Soon after the organization of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America in 1798, a seminary for the education of its students of theology was established. The doors of the institution officially opened on May 15, 1810. Originally, the Seminary was located in the cities where the professor also served a congregation as pastor: Philadelphia and New Alexandria, Pennsylvania; Coldenham, New York; Northwood and Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1856, the Seminary was relocated to Allegheny, now Northside, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and continued there until 1924. In 1923, our main building, Rutherford Hall, formerly belonging to Durbin Horne of the Horne Department Store, was purchased in the Point Breeze area of the East End of Pittsburgh.

The three-story brick mansion has been renovated several times, including work in 1960-1961 when a chapel was added in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Seminary’s founding. The construction of a two-story library wing took place in 1970, adding stacks, study carrels, and a library office to the Seminary.

 A Rare Books Room commemorating the Seminary’s 175th Anniversary was added in 1985. In 1999, another major renovation of the Seminary building provided more library, office, and classroom space to meet the needs of our growing ministry. The Willson Center was purchased in 2008 to provide space for the Biblical Counseling Institute, library storage, and student housing. 

The Department of Education gave approval for the Seminary to grant the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree in 1971. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) granted full accreditation to the Seminary in 1994. The Seminary has also been approved by the Department of Education and ATS to grant the Master of Theological Studies (MTS) and the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degrees. In November 2013, RPTS received approval from ATS for a comprehensive distance education program.