Listen to this snippet of dialog. “We are planted here by the Lord.” It echoes the sentiment of the PRESBETERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH in Accra. This house of worship stands as a testament to faith and community.
The PRESBETERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH is part of a larger story. It is part of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. This church is the oldest continuously existing church in Ghana. Its roots trace back to December 18, 1828. On this day, Basel missionaries arrived in Osu. Osu was then known as Christiansborg.
These missionaries came from Germany and Switzerland. They sought to spread Christianity. Their work gained strength in 1843. Moravian missionaries arrived from the West Indies. In 1848, the Basel Mission Church established a seminary. This seminary is now the Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong. It trained church workers for missionary work.
The PRESBETERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH’s parent body expanded over time. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, its missions focused on southeastern Gold Coast. It also focused on the Akan hinterland. By the mid-20th century, the church reached the Asante people. These people lived in Ghana’s middle belt. By the 1940s, it had churches in the northern territories.
The Basel missionaries departed in 1917 during World War I. Missionaries from the Church of Scotland continued their work. The Church of Scotland is the mother church of the Presbyterian denomination. The Christian Messenger is the official newspaper. It was established by the Basel Mission in 1883. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a sister church.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana is a founding member of the Christian Council of Ghana. This council unites several churches in Ghana. It ensures members are united in their Christian mission. Ordained ministers wear Geneva gowns and clerical collars. Worship includes liturgical readings and recitation of the Apostles’ Creed. Traditional hymn singing is also included. The Holy Communion is administered periodically. Infant baptism and confirmation are practiced. Yearly religious observances are noted.
The PRESBETERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH’s parent denomination also has seven church departments. These departments focus on specific tasks. These tasks include administration, church life, mission and social relations.
By 2015, the church had 876,257 members and 2573 congregations. By 2019, it had 1,015,174 members. According to a 2019 report, it had 4889 congregations. As of 2021, there were over 1.7 million Presbyterians in Ghana. This represents about 8% of Ghanaian Christians.
Education is an integral part of the church’s mission. Ghanaian Presbyterians have a high educational attainment. The church owns over 2400 basic schools. It has 30 senior high schools and five teacher training colleges. In 2003, the church started the Presbyterian University College. It is located at Abetifi-Kwahu in the Eastern region.
The church is the third largest provider of healthcare in Ghana. It operates four major hospitals and 11 primary health care programmes. The church also has clinics and nurses’ training colleges.
The PRESBETERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH, through its parent body, also focuses on agriculture. The Presbyterian Church of Ghana partners with the government. They work together for the socio-economic development of Ghana. The church established agricultural service stations in the late 1960s.
The church owns printing houses, newspapers and bookshops. It has retreat centres, guest houses and conference halls. The Moderator of the General Assembly chairs the general assembly. The Clerk of the General Assembly is the chief administrative officer.
The PRESBETERIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH stands as a beacon of faith in Accra. It reflects the enduring legacy of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. Its contributions to education, health, and community development are noteworthy.