Washington RPC

Location: Washington, Iowa

Organized: 1969

Members: 37 communicant, 10 baptized

Pastor: Daniel Drost

Website: http://www.wrpcna.org/

Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church has a history of faithfulness to God’s Word and Reformed theology. Today, it has a continued presence in Washington, Iowa, characterized by that same faithfulness. Its roots as a church in Washington go back to the early 19th Century. Adam Ritchey was an Associate Presbyterian (Seceder) elder who moved with his family and a few other families across the Mississippi River to settle in an area called Crooked Creek. His pastor supposedly had an aversion to the natives there and discouraged the move, reportedly saying, “The gospel will never cross the Mississippi.” Ritchey went anyway, and the gospel progressed and thrived because it is God who brings the increase.

The very next year (1837) the Crooked Creek congregation was organized and was the first outreach west of the Mississippi. On Feb. 7, 1841, the missionary who was sent for the work (licentiate George C. Vincent) preached the first gospel sermon ever heard in Washington, Iowa. On Oct. 14, 1841, the Washington congregation was formally organized. The congregation’s first church building was erected and occupied in the summer of 1844 (though the present Washington RPC building was build in 1901).

In 1859, 70 percent of the congregation went into the United Presbyterian Church while 30 percent of the congregation reorganized as a continuing Seceder congregation to maintain its biblical and Reformed commitment for God’s glory. This minority group united with the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America in 1969 (along with the other remaining Seceder congregations) and continues its Reformed gospel witness until this day. This is the congregation known as Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church. (Historical details come from the article, “History of Washington Associate Presbyterian Church: Observing its 100th Anniversary This Year” by Ann Dawson printed in 1941, and an anonymous timeline, “Washington Reformed Presbyterian Church: Time Line of Our Congregation’s Roots.”)

What is Washington RPC up to in 2014? It is just as vigorous for Christ’s kingdom as ever. On the Lord’s Day, worship is held in the morning and in the afternoon. Fellowship meals are enjoyed in between the services and are a wonderful time of Christian fellowship. Before morning worship a Sabbath school lesson is taught by one of the men (some men in the church take turns). For the young ones, classes are conducted downstairs by a couple of the women. Once or twice a month an afternoon service is held at a nursing home (rotating between three different ones), giving the residents an opportunity to hear the gospel.

Some of the women in the church have a program called “King’s Kids” where they reach out to the children of the community with the gospel, with lessons and games at the church building. This is usually done two times a month on Wednesdays. Though Lord’s Day fellowship is beneficial, the church still enjoys fellowship on other days of the week as well, so monthly church activities are scheduled, such as cookouts, pool get-togethers, or a Reformation Day party at the church. Indispensable to Washington RPC is the fellowship enjoyed with Sharon RP Church, which is an hour away. Joint psalm sings are held with Sharon RPC every month except during the winter. Another joint pursuit (with the Sharon and also the Clarinda RP Church) is the Iowa Family Camp, which is held yearly (except when the RP International Conference is held in the U.S.).

Please pray for Washington RP Church, that it may grow in grace, knowledge, and holiness and that it grows in numbers. Remember also the children of the community who participate in King’s Kids and pray that their parents would also be reached by means of this ministry. Another prayer item is the possibility of a future work in Muscatine, Iowa, which is 45 minutes away. We have a couple in our church living there and another family who lives close by, and they both see opportunity there. Finally, please pray for the Iowa Family Camp, for a good turnout and that our church and the other churches involved would have wisdom and diligence to accomplish what is necessary for it. May God continue to bless us as He has done in the past, since it is by His grace alone that we are here for His glory.