Dating back to 16th century England and Scotland, Presbyterian and Reformed church-goers could only attend communion by receiving a communion token...
Minting A Tradition: Communion Tokens
Category: Presbyterian History
Behind The Scenes – Part 1
Native Americans A newspaper clipping describing some of thefirst missionary efforts. At the Presbyterian Heritage Center in Montreat, the staff is very busy during this stay-at-home phase. We are preparing for Fall 2020 exhibits – researching, designing, writing, calling, emailing and more from home to line up rare illustrations, period photographs, colonial and early American… Continue reading Behind The Scenes – Part 1
Mightier Than the Sword
Led by the Rev. Dr. Alexander J. McKelway, 7 reformers and two children were ushered into the White House office of President William H. Taft on Monday, April 9, 1912. Taft picked up the gold pen on his desk and dipped it into the inkwell. With a few strokes, he approved the first federal legislation… Continue reading Mightier Than the Sword
Knox, Knox. Who’s there? Presbyterianism.
In the declining years of Presbyterian founder John Knox, he took up his pen to write the history of the Scottish Reformation from 1493 to 1567. But the book was almost lost to eternity. Knox’s invaluable first-person experience in implementing the Reformation was critical and he carefully wrote this primary source in various manuscript sections… Continue reading Knox, Knox. Who’s there? Presbyterianism.
An Olympic Mission
Seventy-five years ago, famed Scottish religious missionary and Olympic sports hero Eric Liddell died in a Japanese internment camp in Weixian, China, in February 1945. With the 2020 Olympics in Japan fast approaching, perhaps it is time to remember Liddell’s story. The son of Presbyterian/Congregational missionary parents in China, Eric grew up deeply religious. He… Continue reading An Olympic Mission
Batter Up! Baseball and Evangelism
On February 21st, baseball starts its spring training games this year. As fans prepare for another season of America’s Pastime, we remember a rough-and-tumble baseball outfielder from 140 years ago – Billy Sunday. Billy Sunday made a transition from a popular player in baseball's National League during the 1880s to becoming an ordained Presbyterian minister.… Continue reading Batter Up! Baseball and Evangelism
For the Love of Archaeology
Today is Valentine's Day, so here to celebrate our love of historical finds is Katelyn Powell, Archaeology & Historical Studies Consultant at PHC. An alternate title for this post is "Can You Dig It?" However, this is a bad pun and we strive to provide high quality prose on this blog (but we did consider… Continue reading For the Love of Archaeology
On this Day: Rev. Henry Highland Garnet
On this day 155 years ago (February 12, 1865), Rev. Henry Highland Garnet delivered a sermon in the U.S. House of Representatives. This marked the first time a Black speaker had preached in the U.S. Capitol. Garnet was an abolitionist and a Presbyterian minister. Born a slave in Kent County, Maryland in 1815, Garnet escaped… Continue reading On this Day: Rev. Henry Highland Garnet
Teddy Roosevelt’s Gift of Glass
Theodore Roosevelt made several visits to the Atlanta area during and after his presidency. During these visits, he reconnected with his family history, seeing places he had only heard about from his mother. On one occasion, he made a tribute to the legacy of his mother and grandparents. In 1914, he presented the Roswell Presbyterian… Continue reading Teddy Roosevelt’s Gift of Glass
Art, Facts, and Artifacts 