This Week In History

May 21, 1789

On May 21, 1789, the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America met in Philadelphia. The Rev. Dr. John Rodgers of the Brick Church in New York City was elected moderator.

May 24, 1854

On May 24, 1854, Presbyterians founded the first black college in the United States — Ashmun Institute in Pennsylvania. Renamed Lincoln University in 1866, the school was founded by the Rev. Dr. John Miller Dickey, and his wife, Sarah Emlen Cresson.

May 25, 1824

On May 25, 1824, the non-denominational American Sunday School Union (ASSU) was formed to promote such schools and to produce materials. The ASSU model is based on the 1816 adult Sunday School union created by Presbyterian Alexander Henry in Philadelphia.

May 26, 1858

On May 26, 1858, The United Presbyterian Church of North America was formed by the merger of the Associate and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian churches in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.