About Us
Our History
In 1951, the Jacksonville Laymen’s Association agreed that new residential growth in the Lakewood area called for the establishment of a new church. When the 45 adults and children of young founding families gathered for the first Sunday School services on Sunday, Nov. 11, Lakewood Presbyterian Church was on its way to becoming a reality. Lakewood Presbyterian Church was officially founded in 1952. The church had modest beginnings, but as the community grew, the church on Longwood Road (now University Boulevard) grew and expanded with it. The first service in the Sanctuary that we know today was held on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1960. Today LPC has about 350 members with an average of 150 in worship on Sundays. They range in age from small babies to honored members who are in their nineties. Only five senior ministers have served LPC in its 67+ year history:
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About Presbyterians
Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
The Reformed movement spread from Switzerland, where Calvin did much of his writing, to other parts of Europe and the British Isles. Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706.
What is distinctive about the Presbyterian Church?
Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways: they 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.
The tenets of our faith include:
Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
The Reformed movement spread from Switzerland, where Calvin did much of his writing, to other parts of Europe and the British Isles. Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706.
What is distinctive about the Presbyterian Church?
Presbyterians are distinctive in two major ways: they 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.
The tenets of our faith include:
- The sovereignty of God.
- The Bible is the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ and God's Word to us.
- Justification by grace through faith.
- The priesthood of all believers.
- God is the supreme authority throughout the universe.
- Jesus Christ came into the world to show God's love, to save us from sin, and to offer eternal and abundant life to all.
- Our salvation through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments.
- God alone is Lord of the conscience.
- The Church participates in God's mission for the transformation of creation and humanity.
- The church Reformed is always reforming according to the Word of God in the power of the Spirit.