First United Presbyterian Church

The First United Presbyterian Church was built at what is now the site of Pittsburgh Ethnan Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The first meeting of the congregation was held in 1882. At this meeting, 50 members united with the church and the first service was held in the old Reformed Presbyterian Church. Steps were taken to build a church shortly after this. A lot at the corner of North Ave and Wood Street was purchased for $600. A building was erected costing around $3,200 dollars and was dedicated in 1883. That structure was destroyed by fire in 1885 and the present brick church was built and dedicated in 1886.

Also like many churches in Wilkinsburg it again suffered severe damage from fire. In 1941, fire broke out within the church organ, burned through to the air shaft behind the organ and swept toward the roof. Within moments, the fire was shooting through the roof going 30 to 40 feet into the air. The fire caused tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage.

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