What is the ARP (Associate Reformed Presbyterian) Church?

We are grateful for the unity all believers enjoy in Christ, but we also treasure the rich heritage of our own denomination. Our legacy in the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church roots us in a rich Christian tradition that transcends our contemporary evangelical age and connects us to the witness of saints across time and place.

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Associate. Reformed. Presbyterian. These are words with roots, reaching down to the rich, fertile soil of 17th Century Scotland, where the Presbyterians faced the ruthless King of England, Charles II, and his efforts to make the Church of Scotland submit to his rule. In the "killing times" of the 1680s, many of these men, women, and children paid the ultimate price for their devotion to King Jesus. Further, the Church of Scotland had given the right to call a pastor to the local Noble who owned the land nearby, rather than with the congregation itself. In contrast, the ARP has always affirmed that the congregation has the right to call their pastor, as approved by Presbytery.

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Over the next 100 years after King Charles II, their spiritual children moved to America, settling the middle colonies of the New World with their rugged, determined piety. They formed congregations known as Associate Presbyterian Churches and Reformed Presbyterian Churches. In 1782 in Philadelphia, many of these congregations merged to form a new denomination, the Associate Reformed Church. Today known as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, we still hold dearly to the Headship of Christ in His church on earth, and our denomination is considered perhaps the oldest conservative Christian denomination in America. 

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Our church stands as a beacon of hope in San Francisco. We are a place of acceptance, peace and joy to all who are moved to join us. Our church family is richly diverse, with people of different ages and backgrounds coming together to worship and serve together. Get in touch to find out more or join us for a service.