On July 27, 1681, the Rev. Donald Cargill was martyred in Edinburgh during the years-long conflict between Scottish Episcopalians and Presbyterians. The Church of Scotland became Presbyterian permanently through the Act of Succession in 1690.
On July 28, 1648, the Westminster Shorter Catechism was adopted by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland at Edinburgh.
On July 28, 1881, American Presbyterian theologian John Gresham Machen was born in Baltimore. He led a revolt against modern theology and on June 11, 1936, he and others founded the Presbyterian Church of America in Philadelphia in a split from the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. A suit by the PC(USA) caused the separated new denomination to rename itself the Orthodox Presbyerian Church in 1939. OPC is a separate denomination from the founding in 1973 of another Presbyterian Church in America. Rev. Machen died on Jan. 1, 1937.
On August 2, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed (this is the original copy displayed in Washington, DC; click link to see the faded original). On July 2, the vote was taken on independence and the Declaration was adopted on July 4th.
The sixth president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), Presbyterian minister John Witherspoon was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration. You can click to open a very large, more readable copy of the Declaration try to find Rev. Witherspoon's signature. You can click on the opened document to make it supersized on your monitor.
Recent Items Acquired
by the PHC:
We have received a rare communion token mold used to create tokens for the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, Indiana. Donated by the Rev. Jim Laymann, there are only a handful of such American molds known to exist.
Presbyterian Heritage Center
There are three current exhibits open at the PHC, plus a special display for July only of 18th and 19th century hymn books and shape note song books, including a shape note Presbyterian psalm and hymn book (Presbyterian Psalmodist, 1855), as well as Rev. Andrew Law's 1803 shape-note system which didn't use a musical staff (below).
In addition, a new major exhibit of Presbyterians in Appalachia: Evangelical, Educational and Medical Missions, 1757 - today opened July 4, 2008, to April 15, 2009.
It features Presbyterian efforts in establishing churches, schools (Boone Fork Institute classroom above) and medical facilities from early missions to Cherokees to Depression-era Appalachia to today's efforts.
We offer interactive computer kiosks, an innovative museum and research facility (onsite and online) presenting Presbyterian history and Reformed heritage, the church’s tradition of worldwide mission, and the interesting role of Montreat.
Centennial of The Great Korean Revival of 1907 This exhibit highlights the Presbyterian mission to Korea, beginning in 1884 through the present, as well as celebrating the 1907 Great Korean Revival. Click on the link above for more information. This exhibit will run from May 24, 2008, to December 15, 2008.
Presbyterians in Appalachia This exhibit features Presbyterian efforts in establishing churches, schools and medical facilities in the Appalachians. It ranges from early missions to Cherokees (1757 - 1839) to Depression-era Appalachia to today's efforts. Click on the link above for more information. This exhibit runs from July 4, 2008, to April 15, 2009
There will be one additional limited-run exhibit opening this summer —
Women's Leadership & Conferences in the Presbyterian Church (1897 - 2007). This exhibit will open Aug 5, 2008, and run until June 15, 2009. The Grand Opening celebration for this exhibit is Tuesday, August 5, from 2 - 4 pm, at the PHC.
Montreat History Spotlight — Montreat Musicals
Click on the headline or the picture to learn about the background of Montreat musicals put on by the Young People's Club and others following World War II.
July Special exhibit of Shape Note Hymn Books & 18th Century Isaac Watts hymnals will be at the PHC for the month of July. Princeton Theological Seminary Library and Columbia Theological Seminary (Michael Morgan) are loaning rare volumes for this exhibit, which also include first edition Isaac Watts' Psalm of David (1719) and first American adaptation of Watts hymn books and much more!
Exhibit — Women Leaders in the Church and Mission special grand opening tea on Tuesday, August 5th, from 2 to 4 pm at the PHC.
October On Saturday afternoon, October 11, the Rev. Dr. Syngman Rhee will talk about the current status of the Korean church and its future, including mission efforts in North and South Korea.
Gospel Scenes — Wood Carvings
Among items that will be displayed by the Presbyterian Heritage Center during 2008 - 2009 are: 24 wooden sculptures by the Rev. John Mack Walker, Jr., depicting Gospel scenes using mountain figures, which are to be periodically displayed in the new Presbyterian Heritage Center. Walker made a total of 62 sculptures and 2 PCUSA seals.
Baltimore. He led a revolt against modern theology and on June 11, 1936, he and others founded the Presbyterian Church of America in Philadelphia in a split from the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. A suit by the PC(USA) caused the separated new denomination to rename itself the Orthodox Presbyerian Church in 1939. OPC is a separate denomination from the founding in 1973 of another Presbyterian Church in America.
Witherspoon 
Syngman Rhee
