Founded by Johannes Leimena and Melanchton Siregar, the former Military Governor of North Sumatra, who was known as a local teacher in Tarutung.

It had considerable influence despite the small number of Christians in Indonesia due to the large numbers of Christians in the civil service, the army and educational establishments and because of the high profile of party leader Johannes Leimena who served in several Indonesian cabinets and as deputy prime minister.

[1] In the 1955 Indonesian legislative election, the party won 2.6% of the vote and eight seats in the People's Representative Council.

The Protestants sent Basuki Probowinoto, Todung Sutan Gunung Mulia, Fredrick Laoh, Wilhelmus Zakaria Johannes, J. K. Panggabean, Soedarsono, Maryoto and Martinus Abednego, while the Catholics sent Suradi and Hadi.

The delegates chose Wilhelmus Zakaria Johannes as the chairman and Maryoto as the general secretary by acclamation.