UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA, formed, 1858, by the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches.
I. The Associate church in the United States had its origin in the persecutions which drove parties of Scotch and Irish covenanters to the American colonies. In 1680 some of them settled at Port Royal, S. C., but were driven away by Spanish invaders. In 1750 the first minister of the Secession church of Scotland arrived in Philadelphia, and the Associate presbytery of Pennsylvania was formed. It soon had congregations in New York, Virginia, and the Carolinas. In 1776 the presbytery of New York was formed. In 1782 these presbyteries united with the Reformed presbytery in forming the Associate Reformed synod of North America. A small minority in both denominations were opposed to the union, and in them the Covenanter or Reformed and the Associate churches have been continued. The latter was increased by ministers from Scotland. In 1793 its first theological school was established in Beaver co., Penn. In 1798 the presbytery of Kentucky was formed, and the Associate synod of North America in 1801. In 1800 the presbytery of Pennsylvania declared slavery to be a moral evil, and unjusti fiable; and in 1831 the synod excluded all slave-holders from its communion. This action led to the withdrawal of all the congregations in the southern states, but the loss was made up by accessions in western states. In 1858 the Associate synod included 21 presbyteries, 231 ministers, 293 congregations, and 23,500 communicants.
II. The Associate Reformed church. The Associate Reformed synod, formed 1782, organized itself in 1802 into a general synod, composed of the synods of New York, Pennsylvania, Scioto, and the Carolinas. In 1804 a theological seminary was established
in New York city, with Dr. John M. Mason as prof. of theology. In 1820 the synod of Scioto withdrew from the general synod, and that of the Carolinas at its own request was set off as an independent body. In 1821 a union was formed with the general assembly of the Presbyterian church, but only a part of the denomination agreed to it. The synod of New York continued its separate existence, and in 1829 re-established the theological seminary at Newburgh. In 1855 it was united with the western synod (of Scioto), and the general synod of the Associate Reformed church was renewed, contain ing 4 synods, 28 presbyteries, 253 ministers, 367 congregations, and 31,284 members. They held to the Westminster confession, close communion, anti-slavery, and the use of only the psalms in praise.
III. In 1858 the Associate and the Associate Reformed churches were re-united under the name of The United Presbyterian church of North America. In addition to their adherence to the Westminster standards they have adopted a testimony against slavery and secret societies, and in favor of close communion, the exclusive use of the psalms in worship, and the duty of covenanting. They have three colleges, three theological and two missionary seminaries under their charge. In 1878 they reported to their gen eral assembly, 9 synods, 56 presbyteries, 647 ministers, 792 congregations, 67 mission stations, 78,648 members,fa.nd about $784,000 contributed for the support of the gospel at home and abroad.