Background
The first settlers in this area were prinicipally Scots-Irish who brought their kirk (church) with them. Once their log cabins were built and they had settled in, they began to think of religious services. A location was selected near the center of Derry Township at the southern base of a hill called the "Sugar Loaf". A good frame tent was erected and logs laid for the seats. This became the meeting place for a large congregation and a church was established here with the name of "Salem". Salem was the pioneer and origin of a number of churches of varying denominations now occupying the same bounds.
Timeline
1776 - Salem congregation established
1790's - a more permanent building than the original frame tent was erected; the bulding was needed due to a growing congregation
September 11, 1790 - Rev. John McPherson was installed as the first pastor of both Salem and the Unity church; until 1790 the Salem and Unity churches were ministered to by supply pastors
1848 - a fire reduced the sanctuary to smoldering ashes; a boy, while kindling the fire in the wood stove, filled the stove with shavings and a strong draft carried them blazing to the roof where the flames proved to be uncontrollable
1848 - the present brick Salem Church building (much smaller than the previous building) was erected on the site of the old building; the smaller size was sufficient for a congregation reduced by emigration and the organization of other churches in the area; one of these new churches was to be Derry Presbyterian
1876 - Derry Presbyterian established
​
Derry Presbyterian was established 5 years before Derry was incorporated as a borough. A number of the inhabitants of Derry Station, mostly railroad men, were of the Presbyterian faith and a need was felt for a house of worship to accomodate them. A meeting was called for at the old brick schoolhouse (site of the present United Methodist Church). A resolution was passed authorizing the organization of a Presbyterian Church in Derry. Three lots were secured at the corner of North Chestnut ad Third Streets. Construction of a frame building was completed in the spring of 1876.
April 2, 1876 - Derry Presbyterian Church dedicated
April 4, 1876 - congregation formally organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Blairsville with a charter membership of 60; 3 elders were elected
April 15, 1876 - First meeting of Session
The congregation grew rapidly and a larger building was needed
July 28, 1885 - Holy Communion was celebrated for the last time in the old church
March 29, 1896 - present building was dedicated
1926 - membership had grown from the original 60 members to 662 at this time
Through the years, Derry Presbyterian has continued to serve God and His people through the regular preaching of the Word, Christian Education (youth and adult), and both local and foreign mission
October 13, 1985 - the congregation voted to proceed with the construction of an addition
to the present building which included a multi-purpose area, nursery, kitchen, pastor's
study, secretary's office, music office and rest rooms.
June 7, 1987 - addition dedicated
1961 - not until this year did women serve as Elders in this church
1994-1996 - Centennial Events in celebration of 100 years in the present building; events
included a Groundbreaking Remembrance, Old-Fashioned Strawberry Festival, The
Women of the Church Dinner & Fashion Show, Heritage Quilt Project and a Visit to Old
Salem Church.
April 14, 1996 - Centennial Sunday - special worship and a party in Fellowship Hall