Our History

A Brief History

The congregation was officially chartered as a new church on March 27, 1988.  Our building was completed and dedicated on June 3, 1990.  The Rev. Pete Perry was the organizing Pastor and the first installed Pastor.  He served MorningStar Presbyterian Church until 1994.  The Rev. Millie Snyder served as the second installed Pastor of the congregation beginning November 1995.  Dr. Jeff Paschal has served MorningStar since April 2021.    

History of the Presbyterian Church USA

In the New Testament, Presbuteros means “elder” and refers to the custom of choosing leaders and advisors from among the wisest members of the church.  

Early Christian Church – The Presbyterian Church, like all Christian churches, traces its roots back to the early church in Jerusalem, to Augustine, and to Paul.  Modern Presbyterianism is considered by many to be a rebirth of the early church of the New Testament.   

Martin Luther – The Protestant Reformation moved forward in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis to the church door in Wittenburg Germany.  Luther fought against the pretensions of authority by the Pope and called for direct authority from God.   

John Calvin – John Calvin, called the father of Presbyterianism, converted to Protestantism in 1533.  He interpreted the Bible as the revelation of God, emphasizing theology, worship, education, thrift, ethical behavior and representative government for his followers.  Presbyterianism spread from Calvin in Geneva throughout Europe.   

John Knox – The Scottish Protestant, John Knox, fled persecution in his homeland and studied with John Calvin in Geneva.  He returned in 1559 and established Presbyterianism in Scotland. 

Westminster Assembly – In England the “Westminster Assembly” of 151 Presbyterians worked steadily between 1643 and 1649 to write a doctrinal guide which Presbyterians now recognize as one of their statements of faith.   

American Revolution – Presbyterians escaped persecution in England and settled in America.  Presbyterianism was so prevalent in America that some British called the American revolution the “Presbyterian revolt.”  At least 14 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Presbyterians (including clergyman John Witherspoon).   

Presbyterianism in the U.S. – The first presbytery in America was established in Philadelphia in 1706.  During the 1800’s division occurred in the church over the issues of Evangelism and slavery.  This trend has been reversed, however, highlighted in the 1900’s by the merger of the southern-based Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS) and the northern-based United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA) in 1983.