United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations

The first Presbyterian missionaries to Japan arrived in Yokohama in 1859. Despite hostility experienced by the missionaries throughout the closing decades of the 19th century, mission activities continued to expand. After 1906, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church transferred its work in Japan to the PCUSA Board of Foreign Missions. The mission's work was primarily educational and evangelistic. Because of the extensive system of Japanese hospitals and primary schools, the Board made no effort to compete, concentrating instead on Christian secondary and higher education facilities for girls and young women. In addition, it established ten kindergartens, and the Oral School for the Deaf, and cooperated in the operation of two theological seminaries. The beginnings of an indigenous national church date from 1872, when the first local congregation was organized in Yokohama. In 1877, representatives of the PCUSA, the Reformed Church in America, and the United Church of Scotland established the United Church of Christ in Japan (Nihon Kirisuto Kyodan), and were later joined by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. and the Reformed Church in the United States.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Japan Mission missionary correspondence, 1879-1965 [microform] (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 501316626

From the description of Secretaries' files: Japan Mission missionary correspondence, 1879-1965 [microform] (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 501318350

The first Presbyterian missionaries to Japan arrived in Yokohama in 1859. Conversions were difficult, given the overwhelmingly Buddhist population, and social ostracism and persecution awaited those who became Christians. Despite the hostility experienced by the missionaries throughout the closing decades of the 19th century, mission activities did continue to expand. After 1906, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church transferred its work in Japan to the PCUSA Board of Foreign Missions. The mission's work was primarily educational and evangelistic. Because of the extensive system of Japanese hospitals and primary schools, the Board made no effort to compete, concentrating instead on Christian secondary and higher education facilities for girls and young women. In addition, it established ten kindergartens, and Oral School for the Deaf, and cooperated in the operation of two theological seminaries. The beginnings of an indigenous national church date from 1872, when the first local congregation was organized in Yokohama. In 1877, representatives of the PCUSA, the Reformed Church in America, and the United Church of Scotland established the United Church of Christ in Japan (Nihon Kirisuto Kyōdan), and were later joined by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. and the Reformed Church in the United States.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Japan Mission, 1879-1972 (bulk : 1911-1969) (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 10407249

Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations continued the work of the boards of foreign missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the United Presbyterian Church of North America following their merger in 1958; Philippine Mission formally organized in 1900 by PCUSA.

From the description of Secretaries' files of the Philippine Mission, 1903-1973. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122457387

Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. missionaries were first sent to Siam in 1840. Though the first Presbyterian Church in Siam was established in 1849, it took another ten years before the first Siamese convert was made because of government opposition. After the King of Siam issued a "Proclamation of Religious Liberty" in 1878, persecution of all foreign missionaries ceased and a period of rapid religious expansion commenced. Prior to 1922 there were two Presbyterian Missions in Siam. The North Siam Mission, often referred to as the North Laos Mission, centered around Chiangmai, and the South Siam Mission, centered around Bankok. Since it was not possible to travel between Chiangmai and Bangkok except during one season each year, the northern stations tended to work as a separate group. The isolation of the northern stations ended in 1922 when the railroad line reached Chiangmai, enabling the North Siam (North Laos) Mission to merge with the South Siam Mission. Thereafter the two missions were referred to as the Siam (later Thailand) Mission. In 1932, the presbyteries of North and South Siam were released from the Synod of New York in order that they might form a national church. In 1934, the first General Assembly of the new church met in Bangkok and adopted a constitution. The name "The Church of Christ in Siam" was chosen with the hope that all Protestant bodies would become members of this autonomous national church. However, only members of the Presbyterian and American Baptist (Chinese) churches did so.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Thailand Mission, 1865-1973 (bulk: 1921-1972) (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 9158577

The Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (PCUSA) organized the Board of Foreign Missions (BFM) in 1837 to convey the Gospel throughout the "heathen and anti-Christian world." In much of the 19th century, the BFM directed some domestic ethnic mission activities as well. Before 1870, missions were established in Africa, Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Japan, and Siam. After the reunion of the Old/New School in 1870, the BFM absorbed the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions'(ABCFM's) mission work in Iran, Iraq and Syria, and expanded into Korea, Central and South America, and the Philippines. Missions of the United Presbyterian Church of North America (UPCNA) in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt were added in the merger of 1958. The Presbyterian foreign missionary enterprise in the 19th century established indigenous churches, a variety of educational facilites, hospitals, orphanages, seminaries, and other institutions reflecting the church's educational, medical and evangelistic ministry. The missionary operation continued to expand during the 20th century, although its scope and direction were modified by various forces and influences. Part of that change was reflected in the merger of the PCUSA and the UPCNA in 1958, resulting in the creation of the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations (COEMAR) in the newly formed United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) to merge and replace the foreign mission boards of both former denominations.

From the description of Photographs, ca. 1850-1972. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 19052449

Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations continued the work of the boards of foreign missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the United Presbyterian Church of North America following their merger in 1958; Chile Mission began in 1845 under joint support of American Seamen's Friend Society and American and Foreign Christian Union, transferred to Board of Foreign Missions, PCUSA, in 1873.

From the description of Secretaries' files of the Chile Mission, 1866-1972. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122502994

Board of Foreign Missions of the PCUSA est. the Persia Mission in 1870, it was divided into East and West Persia Missions in 1882; reunited as Persia Mission in 1930; name changed to Iran Mission in 1935; continued by COEMAR, UPCUSA after 1958. Work was evangelical, medical, and educational: founding schools, colleges and hospitals all over the country. Medical work began as early as 1835; schools established as early as 1870s for the children of missionaries grew into multinational institutions such as the Alborz Foundation. Many local churches were organized and placed in the hands of native ministers of the central Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Iran. All of these were in full operation in the late 1950s. However, within a decade and a half, a marked change occurred in the Iran Mission, as in Third World missionary movements overall. By 1971, all five mission-operated hospitals were closed due to increased national health care, and deteriorating physical plants. Mission nursing schools were turned over to national agencies and the Armaghan Institute, Damavand College, and the Community School of Tehran were re-established as independent organizations.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Iran Mission, 1944-1973 (bulk: 1956-1968) (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 28424936

Chile Mission began in 1845 under joint support of American Seamen's Friend Society and American and Foreign Christian Union; work was transferred to Board of Foreign Missions, PCUSA, in 1873. The staff of the Chile mission was always small in proportion to the size of the mission field. The work of the Board in Chile was primarily evangelistic and educational, resulting in the establishment many churches and the founding of schools. The Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations of the UPCUSA continued the work of the BFM after 1958.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Chile Mission, 1866-1972 (bulk: 1911-1955) (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 28424859

Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations continued the work of the boards of foreign missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the United Presbyterian Church of North America following their merger in 1958; Mexico Mission formally began in 1872 building around earlier work started in 1839 by PCUSA.

From the description of Secretaries' files of the Mexico Mission, 1867-1972. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122502993

Beginning in 1958, Presbyterian foreign missionary work was carried out by the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations (COEMAR). In Hong Kong, this body worked with North American and British missions and with the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China. Mission work included the building of churches and schools, the evangelization of the natives, and the education of youth. The missions and the Council worked with refugees from mainland China through the Case Work Center for Mandarin-speaking refugees, dispensing medical help, foodstuffs and grants of money.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Hong Kong Mission, 1964-1971. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 48796520

Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations continued the work of the boards of foreign missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the United Presbyterian Church of North America following their merger in 1958; Persia Mission, Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., established in 1870, divided into East Persia Mission and West Persia Mission in 1882, reunited as Persia Mission in 1930, name changed to Iran Mission in 1935.

From the description of Secretaries' files of the Iran Mission, 1944-1973. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122404956

Presbyterian mission work in Guatemala began in 1882, at the request of and with the financial support of the liberal government of Justo Ruffino Barrios. The Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.'s work in Guatemala was educational, evangelistic and medical in nature. Though the mission was limited to two stations, it succeeded in organizing a number of churches. In 1936, the Synod of the Evangelical Church in Guatemala was formed, incorporating the work of five denominational missions, including the PCUSA. Educational work began in 1883 and resulted in the founding of several schools, notably La Patria Girls' School (established 1913) and the Norton Hall Industrial School for Boys (1929). Medical work began in 1906, and the Hospital Americano was opened in 1913 in Guatemala City. United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations continued the work of the Guatemala Mission after 1958 until it was absorbed by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Guatemala in 1962.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Guatemala Mission, 1911-1972. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 28424952

The work of the PCUSA in Colombia began in 1856. Initially, conditions for evangelization were favorable, but civil war and staunch opposition from the government and the Roman Catholic Church precluded further expansion. For the next 32 years, Bogota remained the center of Presbyterian work in Colombia. Though Colombia was the first Latin American field occupied by the PCUSA, progress was remarkably slow there compared to that on the other fields in Latin America. Poor communication facilities enhanced the mission's isolation. Resistance to Protestant evangelization was intense from the overwhelmingly Roman Catholic population, the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, and the government. The adoption of the 1936 constitution, which guaranteed religious freedom to all Christians, helped somewhat. In 1937, the Presbyterian Church of Colombia was organized. An influx of displaced missionaries from Asia during World War II also advanced mission efforts. The Church's ministry in Colombia was primarily evangelistic and educational in nature, founding schools such as the Colegio Americano for girls and boys in Bogota and the Bible Training School in Medellin. In 1959, the Presbyterian Mission in Colombia was integrated within the Colombian Presbyterian Church, though financial and personnel support from the UPCUSA continued until the early 1970s.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Colombia Mission, 1882-1972 (bulk: 1911-1970) (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 10227562

Venezuela was the last mission field in Latin America to be occupied by the PCUSA. Early in 1897, the Reverend and Mrs. T.S. Pond of the Colombia Mission were transferred to Caracas. Despite much prejudice toward Protestant evangelicals, a church was established there in 1900 and the station was formally organized by the Board of Foreign Missions as a separate mission in 1912. In comparison with Presbyterian missionary activities in other parts of Latin America, the work in Venezuela was limited. It centered chiefly in the Federal District of Caracas and in the neighboring state of Miranda, and was primarily educational and evangelistic. The Church's educational work commenced in 1900 with the establishment of Colegio Americano, a school for girls and young women that eventually became coeducational with an expanded secondary school curriculum. Other educational facilities were later established at Guatire (Primary School) and Ocumare (Christian Rural Center). Evangelistic work was primarily restricted to Caracas, the only mission station.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Venezuela Mission, 1911-1972. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 10342746

Formed in 1958 by the merger of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and the United Presbyterian Church of North America. In June 1983, merged with Presbyterian Church in the United States to form the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

From the description of Records of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations, 1958-1978 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 702152732

No strictly Presbyterian mission was operative in Indonesia from 1950 to 1970, though Presbyterian missionaries worked throughout the country in the post-WW II ecumenical mission. The Rev. Winburn T. Thomas was the initial PCUSA Field Administrator in the mission, and he also represented such offices as the Division of Church World Services (NCC), Division of Inter-Church Aid and Refugee World Service (WCC), and the Foreign Missions Division/Southeast Asia Sub-Committee (NCC).

From the description of Secretaries' files: Mission to Indonesia, 1950-1070. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 49201217

Presbyterians were the first Protestants to initiate missionary work in Mexico. The Board of Foreign Missions (BFM) formally commenced work in 1872, building on earlier work started in 1839 by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.(PCUSA). The Mexico Mission operated on a decentralized basis with two stations: Central Station, founded in 1872, and Peninsula Station, founded in 1915. The former included Vera Cruz (1897) and Oaxaca (1919); the later included the three states of Yucatan, Campeche, andTabasco, and the territory of Quintano Roo. In 1915, a plan was devised among the various denominations operating in Mexico to address the uneven distribution of Protestant missionaries throughout the country. As a result of the "Cincinnati Plan," the PCUSA surrendered its older established work in the states of Zacatecas, Guerrero, and Michoacan and limited itself to the areas previous described. Protestant work in Mexico was subject to both religious and political persecution. Despite these restrictions, the PCUSA ministered to the educational and evangelistic needs of the Mexican people. Although the mission did not engage in any regular medical work, it did conduct modest clinic work and shared in the training of nurses in the Baptist Hospital in Puebla and in the Southern Presbyterian Hospital in Morelia. Schools were established in San Angel (later called Villa Obregon), Coyoacan, and in the state of Oaxaca. Bible training schools also flourished in the Federal District, in Oaxaca, and in Merida, Yucatan, where the Turner-Hodge School for girls and boys attracted large numbers of students. Since the 1930s, the concept of Christian education has been increasingly difficult to implement; evangelical work, also limited, was conducted among the military and the students. The Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations (COEMAR) continued the work of the BFM's of the PCUSA and the UPCNA following their merger in 1958.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Mexico Mission, 1867-1972 (bulk: 1911-1972). (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 28424437

The Brazil Mission of the PCUSA was established by the Board of Foreign Mission in 1859. Because of the vast distances that had to be traveled by itinerant missionaries, the Mission was subdivided in 1871 into: South Brazil Mission, and Central Brazil Mission. The two missions reunited in 1938 as: the Central Brazil Mission. The name was continued by the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. after 1958. The Church's ministry in Brazil was evangelistic, educational, and medical. In the South Brazil Mission, educational work centered in Sao Paulo where primary, intermediate, and secondary education courses were taught in the Escolo Americana and higher education was provided at Mackenzie College. In the Central Brazil Mission, the Farm School of Ponte Nova offered coeducational training. The only medical work of the Central Brazil Mission was conducted at the Ponte Nova Hospital. The Board of Foreign Missions encouraged early establishment of, and transfer of mission work to, a National Church in Brazil. In 1888, the 52 mission churches of the PCUSA and the PCUS were united to form the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, which encompassed four presbyteries. A growing divergence of opinion on matters of doctrine, policy and methods resulted in a schism in 1903, causing a number of ministers, elders and communicants to withdraw from the Presbyterian Church of Brazil and to establish their own Independent Presbyterian Church.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Brazil mission, 1890-1965. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 9614303

The Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. was organized by General Assembly (Old School) action in 1837. Like its immediate predecessor, the Western Foreign Missionary Society, the Board's purpose was "to convey the Gospel to ... the heathen and anti-Christian world ..." Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the BFM directed the foreign, and some domestic, mission activities of the PCUSA. Missions to native American, Jewish, and oriental populations, originallly considered foreign missions, were transferred to the Board of Home Missions in 1893, 1894, and 1922 respectively. After the 1958 union of the PCUSA and the UPCNA, the BFM's activites were assumed by the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations of the newly formed UPCUSA.

From the description of Records, 1892-1965. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 49197633

Presbyterian mission to Korea began in 1884; early mission work centered in Seoul and Pyengyang and eventually nine stations were established. Work was done in cooperation with several other denominations, including Methodists and Southern, Canadian, and Australian Presbyterians. The first Protestant Church was organized in 1887 in Seoul. In 1907, all four Presbyterians groups established the Union Presbyterian Church of Korea. Presbyterian mission work was primarily medical and educational. Presbyterians were responsible for founding (in 1885) the Royal Korean Hospital in Seoul (later Severance Union Hospital), Medical College and Nurses Training School and a variety of primary schools, academies for boys and girls, a theological seminary and several colleges (in Seoul and Pyengyang). Mission work in Korea was complicated by the presence of the Japanese from 1910 until 1945. The Shrine Issue, though superficially a patriotic concern, reduced the role of the Church in Korea to the will of the Japanese Emperor. This divisiveness was clearly manifested both before and after the World War II. The Korean War also caused a period of retrenchment for the Church.

From the description of Secretaries files: Korea Mission, 1903-1972 (bulk: 1911-1972). (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 48512387

In 1829 the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions established a mission to the Nestorian Christians at in Urumia in northwest Persia. In 1871, the PCUSA's Board of Foreign Missions assumed responsibility for the American Board's mission station at Urumia, thus formally commencing Presbyterian work in Persia. Within a decade, the Persia Mission had expanded to include new stations at Teheran (1872), Urumia (1873), Tabriz (1873), and Hamadan (1880). Due to the vast distances between the stations, and language differences, the Persia Mission was divided in 1883 into West Persia Mission and East Persia Mission. The East and West Persia Missions were reunited in 1931 and were known simply as the Persia Mission (after 1935 as the Iran Mission). From the outset, Presbyterian work in Persia was three-fold in nature: evangelical, medical and educational. Numerous local churches were organized and placed in the hands of native ministers within the central Evangelical Church of Iran. Medical work began as early as 1835 and was extended in the latter half of the 19th century. Formal hospitals were built in Kermanshah in 1882, in Teheran in 1890, and in Tabriz in 1913, followed by similar openings in Meshed, Hamadan, and Resht. Schools were established for the children of missionaries by the 1870s. In time, these grew into multi-national institutions such as the Alborz Foundation (Armaghan Institute), Iran Bethel (Damavand) College, the Community School of Teheran, the Mehr Jordan Schools, and later community outreach programs.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Iran mission, 1881-1968 (bulk: 1911-1965) (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 10215728

Central Brazil Mission officially began in 1871 as a division of the Brazil Mission under the Board of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.; continued under Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations, United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., following 1958 merger; mission functions became part of Program Agency following church reorganization; ceased operation as a mission after 1974.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Central Brazil Mission, 1956-1972. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 9614347

The Philippine Mission was formally organized in 1900 by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.. The PCUSA's ministry in the Philippines was medical, educational, and evangelical in nature, building schools, seminaries, hospitals, and dispensaries, and encouraging the Filipino Church to be self-supporting in evangelistic work. The Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations continued the work of the Boards of Foreign Missions after 1958.

From the description of Secretaries' files: Philippine Mission, 1903-1973. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 28424442

Presbyterian work in Mesopotamia dates from 1834 when the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent Rev. and Mrs. Justin Perkins to labor among the Nestorian Christians and the Kurds. in 1870 the Board of Foreign Missions (PCUSA) asumed the work of the ABCFM in Urumia and Tabriz and organized the West Persia Mission. By 1891 they had also assmed work in Mosul. In 1900, this work was transferred to the Church Missionary Society (Church of England) but, when WWI prevented the CMS from fulfilling its pre-war responsibilities, the only viable alternative was to transfer this work to the American missions already operating there. Hence arose the idea of a United Mission in Mesopotamia, to include all the Presbyterian/Reformed churches in one mission effort. The plan, asactually adopted in 1924, included the PCUSA, the Reformed Church of America, and the Reformed Church in the U.S. In 1935, the name of the mission was changed to the United Mission in Iraq. By 1960, all ofo the evangelical forces operating in Iraq constituted the United Mission, which was governed through a Joint Committee headquartered in New York; an indigenous church did not yet exist. The primary focus of the mission's work was educational. In 1970, the mission's two schools were seized by the Iraqi government, causing the Joint Committee to suspend its activities in Iraq. Effective 30 June, 1970, the United Mission and its governing body were formally dissolved.

From the description of Secretaries' files: United Mission in Iraq, 1924-1971. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 10215746

Presbyterian mission work in Africa commenced in 1833 and throughout the 19th century expanded to several different areas including: Liberia, 1833-94; Corsico, 1850-75; Spanish Guinea, 1865-1924, 1932: Gaboon, 1871-92; Ogowe, 1874-92; and the Cameroon, 1889-1972. Through evangelism, the establishment of churches, and the provision of educational and medical work, growth was steady and gradual.

From the description of Secretaries' files: West Africa Mission, 1911-1965. (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 7474438

The United Presbyterian Church of North America (UPCNA) was organized in 1858 through the union of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) and the Associate Presbyterian Church of North America (APC). The overseas mission work of the UPCNA was directed by a corporation established in 1859 known as the United Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. It supervised the missionary work started by the ARPC and the APC and directed all of the philanthropic work of the church outside of the United States.

Following the merger of the UPCNA and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. in 1958, all foreign mission work was transferred to the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations of the newly formed denomination, the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

From the description of Records, 1833-1966 (bulk 1900-1957) [microform] (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 370757330

The United Presbyterian Church of North America (UPCNA) was organized in 1858 through the union of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) and the Associate Presbyterian Church of North America (APC). The overseas mission work of the UPCNA was directed by a corporation established in 1859 known as the United Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. It supervised the missionary work started by the ARPC and the APC and directed all of the philanthropic work of the church outside of the United States.

Following the merger of the UPCNA and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. in 1958, all foreign mission work was transferred to the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations of the newly formed denomination, the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.

From the description of Records, 1833-1966 (bulk 1900-1957) [microform] (Presbyterian Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 370759117