The First Presbyterian Church of Blairsville was officially organized on September 11, 1822 by the Rev. Francis Herron of Pittsburgh. It was located 1 ½ miles NE of the town and was called the West Union Church. Due to its location, the congregation of West Union was made up primarily of country folk. A frame meeting house was completed and used as a place of worship. On October 11, 1822 the newly organized church, in connection with Salem Church, presented a call to Redstone Presbytery for the pastoral services of Mr. Thomas Davis, who had been ministering to the congregation. On November 13, 1822, he was ordained and installed as minister over the two congregations. As Blairsville grew, Rev. Davis became aware of the need for a worship service in Blairsville. He began preaching an evening service there on the Sundays when he preached at West Union in the morning. In 1828 steps were taken to build a Presbyterian Meeting House in Blairsville, however the plan met opposition in the West Union Church. To solve the problem, Rev. Davis purchased the West Union Church building and moved it to Blairsville. Prior to this time, a log meeting house in town was used as a place of worship. In 1831, a brick Presbyterian Church was built in Blairsville and in 1832 at the request of the congregation, the Presbytery changed the name to the First Presbyterian Church of Blairsville. It is interesting to note that there was a Sabbath School in 1821, even before the church was organized.

When his health began to fail, Rev. Davis secured the help of a young seminarian, George Hill. In 1840, Mr. Hill was called as co-pastor with Rev. Davis. He was ordained and installed as copastor on December 14, 1841. In 1848, at the death of Rev. Davis, Rev. Hill resigned the charge of Salem Church to give full-time service to the Blairsville Church. In 1850, the Rev. Dr. Hill established the Female Seminary which was chartered as the Blairsville College for Women in 1893. His 54 years of service were greatly blessed. He established the Women’s Missionary Society in 1874, and in 1880 he began the task of building a new church, the present structure, which was dedicated in 1882. He became one of the outstanding men of the Presbyterian Church in Western Pennsylvania. His influence was felt throughout the community as well.

In May of 1888 Rev. Joseph Criswell was installed as co-pastor. The two pastors worked together until Dr. Hill’s death on August 22, 1895. Due to failing health, Rev. Criswell resigned in February 1904. During his pastorate the 75th anniversary of the church was celebrated and the Young Peoples Christian Endeavor Society was established.

Rev. William Barrett was installed in 1905 and resigned in 1910 after 5 years service. During his tenure the Men’s Brotherhood Bible Class was established and is still in existence today. The manse was completed in 1905 also.

The Rev. Michael McDivitt was installed in 1911 and served until 1919. These were the war years and many letters of faith and courage were sent by Rev. Barrett to soldiers as he ministered to their families here at home. During his tenure in 1912, the Sunday School wing was added and the choir position was changed from the side to the center recess in the front of the church. The Rev. Dr. J. Norman Hunter was installed in December 1919. Under his pastorate the Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops were organized. He also organized the Schubert Orchestra which was in demand both in church and civic affairs. The Centennial Celebration of the church with a week of activities was held during his tenure. Dr. Hunter resigned in 1930.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Stuart was installed in October 1930. During his pastorate the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the church was held in 1947 with a membership over 700 and Sunday School enrollment of over 300. He resigned in 1950 and in December of that year the Rev. Lee Schaeffer became pastor. Under his pastorate a major renovation of the sanctuary took place in 1963. He resigned in 1965.

Rev. Walter Wenhold was installed in 1966 and in 1969 the merger between Calvin Church and First Church took place and the name, The United Presbyterian Church of Blairsville was given to the church. Rev. Wenhold resigned in 1973 after co-pastoring with Rev. Thompson. Pulpit supplies were provided by Presbytery until the installation of Rev. Roger Petersen in 1974. During his pastorate the Verdin 680 Carillon was installed on June 30, 1976 with the bells to peal for the first time on July 4th. The Sunday School wing was removed and the present education wing added. Again in 1993-1994 a major renovation of the sanctuary took place, replacing the two side aisles with one center aisle. New pews, new floor covering, new piano, new podium and sound system were installed. During his tenure, Rev. Petersen also earned his Doctorate of Ministry. In 1975 the church participated in the Sesquicentennial Celebration held in Blairsville. On June 30, 1995 the Rev. Dr. Roger D. Petersen retired. Later, the church conferred the title of Pastor Emeritus on him.

During the interim ministry of Rev. Robert Tolar from 1995- 1997, the Mission Study Work Group was formed and with the assistance of Dr. Harold Scott, consultant, developed Mission Directions for the church which were approved by Session in 1996. In 1997 Dr. Darrell Knopp was installed as pastor and served until December 2000. During his tenure a workshop was held to prioritize and implement the Mission Directions. Rev. David Salinger served as interim from 2001 until the installation of Rev. Jeffrey Ruff in January 2003.

Today the church has a Director of Christian Education, Mrs. Terry Semsick, on staff. Kidz Klub is held after school in October – December and again in February – May. The Youth in Mission Project sends our youth to Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia where they are assigned various work projects to help the poor and the elderly. Students also attend “The Great Escape” sponsored by the Presbyterians for Renewal. Vacation Bible School is held each summer with close to 100 children attending. A community youth activity involving other churches is “Piercing the Darkness” and involves an overnight stay in one of the local churches for music, ministry, movement and fun.

The church has recently repaired the steeple roof, air conditioned the Fellowship Hall and installed a new heating system. Sunday services are videotaped and shared with shut-ins who receive the weekly bulletin along with the printed sermon and monthly newsletter.

Today the United Presbyterian Church of Blairsville continues to be involved in foreign and national missions, Christian education, stewardship, evangelism, worship, social responsibility and involvement through its various committees of the Session and Board of Deacons. It has lived and worked in a tradition of ecumenical and co-operative relations with other churches. Sons and daughters of both the Calvin Church and the present church have become ministers, missionaries and teachers in mission schools. Both churches, now one, have enjoyed long histories in Blairsville of working together to serve the Lord. We currently help support a number of missionaries and Compassion children.

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Those entering the ministry include: the Reverends: Jesse Jamieson, Samuel Pettigrew, W.C. Smith, Nelson Smith, Wallace Morehead, S.S. Gilson, William Cunningham, Frank Getty, William Van Tries, Thomas Evans, John Loughlin, Robert Fulton Sterling, George Hill, Herman Hosack, Curtis France, Richard Siciliano, Royden Piper and Roberta Torrance.

Missionaries: John Dunlap – Siam, Florence Sloan Moody - Siam, Miss Kate McSarren - South America, Miss Harriet McSarren - Mexico, Rev. Herman Hosack - Alaska, Miss Mary Barnes - Indian Territory, Miss Hadessa McCay - Indian Territory, Dr. George Cunningham - Dumaguette, Philippines, Rev. Dr. W. Donald McClure and Rev. W. Donald McClure, Jr., - Ethiopia, Mrs. Rosemary Fleming Bell - Dumaguette, Philippines, Rev. James Cornell Kendall - Indonesia.

Teachers in mission schools: Miss Anna Hosack – Harber Memorial Seminary, Anniston, Alabama and Mary Allen Seminary, Crocket, Texas; Sara Gilson Elder – the South; Bess Kennedy George – the South; Miss Wallace Cunningham – Barber Scotia College, North Carolina; Miss Eva Neill and Miss Helen Neill – Barber Scotia College, North Carolina.

The first United Presbyterian Church was organized December 16, 1833 as the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Blairsville, PA with Rev. W.C. Weede as pastor. He served until 1838. In the meantime services were held in the building of the First Presbyterian Church until the congregation was able to erect its first house of worship on the S.E. corner of Campbell and Walnut Streets. It was dedicated in 1840 under the pastorate of Rev. J.C. Fulton who served until 1846. In 1848 Rev. J.W. Duff was installed and served until his death in 1850. In 1853 the Rev. Matthew Clark was installed and served until 1855. In 1857 the Rev. William Connor was installed and served until his death in 1863.

A merger between the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches was effected in 1858 and the church became a part of the United Presbyterian Church of North America.

A new church building was erected under the leadership of Rev. D.W. Collins on the same site and dedicated October 10, 1878. Rev. Collins served until 1882.

In 1883 the church celebrated its 50th anniversary under the leadership of Rev. William McMaster who served until 1890. The congregation became incorporated in November 1896 as the First United Presbyterian Congregation of Blairsville, PA. In 1891 a seminarian, R.E. McC1ure was called as a pulpit supply. He was ordained and installed as pastor on July 7, 1892. On February 26, 1909 the church celebrated its 75th anniversary.

In 1913 the congregation decided to build a new house of worship on the same lot, and dedicated it on August 16, 1914. This was accomplished under the pastorate of the now Rev. Dr. R.E. McClure who served that church 55 years from 1891-1946, the longest tenure of any pastor of that congregation.

On December 13, 1920 an assassination attempt was made on the life of Dr. McClure as he was on his way home that night. A bullet fired at him lodged in the Bible he was carrying, thus saving his life. It was felt that the failed attempt was due to his efforts as a member of the Indiana County Anti-Saloon League to close down the illegal liquor traffic in Blairsville.

Under Dr. McClure's tenure the congregation celebrated the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the new church building in August 1924 with the publication of a special brochure. The 100th anniversary of the church was celebrated on December 16, 1933 and in August 1942 Dr. McClure celebrated his 50th anniversary as pastor. He retired in 1947 after which he was made Pastor Emeritus. He died in 1959.

His son, the Rev. Dr. W. Donald McClure and grandson, Rev. W. Donald McClure, Jr. were missionaries in Ethiopia. The senior Dr. McClure was murdered by guerilla bandits as he was returning to his mission compound before leaving the area as ordered by the government. His wife and son escaped and were able to return later and bury Dr. McClure in the compound as was his wish.

Following the death of Dr. R.E. McClure, the Rev. H.H. McConnell was installed as pastor in 1947 and served until 1950. Richard W. Braun served as student supply from 1950-1951 when he was ordained and installed as pastor, serving until 1953. Rev. Charles F. Anderson served from 1854-1957. He was followed by the Rev. Edward J. Thompson who was installed September 30, 1958. In 1960 the congregation adopted the name "Calvin".

On October 26, 1969 the Calvin United Presbyterian Church merged with the First Presbyterian Church to form The United Presbyterian Church of Blairsville, PA. Rev. Thompson served as co-pastor from 1969 until 1972 when he resigned.

In 1975 the Calvin Church building was utilized by the Methodist congregation for several years after their church burned down. The Calvin Church was then razed when the Methodists moved into their new church. The lot was purchased by the Shoemaker Funeral Home and the cornerstone was preserved and stands in a landscaped corner of the parking lot now occupying the site.