Presbyterian Church In Taiwan (PCT)

Although Roman Catholic missionaries came somewhat earlier, Protestant mission work that continues today began in Tainan with the arrival Dr. James L. Maxwell of the Presbyterian Church of England (today the United Reformed Church - URC) in Tainan in 1865 (this date is considered the beginning of the PCT). He was soon followed by Rev. Dr. George L. Mackay of the Canadian Presbyterian Mission (the Presbyterian Church in Canada -PCC), who began work in Tamsui in 1872. 

From the efforts of the English missionaries in the south and the Canadian missionaries in the north, a Taiwanese Presbyterian Church began to take shape. Little modern development had been initiated by the government in Taiwan, until the Japanese takeover in 1895, but, interestingly, many modern institutions were first introduced by the church. For example, the first school, the first hospital, and the first printing press in Taiwan were all established by the Presbyterian Church. 

During the Japanese colonial period, in spite of strong pressure from the authorities to use Japanese, the PCT continued to use the Taiwanese language in its activities. Because of the increasing militarism of Japan in the late 1930s all foreign missionaries were expelled, and this gave the church an early experience of complete independence. Evangelism among the Aborigines started at this time despite ruthless Japanese opposition. By the end of the war 4,000 -5,000 Aboriginal people were ready for baptism.