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History of
Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills:
The Unitarian Universalist
Church of he North Hills (UUCNH) began as a branch of the First
Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh. Because of overcrowding, the Rev.
Irving Murray of the First Church began looking for a location to
establish a branch. The North Hills was chosen because it was the
most rapidly growing section of the city. A search settled
on the North Hills YMCA as the location. On September
14, 1958, the branch held its first service there.
We grew rapidly and in 1961
another search led us to lease the
 Bellwood
dairy barn, once the largest dairy barn in Allegheny County, but at
that time in disuse. On July 5, 1961, the church was legally
incorporated and the first service was held in the barn on September
17, 1961. By year's end, the Unitarian Universalist Church of the
North Hills was recognized by the UUA as an independent church.
An option to purchase the barn, two houses, and 20 acres of land was
exercised in June 1963.
 By the mid-1980's, space was again a problem. On
the strength of
the Long-Range Planning Committee's study
and findings, a Building
Planning Committee was formed. After further extensive study and
discussion with the congregation, Building Planning recommended that we
accept an architect's suggesting that a meeting room be added to the
west side of the barn and a smaller room and entrance on the east
side. Once the plan was approved, a successful Capital Campaign
was launched and construction began in 1991. On March 8, 1992,
the new sanctuary was dedicated.
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