January 25 Today in OPC History

John C. Hills, Jr., one of the greatest orators of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, was born on January 25, 1916, in Trenton, New Jersey.

Educated at Hampden-Sydney College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Hills planted and pastored the Fort Lauderdale, Florida OPC for sixteen years before being called as pastor of the Franklin Square OPC on Long Island, New York, in 1957. As the semi-centennial volume, The Orthodox Presbyterian Church 1936-1986, records, Hills' "distinct preaching gifts wedded to a deep commitment to the exposition of the Reformed faith came to be outstanding marks" of his 22-year tenure in the Franklin Square church.

Hills passed away on October 22, 1979, after a lengthy illness. His grieving congregation read these words in the subsequent church bulletin: "It may truly be said of him, as was said of John Calvin, 'Those who listened Sunday after Sunday, day after day, and did not shut their ears, but were instructed, admonished, exhorted and censured, received a training in Christianity such as had been given to few congregations since the days of the fathers.'"

Picture: John C. Hills at the 1973 General Assembly.