About us:
150+ Years
of work and witness
in Trinidad and Tobago
The Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago
The Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago (PCTT) adopts and adapts ideas of church governance outlined in the mid-sixteenth century by John Calvin. The PCTT has 40,000 members, 108 congregations and 100 house fellowships. The church maintains 72 Presbyterian primary schools, 5 Presbyterian secondary schools, 3 Early Childhood Centers and a Tertiary Level Theological College. Many notable persons in the society spanning law, medicine, academia and politics have come out of a Presbyterian School Education. In the mid-19th century there was an influx of East Indian indentured labourers to Trinidad to work in the sugar cane estates.
Because of the language barrier, the evangelizing efforts of the existing Christian churches among these people were very marginal. It was not until the arrival of a missionary sent by the Presbyterian Church of the Maritime Provinces of Canada in 1868 that a new dawn of enlightenment for this sector of the population was ushered in. The great contribution made by the church to the development of education in the country is recognized both by the state and the general public. In 1960, the church severed its mission status with the United Church in Canada and has since been known as the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2004, the congregation in Tobago was officially recognized by the synod.
Our Mission
We are called as a Church to worship God, to study and listen to His Word, to respond to the power of the Holy Spirit, to proclaim Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord and in obedience and faithfulness to Him, to serve all people everywhere to the glory of God.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be a beacon of worship, affirmation, learning and spiritual growth.
- Worshipping God through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ, the sacraments, prayer, and joyful song
- Affirming an inclusive faith community rooted in our Presbyterian beliefs and biblical understanding
- Learning and growing spiritually in life-long discipleship
- Serving one another, the community and the world with imagination, enthusiasm and love.
Incorporation and Purposes
In 1893, by the ‘Presbyterian Church Incorporation Ordinance, 1893’, there was formally established in Trinidad and Tobago the religious organization known as the Presbytery of Trinidad. This was generally known as the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad for 114 years (except for the period 1961 to 1986 when ‘Grenada’ was added to the name, signifying the inclusion of Grenada for that period). In 2007 by the ‘Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago (Incorporation) Act, 2007’ (Act No. 29 of 2007), the Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago was formally incorporated by statute passed by the Parliament of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and assented to on the 28th September, 2007.
The Presbyterian Church of Trinidad and Tobago articulated its aims, objects and missions. These are stated in section 4 of the Act of Incorporation as follows:
The aims, objects and missions of the Church are to:
- Proclaim, propagate and perpetuate belief and faith in the Sovereignty of Our Triune God and the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ;
- Promote and cultivate in accordance with the Gospel: knowledge of God’s Word, worship, service, right relationships and discipleship;
- Strengthen and build up the Church and church institutions as communities of worshipping and serving believers faithful to the traditions of Presbyterianism;
- Preserve and administer the sacraments of the Church;
- Foster and perpetuate the doctrines and traditions of the Church;
- Encourage a personal lived relationship with the real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the acceptance of the grace and mercy of God;
- Promote and encourage the development of persons and societies through education;
- Act for the transformation of persons, societies and the world through the alleviation of suffering, affliction, disease, poverty and injustice;
- Promote ecumenism and dialogue within the Christian religion and with other religious traditions; and
- Do all such things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above aims, objects and missions and to utilize the resources of the Church for that purpose.
Among the functions of the Church that are declared is the requirement to “generally utilize the resources of the Church and do anything necessary as the Synod may direct for the attainment of the aims, objects and missions of the Church.”
Our Church
MEMBERS
INDIVIDUAL CONGREGATIONS
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRES
THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
A Brief Overview of Presbyterianism
John Calvin (1509-1564), a Swiss/French lawyer and theologian, who at one time studied for the Catholic priesthood reformed the churches in Geneva, Switzerland, where he lived and worked. Calvin brought back many teachings and practices from the New Testament such as organizing the church to be governed by elders. The New Testament uses the Greek word “presbyteros” (elder) to refer to someone who is a leader in the church, hence the name Presbyterian.
The Presbyterian Church is called the Reformed Church, Evangelical Church or Calvinist Church in some places. It is similar to the Lutheran Church established by Martin Luther (1483-1546) who reformed the churches in Germany. The Calvinist and Lutheran branches of the Reformation are
part of the family of churches called “Protestant” churches, a term dating from 1529 when people declared that they had to obey God instead of any Emperor or Pope.
Because “Presbyterian” refers to a system of government rather than to particular beliefs. Presbyterian churches vary in their teachings and in their styles of worship, preaching and liturgy. Here are a few features which may be highlighted as being typically Presbyterian:
- The Bible is the foundational authority for our beliefs and behaviour.
- We cannot earn salvation through our works. Salvation flows from the grace of God.
- Lay members of the church as well as clergy have the responsibility and authority to preach and teach the gospel.
- God is Sovereign. We are called to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever” according to the Shorter Westminster Catechism (a statement of faith made in England in the 1640s).
- God calls us to be enlightened and educated. Calvin established the first free school for children, and Reformed churches in many parts of the world have been active in providing education at all levels, particularly for those who would not otherwise receive any other opportunity for schooling.
P.C.T.T. Governance and Structure
The PCTT is governed by what is called a “Presbyterial” form of government. When the early apostles preached the Gospel and won converts to Christianity, congregations were formed and were administered by elders. Based on this Biblical practice, Presbyterian Churches have been governed by Elders. The New Testament uses the Greek word “presbyteros” (elder) to refer to someone who is a leader in the church, hence the name Presbyterian.
Distinctive Features of the P.C.T.T.
- The Church is governed by a hierarchy of representative bodies, from the Local Board up to Synod.
- No one person has the absolute authority to make decisions for the Church. Full participation in the work of the Church is ensured by its commitments to representative democracy.
- Every pastoral Region has representatives in Church courts and the Boards.
- The PCTT Constitution safeguards rights and freedoms.
- Order and discipline are important characteristics of Presbyterian administration and life.
- The Presbyterian Church is a connectional church, meaning that each part is connected to the other parts and together all the parts make up the community of faith, the Body of Christ.
