Gordon Clark: First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis (The Reformed Presbyterian Advocate)

1959. First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis. The Reformed Presbyterian Advocate. Vol. 93, No 2, Feb. 15.

The last pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis died on Easter morning 1957. Since that time Dr. Gordon H. Clark has been filling the pulpit. During that year the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A voted to merge. But the First church of Indianapolis, because of the widespread unbelief in the U.S.A church, unanimously voted not to enter the merger. It also voted unanimously to seek admission to the Reformed Presbyterian Church, General Synod.

When this request was received by Western Presbytery, the Presbytery appointed a committee to visit the congregation. After the visit the Presbytery at its meeting of Nov. 5, 1958 voted to receive the congregation. The people of Indianapolis greatly appreciate this action. It was not altogether easy action to take. The new United Presbyterian Church will probably lay claim to the Indianapolis property. They have nearly always done so before, and they are pressing a case against a congregation in the state of Washington, which like the Indianapolis congregation, cannot conscientiously merge with unbelief.

The Indianapolis people entertain hopes that the new United Presbyterian church will not press such claims; they also hope that if such claims are pressed, certain local legal conditions will enable them to retain the property. But as the cannot know the future with certainty, the Western Presbytery ran the risk of some slight embarrassment. It could be that the congregation will lose its building and disintegrate.

In the meantime the work is not discouraging. Although there is no regular pastor, the attendance continues at a good level. This winter it has been exceptionally good. The Sabbath School is taxing the resources of the congregation. There are not enough teachers for the children.

At the present time, the Rev. and Mrs. Alvin Sneller, who are missionary appointees to Japan of the Foreign Board of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, are conducting a visitation campaign of the membership and of the neighborhood. The Snellers have a period of five to six weeks before they sail in which to do this work. The results are gratifying. And while the congregation will be sorry to see them go, the quality of their work argues well for their efforts in Japan. The congregation must now make further arrangements during this time of transition.