Bloomington RPC

Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Presbytery: Great Lakes–Gulf

Organized: October 10, 1821

Membership: 77 communicant, 45 baptized

Pastors: William Roberts, Richard Holdeman

Pastoral Intern: Adam Niess

The first Covenanters came to the Bloomington area in March 1820, and others soon followed. Most had left South Carolina because of their anti-slavery views and had chosen to settle in Indiana because the state did not allow slavery. The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bloomington was organized in 1821.

James Faris was the congregation’s first pastor and served from 1821 until 1855. He and the congregation were active in the Underground Railroad, aiding slaves who had escaped and fled north. The congregation moved into the current church building in 1927.

The ministry of the Bloomington congregation centers upon an unwavering adherence to God’s Word in preaching and teaching. Worship services with preaching are held twice on the Lord’s Day, as well as Sunday school classes for all ages in the morning.

During the mid-1980s, the congregation and its leadership undertook a revitalization program, beginning with the development of a new statement of purpose. God has been pleased to bless these efforts as the congregation has more than doubled in the last 15 years.

The congregation has also renewed its efforts to minister to students on the Indiana University campus. Bimonthly fireside chats are devoted to communicating God’s truth to students along with opportunity for fellowship. Weekly meals for students and visitors are held after the morning worship services and are hosted by various families in the congregation.

Adam Niess, a recent graduate of Indiana University, began a two-year internship with the congregation in the summer of 2007. He has spent considerable time with Pastors Holdeman and Roberts, learning various aspects of the ministry such as visitation, teaching, preaching, planning and prayer. Adam plans to begin seminary next fall.

Expanded ministries of mercy and outreach are underway as we seek to reach out to those with material and spiritual needs. In the planning is a literacy effort for international students and family members in Bloomington who want help with conversational English. God has provided an opportunity of starting a new RP congregation in Terre Haute, Ind., under the leadership of the Bloomington session.

The congregation enjoys regular times of fellowship together, including a meal after the morning service each fourth Lord’s Day, psalm sings, chili and hockey nights, picnics, Reformation Day parties for the children, and a variety of other events.

—Bill and Rachel Roberts