Welcome to Hugh O’Neill Memorial Presbyterian Church. We minister
within the urban community of Old San Juan. We belong to a group of more than
11,000 churches known as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a denomination with
membership of more than 2.6 million. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is divided
into 16 geographical areas called synods. Our church is in the Synod of Boriquén
in Puerto Rico. Each synod is divided into smaller areas called presbyteries.
Our church is in the Presbytery of San Juan.
The Hugh O’Neill Memorial Presbyterian Church was
founded in 1904. The group that started it had been meeting since 1902. The
story about how the church got it’s building is very interesting. A couple
visited the island in the beginnings of the 20th century. He was Irish Catholic,
she was Presbyterian. While on the island, the man got very sick. The woman went
for help to the fellowship group of Presbyterians that she had been attending
while in Old San Juan. The leader of the group, Rev. Howard Jason offered
consolation and some of the members of the group that were doctors and nurses
helped in taking care of the man. When the man’s condition seemed to be
hopeless, Rev. Jason and a group from the Spanish speaking congregation started
to pray for him. The patient started shaking and then opened his eyes. He told
them of how he was supposed to die and something held him back. They all started
to celebrate. Later on, in his will, this Irish man left 15,000.00 dollars to
the group and they used the money to buy the hospital building where
this man stayed. The congregation, to remember this action of love, named
the church after this grateful man: Hugh O’Neill.
We are people of God, called together by our faith in
Jesus Christ as part of the whole body of Christ to worship, study and serve.
We Worship
Sunday
9:00 AM– English Language Worship Service
11:00 AM– Spanish Language Worship Service
Wednesday
12:00 PM– Ecumenical Prayer Service
8:00 PM– Prayer Services in homes first and third Wednesday.
Project S.150: Christian Music Concert last Saturday of each month.
We Study
Sunday Bible School is given every Sunday at 10:00 AM.. We also have
Bible
School for Children and a Children’s sermon during worship service.
There is also a Bible Study which is held every second and fourth Wednesday of
the month.
We Serve
Our congregation serves our community by providing opportunities for our members
and friends to know and care for one another and for others.
We are especially involved in The Good Samaritan Program, a
program founded 16 years ago by the church that provides services for people who
are 60 years and older. We provide breakfast and lunch free of charge. We also
provide other services such as: orientation about services and laws designed
with this population in mind, health orientation, recreation, spirituality and
education in different areas of interest. There is also a clothes closet and
bathing and washing facilities for those participants who are homeless. Our
staff includes the director, a social worker, a recreational leader, a nurse,
two cooks and a chaplain.
We also provide a meeting space for a support group of caretakers of Alzheimer
patients.
We are involved in carrying out Christ’s mission worldwide. With other
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations, we help support more than 800
mission volunteers and compensated staff in partnership with more than 100
churches and Christian organizations around the world.
We Believe
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In God who made heaven and earth and all that is in them.
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God preserves the world an cares for every creature in it.
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The church is the body of Christ, individual members united to one another through him.
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That as the church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to be Christ’s witnesses in word and deed to the ends of the earth.
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That in the joyful feast of the people of God we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
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That as stewards of God’s grace on earth we are to serve one another with whatever gifts we have received
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The Word became flesh and lived among us.
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That through baptism we are welcomed into God’s family and we are one in Christ Jesus.
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Sin leads to death but God through Christ freely gives us eternal life.
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Scripture is inspired by God and through the Holy Spirit bears unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate.
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That through Christ death will be no more and that mourning and crying and pain will be no more.
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God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
We are led by:
Rev. Cruz A. Negrón, pastor
6 members of the Session
6 members of the Board of Deacons
We are located in:
Fortaleza Street, #61 Old San Juan, near la Fortaleza Building.
