The Reformed Church in America (RCA) www.rca.org is the

oldest Protestant denomination in the United States, its first

ministry beginning in 1628 in what was Dutch New Amsterdam

(now New York). The RCA has its roots in the Reformation

which swept Europe in the 1500’s.   Our worship liturgy and

church government are in the Presbyterian family of churches. 

Our denominational mission is that we are a fellowship of

congregations called by God and empowered by the Holy

Spirit to be the very presence of Jesus Christ in a lost and

broken world so loved by God.  

Our polity or form of church government is Presbyterian,

in that it is representative in nature, a model used in the

founding of the United States.  Elders and deacons are

elected from among the members of the congregation

and serve on consistory, the Dutch name for our local

church governing council. 

The next higher church governing body is the Classis

(another Dutch word). A Classis is composed of the

minister and an elder delegate from each of the churches

within the bounds of the Classis.  There are 46 Classes

(the plural of Classis) covering the United States

and Canada.  The Classis which the Annandale Reformed

Church is a member of is the Classis of Delaware-Raritan

www.dr-classis.net which covers parts of New Jersey

and Pennsylvania.

The next higher church governing body is the Regional Synod. 

The Regional Synod is composed of minister and elder

delegates from all of the churches of the Classes within

the geographic bounds of the Regional Synod.  There

are 8 Regional Synods covering the United States and

Canada.  The Annandale Reformed Church is part

of the Regional Synod of the Mid-Atlantics

www.rsmat.org which covers parts of New Jersey,

New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The highest church governing body is the General Synod,

which meets once a year. The General Synod is composed

of minister and elder delegates from each of the 46 Classes

and 8 Regional Synods, as well as other representatives from

our seminaries and schools and other church bodies.

We are bible-based (the Old and New Testament scriptures

are our guide for faith and practice) and Christ-centered

(Jesus Christ is the head of the church and the only way

to salvation).

The Annandale Reformed Church was organized in 1866

and is affiliated with the RCA.  The church building was

built in 1868.   (see Our History)

We follow Christ in mission seeking for wholeness and

healing as we seek to minister to those hurting and in need. 

We seek authenticity and commitment as we worship God

through praise and through serving in ministry to others in

many ways.  We are a family in Christ called by the Holy Spirit

to serve God in our community, placed here to worship, to

nurture and serve and to make the joyous life in Christ more