Being Presbyterian
Presbyterians: Who We Are And What We Believe
The Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys includes 52 congregations with 5,818 members. They range in size from fewer than 25 members to more than 400 and are involved in everything from local support groups to international missions.
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies partners with our presbyteries to support and equip their congregations as they promote the vitality of communities of faith, hope, love, and service.
Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
Calvin did much of his writing from Geneva, Switzerland. From there, the Reformed movement spread to other parts of Europe and the British Isles.
Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in 1789. The first Assembly was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence
Helpful Links about Presbyterians