Cameroon

Presbyterian Church Cameroon (PCC)

Since gaining autonomy in 1957, the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) has flourished. It has around 1,000 churches, 1,500 worship groups, and 567 ministers. Yet, its impact goes far beyond the pulpit. Running hospitals, eye clinics, a leprosy rehabilitation centre, and a national pharmaceutical dispensary, sees the PCC minister to its communities through village-based primary healthcare.

Its ministries continue in education where it operates nursery schools, primary and secondary schools, a teacher training college, and even a university—though many schools are temporarily closed due to ongoing conflict. It also supports youth centres, agricultural training, and broadcasts through its own radio station. Though some pastors are trained locally in Kumba, many are still trained outside Cameroon, both in Africa and beyond.

The Anglophone conflict has had a devastating political, social and economic impact on the country and has led to the displacement and death of tens of thousands of people, the evacuation of villages, the closing down of countless businesses and schools and the loss of livelihoods in the Northwest and Southwest regions where most of the PCC’s institutions are located.

The Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) traces its roots to 1886, when Basel Missionaries landed on Cameroon’s coast, taking over from English Baptists after the region came under German control. Their mission began with hardship—one of the first four ministers died within days—but the others pressed on with courage and faith.

World War I forced German missionaries out, leaving local teachers and catechists to carry the torch. Though many mission stations were abandoned, the spirit endured. Basel missionaries returned in 1925, and with support from abroad and local believers, the church began to thrive. Despite disruptions during World War II, the PCC entered a vibrant phase of growth. By 1957, it had matured enough to adopt a new constitution and become fully autonomous.