History of the Institution (UCC)

The Union Christian College traces her humble beginnings to the Women's Bible Training School for Deaconesses, founded on 7 November 1910 by Ms. Matilde Weber, an American Missionary of the Church of the United Brethren (later known as the Evangelical United Brethren). The school resulted from the merger of two institutions, namely, the Bible Training College (formerly the Women's Bible Training School) and the La Union Christian College, founded on 17 November 1946. The integration of the two schools on 26 April 1960 gave birth to the corporate name UNION CHRISTIAN COLLEGE.

A decade after 1910, elementary education was offered to Christian Education (deaconess) students, with the former Ms. Agapita Obaldo as the first Filipino principal. In August 1926, the first concrete building that was constructed on campus was dedicated. It was named Otterbein Guild Hall to memorialize the gift of the women members of the Otterbein Guild Hall of the United Brethren Church. The new building housed the Women's Bible Training School.

From 1932–1933 the school was temporarily closed due to the economic recession in the United States; however, in June 1933, the school reopened with an expanded program in Pastoral Education for men. The school was again closed during the Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1944 but immediately resumed operation in June 1945 following the conclusion of the Second World War.

On 17 November 1946, the "La Union Christian College" was born. Rev. C. C. Witmer was elected as the Chair of the first Board of Trustees, and Rev. Onofre G. Fonseca sat briefly as its acting president. Mr. Roman C. Villalon became the first full-time President, and Rev. C. Witmer was the Dean of the Department of Theology.

From 1948–1952, Dr. Enrique C. Sobrepeña, concurrent with his office as UCCP Bishop for Northern Luzon, served as president of the college. A Senior College Department was created during this time, and new degree programs were introduced.

In April 1960, La Union Christian College and the Bible Theological College came together under the new name, "Union Christian College." Under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Capistrano (1961–1982), the school's programs expanded, and new buildings were constructed. The College of Nursing was opened in 1977.

In May 1983, Dr. Mariano C. Apilado was elected president and served until 1991. During Apilado's presidency, the High School and some college programs first earned their Level II accreditation. The UCC Rurban Action for Development, the research and extension arm of the college, was also established.

1973- the Nursing course was opened; recognition of the complete degree programs for Commerce with Accounting and and Banking and Finance 1977-13 of the first 20 Nursing students graduated after passing rigid screening. The College of Nursing made a notable mark in San Fernando when it started its community outreach work focusing to the leprosy control program which was named Iater as Christian Children's Fund