principles set down during the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, by men such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Knox.
"Presbyterian" refers to their form of church government. Each congregation is under the oversight of those elected as elders, and college-trained pastors, who are also part of the higher church courts. (From the Greek presbys=elder). As distinct from an Episcopal denomination, which has bishops/ archbishops.
Reformed Presbyterians have also been referred to historically as Covenanters because of their identification with public covenanting in Scotland, which recognised Christ as King over the Church without interference from the government, and which also began in the 16th century.
The first Reformed Presbyterian congregation was organized in North America in 1743. Today, congregations reach across the USA.
Sister churches of Reformed Presbyterians are recognised around the world in Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Canada, and elsewhere.
The RPCNA sent missionaries to China in the 19th and 20th centuries, who owned villas on Cheung Chau which were used for holiday vacations/ retreats (see below).
In 1916 these were the missionaries in China:
Miss Mary Adams, Miss Jennie Dean, Dr. E. J. M. Dickson, Miss Rose Houston, Rev. Julius
Kempf, Dr. Kate McBurney, Rev. E. C. Mitchell, Dr. A. I. Robb, Rev. J. K. Robb, Rev. Wm . Robb,
Miss Annie Robinson, Dr. Ida Scott, Miss Ella M. Stewart, Rev. D. R. Taggart, Dr. J. M. Wright.
Sources: RPCNA
Photos of this organisation:
Comments
RPCNA missionaries' honours
It may have been noted that several of the missionaries who served with the Reformed Presbyterian Church Mission in South China in the 20th century ended up as Moderators in the Church hierarchy, which is the highest mark of esteem in this denomination.
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the highest elected officer in the church, while the Moderator of the Synod is the second highest office.
The General Assembly is the highest governing body or "court" in the Presbyterian Church.
A Presbyterian Synod is a regional governing body that supervises several local presbyteries. Its main duties include coordinating mission work, serving as a court of appeal for cases from presbyteries, and facilitating communication between the presbyteries and the General Assembly.
These are the key points regarding the Moderator's role:
Chairperson, not a "ruler": The Moderator is the chairperson who presides over meetings of a church court (session, presbytery, synod, or General Assembly) and ensures that business is conducted "decently and in order".
First Among Equals: The Moderator acts as primus inter pares (first among equals) among other elders and ministers. They do not have unilateral decision-making powers.
Temporary Position: The position of Moderator for the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly is typically an elected, temporary office, often held for one year.
Ambassadorial Role: After the meeting of the General Assembly concludes, the Moderator often serves as an ambassador and public representative for the entire denomination for the remainder of their term.
Hierarchy of Courts: Presbyterian government is organized by a hierarchy of councils or "courts" (session, presbytery, synod, and General Assembly), not a hierarchy of individuals like a bishop or pope. The General Assembly is the supreme court of the church.
Elected Moderator of the General Assembly
Ernest Chalmers Mitchell
Elected Moderator of the Synod
Jesse Coulter Mitchel
Julius Andrew Kempf
David Raymond Taggart
Honoured with Doctor of Divinity awards by Geneva College were:
Ernest Chalmers Mitchell
Jesse Coulter Mitchel
John Knox Robb
Julius Andrew Kempf
David Raymond Taggart