The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

"Presbyterianism in a wide sense is the system of church government by representative assemblies called presbyteries, in opposition to government by bishops (episcopal system), or by congregations (congregationalism). In its strict sense, Presbyterianism is the name given to one of the groups of ecclesiastical bodies that represent the features of Protestantism emphasized by French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him...The chief distinctive features...are Presbyterian church government, Calvinistic theology, and absence of prescribed forms of worship. Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation...

"Presbyterian denominations in the United States have split and parts have reunited several times. Currently the largest group is the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which has its national offices in Louisville, KY. It was formed in 1983 as a result of reunion between the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. (PCUS), the 'southern stream,' and the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA), the 'northern stream.'

"...As of 2006, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had approximately 2.4 million members, 11,100 congregations, and 14,000 ordained and active ministers."

~From the Presbyterian Historical Society's  A Brief History of the Presbyterian Church in this Country

For more information, visit http://www.history.pcusa.org/history/history.cfm