About

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church and our community. Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church was established in Christiana, PA in 1873. We hope that after you look through our website and attend a worship service, you will consider becoming a more active part of our growing community of faith.

Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church offers many ministries for people of all ages and walks of life who are looking to strengthen their relationship with Christ. We offer ministries in Latta Prayer Garden, Over 60’s Adult Fellowship, and Prayer Shawl Ministry.

What is Unique About the Presbyterian Church?

Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways: we adhere to a pattern of religious thought known as Reformed Theology and a form of government that stresses the active, representational leadership of both ministers and church members.

Reformed Theology: Theology is a way of thinking about God and God’s relation to the world. Reformed theology evolved during the 16th century religious movement known as the Protestant Reformation. It emphasizes God’s supremacy over everything and humanity’s chief purpose as being to glorify and enjoy God forever.

A major contributor to Reformed theology was John Calvin, who converted from Roman Catholicism after training for the priesthood and in the law. Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin remain at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of the scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments.

Church government: Calvin also developed the Presbyterian pattern of church government, which vests governing authority primarily in elected laypersons known as elders. The word Presbyterian comes from the Greek word for elder. It is everyone’s job – ministers and lay people alike – to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.

Information from pcusa.org.