The Presbyterian Church in Canada (PCC) traces its roots to Scotland, where it is part of the Reformed tradition. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Scottish immigrants brought their faith to Canada, which is reflected in the names of many Presbyterian churches across the country, such as St. Andrew’s and Knox Presbyterian Churches. St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, while Knox honours John Knox, a key figure in the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century. Knox was deeply influenced by John Calvin, a prominent leader during the Reformation, who is regarded as the father of Reformed theology.
Before Scottish immigrants brought presbyterianism to Canada, the Huguenots (French Reformed Christians) had already settled in the country in the 17th century, fleeing religious persecution in France. Unfortunately, when Catholic Jesuits arrived in New France, they strongly pressured the colonial government to expel these Protestant settlers, forcing them to relocate.
After Quebec was captured by the British in 1759, British troops, including Scottish Highland regiments, were stationed in the region. In 1765, the first Presbyterian church in Canada, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, was established in the Old City of Quebec.
As more Scottish immigrants arrived in Canada, many more Presbyterian churches were founded in the Atlantic provinces and Ontario. As Canada expanded westward, missionaries were sent to the Red River Valley in Manitoba. Beginning in 1851, John Black led many successful missions, which were later continued by his assistant, James Nisbet, into Saskatchewan.
The year 1875 marked the formal beginning of the PCC. While presbyterianism had already taken root in various regions across the country, these were loosely organized. On June 25, 1875, the General Assembly of the PCC was officially held in Montreal.
Between 1875 and 1925, the church experienced continued growth. Under the leadership of James Robertson, the superintendent for missions, the church expanded into western Canada. During this period, the church was also active in overseas missions. In 1872, George Leslie Mackay arrived in Taiwan, Jonathan Goforth went to China in 1888, and numerous missionaries were sent to Korea, Japan, and many other countries.
After World War II, when the Nigerian Civil War broke out, the PCC actively participated in providing aid to the church in Nigeria. Missionaries were also sent to Japan to assist the Korean churches there and to oppose discriminatory policies against ethnic Koreans in Japan. In the 1970s, missionaries were sent to Afghanistan and Malawi in Africa.
In recent decades, as Canada’s immigration policies have become more open, the church has become increasingly multicultural. Today, there are two Korean presbyteries in the PCC—the Eastern and Western Han-Ca. Additionally, there are many ethnocultural Presbyterian congregations, including but not limited to Chinese, Taiwanese, Hungarian, and Ghanaian. Urban congregations are also becoming more diverse in their demographics.
As Canadian society has become more secular, the PCC, like many mainstream denominations, faces significant challenges. Despite this, the church continues to send missionaries both domestically and abroad, actively participates in global ecumenical affairs, and provides aid to communities affected by natural disasters and outbreak of war.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, we bear witness to God’s love and participate in the work of Christ in the world. Through the guidance of God’s Word, we know that God is with us, and we firmly believe that God will lead us toward the future of heavenly glory.
For more about the Presbyterian Church in Canada, visit here.
加拿大長老教會起源於蘇格蘭，屬於改革宗的一個分支。十八、十九世紀時，這一教派由蘇格蘭移民傳入加拿大。如今，大部分的加拿大長老教會均以聖安得烈長老教會（St. Andrew’s）和諾克斯長老教會（Knox）命名，這反映了其歷史根源。聖安得烈是蘇格蘭的守護聖人，而約翰·諾克斯（John Knox）則是十六世紀宗教改革的重要推動者。諾克斯深受宗教改革領袖約翰·加爾文（John Calvin）的影響，而加爾文被譽為改革宗之父。
早在蘇格蘭移民將長老宗信仰帶到加拿大之前，其實法國的改革宗教會（胡格諾派Huguenots）在十七世紀因逃避法國對新教徒的迫害，已經率先來到加拿大。不幸的是，當天主教耶穌會士抵達新法蘭西後，強烈要求殖民政府驅逐這些新教徒，結果他們不得不遷往其他地方。
在1759年魁北克被英軍佔領後，駐紮於當地的英軍中也包括了蘇格蘭高地軍團。隨著時間推移，於1765年在今日的魁北克舊城區成立了加拿大的第一間長老教會──聖安得烈長老教會。
隨著越來越多的蘇格蘭移民湧入加拿大，許多長老教會逐漸在今天的大西洋省份及安大略省成立。隨著加拿大的西部擴展，長老教會也派遣宣教士前往曼尼托巴（Manitoba）的紅河地區展開宣教。最初由John Black於1851年開始，取得了許多宣教成果；隨後，Black的助手James Nisbet接手，繼續向薩斯喀徹溫省（Saskatchewan）拓展。
1875年被認為是加拿大長老教會的創立年。儘管在此之前，加拿大長老教會已經在各地生根發展，但當時的組織結構仍然相對鬆散。直到1875年6月25日，加拿大長老教會總會才正式成立。
長老教會在1875年至1925年間持續增長，特別是在國內宣教幹事James Robertson的領導下，推動了向加拿大西部的擴展，進一步促進了整體教會的發展。在此期間，加拿大長老教會也積極展開海外宣教。馬偕牧師（George Leslie Mackay）於1872年抵達台灣，而顧約拿單牧師（Jonathan Goforth）則於1888年前往中國。此外，教會還派遣了許多宣教師前往韓國和日本等地。
二次世界大戰結束後，奈及利亞內戰爆發，長老教會積極參與協助奈及利亞的教會。此外，宣教師也被派往日本，協助當地的韓裔教會，並積極反對日本政府對韓裔日本人施行的歧視政策。自1970年代起，宣教師還被派往阿富汗及非洲的馬拉威等地。
在過去幾十年中，隨著加拿大移民政策的開放，教會的文化變得愈加多元化。目前，加拿大長老教會根據地區劃分設有兩個韓裔中會——西韓加中會和東韓加中會。此外，還有許多少數族裔的長老教會，包括華人長老教會、台灣長老教會、匈牙利長老教會和迦納長老教會等。除此之外，城市中的主流教會內部的組成也愈加多樣化。
隨著加拿大社會的世俗化進程，加拿大長老教會與其他主流教派一樣，面臨著不少挑戰。儘管如此，加拿大長老教會仍持續派遣宣教師在國內外進行宣教，並積極參與普世教會的事務，同時關心並援助受到天災和內戰影響的地區災民。
在聖靈的引導下，我們見證並宣揚上帝的愛，並積極參與基督在世上的事工。透過聖經中上帝的話語，我們深知上帝與我們同在，並堅信祂會引領我們邁向未來的屬天榮耀。
如需了解更多有關加拿大長老教會的資訊，請點擊此處。
Original Mandarin: Andy Kuo | Edited and Translated: Jay Liang
中文：郭毓安 | 編輯和英文翻譯：梁晧潔