PC(USA) Seal & Symbol
The PC(USA) Symbol
The official symbol of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is comprised of the several components representing the cross, Scripture, a descending dove at the upper part of the cross, and flames on either side of the lower part of the cross. A thorough exploration of the symbol is provided below.
The PC(USA) Seal
The official seal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is comprised of the symbol and the formal name of the denomination, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which encircles the symbol.
The seal and symbol are registered trademarks designed by Malcolm Grear & Associates, and later approved by the 197th General Assembly in 1985.
The symbol of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a symbolic statement of the church's heritage, identity, and mission in contemporary form. Its power depends on both its simplicity and complexity, as well as its traditional and enduring qualities.
Symbols within the Cross
Each congregation and governing body may use the seal and symbol for internal purposes without receiving prior approval. Any other use requires requires approval. Once you have permission to use the seal or symbol, select from the options below. The downloaded file is a zip file with several options to choose from.
Trademark/Copyright
The seal and symbol of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are protected by the following registrations:
- Trademark
- United States Patent and Trademark Office on the principal register
- United States Copyright Office
Permissions
In the event you need licensing or prior authorization for use of the seal/symbol, please contact April Davenport, General Counsel for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Worshiping Communities & Governing Bodies
Worshiping communities and governing bodies may download the seal and symbol without prior approval for internal use in their own social media, websites, print publications, apparel, and similar needs. Any plans to utilize the seal/symbol to sell items requires prior permission/licensing.
Any third party requests for use of the seal/symbol must be directed to PC(USA) general counsel, April Davenport.
All Other Parties
Anyone other than a worshiping community or governing body who plans to use the seal/symbol must receive prior approval.
Marketing & Retail/Wholesale Products
All products intended for marketing or retail/wholesale services must be licensed. Contact April Davenport for more information on the application process for licensing.
Terms of Use
Parties approved to use the PC(USA) seal/symbol must comply with the following terms, which may be amended as the need arises.
Do not alter the symbol proportions or design
The design and proportions of the symbol must not be altered in any way, except the size may be changed for use on stationery, signs, banners and so forth. The colors may be changed in the manner set forth below.
Use of "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)" is Optional
The symbol may be used alone or as part of the official PC(USA) seal, with the words “Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)” encircling it.
Adhere to the Established Color Palette
A color palette has been established as part of the visible identity program for the church. Standardizing the color palette enhances the impact of the primary identification elements. The color palette is provided in the next tab and offers color guides for most digital and printing needs.
Give Public Notice of Trademark Registration
While every use of the seal may not provide an opportunity to display the statutory notice (the circle “R”, ®) and use of the statutory notice is not mandatory, it is good practice, when practicable, to give public notice of the trademark registration by using one of the following:
- The letter R enclosed in a circle: ®
Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off.
Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Trademark protection may be lost through improper use, abandonment and dilution. To minimize this risk, the symbol must always be used in its entire and original form.
As in this case with the notice of trademark registration, copyright notice is not mandatory but, whenever possible, it is desirable to include some notice of the copyright on the inside cover of publications displaying the seal. The following language is suggested: “The seal is the exclusive property of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is registered in the U.S. Copyright Office. This seal may not be used or reproduced without the prior written permission of the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202.”
Report unauthorized use of seal
Any suspected unauthorized use should be promptly brought to the attention of PC(USA) general counsel, April Davenport, by forwarding the name and address of the user as well as a sample of their use of the seal.
Obtain prior permission for using the seal
Anyone other than a worshiping community or governing body who plans to use the seal/symbol must receive prior approval.
Additionally, all products intended for marketing or retail/wholesale services must be licensed. Contact April Davenport for more information.
A color palette has been established as part of the visible identity program for the church. Standardizing the color palette enhances the impact of the primary identification elements. Listed below are the primary colors. Recommended colors are indicated first as PMS (Pantone Matching System - uncoated (U) unless otherwise indicated), and then as equivalent CMYK, RGB, HSB (for PowerPoint colors) and Web colors (also called hexadecimal). White is also an integral part of the primary colors. Approved color combinations are illustrated in the "Download the Seal" section on this page.
Primary Color Palette
| PMS | CMYK | RGB | HSB | HEX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Image
| 072 | C:64 M:61 Y:0 K:32 | R:63 G:67 B:173 | H:238 S:64 B:68 | #3F43AD |
|
Image
| 032 | C:0 M:67 Y:64 K:4 | R:246 G:80 B:88 | H:357 S:67 B:96 | #F65058 |
|
Image
| 423 | C:4 M:1 Y:0 K:41 | R:144 G:148 B:150 | H:200 S:4 B:59 | #909496 |