List of Presbyterian and Reformed denominations in Australia
A number of Presbyterian and Reformed denominations exist in Australia.
List
[edit]Active
[edit]| Name | Number of congregations | Bible translation | Singing | Origin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evangelical Presbyterian Church | 3 [1] | KJV only | Exclusive psalmody | 1961 | Formed in Tasmania by members who left other non-reformed denominations. Various Schisms. Denies free offer of the gospel. [2] |
| Free Presbyterian Church (Ulster) | 4 [3] | KJV only [4] | 1970s | Independent churches approached and joined the Ulster FPC. | |
| Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland | 2 [5] | KJV only [6] | Exclusive psalmody [7] | 1970s | Two churches created from Scottish preachers. |
| Presbyterian Church of Australia | 546 [8] | 1901 | Formed in 1901 by a union of state Presbyterian churches. In 1977, two-thirds of the PCA amalgamated with other denominations to form the Uniting Church in Australia. | ||
| Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia | 14 [9] | Exclusive psalmody [10] | 1843 | The PCEA formed as a result of the Disruption of 1843 in Scotland. | |
| Presbyterian Reformed Church | 3 + 4 others in South Pacific [11] | 1967 | Originally PCA. Broke away over theological liberalism. | ||
| Reformed Presbyterian Church | 3 [12] | Exclusive psalmody [13] | 19th century | Formed by migrant Irish Covenanters. Part of the Reformed Presbyterian Global Alliance | |
| Southern Presbyterian Church | 2 [14] | KJV only [15] | Exclusive psalmody [16] | 1986 | Originally EPC. |
| Westminster Presbyterian Church | 15 [17] | 1970 | Began with support from the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod. | ||
| Australian Free Church | 2 [18] | KJV only [19] | Exclusive psalmody [20] | 1979 | Originally PCEA. Broke away over King James Bible. |
| Christian Reformed Churches | 60 [21] | 1951 | Formed by Dutch migrants who were associated with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands. | ||
| Free Reformed Churches | 19 [22] | 1951 | Formed by Dutch migrants who were associated with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated). | ||
| Hungarian Reformed Church | 2 | After World War II | Formed by Hungarian migrants. | ||
| Reformation Presbyterian Church | 4 + 1 in USA [23] | Masoretic Text and Textus Receptus [24] | Exclusive Psalmody [25] | 2010 | [26] |
Notes:
- "Bible translation" column refers to versions of the Bible accepted. See also: King James Only movement
- "Singing" column refers to the manner in which songs are sung during public worship. See also: Exclusive psalmody
Defunct
[edit]- Free Presbyterian Church of Victoria, formerly the Free Presbyterian Church of Australia Felix, based in Melbourne 1846–1953 (joined Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia)
- Free Presbyterian Church of South Australia, originated 1850, joined union which formed Presbyterian Church of South Australia in 1865, but minority led by Rev James Benny continued until the 1920s
- Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), one congregation in Adelaide, South Australia 2003–2010, now Gospel Presbyterian Church
Timeline
[edit]