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CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
■"jlje iJistory of the Evangelical Lutheran
3 1924 009 '465 067
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REV. C. D. UKRNIIIilM, I). I).
REV. GEORGE H. COX, D. D.
THE HISTORY
Evangelical Lutheran Synod
and Ministerium
NORTH CAROLINA,
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST
CENTURY OF ITS EXISTENCE.
G. D. BERNHEIM, D. D., and GEORGE H. COX, D. D.
" Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations : ask
Jhy father, and he will shew thee ; thy elders, and they will tell thee.'^
(Deuteronomy xxxii. 7.)
1902.
PUBLISHED FOR THE SYNOD
BY THE
LUTHERAN PUBLICATION SOCIETY,
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Copyright, 1902,
BY
G. D, Bernheim and George H. Cox.
In Xrust for
The Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium
of North Carolina.
PREFACE.
It was no self-assumed undertaking that the authors of this
History of the North Carolina Synod prepared this book for
publication. They were appointed so to do by the Synod, as
early as 1897, in order that it might be, when completed, an
appropriate memorial volume for the Synod's approaching cen-
tenary anniversary, in 1903.
It has been a very pleasant, though by no means an easy, task
to collect the material and write the history of this, the third
oldest Lutheran Synod in America, and the Mother Synod of the
Lutheran Church in the South.
Many difficulties presented themselves in the prosecution of
the work, chiefly the meagreness of early records, necessitating
much searching and extensive correspondence in collecting re-
liable facts. Time and labor have been unstintedly employed ;
no pains were spared in consulting every book and document
available to us that was likely to furnish any desired information
on the subject.
We herewith cheerfully acknowledge our indebtedness to>
"Bemheim's History of the German Settlements and of the
Lutheran Church in the Carolinas," " Hazelius' American Lu-
theran Church," "Saunders' Colonial Records" in the Wil-
mington, N. C, Library, " Mann's Halle Reports," the
"Helmstaedt Reports," " Rumple's History of* Rowan
County," and last, but not least, the entire set of the printed
Minutes of the North Carolina Synod, from 1803 to the present
time.
With just and generous appreciation of what other Synods-
have accomplished, we feel assured that all who read these pages
will be convinced that, under Divine blessing, the North Caro-
lina Synod has been no unimportant factor in carrying on the
work of the great Lutheran Church in America.
IV PREFACE.
If, by the reading of this History, the present and future
members of the North Carolina Synod will be inspired to carry
on the work of ministering at her altars with the pure Word
and Sacraments, and extending her church work as faithfully as
their predecessors have done, the authors will be fully satisfied
that their labor has not been in vain.
May God's blessing rest upon this History of our time-honored
Synod, and may we all more and more be enabled to sing :
*' My Church, my Church, my dear old Church ;
My fathers' and my own."
G. D. Bernheim,
George H. Cox.
CONTENTS.
FAGB
CHAPTER I.
Eari,y Coloniai, History 9
CHAPTER n.
The Life and Labors of the First Lutheran Ministers
IN North Carowna 12
CHAPTER HI.
The Causes That Led to the Organization oe the North
Caroi,ina Synod 21
CHAPTER IV.
Confessionai, History of the Synod 27
CHAPTER V.
Territory and Growth of the Synod 35
CHAPTER VI.
The Rupture of 1819 and 1820 42
CHAPTER VII.
The License System 52
CHAPTER VIII.
The Synod's Connection With the Generai, Bodies of
THE Church 58
CHAPTER IX.
The Education ai. Work of the Synod 64
VI CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER X.
The Catecheticai, and Sunday Schooi, Work of the
Synod 75
CHAPTER XI.
Miscei<i,aneous Matters of Interest 79
CHAPTER XII.
The Missionary Operations of the Synod 85
CHAPTER XIII.
Retrospective and Prospective 94
CHAPTER XIV.
Sketches of Ai,i, Congregations Now Connected With
THE Synod 98
CHAPTER XV.
Noteworthy Transactions of Synod 155
CHAPTER XVI.
A Tabui,ated Sketch of Every Minister That Has Ever
Been Connected With the Synod 164
CHAPTER XVII.
The Growth of the Synod in the Number of Its Min-
isters 178
CHAPTER XVIII.
A Summary of Parochiai, Reports 180
CHAPTER XIX.
A Summary of Financiai, Reports 182
CONTENTS. Vll
PAGE
CHAPTER XX.
A Table Showing When and Where the Different Syn-
oDicAL Meetings Were Held 184
CHAPTER XXI.
The Officers of Synod 188
CHAPTER XXII.
A Tabi,e Showing the Work of the Board of Church
Extension 190
CHAPTER XXIII.
A Tabi<e Showing the Statistics of the Woman's Home
AND Foreign Missionary Society 191
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
REV. G. D. Bernheim, D. D Frontispiece
Rev. George H. Cox, D. D Facing frontispiece
JuwA Carolina University, Helmstedt, Germany, where
Rev. C. a. G. Storch was Educated 17
REV.. Daniel J. Hauer, D. D 55
Rev. Daniel I. Dreher 61
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 67
North Carolina College, Mt. Pleasant, N. C 71
Mont Amoena Female Seminary, MT. Pleasant, N. C. . . . 72
Rev. Jacob Scherer 87
Rev. Paul Henkel and Wife 88
Organ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Rowan County,
N. C 119
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Salisbury, N. C. 126
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cabarrus
County, N. C 129
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wilmington,
N.C 134
St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church and Parson-
age, Charlotte, N. C 143
St. James' Evangelical Lutheran Church, Concord, N. C. 146
HISTORY
Evangelical Lutheran Synod
NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY COLONIAL HISTORY.
The history of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of North
Carolina naturally begins with the history of the first Lutheran
settlements in that wilderness, then but recently vacated by the
Indians, now known as the Piedmont section of North Carolina.
Early records of colonization are few, difficult to find, and,
when found, meagre in the narrative of facts that we most desire
to know. But careful research makes it tolerably certain that
the first German settlements in the Piedmont section were made
in those localities now known as Rowan and Cabarrus Counties,
about the year 1747. "Saunders' Colonial Records" state
that, in the year 1755, Governor Arthur Dobbs visited these
localities and found twenty-two families of Germans and Swiss,
who had settled there some seven or eight years previously, that
is, about 1747.
This antedates the settlement of the Moravians in that part of
the State now known as Forsythe and other counties, as we learn
from the life of their bishop, Spangenberg, who began the first
(9)
lO HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
survey of the Wachovia tract in 1752, preparatory to the settle-
ment of the Moravian colony, in 1753.
These families, the children and descendants of the original
German settlers of Pennsylvania, had left their homes and their
kindred in search of farm lands that could be more easily ac-
quired than in the older settlements. No doubt news of their
success had been carried back to their relatives, friends, and
neighbors, and very soon, during the years that immediately
followed, the emigrant wagon train of these hardy Germans
wound its way down the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania,
through the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, over the rugged
steeps of the Blue Ridge Mountains, into the inviting forest
lands of North Carolina.
' ' These German settlers were all industrious, economical, and
thrifty farmers, not afraid nor ashamed of hard labor, and were
soon blessed with an abundance of everything which the fertile
soil and temperate climate of that portion of North Carolina
could furnish them. As they were all agriculturists, they gen-
erally avoided settling themselves in towns ; uninformed in the
ways of the world, ignorant of the English language, and un-
acquainted with the shrewdness necessary for merchandising,
yet well informed in their own language and well read in their
Bibles and other devotional German books, they remained at
their own country homes, and enriched themselves with the pro-
ductions of the soil. ' ' *
The country to which they had come was an unexplored and
almost impenetrable wilderness, in which many wild animals
still were found, and which had but very recently been inhab-
ited by none but the wild red man of the forest.
The new colonists had before them very much hard work to
be done, with nothing but their own strength and skill to ac-
complish it. Forests were to be felled ; the wilderness of nature
to be subdued ; the ground to be cultivated ; the wild animals
of the forest to be conquered ; homes, school-houses, and
churches to be reared ; and all the many things necessary to
make a home in the wilderness.
* Bernheim's History.
EARLY COLONIAL HISTORY. 1 1
Prominent among their noble qualities was their religion ;
and hence, amidst their homes, they built their churches and
organized their congregations. St. John's, in Salisbury; Zion,
commonly called Organ Church, on Second Creek, Rowan
County; and St. John's, on Buffalo Creek, in Cabarrus County,
were the original mother-churches. These congregations were
organized and their primitive houses of worship were erected
very nearly about the same time. Their people were as one
family. With the exception of Rev. Nussman, who died in 1794,
their first pastors were the original organizers of the Synod,
and the members of these congregations its bone and sinew.
For many long years they were without regular pastors, having
only the services of such preachers as might happen to pass
through the country. In the older settlements, from which they
had emigrated, there were but few Lutheran ministers, and none
at all to spare. In America, at that early period, there were
no schools or seminaries for the education and training of min-
isters of their faith, and hence the only source froip which to
obtain pastors was the mother-church, in Germany, necessitat-
ing a tedious and dangerous voyage in a sailing vessel across the
ocean. Thither they turned, and with blessed results, for in
1773 came their first regular pastor, the Rev. Adolphus Nuss-
man. Accompanying him was the school teacher, J. Gottfried
Arends (Arndt), who, two years later, was ordained to the
Gospel ministry.
Then again, in 1788, came the Rev. Carl August Gottlieb
Storch, in response to a call from Nussman for help in his ,work.
These labored sedulously, in season and out of season, not only
in the congregations of which they were pastors, but reaching
out in all directions, traveling thousands of miles, through
mountains and valleys, in all seasons of the year, covering an
immense territory, .organizing congregations wherever it was
possible ; selecting, fitting, and preparing young men for the
(jospel ministry, ordaining them to the same, and thus laying
the foundations of the great work that has followed them, and
that stands to-day as a lasting monument to their ability, wisdom,
and faithfulness.
CHAPTER II.
THE LIFE AND LABORS OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN MINISTERS IN
NORTH CAROLINA.
The immigration of German Lutherans to America began
about the year 1680 ; the account of the Swedish and Dutch
Lutherans not being included in this history. In a few years
they made permanent settlements in New York, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, Delaware, and North Carolina. Most of them had
left the old Fatherland because of religious persecutions, and had
come to the newly colonized country in search of freedom to
worship God. They were, generally, very destitute in the
things of this world, many of them being so impoverished by
the war of the Spanish Succession as to be dependent upon the
cbarity of Queen Anne of England, and the liberality of others,
for both their passage across the ocean and for their sustenance
for a time after arriving in America.
Very few pastors of their own faith came with them, so that
for long and wearisome years most of them were without any
religious privileges, and their children without the opportunities
of securing an education.
The beginnings of the Lutheran Church in America were very
smaH. The few pastors that were located here were men of
ability, of strong faith and much physical endurance, but they
could not cultivate the immense field, "White to the harvest,"
that was spread out before them. The demands upon them were
greater than they could possibly meet, and hence constant ap-
peals were sent to the mother-church in the Fatherland, the only
source from which help could come. But it was a long, weari-
some, and hazardous journey across the ocean in those days, and
pastors who were willing to leave home and friends and sever
the ties of relationship, and then undertake the long journey to
labor in the wilderness of America, were not easily to be found.
(12)
LIFE AND LABORS OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN MINISTERS. 1 3
Hence, although the population of the newly established col-
onies rapidly increased, both by natural growth and by immi-
gration, the increase of pastors was not in like proportion.
Before the Revolutionary War there were in the whole terri-
tory now occupied by the United States very few Lutheran
ministers, probably not more than twenty-five, ser\'ing congre-
gations that were scattered all the way from Maine to Georgia.
In North Carolina, for more than a quarter of a century, the
German settlers were without any regular pastors, and were de-
pendent for the occasional administration of the Word and sacra-
ments upon any preacher who might happen to pass through the
country.
Their school teachers would occasionally read a sermon for
them, bury their dead, and, in extreme cases, baptize their chil-
dren, but the congregations were wholly without regular pastoral
care during all those years.
Then, in 1772, after careful and, no doubt, prayerful consid-
eration, Organ Church, of Rowan County, and St. John's
Church, of Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus) County, after having
unsuccessfully tried to secure a pastor from the older settlements
in Pennsylvania, determined to send a delegation to the Father-
land to appeal to their countrymen and brethren in the faith to
send them a pastor, school teacher, and such pecuniary assist-
ance as they needed to sustain them in order that they might
have the Bread of Life broken to them in their own language,
and by a pastor of their own faith, and also that their children
might be instructed in the ways of righteousness, as well as to
be taught, at least, the rudiments of a literary education.
Accordingly, Christopher Rintleman of Organ Church, and
Christopher Layerly of St. John's Church, two brave, honest,
and consecrated men of God, representing sixty families, un-
dertook the long and hazardous journey, at their own expense.
Leaving their homes in 1772, they traveled, on horseback, to
Charleston, S. C, and there took passage to Europe in an ordi-
nary sailing vessel.
In the execution of their commission they first visited Lon-
don, in England, and then went to Hannover, in Germany, and
14 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
SO earnestly and successfully did they present the petition of their
constituents that they returned in 1773, bringing with them the
Rev. Adolphus Nussman, as their pastor, and Mr. John Gott-
fried Arends, as their school teacher, besides numerous and
valuable gifts to their congregations, and promises of continued
financial aid. Thus the Rev. Adolphus Nussman became their
first pastor, and the pioneer minister of the Lutheran Church in
the province of North Carolina.
Born in Germany, in 1737, he was just in the prime of life.
A convert from Roman Catholicism, a ripe and thorough scholar,
a devoted and consecrated Christian, and an earnest and faithful
preacher of the Gospel, he soon became very popular, winning
the praise, admiration, and love of all who knew him. For
twenty-one years, reaching through the stormy period of the
Revolutionary War, he was instant in season and out of season,
toiling amidst untold trials and difficulties, until God called him
up higher. He was buried at St. John's Church, where, for
twenty years, he had been the zealous and faithful pastor.
Two years after their arrival, that is, in 1775, the school
teacher, Arends, was examined and publicly ordained by Rev.
Joachim Buelow, of South Carolina. The ordination took place
in Organ Church, .\ugust 22d, 1775. Thus we learn that the
Rev. Arends was the first Lutheran minister ever ordained in
North Carolina.
These two, Nussman and Arends, for twelve long years,
labored together throughout the territory now known as the
counties of Rowan, Cabarrus, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Stokes,
Davidson, Guilford, and other sections of the country.
Arends was the second pastor of Organ Church, succeeding
Nussman immediately upon his ordination, and serving the con-
gregation for ten years. He was a native of Gottingen, in Ger-
many, and when he came to America was about thirty-two years
old. He was fully prepared for his work of teaching, as is at-
tested by the credentials, which he brought, of which the follow-
ing is a translation :
LIFE AND LABORS OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN MINISTERS. 1 5
" Certificate of John Gottfried Arends as School
Teacher to North Carolina, October i6th, 1772.
" Of his most serene Highness, most mighty Prince and
Lord, Lord George the Third, King of Great Britain, France,
and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and
Liineburg, Arch Treasurer of the Holy Roman Empire, and
Elector, etc. , real Privy Counselor and authorized President of
the Royal and Electoral Consistory of this place, also of the
Counselors of the Church Consistory, certifies herewith that
the bearer of this, John Gottfried Arends, of Gottingen, in
compliance with the desire of the Evangelical Lutheran congre-
gation in North Carolina, namely, in Rowan County, to have a
capable school teacher ; and to this end, according to the at-
testation of the Governor, has sent deputies, and his royal
Majesty and Electoral and serene Highness, our most gracious
Lord, has commanded us to be serviceable to them ; after due
examination for such an office, found him to be experienced, he
also having promised, according to the custom of this country
and the published appointment for a future school teacher, to
conduct his office with all fidelity and diligence, and manifest
obedience toward his pastor, modesty toward the congregation,,
and love for the children.
" On the other hand, we do not doubt that the congregation
will amply remunerate his serviceable labor, and make his stay,
as well as that of the pastor, agreeable.
" However, should he desire to return, and be able to do so,
then we promise him a proportional school service in this
country according to the measure of his deportment and the
time of his servjce, provided he has labored six years, at least.
" In testimony whereof we have affixed the royal and elec-
toral seal and signature of the Consistory.
"Given in Hannover, the sixteenth day of October, 1772.
" Respectfully,
"Kauff."
For two years he taught the children of the congregation, and
then, upon the request of the congregation and with the ap-
proval of Pastor Nussman, was ordained to the Gospel ministry,.
l6 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
on the eleventh Sunday after Trinity, 1775, as is attested by his
ordination certificate, of which the following is a translation :
" Second Creek, Rowan County, N. C.
"August 28, Anno Christi, 1775
"Being the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.
TY. j
' ' The Rev. Mr. John Gottfried Arends has been examined by
me, the Inspector over South and North Carolina, in the presence
of several deacons, and thereupon ordained before the whole
congregation, at their request.
" The above-mentioned John Gottfried Arends is now, from
this date, a regular Evangelical Lutheran pastor and minister.
We recommend him, therefore, to the kind reception of all
Christians at the North, and healrtily wish that he may, as a
friend of the Bridegroom, bring many souls to the marriage sup-
per of the Lamb, and wait faithfully upon his office ; also, with
exemplary life and pure doctrine, bring all the straying and de-
ceived back to the fold.
' ' This witnesseth out of love for the truth and its undoubted
attestation.
"Signed, Joachim Buelow,
" Missionary and Inspector oi>er South and North Carolina y
During his ten years' service as pastor of Organ Church, he
made numerous missionary tours, visiting scattered Lutherans,
preaching the Word to them, baptizing their children, confirm-
ing their young people, and organizing congregations wherever
it was practicable. But his chief work was in Rowan County,
until the close of the Revolutionary War, when,, in 1785, he re-
moved to Lincoln County and became the founder of the
Lutheran Church in all of that territory lying west of the Catawba
River. There he labored unceasingly until July 9th, 1807,
when, being sixty-six years, six months, and twenty-eight days
of age, worn and weary and blind, he passed triumphantly. over
into the land of eternal bliss, leaving as legacy, to the Church
and his posterity, an enduring reputation for piety, humility, and
zeal.
He was buried beneath the old " Dutch Meeting-house," in
Lincolnton. A tombstone marks the sacred spot, upon which
is carved an eagle, thirteen stars, and the motto of the then new
JULIA CAKI.II.INA UNIVEKMIA, 1 1 1 I Alsl Fl i 1, i.KKMANV, \V?1EKE
REV. C. A. G. STOKCH WAS EDUCATED.
LIFE AND LABORS OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN MINISTERS. 17
Republic, "E. PluribusUnum," and the following inscription, in
"old German:"
"Here rests the body of the Rev. John Gottfried Arends.
Having been a true Evangelical Preacher, and died July 9th,
1807, at the age of sixty-six years, six months, and twenty-eight
days, of a kind of consumptive disease, after faithfully ad-
ministering the office of preacher for thirty-two years.
" ' Blessed are all those who die, like thou :
They, to the rest of heaven, shall come.'
'.' ' Remember, man, as you pass by.
As you are now, so once was I ;
As I am now you soon shall be,
Therefore prepare to follow me. ' ' '
The Rev. Charles Augustus Gottlieb Storch was born, edu-
cated, and ordained in Germany. In response to repeated calls
from Nussman, at length, in 1788, the Helmstaedt Missionary
Society sent the Rev. Storch to his assistance. He was a man
of remarkable ability, having a thorough university training, a
close and painstaking student, and was well versed in all ques-
tions of doctrine and Church polity then claiming the at-
tention of the Church. For forty-three years he was the recog-
nized leader of the Church in the South, and also exerted a
strong influence in other parts of the country. Such was his
scholarship that it was said he could converse fluently in five or
six different languages. His life was full of labors for the Mas-
ter, and men bestowed high honors upon him. In 1814 he was
called to St. John's Church, in Charleston, S. C, but he de-
clined the call, thereby endearing him all the more to his con-
gregation in Rowan County. He died March 27th, 1831, in
the full triumphs of a living faith, and was buried in Organ
Church graveyard.
In the language of Dr. Rumple, a Presbyterian minister, in
his " History of Rowan County," N. C, " His long service of
'more than forty years, including the critical period of his
people's transition from the use of the German to the use of the
English language, did much to preserve Lutheranism from decay
and extinction in Rowan County. It is because of his labors.
1 8 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
doubtless, that the Lutherans are, at the present day, equal in
numbers to all other denominations together in this county. ' '
In the year 1787 Rev. Nussman's heart was gladdened in be-
ing permitted to welcome another laborer into the mission field
of the Lutheran Church in North Carolina. This was the Rev.
Christian Eberhard Bernhardt, a native of Stuttgart, in the
kingdom of Wiirtemberg. He was ordained in Wiirtemberg,
about 1785, and came to America in the year 1786. He landed
at Savannah, and then proceeded to Ebenezer, Ga., where he
remained twelve months. In 1787 he went to Rowan County,
N. C, and labored among the churches there one year, doubt-
less in that part of the county east of the Yadkin River, now
known as Davidson County. In 1788 he took charge of the
congregations in Stokes and Forsythe Counties, which had been
organized and frequently visited by Rev. Nussman. Here Rev.
Bernhardt was married, but the records do not mention the
name of his wife. One year later he removed to Guilford
County, where he remained to the close of the year 1800, when
he accepted the call to become the pastor of Zion's and several
other Lutheran churches in Lexington District, S. C. There
he served until August 27 th, 1809, when he passed over the
river of death and entered into the land of eternal rest. He
was a good and true servant of the Lord and did faithful work
in His vineyard.
Rev. Arnold Roschen was born, educated, ordained, and
married in the city of Bremen, Germany. He came to America
in 1788, arriving at Charleston, S. C, on the twenty-eighth day
of November. He remained in Charleston ten weeks and then
spent two weeks in his overland trip to North Carolina, arriving
February 20th, 1789. His work was in Davidson County and
his home was near Beck's Church, now belonging to the Ten-
nessee Synod. Very little is known of him, except that he re-
mained here but about eleven years, returning to Germany some
time in 1800.
Rev. Robert Johnson Miller was born and educated in Scot-
land. He came to America in 1774, one year after the arrival
of Revs. Nussman and Arends. He located in Charlestown,
LIFE AND LABORS OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN MINISTERS. 1 9
Mass. , engaging in mercantile business until the opening of the
Revolutionary War, when he enlisted in the American army.
The close of the war found him in Virginia, where, in 1784, he
joined the Methodist Church and was licensed as a Methodist
preacher. Laboring as such, he eventually came to North Caro-
lina and preached in some of the western counties. About the
year 1786 he became lay reader for the Whitehaven congrega-
tion of Lincoln County. This was an Episcopal congregation,
composed of Episcopalians, Luthei-ans, and, possibly, German
Reformed. The congregation had been dependent upon Rev.
Arends for the administration of the Word and sacraments, but
now, as related in another chapter, Miller was ordained, upon
the petition from this congregation. For twenty-two years he
labored as a Lutheran pastor, faithfully serving several Lutheran
congregations. Once he was elected President and thrice as
Secretary of the Synod, and in 1821, when he withdrew from
the Lutheran Church, the President of Synod, Rev. G. Schober,
in the name of the whole Lutheran Church, tendered him
thanks for his many years of faithful service. He died in 1834,.
having lived a long and useful life in the service of the Master.
The Rev. Paul Henkel was a great-grandson of Rev. Gerhard
Henkel, who was one among the very first Lutheran ministers
to come to America. He was born near where Salisbury now
stands, in 1754, or about seven years after the first German set-
tlements, and forty-nine years before the organization of the
North Carolina Synod. In 1760 the family removed to Vir-
ginia. When a young man, about twenty-two years old, he
began preparing for the Gospel ministry, under the instruction
of the Rev. J. A. Krug, of Fredericktown, Md. He was ex-
amined and licensed by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, and
afterward ordained by the same body, in Philadelphia, Pa.,
June 6th, 1792. He labored zealously, faithfully, and accept-
ably in different parts of Virginia until 1800, when he accepted
a call to work in his native State. For five years he labored in
Rowan and adjoining counties and then returned to Virginia,
where he died on November 27th, 1825, loved and lamented by
all who knew him.
20 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Such were the men who, under God, were the pastors and
leaders of the churches in North Carolina, prior to and reaching
up to the organization of the Synod, in 1803. In intellectual
attainments and culture they were giants in their day and gen-
eration ; in their pastoral aptitude and faithfulness they have
never been excelled ; and their pulpit eloquence and power were
such that vast congregations gathered to hear them, and many
hundreds of souls were brought, under their ministration, to the
saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus.
They were not confined, in their labors, to 'any geographical
limits ; the whole country, destitute of the means of grace, was
their pastorate, and all needy souls their care. Broadly, deeply,
and firmly they laid the foundations of many congregations in
different States : some in North Carolina, South Carolina, Vir-
ginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and even in Indiana and Ohio.
Their business was hunting for perishing, lost souls ; feeding
them upon the blessed word and sacraments ; and instructing
and confirming the young and old in the glorious faith " Once
delivered to the saints. ' '
Long years ago their earthly toils were ended and they
entered into that ' ' Rest that remains to the people of God. ' '
Their blessed memory is with us, and the fruits of their labor
we see all around us. God help us to follow them in their zeal
and fidelity.
CHAPTER III.
THE CAUSES THAT LED TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE NORTH
CAROLINA SYNOD.
During the fifty-six years that intervened between 1747, the
time of the first Gernian settlements in the Piedmont section of
North Carolina, and 1803, the time of the organization of the
North Carolina Synod, many important events and changes had
taken place, both in Church and State. Many of these events
were fraught with deep interest and vital consequences.
When we read of the trials and difficulties, labors and sacri-
fices, privations and sufferings of those few pioneer pastors of
our Church in North Carolina, it seems hardly credible that they
could have endured so much and accomplished such really ^reat
things as they did.
Suppose, for example, that Nussman and Arends and Storch,
like some others, had become discouraged and disheartened,
and had abandoned the field, what would have been the conse-
quences ? Certainly the progress of our Church would have
been retarded for years, and, possibly, her destruction accom-
plished by her members being carried over into other folds, as
was the case, in some instances, in other parts of the United
States.
Among the causes leading up to the organization of the Synod
was the Revolutionary War, with its attendant influences and
results upon Church and State. The period just preceding the
outbreak of the war was full of encouragement and hope to the
German settlers. They had had many and severe struggles
during the first years of their settlement in North Carolina, but
at length, under the blessings of the Almighty, temporal success
had crowned their efforts ; peace, prosperity, and happiness
were theirs to a greater extent, and in a higher degree, than ever
before. So, too, the conditions and prospects of the Church of
(21)
2 2 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
their love were brighter and more promising than they had
ever been. Under the energetic, persevering, and faithful
labors of their pastors, congregations had been organized and
churches were being erected wherever there were Lutherans suf-
ficient to justify the step, and, notwithstanding the immense
amount of labor necessary to do so, these congregations were
being faithfully served, and were growing in numbers, works,
and fruits. True, there still were only a few pastors to occupy
and cultivate the wide and growing field ; but, few as they were,
they made up for the lack in numbers in their faith, zeal, and
perseverance.
Through the instrumentality of their pastors, an interest in
the colony, and especially in their churches, had been created
in the parent Church in Germany. And, as a result, men and
means had already been sent over, and there were prospects and
promise of continued assistance in the near future, so that the
colonists confidently and joyfully looked forward to the time
when they would be fully provided with pastors and teachers to
supply all their spiritual needs. But, alas ! how soon were all
these bright prospects blasted ! The colonies were plunged into
a bloody and heroic struggle for liberty, that lasted for eight
, long years ; and that, when ended, although liberty and inde-
pendence were secured, it left behind evil results, from which
it took them many more years to recover.
No matter how grand and inspiring the end contemplated,
nor how glorious the final results, war is always a calamity. It
inevitably brings death and destruction to both life and property.
To the colonists in North Carolina, just emerging from their
long and severe struggle, it came with blasting effects. Divi-
sions were created between neighbors and friends, and even in
families ; their hard-earned and closely husbanded means were,
in a measure, swept away ; all progress and improvements ceased ;
and the bright prospects, so lately theirs, disappeared like mist
before the rising sun. Not only so, but under the baneful in-
fluences of the war, the faith and morals of the people became
unsettled ; the means of grace were partially, and, in some
ocalities, wholly neglected ; resulting in apostasy, skepticism,
CAUSES THAT LED TO THK ORGANIZATION. 23
and reckless infidelity. Rationalism also reared aloft its ser-
pent head until, as a natural result, there was a breaking away
from the old moorings of faith, and a corresponding godlessness
and immorality of life. Our Lutheran colonists were not an
exception to the general rule ; and hence the old Lutheran faith
suffered, and the old symbols of that faith were set aside by
many as old and effete ; or, if acknowledged at all, with such
mental reservations as would eventually, if allowed to continue,
have completely undermined and destroyed them ; while under
the alluring name of liberty, church discipline was ignored and
■despised until the Rev. Storch was forced to admit that " Party
spirit has risen to a fearful height. The prevalence of infidelity,
the contempt of the best of all religions, its usages and servants,
the increase of irreligion and crime, have occasioned me many
sad hours. ' '
Another consequence of the war, already telling so heavily
upon our colonists and the Church, was the withdrawal of pecu-
niary aid and the furnishing of pastors by the Consistory of
Hanover, in Germany, under whose supervision the churches in
North Carolina had been, ever since the commissioners from
Organ and St. John's congregations had laid their needs before
it, in 1772.
During the eight years of the war, all communication with
Germany was, of course, interrupted. And after the war, the
Consistory of Hanover became indifferent to the necessities of
the churches in North Carolina, because George HL, of the
house of Hanover, was the reigning King of England, and the
Consistory of Hanover naturally was antagonistic to the inde-
pendence of the American colonies. Finally, they transferred
them to the supervision of the Helmstaedt Mission Society ;
otherwise the churches might have dwindled away and died.
Even with this help the churches were reduced to a feeble and
impoverished condition, from which there seemed, at that time,
but little hope of recovery.
It is one of the peculiarities of mankind to run from one ex-
treme to another; and, true to nature, in 1800 and 1801, in the
turning away from infidelity and rationalism, that had become
24 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
SO widespread and devastating in its results, there swept over
the land a tide of fanatical revivalism, of a character and de-
monstration never known nor heard of before, causing wonder
and surprise among both pastors and people, and resulting in a
confusion of mind and a division of opinions.
The German churches for a time, at least, governed by the
wise counsels of their pastors, refrained from participation in
the wild and extravagant doings of those around them. But
seeiiig their neighbors and associates, under the influence of
preaching and praying, so strangely and powerfully affected, and
finding that even their own pastors did not understand this
emotional religion and were unable to explain it to them, it is
no wonder that they, too, at length, yielded to this mysterious
influence, and were carried into the movement even, perhaps,
against their own better judgment.
The German Lutheran pastors were not, at first, agreed as to
the worth and reliability of these new measures, and, naturally
enough, felt the need of an organization, that would bring them
into more intimate communion with each other, and be as a
bond of union among them ; some kind of an organization
through which they could meet and consult with each other, and
thus protect themselves and their people against false views and
erroneous practices as they existed around them. So, also,
they realized the need of more pastors, and the difficulty in ob-
taining them from Germany, hence the necessity of some kind
of an organization among themselves that would not be under
any foreign supervision, but have power and authority to ex-
amine applicants for the ministerial office, and, when found
qualified, ordain them. This was impressed still more forcibly
upon them by the remembrance of the petition that had been
presented to the Lutheran pastors of Rowan and Mecklenburg
Counties, asking them to examine and ordain Robert Johnson
Miller, in order that he might serve certain churches in Lincoln
County. In compliance with the wishes of the petitioners, a
meeting was called at St. John's Church, Mecklenburg County,
for May 20th, 1794, and then and there was held the first
ecclesiastical assembly of the Lutheran Church of North Car-
olina.
CAUSES THAT LED TO THE ORGANIZATION. 25
All the Lutheran pastors, Nussman, Arends, Storch, Roschen,
and Bernhardt, were present, participated in the examination
and ordination of Mr. Miller, and signed their names to his-
certificate, which, in a mutilated form, is still in existence.*
The salient points in connection with this ordination are
that previous to this time, Mr. Miller had been licensed by the
Methodist Church to preach the Gospel ; that as such Methodist
licentiate he had been preaching to an Episcopal congregation ;
that those Episcopalians were highly pleased with him, and, there
being no Episcopal Diocese in North Carolina at that time, peti-
tioned the Lutheran pastors for his ordination ; and that that
Lutheran Ecclesiastical Assembly, fully satisfied with his exami-
nation, did ordain him to the Gospel ministry, he always to be
obedient to the laws of the Episcopal ( "hurch. Thus he was
the second pastor ever ordained by the Lutheran ministry in
North Carolina. If there was any other business transacted at
that meeting at St. John's, we have no record of it. And yet
we can easily imagine that they must have consulted with each
other, talked over the condition of the churches, and of their
need of closer relations and more frequent intercourse. But,
strange to say, there was no other'meeting held, doubtless owing
to the death of Rev. Nussman, which occurred only five months
later, and the moving away of Revs. Roschen and Bernhardt a
few years after that event.
Nine years later, however, on May zd, 1803, a special con-
ference of ministers and layman was held in Salisbury, N. C,
for the sole purpose of organizing themselves into a Synod, or
conference, as it was then called. Who inaugurated the move-
ment, and what, if any, preliminary steps were taken, we do
not know, only they met and organized at that time and place.
Revs. Arends, Storch, Miller, and Paul Henkel, that is, all the
Lutheran pastors, together with fourteen lay delegates, constdtuted
the convention.
No list of congregations was published at that time, but there
are good reasons for believing that Organ, St. John's of Salis-
bury, Union, Lutheran Chapel, St. John's of Lincoln County,
Reformation, St. Luke's of Davidson County, Pilgrim, Richland,.
* Bernheim's History, page 339.
26 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
St. Paul's of Alamance County, Lau's, Frieden's, Beck's, and
Nazareth congregations were represented.
Rev. Arends was made President and Rev. Miller, Secretary.
The only business transacted was the taking of steps looking
to the preparation and adoption of a constitution and arrang-
ing for the first annual meeting, to be held in Lincolnton, on
the third of the following October.
Nussman, the old pioneer pastor, did not live to see that glad
day, he having passed to his eternal reward soon after the meet-
ing to ordain Pastor Miller, that is, November 3d, 1794-
St. John's Church of Cabarrus County, one of the three
mother-churches in North Carolina, was not represented, and did
not take part in the organization of the Synod, not uniting with
the Synod until its Fourth Convention, held in Organ Church,
October 20th, 1806.
At first there seems to have been no definite action as to the
name the Synod should bear, being sometimes called " The
Synod," and sometimes "The Synod of the Lutheran Church."
But in 181 7 it was definitely fixed as " The Evangelical Lutheran
German and English Synod of North Carolina and Adjacent
States." This continued to be the official title until the dis-
continuance of the use of the German language, when the words
' ' German and English ' ' were dropped. And when in the
course of years other Synods were formed and her work was
•confined to North Carolina, the words " Adjacent States " were
likewise eliminated. Now her official and chartered title is
"The Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium of North
Carolina. ' ' Thus the Synod was launched upon the sea of time.
The grand old fathers, few but wise and noble, built, indeed,
better than they knew. Little did they realize the importance
of the step they had taken ! Little did they think of the strug-
gles through which they and the whole Synod would be called
to pass ! But they built in the name and fear of God, looking
to Him for guidance, trusting all in His hands. And He
accepted the trust, and has ever been with the Synod, leading,
protecting, preserving, and blessing her abundantly. Truly
may we exclaim in this centennial year of the Synod,
" Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
CHAPTER IV.
CONFESSIONAL HISTORY OF THE SYNOD.
That the original fathers and founders of the Lutheran Church
in America brought with them from the Fatherland a strong
Lutheran consciousness, an abiding love for the dear old Church,
and an intelligent faith in her distinctive doctrines and usages
is certainly beyond question or dispute. But it is also a well-
known and lamentable fact that in the years that followed great
changes took place, in many things, that were not always in full
accord with the teachings of the Symbolical Books.
Settled in a new and strange land ; far. removed from the
direct influences of- the old home Church ; surrounded by fanat-
ical sects, all eager to proselyte ; with very few ministers of
their own faith, and in some localities without any for years,
it is not to be wondered at that the Lutheran confessional con-
sciousness of their descendants .became weakened, blurred, con-
fused, and in some instances so vitiated as to be scarcely recog-
nizable.
As a result of these conditions, the records show that the
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, the oldest Lutheran Synod in
America, organized by Muhlenberg and his co-laborers in 1748,
was for more than half a century without any distinctively
Lutheran, official, confessional basis.* In her first Constitution,
in both the original and the later revised editions, there was no
mention of the Word of God or of any of our Lutheran con-
fessions.
So, too, the Ministerium of New York, the second oldest
Synod in America, organized in 1786, thirty-eight years after
the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and nineteen years prior to
the North Carolina Synod, was for years in the same condition.
* Prof. J. W. Richard, D. D., in Lutheran Quarterly, October, 1895, page
459, etc.
(27)
a8 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Her Constitution was absolutely silent concerning the Bible
and the Lutheran confessions, and did not even contain the word
Lutheran.
It is not strange, therefore, that, the German Lutheran settlers-
in North Carolina, who had nearly all come from Pennsylvania,
where so much laxness prevailed, should be found wanting in
the same things. Here, too, they were not surrounded with
any circumstances that specially called for a specific confessional
statement. They were at peace among themselves, as well as-
with others around them ; there was and had been no assault
made upon their Church or its doctrines, and hence there was
no apparent necessity for dogmatical declarations as to their own
faith, or the faith of the Church which they loved. In con-
sequence, the Constitution adopted by the North Carolina Synod,
at its first annual meeting at Lincolnton, N. C., October 17th,
1803, following the examples of the two older Synods, was-
intended simply as a statement of the principles or laws by
which they proposed to be governed in carrying on the work
of the Church and in maintaining discipline among both pas-
tors and laymen, and not as a specific statement of the con-
fessional basis of the Synod. As such, it did not contain the
word Lutheran, nor any direct mention of the confessional writ-
ings of our Church.
But that does not mean, and should not be construed to mean,
that the Synod, as such, had no Lutheran consciousness, was
lacking in Lutheran faith, or that they questioned, doubted, or
disputed any of the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, but only
that there was, at that time, no known necessity for a formal
and public confessional statement, and hence no such statement
was made.
When, in after years, the necessity arose, her specific declara-
tion was not wanting. That the Synod, as such, held the true
Lutheran position, the Word of God, the only and infallible
rule of faith and practice, and the confessions of the Church
correct interpretations of that rule, is evident from the fact that
in her first Constitution she says (Article IV.): "No one shall
be ordained to the ministry until the ministers who examine-
CONFESSIONAL HISTORY OF THE SYNOD. 29
him are fully satisfied that he has a sufficient and satisfactory
acquaintance with the New Testament in the Greek language,
his faith (doctrines of the Church), and the Latin language."
There can be no question but that the expression "Doctrines
of the Church ' ' then meant and had reference to the Lutheran
confessions, and hence, in this article of the Constitution, there
is the subscription to both Word and confessions. Not, to be
sure, in as definite, precise language as she used in after years,
and yet clear enough that she understood what she meant, and
there was no challenge to her position.
From this position she has never receded. So far as authentic
records are concerned, there are no evidences that she ever
modified, denied, or rejected any article of the Lutheran faith,
but has ever pressed on to a deeper conciousness and a fuller
and clearer statement of what she believes.
It is an interesting study to mark how the Synod gradually
developed her Lutheran consciousness, more and more forcibly,
plainly and formally expressing herself, as the times and circum-
stances seemed to demand.
Thus, in 1804, at the Second Annual Convention, she ordered
that "The first twenty-one articles of the Augsburg Confession
be printed on sheets so that all members of the congregations
may obtain them at small price, so as to become acquainted with
them.*
In i8o6t, at the Third Convention, she ordered " That no
pastor in our connection shall confirm children, except in case
of absolute necessity, without a six-weeks' preparation before-
hand." And when the question arose as to " Which Catechism
should be the basis of instruction ? ' ' she unanimously and
emphatically declared that the Catechism published by Ambro-
sius Henkel might be used in explaining the meaning, but that
"Luther's Smaller Catechism must ever be the basis of cate-
chetical instruction. ' ''
In 18 1 7 she revised her Constitution, and in 18 18 published
it and twenty-two articles of the Augsburg Confession, together
* See Printed Minutes, 1804, page 13.
f See Printed Minutes, 1806, pages 14-15.
30 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
with Other matter, in a book, that afterward became a bone of
contention, and was popularly called " Luther," which by the
direction of the Synod had been prepared by Rev. G. Shober,
and which was ' ' highly approved ' ' and ' ' unanimously adopted ' '
by the Synod.
The following is the Constitution :
"Constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran German
AND English Synod of North Carolina and Adjacent
States, as Revised and Enlarged at their October Ses-
sion, 1817.
"Article I. The first twenty-one articles of the Confession
delivered to the assembled Diet at Augsburg, in Germany, by
the l^utheran divines, known by the name of the Augsburg
Confession, as extracted from the Bible, is the point of union of
our Church. Every minister, before ordination, pledges him-
self to the same.
" Article IL The Synod consists of ordained ministers and
candidates to the ministry, and is to meet annually, on Trinity
Sunday, in rotation of counties.
" Article III. Every congregation hath a right to send dep-
uties, such as are in full communion of our Church, and if they
produce a certificate of their election they are entitled to a seat
and vote.
"Article IV. All deputies have a right to vote, by congre-
gations, so that every congregation has a vote, and the majority
decides ; but the lay deputies, taken together, have no more
votes than the number of ministers belonging to our ministry
respecting general concerns.
" Article V. Every Synod elects a President, Secretary, and
Treasurer. The first two officers must be ordained ministers,
and belong to our ministry.
" Article VI. No person shall be admitted to administer the
Word, except he be recommended in writing, and, on examina-
tion, found to be sufficiently qualified ; and not before he is
twenty-one years of age.
"Article VII. No preacher (except he is ordained or
licensed by a Synod in the United States, an.d bearing sufficient
credentials of the same, and of his moral conduct) is admitted
as belonging to our Church, before he is licensed in writing,
sealed with the ministerial seal, and signed by the President and
countersigned by the Secretary. These licenses are only granted
for one year, except in extraordinary cases. Every license ex-
CONFESSIONAL HISTORY OF THE SYNOD. 31
presses the degree of authority thereby given, and on expiration
of the same the authority ceaseth.
" Article VIII. The degrees of our ministry are : Catechet,
candidate, deacon, and pastor. The first two degrees are under
license ; the third under ordination, but confined to his congre-
gations ; the last conveys general authority, but he must have
studied divinity in a seminary, or with an ordained minister, for
three years, and have made tolerable progress in the classic lan-
guages, but, in particular cases, exceptions may be admitted.
"Article IX. It is incumbent on the Synod, as far as pos-
sible, to provide that such congregations as have no regular min-
isters appointed, and who apply for the same, may be served by
visiting ministers, with all ministerial functions ; and that the
I^ord's Supper may be celebrated at least twice in each year.
And the holy sacrament is always to be celebrated in the con-
gregation, at the opening or meeting of a Synod, to which all
full members of our Church, from other congregations, are to be
invited. The President is to appoint the ministers for that pur-
pose, if there is no settled minister in such congregation.
' ' Article X. Every minister, of every grade, is to keep a
register of baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and burials, in
his congregation, and report the same annually to the Synod,
with such other memorable occurrences as deserve attention.
"Article XI. It is the duty of every preacher to instruct
all children of our members, from twelve years old and upwards,
in the Catechism, and to confirm them, or have them confirmed,
in their baptismal vow, by authorized ministers, and admit
them to the sacrament, when they are sufficiently enlightened.
The Small Catechism of Dr. Luther, in the German language,
and the Christian Catechism, in the English language, are to be
used for such instruction, and the doctrine is to be explained for
six weeks prior to the confirmation, if possible.
"Article XII. Only such as are baptized and (when that
was done during infancy) confirmed, and have partaken of the
Lord's Supper with us, can be acknowledged full members of
the Church.
"Article XIII. This Constitution can be altered or
amended when two-thirds of all ministers and deputies agree. ' '
Now notice that Article I. of this Constitution reads thus :
"The first twenty -one articles of the Confession, delivered to
the assembled Diet at Augsburg, in Germany, by the Lutheran
divines, known by the name of the Augsburg Confession, as ex-
tracted from the Bible, is the point of union of our Church.
32 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Every minister, before ordination, pledges himself to the
same. ' '
Of this, two things are important. It was the first officially
declared specific confessional basis of the Synod, and it was the
first formal and public avowal of the recognition of the Augs-
burg ConfessiiDn by any Lutheran Synod in America.
In 1818, the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, the oldest and by
far the largest body in America bearing the Lutheran name, in-
augurated a movement looking to a closer union of all the
Lutheran Synods in America. In 1819 she sent out to those
Synods a proposed " Plan of Union." In that plan there was
no formal confessional basis suggested, and the Bible and the
Lutheran Confessions were not so much as named.
In 1820, when the General Synod was formally organized, the
North Carolina Synod was represented by Rev. G. Shober.
Acting under instructions given by the unanimous voice of the
Synod, at the convention held in April, 18 19, he endeavored,
in the name of the Syiiod, though unsuccessfully, to secure the
recognition of the Augsburg Confession in the plan of union,
and in the proposed constitution for the new general body.
Of this effort of the North Carolina Synod and the results
flowing from it. Dr. J. W. Richard, in the Lutheran Quarterly
for October, 1895, says: " Fortunately for the Lutheran Church
in the United States, the New York Ministerium, which took
part in the adoption of the Constitution at Hagerstown, in 1820,
■did not send delegates again until 1837 ; and the Pennsylvania
Ministerium, whose delegation at Hagerstown outnumbered all
others together, withdrew prior to the meeting of 1823, and was
not represented again on the floor of the General Synod until
1853, thus giving the Lutheran Confessional Consciousness,
which existed in the North Carolina and Maryland-Virginia
Synods, time to grow and strengthen until the body should be-
come Lutheran iti reality as it was in name."
As, evidence of the Synod's continued advancement upon the
principles laid down in her first Constitution, and that she in-
tended that her pastors should be competent to teach true
Lutheran theology, in accordance with those principles, she, in
CONFESSIONAL HISTORY OF THE SYNOD. 33
1846, adopted the following questions, to be propounded to all
candidates for ordination :
" I. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Tes-
taments to contain the Word of God, and that it is the only in-
fallible rule of faith and practice ?
"2. Do you believe that the fundamental doctrines of the
Word of God are taught in a manner substantially correct in the
■doctrinal articles of the Augsburg Confession ? ' '
This continued to be the doctrinal basis of the Synod until
1869, when, as a further evidence of her determination to pre-
serve and maintain her distinctive Lutheran basis, she adopted,
unanimously, the following ;
" We believe that the Canonical Books of the Old and New
Testaments are given by inspiration of God, and are the perfect
and only rule of faith and practice."
"We believe that the three general creeds, the Apostolic,
Nicene, and Athanasian, exhibit the faith of the Church univer-
sal, in accordance with this rule."
HI.
" We believe that the unaltered Augsburg Confession is, in
all its parts, in harmony with the Word of God, and is a correct
exhibition of doctrine."
IV.
" We believe that the Apology, the Catechisms of Luther,
the Smalcald Articles, and the Formula of Concord are a faith-
ful development and defense of the doctrines of the Word of
God as set forth in the Augsburg Confession. ' '
To this basis the Synod adhered unreservedly until 1889,
when she, unanimously and without debate, adopted her present
Confessional Basis, which is as follows :
"The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of North Carolina con-
fesses that the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testa-
ments are the Word of God, given by inspiration of the Holy
34 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Ghost, and are the clear, only, and sufficient rule of faith ; that
the three general creeds, Apostles', the Nicene, and the Atha-
nasian, exhibit the faith of the Church universal, in accordance
with this rule ; that the unaltered Augsburg Confession is, in all
its parts, in harmony with this rule of faith, and is a correct ex-
hibition of its doctrine ; and that the Apology, the Larger and
Smaller Catechisms of Luther, the Smalcald Articles, and the
Formula of Concord are a faithful development and defense of
the doctrines of God's Word and of the Augsburg Confession.
All her questions concerning the faith of the Church, its min-
isters or congregations, and the administration of the Word
and sacraments, shall be judged and decided according to this
rule and these Confessions. ' '
Thus we have briefly traced the confessional history of the
Synod, from its beginning up to the present, and the only con-
clusion that can be drawn is that her elaborate and unequivocal
Lutheran Confessional Basis of to-day is but the outcome, the
natural growth and developement of the fundamental principles
embodied, though ever so crudely, in her iirst Constitution.
In the course of her long and eventful life it is not surprising
if there have been those in her ranks, at different times, who
were unsound and un-Lutheran in faith or practice, or both.
It has been so in nearly all Synods. But if there have been
any such, the responsibility, the blame, should be laid upon
them personally, and not upon the Synod. For, as such, there
is no record of her ever having denied or rejected any doctrine
of the Lutheran faith. She has always stood, as she stands to-
day, squarely upon the Word of God as the rule of faith, and
the Confessions as correct exponents of that rule.
CHAPTER V.
TERRITORY AND GROWTH OF THE SYNOD.
To US, of the present day, who have always enjoyed the ad-
vantages and blessings of Synodical relations, it seems strange
that in the early life of our Church in America so many years
were permitted to pass away before the congregations were or-
ganized into Synods. But, strange as it may seem to us, it is,
nevertheless, true, that although the first German Lutheran im-
migrants came to Pennsylvania about 1680, and that their first
congregations were organized very soon thereafter, yet it was
not until sixty-eight years later, that is, 1748, that the
Ministerium of Pennsylvania was organized. And, although
the first Lutheran immigrants settled in New York about
1621, and their first congregation was organized in 1664, yet it
was not until one hundred and forty-seven years later, and
thirty-eight years after the formation of the Ministerium of
Pennsylvania, that is, 1786, that the Ministerium of New York
was organized. So, too, in the territory afterward occupied by
the North Carolina Synod. Although the first German settle-
ments in the Piedmont section were made in 1747, and the first
congregations were organized somewhere between then and 1766,
yet it was not until fifty-five years after the formation of the
Ministerium of Pennsylvania, fifty-six years after their first set-
tlement was made, and when their first congregations were about
forty years old, that the Synod was organized.
Why this long delay, can be matter of conjecture only, as no
records concerning it have been found. But when we remember
that Rev. Nussman had succeeded, before the Revolutionary
War, in placing the Lutheran Church in North Carolina in con-
nection with the parent Church in Germany ; that through this
arrangement substantial help in both men and mtens had been
received, and the Church thereby greatly benefited ; that after
(35)
36 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
the war Nussman made strong and successful efforts to renew
the relationship which had been severed by the war ; that his
principal congregation, St. John's, of Cabarrus, had adopted
resolutions and made pledges concerning the funds donated ;
and that the congregation did not participate in the organiza-
tion of the Synod, we are led to the inference that Rev. Nussman
must not have favored the severing of their relations with the
Church in Germany,' and the formation of a Synod to be inde-
pendent of all other ecclesiastical bodies. Being the senior
minister, loved, honored, and respected by all, it was perfectly
natural for both pastors and congregations to defer to his opinions
and wishes, and hence the Synod was not organize.d until nearly
nine years after his death.
When, however, the Synod was organized, in 1803, the
Church was aroused and enthused as it never had been be-
fore. New life and hope and energy were thereby created in
the minds of pastors and people, resulting in a rapid growth in
numbers and strength and a wide expansion of territory.
At the organization of the Synod, as stated in a former chap-
ter, there were present and participating four ministers and
fourteen lay delegates, presumably representing, at least, four-
teen congregations. In those early days they did not publish
the list of pastors, lay delegates, and congregations belonging
to Synod, as we do now, and hence it is impossible for us to
know just what congregations then constituted the Synod, and
who the lay delegates were.
That we may realize how rapidly the Synod grew" let us take
a glance at those early records.
At the Fourth Convention, held in 1806, St. John's Church,
Cabarrus County, and Indian Creek Church were received.
At the Eighth Convention, held in 1810, one congregation in
North Carolina and Bethel, St. Peter's, and Zion Churches, of
South Carolina, were received and the following jireachers,
churches, elders, deacons, and lay readers were reported as be-
longing to the Synod :
TERRITORY AND GROWTH OF THE SYNOD.
37
IN ROWAN COUNTY, N. C, Rev. C. A. G. Storch, Pastor.
Churches.
Elders.
Deacons.
Zion's, i. c. Organ.
Theobald Lentz
George Michael Heilig.
Adam Steuerwald
Adam Gruss
Buffalo Creek, i. c
John's, Cabarrus.
Irish Settlement, i
Lutheran Chapel.
St. Nicholas Ridenauer. .
ijohn Beringer
■Jacob Bast
Jacob Miller
Conrad Schlup.
Pine Church, i. e., Union
Crooked Creek Church.
St. Peter's
Bear Creek, i. e.
Stanly County.
Bethel,
John Bernhard, Lay
Reader
George Huthman.
John Miller.
John Edelman.
Nicholas Beringer.
Peter Thiem.
Paul Beringer.
Martin Blackwalder.
John Ridohr.
John Setzer.
Michael Bastian.
John Kistler.
Tobias Guthmann.
Jacob Braun.
Andrew Bauer.
George Froelich.
Ludwig Hardess.
John Herche.
Christopher Leyerli.
Henry Zeits.
IN DAVIDSON COUNTY, N. C. , Rev. Ludwig Markert, Pastor.
Churches.
Pilgrim Church .
Beck's Church..
Swicegood's, i. e.,
Creek Church . .
Lau's Church. . . .
Frieden's Church..
Sandy
Elders.
Christian Meyer
Valentine Tag
John Beck
David Beyrer.
Adam Schweisguth.
John Gabel
John Gobel
Jacob Krieson
Deacons.
Henry Conrad.
Peter Lapp.
Ephraim Gass.
Henry Ratz.
Philip Beck.
Ludwig Lau.
John Philippi.
John Gebel.
John Kob.
IN ORANGE COUNTY, N. C.
Churches.
Elders.
Deacons.
flrflvp's Churrh i k St.
John Fogelman.
Paul's, Alamance
Melchior Essley.
Churches.
IN RANDOLPH COUNTY, N. C.
Elders.
Richland Church.
John Schwartz. . .
Jacob Krieson,
Reader.
Lay
Deacons.
Joseph Staley.
38 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
IN STOKES AND ROWAN COUNTIES, Rev. Gottlieb Shober, Pastor.
Churches.
Elders.
Deacons.
Muddy Creek Church
Henry Holder.
Samuel Vogler.
John Krausser.
Dutchman's Creek
Nicholas Gliick
Benjamin Henkel.
Henry Clement.
IN LINCOLN COUNTY, N. C, Rev. Philip Henkel, Pastor.
Churches.
Elders.
Deacons.
St. John's Church
John Eisenhauer.
Bernhard Siegman.
John Schmidt.
John Schmeyer.
Jacob Klein.
Peter Heil.
Old Church
Christopher Siegman. . . .
Jacob VoUbrecht.
School-house Church ....
Thomas Huber
Abraham Hefner
Jacob Straub.
Peter Rein
Lebanon Church
Emanuel' s Church
Matthias Kilian
G. G. Gerding. . .
Moses Baumgartner.
George Risch.
Hebron Church.
Nicholas Eiler.
Zion's Church
Benjamin Weitmer.
Jacob Hahn.
IN SOUTH CAROLINA, Without Pastors.
Churches.
Elders.
Deacons.
Bethel Church
George Bauknecht.
George Metz.
John Weiss.
St. Peter's Church
George Lohrman
Yost Metz
Zion's Church
Guttfried Herman
Christopher Kaufman. . .
Christian Wingard
Henry Kuhn.
Samuel Bockman.
Henry Schull.
Jacob Rauch.
Jacob Nonnenmacher.
John Dreher.
Reformed Church
TERRITORY AND GROWTH OF THE SYNOD.
39
At the Ninth Convention, held in 1811, the following-named
nine congregations, in Tennessee, served by Charles Z. Henry
Smith, were received :
County.
Churches.
Elders.
Sullivan.
Zion . . ...
John Shafer.
Adam Miller.
Rollers
George Lideke.
Abraham Shnep.
Elias Bowman.
Washington
No name given
Jacob Spohr.
Adam Itz.
Christian Beebel.
Oreen
Sinking Spring
J. Damsmelzer.
Christ. German.
Creen ..
Cove Creek
Frederick Godshall.
Peter Richter.
Knox..
Lonax
Henry Lonas.
Henry Mauck.
Nicholas Gibs,
Henry Lauer.
Henry Thonas.
Blount
Thomas
John Maurer.
At the Tenth Convention, held in 181 2, Hopewell and Bethel
Churches, in Stokes County, N. C. , and Sandy Run Church, in
South Carolina, were received.
At the Eleventh Convention, held in 1813, iive congregations
in Virginia were admitted, named as follows :
COCJNTY,
Shenandoah . . . .
Shenandoah . . . .
Rockingham
Rockingham . . . .
Shenandoah . . . .
Churches,
On Hoxbiehl.. . .
Solomon's.
Rider's
Stuart's
St. Paul's
Elders.
Frederick Sauer.
John Shenk.
John Roller.
John Bauman.
Valentine Roland.
Frederick Bish.
Christian Strohle.
Jacob Folz.
40 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
At the Twelfth Conventionj held in 1814, several congrega-
tions in South Carolina were received. At the Thirteenth
Convention, held in 181 5, St. Michael's in Iredell County and
Christ's Church in Rowan County were received ; and during
the years 1815 and 1816 petitions were received from various-
congregations in South Carolina, Tennessee, Mason County...
Va., Pendleton County, Va., Rutherford and Burke Counties,.
N. C, Fairfield County, Ohio, and Washington County, Ind.,
requesting to be visited by ministers to administer the Holy
Sacraments to them, or to have certain lay readers to be ex-
amined and licensed, so as to labor in holy things among them.
At the Fourteenth Convention, held in 1816, it was decided
that the names of all pastors, candidates, and catechists belong-
ing to the Synod should be printed in the minutes. The fol-
lowing is the list :
Pastors.— Q.. A. G. Storch, Paul Henkel, R. J. Miller, Philip
Henkel, Ludwig Markert, Jacob Scherer, J. P. Franklow, and
G. Dreher.
Candidates. — D. Moser, David Henkel, Jacob Zink, Adam
Miller, J. W. Meyer, Peter Schmucker, Andrew Henkel, Michael
Ranch, Jost Muetze.
Catechists. — Jacob Krieson, Philip Roth, Daniel Scherer, Jacob
Miller, Daniel Walcher, J. E. Bell, John Dreher.
Thus it is seen that in 1816, thirteen years after the organiza-
tion of the Synod, there were nine pastors, nine candidates,
seven catechists, and about sixty congregations, numbering, per-
haps, six thousand members.
These were scattered over an area reaching from the Ohio
River to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic Ocean to
the Mississippi River, or, in other words, the whole southern
territory now occupied by the eight Synods, constituting the
United Synod of the South.
Such was the statistical and territorial condition of the Synod
at the close of the Fifteenth Convention, held in 181 7, the
year preceding the beginning of the difficulties resulting in the
organization of the Tennessee Synod ; and notwithstanding that
unhappy division, the consequent falling off in numbers, and
lERRITORY AND GROWTH OF THE SYNOD. 4 1
the deplorable conditions that fcjUowed, the Synod reported in
182 1, the year after the actual rupture, ten pastors, four deacons,
four candidates, six catechists, and about fifty congregations, who
reported for the year 578 children and thirty -nine adults bap-
tized and 189 young people confirmed.
The years that followed were filled with wrangling and unpro-
fitable discussions ; but the Synod, though rent by schism and
harassed by open foes and secret enemies, pursued the even
tenor of her way, intent upon her one great work of saving
souls, through the ministration of the Word and sacraments.
And God blessed her in her work, strengthening and enlarging
her borders and increasing her usefulness year by year. In 1824
another division took place ; this time in peace and brotherly
love, the pastors and churches in South Carolina withdrawing
and organizing the South Carolina Synod.
Again, in 1842, the brethren in Virginia organized what is
now known as the Southwest Virginia Synod. Not because of
any difficulties or differences, but that they might the better
cultivate their immediate field.
From the Tennessee Synod has since gone out the Holston
Synod, and from the South Carolina Synod have gone out the
Mississippi Synod and the Georgia Synod.
Thus it is seen that these Synods are the children and grand-
children of the mother-Synod, altogether now numbering more
than 200 pastors, nearly 500 congregations, and nearly or quite
40,000 members.
Through all the years that have followed from the little meet-
ing in Salisbury until now, God has always been with the Synod,
her "Refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,"
blessing and prospering her in every way, and giving her souls
as seals of her ministry, so that to-day, although she no longer
covers the immense territory that she once did, her work being
confined to only a part of the State of North Carolina, she num-
bers in her fold thirty-eight pastors, sixty-two congregations, and
nearly 8000 members, more than she ever numbered before at
any one time.
CHAPTER VI.
THE RUPTURE OF 1819 AND 1820.
Sixteen years have come and gone since the Synod was first
■organized, then numbering only four pastors and fourteen con-
gregations. During these years many changes have taken place
both in Church and State. Under the blessings of her Master,
she now numbers eleven pastors, five candidates, ten catechists,
and about sixty congregations. Fourteen times the Synod has
assembled, many questions have been discussed, many measures
adopted, much work undertaken, and great good accomplished.
And through it all God has been with her, peace has reigned,
and the Synod has been a unit upon all questions of doctrine
and polity, with the one only exception of the question of licen-
sure, or rather ordination. Well might it have been said, " Be-
hold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity ! ' '
But now, alas, after so many years of peace, a struggle begins
that, at length, ends in the first rupture in the Lutheran Church
in America, followed by years of bitterness and strife and alien-
ations, the effects of which are still felt, after a lapse of more
than three-quarters of a century.
At first the cloud that threatened the peace of the Synod was
but a mere speck in the Synodical horizon. But, housed in
men's hearts and nursed by their passions, it widened and grew
and spread until the whole sky was overcast and the storm burst
in all its fury, carrying havoc and destruction in its mad career.
By it, the Synod was rent in twain ; brethren, who had labored
together in love for years, became open and avowed enemies ;
congregations composed of those who had always lived together
in peace and harmony were rudely shattered ; life-long friends
.and companions were alienated; the peace of many family circles
broken up, the work of the Church interrupted, and her progress
(42)
THE RUPTURE OF 1819 AND 1820. 43
■crippled and retarded, not only then and in North Carolina, but
ever since then and in many other parts of our country.
The causes leading up to these dreadful consequences seem so
inadequate that the unbiased historian hesitates to record them,
and yet they must be recorded, else how shall this be the history
of the Synod ?
Undoubtedly the fitst and principal cause was personal differ-
ences among individual members. To understand fully, we need
to recapitulate somewhat.
In accordance with the customs then in vogue, during the in-
terim of Synod, between the Tenth and Eleventh Conventions,
that is, some time during the year 1812, two pastors had
licensed Mr. David Henkel as catechist. At the Eleventh
Convention, in 1813, Mr. Henkel presented himself before
Synod, with a petition from Lincoln County, asking for a re-
newal of his license. Mr. Henkel was then about eighteen years
old, the youngest man that had ever asked the Synod for a
license, and, of course, at that time, with limited literary attain-
ments.
In view of these facts, the Synod, acting with due caution,
' ' concluded that, if on examination he should be approved, he
should receive authority to preach and baptize. ' ' He sustained
the examination creditably, and accordingly he with J. P.
Schmucker and Daniel Moser, who had been examined at the
same time, received license for one year to preach, catechise, and
baptize.
In justice to Mr. Henkel, it is proper here to state, that which
the fathers did not know, that Mr. Henkel was a man of excellent
natural endowments, having a strong mind and an industrious
and persevering disposition, a great lover of books, and a hard
student, who, by his own individual efforts, in after years,
attained to a remarkable degreee of efficiency in the ancient
languages and in symbolical and dogmatic theology.
The Synod having its attention drawn to the prevailing custom
of licensure by two ministers between the sessions of Synod,
"after much deliberation, it was concluded that no license shall
hereafter be granted by ministers in the vacation of a Synod, as
44 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
the custom had crept in hitherto ; that at the Synod no young
person shall be licensed to preach and baptize before examina-
tion ; and that on every application, especially the first, it shall
be decided whether the applicant shall also be licensed to bap-
tize ; that if such applicant thereafter approve himself faithful,
diligent, and qualified, and he be adopted by congregations as
their teacher, he shall then be admitted a full candidate for the
holy office, and after examination receive written authority to
administer the holy sacraments in such congregations, or in those
to which he may be appointed by Synod, and nowhere else — and
that this authority shall only be in force for one year, or to the
next Synod. ' '
Mr. Henkel continued as catechist for two years, his license
being renewed by Synod in 1814. In 181 5 Mr. Henkel was
advanced to licensure for one year as candidate. At this con-
vention it was decided that, "In case a young servant of the
Church, that is, a candidate, be overcome by indolence, loss of
courage, care or anxiety for daily bread, etc. , such candidate be
reduced to a catechist. If he be a catechist, he shall be put out
of office, unless it be that sickness or other circumstances may
be the cause and excuse ; for it is possible only to those who
meet the requirements laid down, and who have the gift and train-
ing necessary, coupled with a pure life and with industry, to be
promoted in the holy office. ' '
In 1816 Mr. Henkel went to Synod expecting to receive
ordination, but the discussion over the licensure question was
on, and ordination was not granted. The question had arisen
in Lincoln County ; some advocating that no one should be per-
mitted to administer the sacrament without having been fully
ordained, whilst the Synod, as well as the Pennsylvania Synod,
whose opinion the North Carolina Synod had asked on this sub-
ject, declared and practiced that a candidate could perform all
ministerial acts before he was ordained, simply on the authority
of his being licensed by Synod to do so.
At length, to satisfy the petitioners from Lincoln, and only for
this one year, the President, Rev. Storch, dissenting, all the
candidates, including Mr. Henkel, were handed their usual
THE RUPTURE OF 1819 AND 1820. 45
licenses with full powers, with the benediction and imposition
of hands, but were not regarded as ordained ministers.
In 181 7 Mr. Henkel's license was renewed with the same
powers. In i8i8 there was no convention of Synod on account
of the change of the time of meeting.
In 1 8 19, for reasons that will be explained below, the Synod
met in St. John's Church, Cabarrus County, some weeks earlier
than the time fixed in the Constitution.
At this convention many complaints were lodged against Mr.
Henkel, and much time was consumed in examining the charges.
Some of them were proven to be true, whilst others were not.
And, in accordance with the regulations adopted in 1815, he was
reduced from the position of candidate to that of catechist,
and given a license for twelve months, with the provision that
' ' if, at the expiration of six months, he can bring a written state-
ment from his congregations that peace among them was restored,
and no more serious complaints be presented against him, then
the President of Synod shall grant him a license as candidate."
That is to say, he should be restored to his former grade. This
action of Synod was unanimous, and Mr. Henkel, on the floor of
Synod, expressed himself as being satisfied with the action, and
promised to do better in the future.
On the following Trinity Sunday, the time fixed in the Consti-
tution for the regular annual meeting, but now no longer the time
for that year, because the Synod had already held its annual
meeting some weeks before, the Rev. Philip Henkel, Candidate
Joseph E. Bell, Catechist David Henkel, and seven lay delegates
came together at the place appointed for the meeting of Synod,
St. John's Church, Cabarrus County, and where Synod had already
met, and declared themselves the Synod of North Carolina, and
contrary to the regulation of Synod, which said : " Hereafter no
one receive full ministerial authority except alone by the Synod,
and that after an examination ;" and, knowing that David Hen-
kel was under censure and on probation, and, therefore ineligible
to .ordination, Philip Henkel, upon his own authority and in de-
fiance of all law and order, ordained Candidate J. E. Bell and
■Catechist David Henkel to the office of pastor.
46 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
At the next convention of Synod, held in 1820, in Lincolnton,.
in a church served by David Henkel, the Synod refused to recog-
nize the unlawful ordination, and, in consequence, there was a
hot, spirited discussion — the Synod on one side, with Philip and
David Henkel on the other. There seemed to be no possibility
of a reconciliation ; and, as David Henkel held the house by
right of his pastorship, in the interest of peace, the Synod ad-
journed to the hotel, near by, and continued the meeting.
During this convention Candidate Bell presented himself before
Synod, acknowledged his error in submitting to ordination at the
hands of Rev. Philip Henkel contrary to the regulations of Synod,
and asked to be reinstated ; pledging himself to abide by the
Constitution and decisions of Synod. The Synod then decided
by unanimous vote, first, that Candidate Bell's ordination was ille-
gal and invalid, not only acccording to the rules and regulations
of this Synod, but according to the rules of all Christian denomi-
nations ; and, second, that in view of his repentance and confes-
sion, and his promise to remain loyal to the Lutheran Church and
faithful to his ordination vows, his ordination be made valid by
this Synod, and he be furnished with a certificate to that effect.
But the ordination of David Henkel was never recognized as
valid, he having never returned to allegiance to the North Caro-
lina Synod.
The friends and followers of David Henkel, after a short ses-
sion in the church, adjourned to meet again the following July.
Taking all this into consideration, we can easily understand
how a man of his disposition and aspirations would become per-
sonally offended with those who, as he might have expressed it,
held him back from the realization of his long-cherished hopes
and desires, and how that personal offense might lead him to
antagonize the Synod, and, eventually, to lead in the rupture, as
he did. And the fact is, that in all his after-recorded utterances
in opposition to the North Carolina Synod, as well as to indi-
vidual members of the Synod, those deep personal differences
stand out bold and prominent.
The only reason assigned for ignoring the Synod when it met
in April, and afterward claiming themselves to be the Synod, was-
THE RUPTURE OF 1819 AND 1820. 47
that the Synod had violated her Constitution in changing the
time of meeting.
The Synod was organized in May, and had held one meeting
in April, one in August, one in September, and ten in October
up to 181 7. Then, because the fall time was often sickly,
the time for the annual meeting was fixed on Trinity Sunday.
Synod met in 1817 on the third Sunday in October, and, as there
would be only about six months until the next Trinity Sunday, it
was decided to hold no meeting in 1818, but to begin the new
order by meeting on Trinity Sunday, 1819, thus allowing eighteen
months to lapse between the two conventions.
From the beginning the older pastors had felt the necessity of
a closer union with the other Lutheran Synods in America, and
as early as 181 1 Revs. Storch and Shober advocated the opening
of a correspondence with the Pennsylvania Synod, with this ob-
ject in view. But, so far as the records show, nothing came of
it, and nothing more was heard of it until 1818, the year in
which there was no meeting of the North Carolina Synod, when
the Pennsylvania Synod sent out an official invitation asking all
the Synods to send deputies to her next annual meeting, which
was to be held in Baltimore during Trinity week, 18 19, for the
purpose of considering the necessity, propriety, and feasibility of
organizing a General Synod.
Realizing the necessity and advantages of such an organization
and the desirability of the North Carolina Synod being repre-
sented in the meeting, and in order that delegates might be
elected and instructed, the officers, after consultation with the
majority of the members, called the Synod together on April
26th instead of on Trinity Sunday, which that year occurred some
six weeks later. Accordingly, the Synod met, there being present
six of the eight pastors, three of the nine candidates, six of the
seven catechists, and twelve lay delegates, perhaps as full an
attendance as had ever been at any meeting of the Synod, and
certainly a large majority of the Synod. David Henkel was-
present, and was tried on the charges preferred against him.
Revs. Paul and Philip Henkel and Candidate Bell were absent.
These three, that is, David Henkel, Philip Henkel, and J. E. Bell,.
48 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
afterward claimed that the changing of the time of meeting was
unlawful, a violation of the Constitution, and, as already stated,
met on Trinity Sunday, and proclaimed themselves the Synod.
That it would have been better and wiser for those in favor of
the General Synod to have possessed their souls in patience until
the fixed time for the meeting of Synod, no one will question ;
but that it was an assumption of power, or in any sense a viola-
tion of the Constitution, is not so easily established, because :
1 . Although the Constitution made no provisions for changing
the time of meeting on an emergency, yet the officers pursued
what should be deemed as the lawful and parliamentary course,
of first consulting both pastors and congregations, obtaining the
consent of the majority before changing the time.
2. When they came together the very first business attended
to was a statement by the President why the time had been
changed, and why they had been called together at that time,
and the question put, demanding that they should say whether
or not this was the regular annual meeting of the Synod for
this year? Whereupon it was unanimously agreed and "al-
lowed and sanctioned ' ' that this was the regular annual meet-
ing for this year ; David Henkel being present, and voting in
the affirmative, with all the rest, for there was no dissenting vote.
On the other hand, although the Constitution did not fix the
number necessary for a quorum, yet when the opposite party
came together, on Trinity Sunday, their number was so small
that they did not even claim a quorum ; and hence they were
not competent to transact any business in the name of the
Synod.
3. The very fact that this party met in the following July and
organized another Synod under another name is an acknowledg-
ment of their mistake, and that the body that met on April 26th,.
1819, was the regular annual convention of the North Carolina
Synod.
Opposition to the General Synod has been declared to have
been another cause leading up to the rupture. But the fact is,
that if there had ever been any discussion of the question on the
floor of the Synod, prior to the rupture, there is no record of it ;
THE RUPTURE OF 1819 AND 1820. 49
and no definite steps were taken looking to the organization of
such a body until 1 8 1 8, the year when there was no meeting of the
North Carolina Synod ; and at the first meeting of the North
Carolina Synod, after the call from the Pennsylvania Synod, it
has been shown above that the North Carolina Synod was unani-
mously in favor of it.
That Revs. Philip and David Henkel and those who asso-
ciated themselves with them were afterward opposed to the Gen-
eral Synod is a matter of history. That they may have been,
and probably were before, no one will dispute. But the records
show that David Henkel, the man who became the leader of the
rupture, and who afterward was so bitter against the General
Synod, voted in favor of it upon the only opportunity that he had
to vote upon the question whilst he was a member of the North
Carolina Synod, and that, too, only six weeks before his open
break with the Synod and his avowed hostility to the General
Synod.
Doctrinal differences have been assigned as another cause lead-
ing up to the rupture. But there is no official record of any
doctrinal differences in the North Carolina Synod until the. time
of its meeting in Lincolnton, in 1820, when the rupture was
actually accomplished. That there may have been such differ-
ences between individuals is not at all unlikely, but if there were
such in the North Carolina Synod there is no record of it ; and
, hence it must have been either .unknown to the Synod or not
thought of sufficient importance to demand its attention.
True, there had arisen a difference of opinion on the question
of licensure and ordination ; but this was not then considered,
and really was not a doctrinal difference, but rather a question
as to the wisest plan to pursue in providing men for the work of the
ministry, for which there was such a constant and ever-increasing
demand. The difference was not as to grades in the ministry,
all were agreed as to that, but as to whether candidates should be
ordained before being authorized to perform all ministerial acts,
or simply receive a certificate of licensure. The question origi-
nated in Lincoln County. The following year, when the vote
was put as to whether or not they should continue. the license
50 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
system as heretofore, there was but one vote cast in the negative^
and that was by Rev. R. J. Miller.
That there were doctrinal differences at the time of the rup-
ture and afterward there are abundant records to prove ; and
hence it would be more in accordance with the published official
records to say that doctrinal differences grew out of the rupture
rather than that they were the cause of it.
In the years following the rupture the controversy and conten-
tion centred in and around the book called "Luther," written-
by Rev. G. Shober, at the appointment of Synod. Concerning
this book and its contents there are some remarkable facts stand-
ing upon record :
1. In 1816 the Rev. Philip Henkel offered a resolution, which
was adopted, to the effect that ' ' An extract of all our protocol
accounts and all our regulations be printed in the English lan-
guage, in view of the fact that our Church is still unknown
among the English-speaking people." The Rev. G. Shober was-
appointed to do this work.
2. In 181 7 Mr. Shober presented his manuscript to the
Synod, and a special committee was appointed to examine and
pass judgment upon it. This committee consisted of Revs.
Philip Henkel and R. J. Miller and Candidate J. E. Bell. Be-
fore the final adjournment of Synod this committee reported
that they had examined the manuscript, and "do highly ap-
prove of its contents, and recommend it to be published, be-
lieving that it will have a beneficial effect throughout our con-
gregations, and give succinct information to other Christians-
what the Lutheran Church is."
Upon the report of this committee the Synod unanimously
voted to have fifteen hundred copies of the book published.
3. Revs. Philip and David Henkel, who were afterward its-
greatest opponents, heartily endorsed the book, voted to have
fifteen hundred copies printed, and zealously circulated it up
until the rupture in 1820, that is, for three years, and that they
did not make settlement for the books placed in their hands until
the Synod passed a resolution instructing that they be forced by
law to do so. From all this it is very evident that there were no
THE RUPTURE OF 1819 AND 1820. 51
officially recognized doctrinal differences in the North Carolina
Synod until the time of the actual rupture.
It is a fact well known and lamented by all that, for many
years following the first TAitheran settlements in America, the
Church had gradually departed more and more away from a.
sound Lutheran basis, until indifference to and unsoundness in
doctrine, together with laxity in practice, had become the pre-
vailing features of Lutheranism.
It is also a fact well known and rejoiced in that, with the
organization of the North Carolina Synod,' there began a gradual
awakening to a realization of this departure and a correspond-
ing gradual return to the true Lutheran position.
At the time of the rupture, neither those who withdrew nor
those who remained true to the Synod had yet reached that true
Lutheran position. They were all together on the way, some,
no doubt, in advance of others, but all reaching for the desired
goal.
The rupture, when it came, emphasized these facts, and did
much to lead all to a closer and more critical study of the
Lutheran Church and her doctrines. But it is a lamentable fact
that on both sides a bad spirit was often manifested, and much
of the controversy was puerile and unprofitable in the extreme.
CHAPTER VII.
THE LICENSE SYSTEM.
One of the most urgent reasons for the organization of the
North Carolina Synod was that its ministers might be in a better
condition to supply the constantly increasing demand for pastors
to minister to the spiritual necessities of the churches. Time
and again had urgent petitions been sent to the Synod of Penn-
sylvania and elsewhere asking for pastors to supply their vacant
congregations, but the same paucity of ministers existed every-
where in America ; where, as yet, there were no Lutheran col-
leges and theological seminaries, where men could be prepared
for the Gospel ministry. It was also very difficult to secure pas-
tors from Germany, and, hence, they realized that some plan
must be adopted by which they could themselves prepare pious
men at home for this work, imtil such time when the necessary
institutions of learning could be established in this country.
It was not their design to provide an easy method of entering
the ministry, nor did they encourage uneducated men or men of
doubtful character to apply. In accordance with the teachings of
the Scriptures and the practice of the Lutheran Church in Ger-
many, they believed in and wanted a thoroughly educated ministry,
and their ultimate aim was to secure and perpetuate such a min-
istry in the churches of the North Carolina Synod. But, neces-
sarily, years must pass before they could reach their ideal, and
hence that they might supply the already existing churches and
occupy the ever-widening field opening to them some imme-
diate measures must be adopted.
Following the example of the Pennsylvania Synod, they
adopted what came to be called "The License System," a
policy purely American, so far as the Lutheran Church was con-
cerned. Under this system, pious laymen, who appeared to have
the necessary natural endowments, were selected and licensed to
(52)
THE LICENSE SYSTEM. 53
perform certain specified ministerial fiinctions, for some fixed length
of time, within prescribed limits, subject to the approval of Synod,
while they were pursuing their studies, preparing for ordination,
always under the supervision and instruction of one or more
ordained ministers of the Synod.
At the First Annual Convention of Synod, held in Lin-
colnton, N. C, October 17th, 1803, Mr. PhiUp Henkel appeared
asking for ordination, and at the Second Convention, held in
Leonard's Church, near Lexington, N. C, John Michael Rickert
and Ludwig Markert applied for license. Thus, at the very
beginning of the life of the Synod, this question of licen-
sure pressed itself upon them, and as long as practiced, at every
convention, thereafter, it came before the Synod in some way
or form.
At first there were no published definite regulations for the
work ; they simply met each case as it came before them, adopt-
ing that which, under the circumstances, seemed for the best.
But as time advanced, and the work grew more and more in
their hands, they began to realize the necessity for some definite
fixed laws and regulations by which it should be governed.
Up to 1 8 1 3 it had grown to be the custom to allow any two
ministers at their own will and upon their own judgment, llie-
tween the conventions of Synod, to license young men to preach
until the meeting of Synod ; but that year, " after much delibera-
tion, it was concluded that no license shall hereafter be granted
by ministers in the vacation of a Synod. That at the Synod no
young person shall be licensed to preach and baptize before
examination, and that on every application, especially the first,
it shall be decided whether the applicant shall also be licensed
to baptize ; that if such applicant thereafter approve himself faith-
ful, diligent, and qualified, and he be received by congregations
as their spiritual teacher, he shall then be admitted as a full
candidate for the holy office, and, after examination, receive
written authority to administer the Holy Sacraments in such
congregations, or in those to which he may be appointed by
Synod, and nowhere else, and that this authority shall only be
in force for one year, or to the next Synod."
54 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
At the Convention of 1814, these regulations'were reaffirmed
as the rule or law of the Synod, and the following added : ' ' That
hereafter no uneducated person shall receive license to preach
until he has studied with one of our pastors, and is twenty-one
years of age. ' '
At the Convention of 1815 it became the law of Synod that
if a '•' candidate be overcome by indolence, loss of courage, care
or anxiety for daily bread, etc. , such candidate be reduced to an
exhorter or catechist. If he be a catechist, he shall be put out of
office."
The Synod, thus drawing a distinction between candidate and
catechist, brought out at the next convention, in 1816, an of-
ficial statement as to what was called grades in the ministry, as
follows :
" I. Catechists, who are still pursuing a course of study, and
in addition to that, at the same time, are preaching, baptizing,
and catechising, but are under the supervision of the Minis-
terium, and are being instructed by one ordained minister. ' '
"2. Candidates, who perform all ministerial acts, but are lim-
ited to certain congregations."
"3. Deacons, who differ from candidates only in ordination,
but otherwise have no greater rights and privileges. ' '
"4. Pastors, who have for three years enjoyed systematic in-
struction under an ordained minister, and who have also studied
the languages somewhat. ' '
From the very beginning of the Synod there appear to have
been different opinions held upon this question of licensure and
ordination ; some holding that no one should be permitted to
preach or administer the sacraments without full ordination, and
that all should be ordained so soon as allowed to begin minis-
terial work, even though young, inexperienced, and with very
limited attainments ; whilst others held that no one should be
ordained until he was fully prepared, or as much so as the cir-
cumstances would admit ; and that it was both Biblical and Luth-
eran that a written authority or license was equally as valid as the
imposition of hands.
In an effort to reach a settlement of the question, the Synod
officially laid the matter before the Ministerium of Pennsylvania
DANIEI
Licensed A. D. 1826, by North Carolina
Synod. Ordained A. D. 1828, by North Caro-
lina Synod. Still living when this book was
writteii in 1901 ; has since died, inhisg6th ^-ear.
THE LICENSE SYSTEM. 55
asking for its views and practice. The following was the reply
received :
" Upon motion, the ordained ministers were requested, ac-
cording to last year's resolution of the Ministerium, to express
• their opinion on the question, as submitted by the Carolina Min-
isterium for an answer ; namely, Whether candidates have the
right to perform all ministerial acts without previous imposition
•of hands ?
" Several gave their opinion verbally and some in writing;
whereupon it was unanimously concluded that, according to the
Bible and church history, a written permission (license) is just
SLS valid as the imposition of hands ; that therefore, our minis-
terial arrangement is not contrary to the order of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church, and that therefore candidates, when they are
licensed, can perform all ac^s ministeriales with a good con-
science. ' '
This view was the position held by the large majority of
Synod, but at this convention, that is, 1816, not because of
a change of opinion, nor an acknowledgment of error, but solely
in the interest of peace, it was agreed that for that year all licen-
tiates should receive their written license papers, with a bene-
■diction and the imposition of hands. In 18 17 the subject was
again discussed under the following form, viz.: " Shall the rule
and regulation we have been observing when granting permisson
to candidates to administer the sacraments " (that is, without
ordination) " be continued or not ? ' '
The conclusion reached was practically unanimous in the
affirmative ; that is, not to ordain, there being but one vote in
the negative by Rev. R. J. Miller.
This continued to be the rule and regulation of the Synod for
many years, the Synod gradually enlarging and developing the
system as circumstances demanded, until, in 1846, the following
was embodied as an article of her Constitution :
"Chapter XL
" Examination and Licensure of Candidates .
" Sectiok I. The examination shall be conducted by a com-
mittee of two or more ordained ministers appointed for the pur-
pose at the time. As these examinations may be interesting and
56 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
useful to the whole Ministerium, it is recommended that they be
performed before the whole body. ' '
"Section 2. After the examination by the committee every
member of the Ministerium has a right to ask the applicant any
additional questions. ' '
" Section 3. The examination ought to embrace the following'
subjects, viz. : Personal Piety and the Motives of the Applicant
for Seeking the Holy Office, the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures,
the Evidences of Christianity, Natural and Revealed Theology,
Church History, Pastoral Theology, the Rules of Sermonizing,
and Church Government."
" Section 4. The ceremony of licensure shall be performed
as follows : An address from the President as prescribed in the
liturgy ; he shall read the duties and privileges of the licentiate,
and then propose to him the following questions :
" I . Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa-
ment to contain the Word of God, and that it is the only infalli-
ble rule of faith and practice ?
"2. Do you believe that the fundamental doctrines of the
Word of God are taught in a manner substantially correct in the
doctrinal articles of the Augsburg Confession ?
" 3 . Do you promise by the aid of God faithfully to perform
all the duties of a Christian minister, and to submit yourself to
the rules of government and discipline of this body so long as
you remain a member of it ? "
"Section 5. These questions being answered in the affirma-
tive, the President offers up a suitable prayer, delivers him his
license, and concludes with a short address as directed in the
liturgy. ' '
"Section 6. During the recess of the Synod the. President
may extend license to candidates who may come well recom-
mended, and whom on proper examination he may deem quali-
fied to discharge the duties of the ministry : provided, however,
that the extension of license in such case be not in conflict with
the provision of Section 6, Chapter X. ' '
" Section 7. All licenses shall extend to the next annual meet-
ing of the Ministerium, and shall be renewed as a matter of
course, whether the licentiate be present or not, unless satis-
factory reasons are known to the Ministerium which render a re-
newal inexpedient ; and if, for any reason, no meeting be held at
the appointed time, the licenses granted by said Ministerium
shall remain in force until revoked at a subsequent meeting. ' '
" Section 8. If a licentiate after some time of probation does,
in the judgment of the-Ministerium, prove himself unqualified for
the duties of the ministry, his license shall be withdrawn."
THE LICENSE SYSTEM. 57
This continued to be the law of the Synod until 1869, when,
upon recommendation of the President, Rev. L. A. Bikl6, D. D.,
the following action was taken :
" Inasmuch as we can discover no authority in the Word of
God for the licensure system, nor any warrant for the same in
our Lutheran articles of faith and practice, and, as it has only
been introduced in this country as a provisional custom for the
speedy supply of ministers, therefore we submit the following
resolutions :
' ' Resolved, That our Constitution be so amended that from
this day forward we abolish the practice of licensing candidates
for the ministry before their ordination.
' ' Resolved, That we will ordain no candidates coming from
our Church, or any sister denomination, whose education is not
equal, at least, to the close of the Sophomore Class studies in
any college, and a two years' course in a Lutheran theological
seminary.
'' Resolved, That these changes shall not be regarded as affect-
ing our present licentiates, who shall be permitted to enjoy the
privileges, and prepare for ordination, as before provided. ' '
The following year, that is, 1870, the Constitution was re-
vised and the license system abolished. At that time there were
three young men under license, viz.: J. H. Fesperman, R. L.
Brown, and W. R. Ketchie. These were ordained in 1871,
and were the last licentiates that the Synod has had. From the
beginning up to that time, the Synod had eighty licentiates.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE synod's connection WITH THE GENERAL BODIES OF THE
CHURCH.
During the early period of the North Carolina Synod, many
■disintegrating influences were at work, threatening the life of the
Lutheran Church in America. Prominent among these were
the rationalistic tendencies in the Ministerium of New York,
the unionistic efforts with the German Reformed Church, prin-
cipally in Pennsylvania, and the attempts of the Episcopalians
in North Carolina to draw the Synod into their connection.
Surrounded with such influences for years, it is not at all sur-
prising that the Lutheran Church drifted more and more into
the whirl of a nondescript unionism, then so common, and
further and further away from the moorings of true Lutheran
faith until, to the more thoughtful and conservative, a crisis
seemed to be at hand, demanding the taking of some steps that
would counteract these baneful influences and save the Lutheran
Church in America from utter disintegration.
A union of all the Lutheran Synods in America into one general
body seemed to them to be the one thing necessary to accom-
plish the desired end. To the Ministerium of Pennsylvaiiia be-
longs the honor of having initiated this work. As early as 1807
she sent a letter to the North Carolina Synod urging the neces-
sity of a closer union of the different Synods for mutual protec-
tion and assistance. Nothing definite, however, came of it at
that time for the reasons stated in the following action of the
North Carolina Synod, taken in 1812 :
"A fervent wish being expressed to enter into nearer and
more cordial connection with the brethren professing our faith in
Pennsylvania, a letter of the year 1807, addressed to our min-
istry, from the ministry of Pennsylvania, then in Synod assembled,
was read. We felt sorrow that because in said and the succeed-
(58)
CONNECTION WITH GENERAL BODIES OF THE CHURCH. 59
ing year no full Synod had here assembled. The same had been
mislaid, and the receipt never acknowledged and the same never
answered.
"Revs. Storch and Shober were hereupon appointed in the
name of this ministry to answer the said letter. ' '
Here again the matter rested, nothing further being done for
several years. But that was the germ, planted by the Spirit of
God, out of and from which has come all that has been accom-
plished in the line of general work. The seed was sown ; time,
with the blessings of God, developed it into a thrifty plant that
has brought forth abundant fruit to the lasting good of the whole
Lutheran Church in America.
The next step in the work was in 1818, when a call was issued
by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, asking that representatives
from the different Synods be assembled in Baltimore, Md., at
the time of the regular annual meeting of the Ministerium,
•during Trinity week, 1819, for the purpose of considering a plan
to be proposed for the closer union of all the Evangelical
Lutheran Synods in America.
In response to this call the North Carolina Synod held "That
toward such a union of our Church, in this extensive country,
all possible assistance ought to be rendered on our part," and
elected her Secretary, the Rev. G. Shober, to attend the meet-
ing, authorizing him, under certain conditions, to favor, in the
name of the Synod, the formation of the proposed union.
When the North Carolina Synod convened in 1820, at Lin-
colnton, N. C., Rev. Shober reported that he had attended the
meeting, and that a plan of union had been agreed upon, which
was submitted for the consideration of Synod. After a thorough
and careful examination and discussion of the plan it was found
to be not entirely satisfactory to the Synod ; but, in view of the
universally recognized necessity for such a general union, it was,
.at length, adopted by a more than two-thirds majority vote, and
two ministers and two laymen were elected to represent the Synod
in a meeting to be held at Hagerstown, Md., on the 2 2d of the
following October, for the purpose of effecting an organization.
Two of these, Revs. G. Shober and P. Schmucker, attended the
6o HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
meeting, and, as stated in a former chapter, endeavored, in the
name of the North Carolina Synod, to secure a recognition of
the Augsburg Confession in both the plan of union and the Con-
stitution submitted at that time for adoption ; and, although
they failed in their efforts, the Synod, after careful and prayer-
ful consideration, decided to remain in the union, thereby exert-
ing a ' strong and telling -influence in favor of confessional
Lutheranism.
For forty-two years the North Carolina Synod held its place
as an integral part of the General Synod, taking an active and
prominent part in all of its deliberations and work, until the war
between the States drove the Synods of the South to the neces-
sity of forming another general organization.
In 1861 the North Carolina Synod met in Wilmington, N. C.
At this convention a special committee on " Church Relations,"
consisting of Revs. D. H. Bittle, J. A. I^inn, and S. Rothrock,
presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted :
"Whereas, In the distracted condition of our once happy
country, we deem it impracticable to send our delegates to the
next meeting of the General Synod, about to convene at Lan-
caster, Pa. ; and, feeling that other Synods South are in a similat
situation with this body, therefore, ' '
"Resolved, That we recommend a convention of all Southern
delegates to the General Synod to meet at Salisbury, N. C,
on Thursday, preceding the third Sabbath in May, 1862, for the
purpose of endorsing the proceedings of the next meeting of the
General Synod, if practicable ; otherwise to take such steps as
may best promote the future harmony and prosperity of that por-
tion of the Church represented by the absent delegates. ' '
' ' Resolved, That we hereby commission our present delegates
to the General Synod to attend the said convention. ' '
" Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary of this body
be instructed to inform all our Synods in the South of this action
and ask their co-operation."
At the meeting of Synod held in Organ Church, in 1862, the
Salisbury Convention not yet having been held, the following
additional action was taken, viz. ;
f'
A
Hi
I i
T ^Wji
■?7 J
i
kH^.^h '' <^^P
REV. DANIEL 1. DREHER.
CONNECTION WITH GENERAL BODIES OF THE CHURCH. 6 1
"Whereas, This Synod was formerly connected with the
General Synod of the United States of America, in which we
are represented by delegates, we have now arrived at the
solemn conviction that it is essential to the good of our Church
and the glory of God that the Evangelical Lutheran Churches
of these Confederate States withdraw all connection with the
Northern General Synod, and by this solemn and unanimous act
declare our connection as a Synod dissolved. ' '
" Resolved, That we are in favor of forming a General Synod
of the Confederate States, on the basis of the Augsburg Confes-
sion, and that our delegates elected to the convention to be held
in Salisbury, N. C, in this month, be empowered to vote for
such an organization. ' '
' ' Resolved, That in the event of the formation of a Southern
General Synod, our delegates be empowered to represent us in
that Synod."
In pursuance of these resolutions, the following were elected
as delegates, viz.: As Principals, Revs. D. I. Dreher, J. A.
Linn, and G. D. Bernheim, and Messrs. C. Melchor, P. A. Sif-
ferd, and R. Winecoff ; and, as Alternates, Revs. William Artz,
J. D. Sheck, and- S. Rothrock, and Messrs. L. G. Heilig, J.
Shimpoch, and M. Barringer.
The meeting was held at the appointed time and the Southern
General Synod was organized, the North Carolina Synod having
the honor of initiating the movement.
Although the Southern General Synod did not accomplish all
that-had been hoped for it, and although the union was only par-
tial, yet the North Carolina Synod continued to work in harmony
with it until 1870, when its delegation, upon returning from the
meeting held in Winchester, Va. , submitted the following report :
" The undersigned, elected to represent this body in the Sixth
Convention of the General Synod in North America, would re-
spectfully report that they attended said convention, which was
held in Winchester, Va., commencing June 9th, 1870.
" Nothing of special interest was transacted. Your delegates
cannot say that they were forcibly struck with the efficiency of
the General Synod. There seems to be a disposition on the [lart
of several District Synods to propose and adopt important
measures for selfish purposes and not for the general welfare of
our Church South. They apparently forget that said body is a
62 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
general body, organized to legislate for the benefit of the whole
Church, and not for the promotion of private or local interests.
Such ' clannishness, ' if continued, it must be evident to every
reflecting mind, will not only impair the future usefulness of the
General Synod, but eventually prove its destruction.
" Will it not be well to inquire, at this time, what advantage to
the Church will it be to continue in connection with a body
which has, in all probability, served its day ?
' ' Signed by L. A. Bikle, Chairman,
" G. D. Bernheim,
"C. H. Bernheim,
' ' S. Scherer,
"P. A. SiFFERD,
"P. N. Heilig."
This report was unanimously adopted and the Synod at once
severed its relations with the Southern General Synod.
In 187 1 the Synod adopted the following :
' ' Resolved, That we deprecate the causes that have produced
divisions in our beloved Zion, and we pray God that all such
divisions may speedily be healed.
' ' Resolved, That we stand prepared to be governed by the
indications of the great Head of the Church, in reference to any
general organization, sound in the faith, that is likely to bind the
Church in the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace. ' '
Then for nine years, or until 1880, she stood independent of
all general bodies, devoting her energies almost exclusively to
the cultivation of her own field.
But this state of affairs was not at all in accordance with her
long-established principles, and, as time passed, she came more
and more to realize her abnormal position. Accordingly, in
1880, the following action was taken :
"Resolved, That Rev. Dr. L. A. Bikle be sent by this Synod
as a Commissioner to the Evangelical Lutheran General Synod
of North America, at its approaching meeting, to be held in
Richmond, Va., to inquire into the doctrinal position of that
body, with a view to an organic union with it."
Dr. Bikle accepted the commission, attended the meeting,
and, in 1881, reported favorably, and the Synod again became a
part of the Southern General Synod, in active co-operation.
CONNECnON WITH GENERAL BODIES OF THE CHURCH. 65
During all these years, reaching back to the first organization
of the Northern General Synod, the Tennessee Synod had al-
ways remained an independent body.
In 1872 the Holston Synod had withdrawn from the Southern
General Synod, and, in 1874, had united with the General
Council.
It was felt to be very desirable that the whole Lutheran Church
in the South should be united into one general body, and, in
1883, efforts began to be made that finally resulted in the call-
ing for a Diet, to meet at Salisbury, N. C, in November, 1884,
for the purpose of considering the possibility of effecting such
a union.
The North Carolina Synod did its full part in the Diet, which
unanimously adopted a confessional basis that is soundly Scrip-
tural and genuinely Lutheran.
The Diet then adjourned, to meet in Roanoke City, Va., at
the time of the regular meeting of the Southern General Synod,
in 1885.
At that time and place, after mature deliberation, the South-
ern General Synod was merged into the "United Synod in the
South, ' ' all the Synods of the South entering into that organiza-
tion. In this general body, the third in which the North Caro-
lina Synod has been largely instrumental in organizing, she still
exerts a strong, conservative influence.
Thus it is seen that the North Carolina Synod has been iden-
tified with the general work of the Church from the very begin-
ning, and that her influence has been given in favor of sound
conservative Lutheranism.
CHAPTER IX.
THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE SYNOD.
•The Lutheran Church has always been an educational church.
Ignorance and superstition' were things that Luther fought with
all his might, while the diffusion of light and knowledge was
that for which he always labored. True to her birthright, the
North Carolina Synod has always firmly stood for general educa-
tion among the people, and especially for a thoroughly educated
ministry.
In 1772, when Organ and St. John's Churches sent commis-
sioners to Germany in search of a pastor, they were also in-
structed to secure a school teacher. And when, in 1773, they
returned, they brought both with them, thus closely identifying
the work of the church and of the school. And when, thirty
years later, the North Carolina Synod was organized, she did.
not forget to place the church and the school side by side when-
ever and wherever practicable, and from that . beginning down
to the present her pastors have often officiated in both capacities.
The early records bear witness to the Synod's deep interest in
the educational work, and her realization of the need of better
facilities for the promotion of the work, by her constant inquiries
of and plans for the establishment of schools, as well as by her
many and large appropriations for their support.
The Tennessee School.
As early as 181 6, two members of the Synod, Philip Henkel
and Joseph E. Bell, established a school in Green County, Tenn.,
in which Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, and English were
taught. This was a private enterprise, but, in 1817, it was
adopted as the school of the Synod, and an appropriation of
money made to help support it.
The beginning was auspicious, and but for the schism in the
(64)
THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE SYNOD. 65
Synod, that began at the next convention, in 1819, the institu-
tion might have been a grand success. Unfortunately for the
undertaking, however, Mr. Bell, shortly after the rupture, sev-
ered his relations with the Lutheran Church, and Mr. Henkel
became so embittered and antagonistic toward the North Caro-
lina Synod that she declined to have anything more to do with
it, and the school soon dwindled away and finally died.
In 1820, following close on her withdrawal from an interest in
the Tennessee school, an effort was made to induce the Synod to
unite with other denominations in the establishment of a uni-
versity. But, notwithstanding her deep interest in the question
of education and earnest desires for better facilities, she respect-
fully but firmly declined such an enterprise, knowing that such
were usually but theological battle-grounds, and seldom accom-
plished much else.
Theological Seminary.
The Theological Seminary of the General Synod at Gettys-
burg, Pa., was established in 1826. In that enterprise the North
Carolina Synod took a deep interest and an active part, furnish-
ing both men and means, and has sent many of her young men
there as students, the first of which were the Revs. S. W. Harkey,
D. D., Theophilus Stork, D. D., and S. Rothrock, D. D.
In 1830 the South Carolina Synod established a literary school
and theological seminary. The institution opened with flatter-
ing prospects and was conducted exclusively by the South Caro-
lina Synod, with good success, until 1836. In that year a dele-
gation from the South Carolina Synod, consisting of Rev. E. L.
Hazelius, D. D., and Mr. Henry Muller, presented themselves
on the floor of the North Carolina Synod for the purpose of con-
sulting as to the possibility of uniting the two Synods in the
support, management, and benefits of the seminary, then located
at Lexington, S. C.
They were cordially received and invited to "a. seat, and vote,
and participation in all the transactions of the Synod," and, at
the proper time, presented the following propositions :
" I. The Synod of South Carolina will allow that of North
Carolina such share in the government of the institution estab-
66 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
lished at Lexington as their portion of the funds shall equitably
entitle them to. ' '
"2. The students from North Carolina that enter the semi-
nary shall be entitled to free tuition, as well as the students from
South Carolina."
" 3 . The fund collected by our brethren of North Carolina
shall remain under the control of the Synod of North Carolina,
and only its yearly proceeds made over to the Treasurer of our
seminary. ' '
The Synod listened to these propositions with deep interest,
unanimously accepted them, and voted ; ' ' That each minister of
this Synod be constituted an agent to solicit and raise all the
contributions he can, at home and abroad, for the support of the
seminary," and elected the President, Rev. William Artz and
Colonel John Smith, as Principals, iwith Rev. H. Graeber and
Mr. Moses L. Brown as Alternates, ' ' to meet the Synod of
South Carolina at its next meeting ; ' ' instructing them to
"strictly adhere to the propositions made," and "make no
agreement to raise a larger sum of taioney ' ' than should be re-
ported to them by the different pastors by the first day of the
following October.
In 1837 Rev. Artz reported that he had attended the meeting
of the South Carolina Synod, and that the following had been
agreed upon: "That no business of any kind connected with
the interests of the seminary shall be transacted by the Board of
Directors, or by any portion of the Board, until the Directors
residing in North Carolina shall have been advised of the nature
of such business, and their opinions obtained in writing ; and,
also, that no important change shall be made in the statutes and
government of the seminary, even should the Directors in North
Carolina agree to such alterations, until the sense of the Synod
in that State shall be known ; and, finally, that the right be con-
ceded to the two Synods respectively to rescind this agreement
and annul the obligations growing out of the same, whenever, in
the opinion of either body, such a dissolution is advisable. ' '
•To these conditions the North Carolina Synod gave its hearty
approval, and made it obligatory upon all students under its care
REV. S. ROTHROCK, D. D.
THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE SYNOD. 67
to prosecute their studies at this seminary, and reported ^530.70
for the seminary fund.
The co-operation of the two Synods in the support of this
seminary, thus so happily begun, continued uninterruptedly,
and with entire satisfaction, until 1855, when the North Caro-
lina Synod, having established an institution of its own and
upon its own territory, withdrew from the compact and trans-
ferred its fund, then amounting to ^1040.05, to its own institu-.
tion. During the nineteen years of co-operation, the Synod
had paid between ^1200.00 and ^2000.00 interest into the semi-
nary treasury, and had sent many of her young men as students.
The fund had been .considerably larger than the above amount, ,
but had been lessened, in 1842, by the withdrawal of the con-
tributions of those congregations that united to form the South-
west Virginia Synod.
For years it had been the desire of the Synod to have a liter-
ary institution of its own upon its own territory, but nothing
tangible was accomplished until July 21st, 1852, when the
Synod met in extra session at Concord, N. C, for the express
purpose of maturing a plan for the establishment of such an
institution. At that convention it was decided to establish an
institution to be known as
The Western Carolina Male Academy.
A plan for the same was adopted, and a temporary Board of
Directors was appointed. This board met at Organ Church,
December 2d, 1852, and, after a long consideration of the prop-
ositions laid before it, decided to locate the academy at Mount
Pleasant, N. C.
At the next regular convention of Synod, held in Newton,,
April, 1853, the above actions were all approved and ratified,,
and a permanent Board of Directors elected as follows : Revs..
S. Rothrock, J. D. Sheck, J. A. Linn, W. G. Harter, S. Scherer,,
and L. C. Groseclose, and Messrs. C. Melchor, M. Barrier, J.
Shimpoch, C. A. Heilig, D. Barrier, and C. L. Partee.
A Committee of Correspondence was appointed consisting of
Revs. S. Rothrock, J. D. Sheck, and J. A. Linn, who were to
68 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
endeavor to find a suitable, man to take charge of the academy ;
and that there might be no unnecessary delays, the President
was authorized to call a special meeting of Synod, if needed.
On the question of ways and means for the new institution the.
Synod adopted the following :
"Whereas, This Synod is now in possession of a fund, en-
titled the " Centenary Fund," the interest of which has hereto-
fore' been applied to the use and benefit of the Education and
Missionary Society ; therefore, ' '
"Resolved, That the interest now due on said fund be added
to the principal ; that to this principal and interest be added a
sufficient sum to swell the whole amount to ^600.00, and that
said $600.00 be and is hereby transferred to the endowment
funds of Western Carolina Academy, located at Mount Pleasant,
N. C." ■
At the convention held in 1854 the President of the Board
of Directors reported that the board had purchased 16^ acres
of land at $5.00 per acre, and had contracted for the erection
of a suitable building at a cost of $7000.00, to be completed by
the first day of January, 1855 ; that the cash and subscriptions
then in hand amounted to $6000.00, and that in consequence
there was a deficit of something over $rooo.oo ; and that appli-
cation had been made to the State authorities for a charter for
the institution. The Synod approved all the actions of the
board, and, with a view to supplying the deficiency in funds,
adopted the following :
' ' Resolved, That we most earnestly recommend that each
minister of this Synod, by the earliest possible convenience, call
on his congregations for subscriptions and donations for Western
Carolina Male Academy, and that said ministers report the result
of their efforts to the Board of Directors by the first day of Sep-
tember next. ' '
Upon the report of the Committee of Correspondence the
Synod unanimously elected Rev. William Gerhardt of Northamp-
ton County, Pa., as the Principal and professor, and instructed
the President to inform him at once.
.Rev. Gerhardt accepted the call and entered upon his work
THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE SYNOD. '69
March ist, 1855. And to the Synod, that year, the President
of the Board of Directors reported that the erection of tlie main
building was progressing, the corner-stone having been laid July
4th, 1854; that they had contracted for the erection of a pro-
fessor's house to cost $1425.00; that the sum of $3858.00 had
already been paid out ; that in cash and good subscriptions there
was then in hand $2278.00; and that, consequently, there was
a debt of $2947.00.
In view of these facts the Synod took the following action :
^^ Resolved, That the agreement entered into with the Synod
of South Carolina by this Synod in the support of the Theo-
logical Seminary at Lexington, S. C, by the payment of the
yearly interest of the funded capital for education, be and is
hereby dissolved ; that said fund be transferred to the Board
of Directors of Western Carolina Male Academy, to be under
the control and direction of the same for its use and benefit ; and,
lastly, that said fund, without its proceeds, be subject to an
order of withdrawal by this Synod at any time. ' '
This fund then amounted to $1040.05.
In 1856 the President of the board reported that the academy
was in successful operation ; that an assistant professor had been
employed ; that ample provisions were being made for the accom-
modation of students ; that an agent to collect funds for the in-
stitution had been employed; that $500.00 had been collected;
that the entire cost thus far was about $10,000.00; and that
there was a debt of about $3000.00 to meet, which the board
had employed two agents to solicit donations for the benefit
of the institution.
In 1858 the board reported the indebtedness gradually grow-
ing less, and suggested the question of ' ' having the charter so
amended as to immediately change the academy into a college. ' '
In response to this the Synod took the following action :
"Whereas, We are fully persuaded that a crisis in our insti-
tution has arrived when a change is absolutely necessary for its
future prosperity ; therefore, ' '
"Resolved, That the Board of Directors of Western Caro-
lina Male Academy be and are hereby instructed to have the
70 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
charter of our institution amended so as to change it from an
academy into a college, with the power of conferring degrees. ' '
"Resolved, That this college be named North Carolina Col-
lege, and subject to the control of the Evangelical Lutheran
Synod of North Carolina."
" Resolved, That the Board of Directors are advised, if prac-
ticable, to elect a President of North Carolina College at its
next meeting, the 20th inst., and that he act as agent to collect
funds for it until his services are required in the institution. ' '
The question of the removal of the academy from Mount
Pleasant to Concord having arisen, an extra session of Syond
was held at Lutheran Chapel, August, 1858, to consider the
matter. As preparatory to the consideration the following was
adopted :
"Whereas, This Synod, at its regular annual meeting in
May last, instructed the Board of Directors of Western Carolina
Male Academy to have the charter of said institution so amended
as to change it from an academy into a college, with the power
of conferring degrees ; and, ' '
"Whereas, Said academy is located at Mount Pleasant,
CabSirrus County ; therefore, ' '
" Resolved, That the college to be created out of the academy
aforesaid cannot, in good faith, be located at any other place
than the present locality of said academy, unless it can be shown
by clear and satisfactory reasons that the present location of
said academy would be unsuitable for the contemplated college :
and unless it can be further shown that some other location
would tend to the greater prosperity of said contemplated col-
lege. ' '
" Resolved, That an opportunity be now offered to the friends
of Concord for them to show why the college should not be
located at Mount Pleasant ; and that Concord offers superior
advantages for the location of the college at that place. ' '
After a long discussion, covering the sessions of Friday, Satur-
day, Monday, and Tuesday morning, the following was adopted
by a majority of three :
' ' Resolved, That this Synod has heard with attention the
statements of the advocates of the location of our contemplated
college at Concord, but, in view of all the facts in the case, this
THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE SYNOD. 71
Synod still believes that the prosperity of the institution de-
mands that it remain at Mount Pleasant. ' '
In view of the contemplated transition, the Synod
"Resolved, That, from and after the attainment of a college
charter, the present Board of Directors of Western Carolina
Male Academy be and are hereby constituted the Board of
College until the next meeting of our Synod. ' '
."Resolved, That the President-elect of our institution, so soon
as he shall have accepted the appointment, be constituted by this
Synod ex officio a member of the Board. ' '
The State Legislature, session of 1858-59, amended the charter,
and the institution became known as
North Carolina College.
In i860 two additional buildings were erected and other im-
provements made at a cost of $8000.00, bringing the entire cost
of the institution up to $20,000.00.
At the outbreak of the war in 1861 the college had an invested
endowment fund of $20,000.00, four professors, and one hundred
students, and bid fair to become still more prosperous. But
many of the students entered the Confederate army, the profes-
sors resigned, and the institution was closed.
After the close of the war the college was re-opened and the
good work resumed, and in 1869 the Board reported the college
out of debt, with $10,000.00 of the endowment fund lost by the
war and the remaining $10,000.00 invested in State bonds, which
were under par and affording no income. With varied success,
the work of the college continued until 1879, when the old
State bonds were sold, at a sacrifice, and the proceeds applied to
the accumulated debt, which then amounted to $4000.00.
An extra session of Synod was called, and met at Mount Pleas-
ant, December loth, 1885, to consider the question of and devise a
plan for again endowing the college. After long and careful consid-
eration it was decided to raise an endowment fund of $1 5,000.00,
and Rev. W. Kimball was appointed agent, who in 1888 reported
the whole amount raised. During the years that have followed
72 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
much and lasting good has been accomplished by the college.
Thousands of young men have attended her sessions, sixty have
graduated, and in the different walks and departments of life the
good influence of it has been felt.
And during all these years the Synod has done nobly for her
institution, giving from first to last more than ^50,000.00 for its
establishment and support.
Mont Amoena Female Seminary.
While the Synod was thus actively and successfully engaged
in the work of educating its young men, it was not forgetful of
its duty to its young women; and accordingly, in 1858, when
it was found impracticable to move its male school to Concord,
it adopted the following :
' ' Resolved, That . . . we as a Synod pledge ourselves
to co-operate with Concord in the establishment of a female
college at that place, and that we await their proposals, to be
tendered at our next meeting of Synod, for consideration. ' '
No proposals were made, and in consequence nothing came
of the resolution except that it brought the subject of female
education more prominently before the people, and fostered the
growing interest in such a work ; for, early in the spring of
1859, an institution was organized at Mount Pleasant, N. C,
under the name of Mont Amoena Female Seminary, with Mrs.
Dr. Bittle, Principal, and Mr. Paul Miller, President of its
Board of Directors.
This was a purely private enterprise, entered into without any .
consultation with, or help from, the Synod.
In the following year, i860, the Committee on Education in
its report to Synod said : " Your committee is pleased to find
a general interest manifested in the Church upon the subject of
female education ; and it is hoped that the Church will make
such provision as to meet this growing demand. We would
recommend to this body the propriety of taking the initiatory
steps for the establishment of a female institution."
Upon this recommendation the Synod appointed a special
committee, consisting of Revs. L. C. Groseclose, D. I. Dreher,
THE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF THE SYNOD. 73.
and A. Phillippi, " To report at the next meeting of our Synod
a plan for the successful establishment of a female institution
within the bounds of our Synod."
Before the next meeting of Synod the war between the States
begun, and under its baneful influences nothing more was done
toward establishing the school. Mont Amoena Seminary, how-
ever, continued to be conducted as a private enterprise, and in
1868, Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D. , who had become owner
of the property of the school, proposed to make the seminary
an institution of the Church, offering it to the Synod for the
sum of ^2000.00, and proposing to become the Synod's agent
for the procurement of funds, by voluntary contributions, to
purchase the property.
In response to this generous offer, the Synod appointed Revs.
S. Scherer, L. C. Groseclose, and Capt. J. A. Fisher as a special
committee to confer with Dr. Bernheim, and report the result.
At the same session the committee reported as follows :
' ' Whereas, In the judgment of your committee it is highly
important to the prosperity of our Church that this Synod have
under its supervision and control a first-class female seminary ;
and,"
"Whereas, Rev. G. D. Bernheim of this Synod has pro-
posed to make a transfer to this Synod of Mount Pleasant Eemale
Seminary on the following conditions : ' '
" I. That a full title be made as soon as ;?2ooo.oo shall have
been raised, this being the amount of indebtedness on the insti-
tution, said Bernheim agreeing to pay interest and taxes on the
property as long as he holds it in possession."
"2. That a bond for title be made at the earliest conveni-
ence. ' '
" 3. That Rev. G. D. Bernheim agrees to act as agent of
Synod, to collect funds to liquidate this debt, under the instruc-
tion of the Board of Trustees to be appointed by Synod. ' '
" 4. That all the personal property donated by virtue of Rev.
Bernheim' s last year's voluntary agency to the North be here-
with transferred ; and that he be required to furnish to the Board
at its first meeting a schedule of said property. ' '
"5. That this Synod shall not be held responsible for any
pecuniary liabilities in this transaction. ' '
"6. That if the amount to be collected (;^2ooo.oo) is not
74 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
raised by G. D. Bernheim, all moneys collected by him for
this specified object, before or after this present meeting of
Synod, be paid into the treasury of the Synod, to be applied to
the erection of a female seminary. ' '
" I . Resolved, That this Synod cheerfully accept the aforesaid
proposition with the conditions annexed."
"2. Resolved, That it forthwith elect a Board of Trustees for
the seminary, consisting at present of six members. ' '
"3. Resolved, That the Board of Trustees meet in the semi-
nary, and organize as soon as practicable for the transaction of
business. ' '
The report of the committee was adopted, and the Board of
Trustees elected for one year as follows : Revs. L. A. Bikl6
and L. C. Groseclose, Dr. J. L. Henderson, Capt. J. A. Fisher,
Messrs. J. J. Misenheimer, Alexander Foil, and L. G. Heilig.
In 1869, Dr. Bernheim reported the completion of his work
as agent, having secured enough to pay the debt and all necessary
expenses, and the title to the property was conveyed to the
Synod. Since then numerous additions and improvements have
been made to the property, and from first to last the Synod has
appropriated something over ;g5ooo.oo for the institution. The
institution is and always has been self-sustaining, and has gradu-
ated sixty-seven young ladies.
Beneficiary Education.
The Synod has always believed in and practiced what is known
as beneficiary education, or, in other words, rendering pecuniary
assistance to worthy but indigent young men in their prepara-
tion for the work of the Gospel ministry.
The early records, as to this work, are not at all as full as we
could wish, but beginning with D. Moser, in 181 1, Synod lias
assisted hundreds of young men, and has expended for this work,
■on a conservative estimate, not less than J 10, 000. 00.
CHAPTER X.
THE CATECHETICAL AND SWNDAY SCHOOL WORK OF THE SYNOD.
From the time when Nussman and Arends first came to North
Carolina, up to the organization of the Synod, that is, for a
period of thirty years, the few Lutheran Churches then in exist-
■ence in North Carolina had been served almost entirely by men
who had been educated in Germany, where the only recognized
way of becoming an active member of the Church was through
a thorough course of catechisation, followed by confirmation.
Thoroughly indoctrinated themselves, as well as firmly be-
lieving in the Scripturalness and wisdom of this method, they
insisted that all who should become confirmed members of the
Church under their administration must first be thoroughly
taught at least Luther's Smaller Catechism ; and when, in 1803,
the Synod was organized, it planted itself firmly and squarely
upon the sound Lutheran practice of catechisation. From that
position the Synod has never departed. True there may have
been individuals and congregations that have, at different times,
belonged to the Synod, that discarded or disregarded the good
•old custom, preferring some "new measures," but the Synod
itself has always held the one position, recognizing the catechet-
ical class as the most Scriptural means under God of preserving
and perpetuating the purity, peace, unity, and strength of the
Church as a whole, as well as the stability and faithfulness of her
members. And the wisdom of the position is seen throughout
all the history of the Synod ; for its brightest spiritual lights,
both in pulpit and pew, have been those who have come to con-
firmation through this God-given and time-honored practice of
catechisation.
Long before the organization, of the Synod the Rev. Nussman
appealed to the Helmstaedt Mission Society, for suitable books for
the benefit of his people, especially for a suitable Catechism.
(75)
76 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
His efforts were crowned with success, for a new and special edi-
tion of the " Helmstaedt Catechism " was published under the
title of the "North Carolina Catechism," and sent over to
Nussman. This book was used for years, and was held in high
esteem both here and in Germany.
At the very First Annual Convention, in 1803, Philip Henkel
came before the Synod as a licensed catechist, and from that day
on until the license system was finally abolished, in 1869, the
Synod always had men, in addition to the fully ordained pastors,
whose special duty it was to catechise the youths and children in
■preparation for confirmation ; and, that none might be neglected,
at different times appropriated money with which to purchase
Catechisms for the use of those who were financially unable to-
supply themselves.
In 1806, possibly because some one or more may have slighted
or neglected the practice, the Synod adopted the following :
"Resolved, That no pastor in our connection shall confirm
children, except in cases of absolute necessity, without a six
weeks' preparation."
It is difficult for us of the present day to realize how rapidly
and how extensively this part of their work grew and increased
upon their hands. Not only from the field in North Carolina,
but from several other States, the cry was constantly coming ask-
ing that their children might be properly instructed and con-
firmed in the Church of their fathers. In 18 13 word was brought
to the Synod of two hundred and forty-one persons, in one local-
ity, who were anxious to be instructed in the Catechism ; and at
every convention of Synod this subject was before its ministry in
some way, or in some light, demanding their constant attention.
At first Catechisms were very scarce and difficult to procure ;.
but as time advanced they were rapidly produced by different
persons, both in the German and English languages.
That none of these were perfect, we can easily understand ;
and that many of them were imperfect and some very defective,
we all know ; and in consequence, in 1811, the question arose
in Synod as to which Catechism should be used as the basis-
CATECHETICAL AND SUNDAY SCHOOL, WORK OF SYNOD. 77
of instruction ? Whereupon it was unanimously agreed that
" Luther's Smaller Catechism must ever be the basis of catechet-
ical instruction. ' ' But that other Catechisms might be used by-
way of explanation, at the discretion and judgment- of the
pastors.
As the fruits of this catechetical work of the Synod, reports,
were submitted in 1811 showing that up to that time more than
two thousand young people had been confirmed in the churches.
In those days it was customary, when Synod was to meet in a:
certain church at a certain time, for the pastor to prepare his
class for the occasion. The Synod would assemble on Sunday ;
hold divine service, consisting of the preaching of the Word, fol-
lowed by confirmation and the administration of the Lord's
Supper. The records show that often between seventy-five and
one hundred were confirmed upon such occasions.
All down through the years that have passed since then this
catechetical work has been going on, and has been blessed of God
to the ingathering of thousands upon thousands of children and.
youths who have grown up to become the pillars of the Church, :
and whose descendants are to-day the bone and sinew of our dif-
ferent congregations.
In this centennial year of the Synod, throughout all its bordersi
the catechetical class is the normal way of preparing the young:
for confirmation, and continues to be held as the most Scriptural,
and satisfactory way.
Next to the history of the Church, both in importance and
interest, is the history of the Sunday School work.
Unlike the Church, which is of divine institution, Sunday
Schools are human expedients devised and adopted for the pur-
pose of supplementing the work of the Church.
Originating in Europe in 1550, they were introduced in Amer-
ica in the latter part of the eighteenth century ; but it was not
until the beginning of the nineteenth century that they became
anything like general.
Philadelphia, 1791 ; New Jersey, 1794; New York, 1804;
New Hampshire, 1805; Massachusetts, 1810; Connecticut,
1815 ; and Ohio, 1816, are some of the historic dates of the be-
78 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
ginnings of Sunday Schools. In 1807 G. Shober, then a lay-
man in the Moravian Church, and Martin Rippel, a laynian of
the Lutheran Church, organized a Sunday School five miles from
Salem, N. C, on the road leading from Salem to Lexington.
This was the first Sunday School ever organized in the State of
North Carolina, and resulted in the organization of Hopewell
Evangelical Lutheran Church, which united with the North Car-
olina Synod in 181 2. By mutual agreement the house was built
by Mr. Rippel, and the school and congregation were served by
Mr. Shober, who, in 1810, was ordained by the North Carolina
Synod. Hence the Synod has the honor of having had the first
Sunday School in the State. The school has been in continuous
existence from that date to this, a period of ninety -six years.
The Synod at once recognized the great good that might be
accomplished in this line of work, sanctioned and endorsed it,
and wisely adopted it in her system.
In 1 81 6 it "Earnestly recommended that all its ministers es-
tablish Sunday Schools in all our churches, ' ' stipulating that they
should be "under the supervision of the pastor, and should be
opened and closed with singing and prayer. ' ' *
The following year five schools were reported as established,
four in Guilford and one in Stokes County. From that day to
this the Synod has always approved of and encouraged the Sun-
day School work when kept within its legitimate bounds.
* German Minutes, 18 1 6, page 4.
CHAPTER XI.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST.
Liturgy.
At the very beginning of the life of the Synod, and for many
long years before, the Lutheran congregations in North Carolina
were theoretically liturgical, though, so far as known, this theory
was not often put into actual practice.
St. John's Church of Cabarrus County, as early as 1782,
adopted the Order of Service used in the German Lutheran C6urt
Chapel of St. James, in London, England, and it is presumed
used it ; but for how long and to what extent the congregation
participated, we have no means of knowing.
In the early days of the Synod, the question of an " Agende ' '
or liturgy was constantly before the ministers, pressing upon
them and demanding a solution. Frequent correspondence-
was had with the brethren of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania,
who were at that time preparing to publish such a work ; but
after waiting, in vain, until 1817, the Synod then recommended
for use in the churches the "English Liturgy" of the New
York Synod and the English Hymn Book, published by Rev.
Paul Henkel, together with the " Gemeinschaftliche Gesang-
buch, ' ' Union Hymn Book, published by Schaeffer and Maund.
Whether or not the congregations, in the regular services, ever
gave the responses, the records do not show ; but, taking into
consideration the scarcity of books and the difficulty of obtain-
ing them, the isolation of the congregations, the lack of educa-
tion, and the influences of those around them, who were out-
spoken in their objections to all liturgical worship, it is doubtful
if the congregations ever gave the responses until the introduction
of the Book of Worship of the Southern General Synod. With its
introduction began a healthy revival and growth of liturgical wor-
ship, which has gradually advanced until to-day there are but few
(79)
■So HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
congregations in the Synod that are satisfied with anything less
than the full morning service of our present Book of Worship. It
is still true that neither all of our congregations nor all of our
members unite in the service, but it is growing, and as time ad-
vances will become more and more generally used.
Confession and Absolution.
The Lutheran custom of holding special preparatory services
on a day previous to the time fixed for the administration of the
Lord's Supper generally has been and is to-day the rule of the
Synod.
Government .
In government the Synod has always been congregational.
In its first Constitution, Article II., the declaration is made
that "The members of Synod are, first, ministers, and, second,
one lay delegate from each congregation, on presentation of a
certificate of his election as delegate from the congregation he
represents. ' '
In practice the Synod has always carefully refrained from
legislating in matters that rightfully belong to the congregation,
confining itself to those things delegated to it by the congrega-
tions in their subscription to its Constitution.
Discipline.
Of its ministers, the Synod has always demanded purity of
life and conformity to its regulations, and has never hesitated
to exercise and enforce discipline.
Temperance and Liquor Traffic.
On the subject of temperance the Synod has always taken a firm
stand, not only in enforcing discipline upon those who were in-
temperate, but also in placing upon record her mature convic-
tions on the subject.
In 1855 the following was adopted as the sentiment of the
Synod :
"I. Resolved, When the immorality of any business Ts placed
beyond the possibility of doubt, it is the duty of all Christians
to frown upon every attempt to license such traffic or crime. ' '
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST. 8 1
"2. Resolved, That legal enactments should never conflict
with moral law ; and that the entire traffic in intoxicating
drinks, except for medicinal and mechanical purposes, should be
stayed at once and forever by the strong arm of the law. ' '
"3. Resolved, That this Synod regards the manufacture of
and traffic in and use of ardent spirits, as a beverage, inconsist-
ent with Christian character ; that no member of our churches
should be indulged in the manufacture, traffic, or intemperate
use of intoxicating liquors ; and that all our pastors, church
councils, and members be urgently and most earnestly requested
to co-operate in suppressing the great evil of drunkenness in our
country and the world. ' '
In 1863 the following was adopted :
"Whereas, The practice of distilling spirituous liquors out
of fruit has prevailed to an alarming extent among our farmers,
since the passage of an act by our Legislature prohibiting such
distillation out of corn and other cereals ; therefore, ' '
" Resolved, That it is the duty of our ministers to discounte-
nance this practice by every lawful means at their disposal."
In 1882 the following expressed the sentiment of Synod :
" Whereas, The grace of God, conveyed to the heart through
the divinely appointed means, affords the only power by which
the grievous sin of intemperance can be effectually overcome ;
and,"
' "Whereas, All efforts in behalf of the overthrow of this
monstrous evil, ignoring this important fact, will prove abortive,
therefore ; be it, ' '
" Resolved, That we, as a religious body, deem proper to ex-
press our decided disapproval of the manufacture and sale of all
intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and that we will, by all pru-
dent and lawful means, discourage and restrain the same."
Benevolence.
The men who, in the providence of God, organized the
Synod, had broad and expansive views and ideas of the work
that lay before them. They realized that there was an immense
work to be done, that it could not be carried on without means,
and that to secure the necessary means a benevolent spirit must
be cultivated among themselves as well as with all for whom and
with whom they had come to labor. They realized that benevo-
82 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
lence was not an accident, but a necessity in the Church, and
that its ultimate aim should be the glory of God and the honor
of His Son, Jesus Christ, through the devoted and consecrated
lives and deeds of His faithful followers.
Accordingly they early began to plant the seed, trusting to
God for growth and fruit. In the first Constitution, adopted at
the First Annual Convention, they said (Article VIII. ) : " Im-
pelled by Christian sympathy, as well as duty and necessity, our
Church should contribute with all the means and powers it can
command toward relieving the necessities and granting the
reasonable requests of all our congregations in this and also all
other States."
From this beginning, down through all the years that have
followed, the Synod has ever sought to cultivate the spirit of true
benevolence, and with blessed and immeasurable results, as has
been shown in the detailed accounts of the different chapters of
this work.
Church Extension .
In 1887 St. Enoch's Church at Enochville, N. C, Rev. W.
A. lyUtz, pastor, in celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of its or-
ganization, as a thank-offering for blessings and mercies received,
began a Church Extension Fund by raising ^75.00 cash. This
was proposed to be placed " Under control of the Synod,
provided Synod approves of the formation of a Church Extension
Fund, to be used in North Carolina only. ' '
The Committee on the State of the Church, in making its re-
port in 1888, recommended that "This Synod now appoint a
Board of Church Extension " for the purpose " of carrying out
the wishes of St. Enoch's. ' ' This recommendation was adopted,
and the following Board was elected, viz. : Revs. W. A. Lutz,
W. G. Campbell, and Captain T. L. Seigle, Captain J. Cook,
and W. H. Strauss, Esq.
At the same convention of Synod the following resolutions
were adopted :
" I. Resolved, That the Board of Church Extension have
power to frame and adopt a Constitution and By-Laws for its
government, and be authorized to secure an act of incorporation.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS OF INTEREST. 83
SO as to be known in law and enabled to receive bequests, leg-
acies, and moneys."
"2. Resolved, That the members of said Board shall hold
office at the pleasure of Synod, and, in case of resignation,
death, or removal of any member of the Board, the Board shall
have power to fill the vacancies so caused ad interim.'''
"3. Resolved, That the Board shall render an account to
Synod annually of all acts performed by it during the year. ' '
The Board met in St. James' Church, Concord, N. C, May
9th, 1888, and organized by electing the following officers :
President, Rev. W. A. Lutz ; Secretary, Rev. W. G. Campbell ;
Treasurer, Captain T. L. Seigle.
The question having arisen as to the terms for lending the
funds of the Board of Church Extension, the Synod adopted the
following regulations in 1891 :
1. No loans shall be made for less than one year or more
than three years.
2. Not less than J50.00 and not more than ^500.00 shall be
loaned to any one congregation.
3. Any amount that is loaned for the term longer than one
year must be equally divided into notes, each payable at the
end of the first, second, or third year, as the case may be.
4. The amount of any note must not be less than J50.00.
5. In case any note when due cannot be paid promptly, the
Board has the power to grant the party, or parties, twelve
months time to settle the same, providing 8 per cent, per annum
interest is paid on said note.
6. If the signature of notes is not entirely satisfactory to the
Board of Church Extension, said Board shall secure a mortgage
on the property on which the loan is made, or other good secur-
ity satisfactory to the Board.
7. These rules are subject to change only by action of the
North Carolina Synod.
In 1892, upon recommendation of the Board, the Synod
adopted the following additional regulations :
I. Only organized emd chartered congregations, and con-
nected with the North Carolina Synod, or points operated by
the United Synod in connection with the North Carolina Synod
of the Lutheran Church, shall obtain loans from this fund, and
in all cases the Board shall hold conditional bonds and mort-
84 HISTORY OK NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
gages, so that the congregation must ever remain loyal to the
North Carolina Synod.
2. The amount of a loan to a congregation shall not exceed
the amount raised by the congregation itself, unless in extreme
cases, of which the Board shall be the judge.
3. No loan shall be granted to any congregation whose ability
and willingness to refund said loan at maturity may be ques-
tioned by the Board.
4. The Board may require congregations who have loans to
keep up insurance on their church buildings and transfer the pol-
icies to the Board as collateral security.
Under these regulations the work of the Board has worked
admirably, and has accomplished much good.
CHAPTER XII.
THE MISSIONARY OPERATIONS OF THE SYNOD.
Missionary Journeys.
Were all the missionary operations of the Synod written in
full it would reach far beyond the limits of this volume ; would,
indeed, form quite a volume of itself. Hence we are under the
necessity of condensing as much as possible.
The founders of the Synod were all filled with the missionary
spirit. They recognized the fact that the ultimate aim of the
Church was the glory of God and the honor of Jesus Christ, His
Son, in the saving of souls. And it was this supreme motive
that impelled them to be always ready to meet the responsibility
of going out of themselves, reaching beyond the limits of their
own congregations and Synod, that they might carry the blessed
Word to those less favorably situated.
Beginning with Nussman and followed by all the rest of them,
each considered himself under the necessity of doing personal mis-
sionary work wherever needed and whenever possible, though
to do so meant hardships and self-denials of the severest kind.
For years, beginning in 1810, the Synod annually appointed
and sent out traveling missionaries, pledging to see that they
received a sufficient support, and during succeeding years it was
the unwritten law of the Synod that all fifth Sundays in the
months, when no conference meetings were held, should be de-
voted by the pastors to home missionary operations within the
bounds of the Synod.
The immediate cause of their undertaking this great work was
the constant emigration of members of their churches into new
States and Territories where the means of grace had not yet
entered. From such places urgent appeals were frequent and
strong, asking and begging the Synod to send pastors, or at
least traveling preachers, to preach the Word to them, baptize,
(85)
86 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
instruct and confirm their children, and to administer to them
the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
At that time a mere handful of ministers composed the Synod,
not even enough to supply the pressing needs in their own im-
mediate territory. There seemed but one thing possible to be
done, and to a certain extent that was done, namely, to leave,
for a time, the churches at home, and make extended missionary
tours or journeys into these destitute regions. From the annual re-
ports of these traveling preachers (^Reiseprediger) , we glean much
interesting and instructive matter. The first traveling missionary
appointed by Synod was the Rev. R. J. Miller. His home was
in Burke County, N. C. On the i8th day of June, 1811, he
started, by private conveyance, on his first missionary tour. His
route lay through Wilkes, Surry, and Stokes Counties, N. C,
into Virginia, by the way of New Market and Lewisburg,
through Pendleton, Bath, Greenbrier, Monroe, Montgomery,
Wythe, and Washington Counties, Virginia, into Tennessee,
through Sullivan, Carter, Washington, and Green Counties,
and thence through the mountains of Western North Carolina
back to his home, where he arrived about the middle of Octo-
ber. Resting but a few days, on the 4th of November, 1811,
he again started, this time for a journey southward. Passing
through Rutherfordton, across Broad and Green Rivers, through
a thinly settled country, to Spartanburg, S. C, thence by Hard
I^abor Creek, to the Savannah and Saluda Rivers, by way of
Hollow Creek Church (Salem), to Orangeburg District, and
thence back home again.
In his report to Synod he tells of the great spiritual destitu-
tion and ignorance of the people, the extreme scarcity of true
ministers of the Gospel, and the pitiful pleading for the Word
and sacraments, and says, " On my whole tour I have baptized
this year two adults and sixty children, preached sixty-seven
times, traveled three thousand miles, and received J70.44 for
my support, without asking for a cent in any way. ' '
In 1 81 1, Rev. Philip Henkel was chosen as traveling ' mis-
sionary, and, in 18 12, reported that everywhere he went there
was great destitution and a loud call for pastors.'
tfk
REV. JACOB iLIIKKER.
THE MISSIONARY OPERATIONS OF THE SYNOD. 87
In 1812, Rev. J. p. Franklow was requested to visit South
Carolina to look after scattered members of a once prosperous
congregation in a section of the country called ' ' Saltketcher. ' '
He spent about a month on the journey. His report of the
condition of the churches and people in those parts is heart-
rending indeed. Pastor and people at variance, whole commu-
nities without any spiritual care, and the people like sheep with-
out a shepherd.
In 1812, Revs. R. J. Miller and Jacob Scherer were appointed
as traveling missionaries. Together they traveled to Virginia, as
far as Pendleton County, where they parted ; Miller going down
the Shenandoah Valley, as far as Winchester ; and Scherer to
the State of Ohio, where a great number of families, who had
emigrated from North Carolina, were living, and for whose
spiritual welfare the North Carolina Synod was much concerned.
Here he spent a month in daily preaching, baptizing, and con-
firming. In July, on his way home again, he passed through
Powells and Grassy Valleys in Virginia, where he found many
families from North Carolina, all eager to hear the preaching
of the Word, and longing and praying that they might have
regular pastors among them. Summing up, he says that he
traveled 161 7 miles, preached 50 times, baptized 72 children
and one adult, and in connection with Brother Miller, and partly
alone, organized thirteen congregations, consisting of 1175
members.
Rev. Paul Henkel made many missionary journeys during the
time of his connection with the North Carolina Synod, as well
as before and after that time. He, accompanied by his wife,
would leave home in their own conveyance, taking provisions,
cooking vessels, and bedding with them. Wherever night would
overtake them, they would build their camp-fire, prepare their
supper, and retire for the night under the canopy of the heavens.
Thus they traveled through the mountains of Virginia into the
States of Kentucky and Ohio. He would preach wherever
opportunity afforded, administering the sacraments wherever
needed. In this way he would labor, remaining as long as
necessary, then travel on again to another place of destitution,
88 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
and so on in the most practical way of missionary work, until
he would return to his home. Then he would make his report
to Synod, usually verbal.
Tempted by the rumors of the richness of the soil and the
ease with which land could be secured in the new countries west
of the Allegheny Mountains, many families emigrated from
North Carolina and settled in what is now the States of Ten-
nessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and other States and
Territories. From these scattered members of the Church a
constant appeal was coming to the Synod begging for spiritual
food and nourishment. In response, as best it could, the; Synod
sent of its pastors to visit them and minister to their spiritual
necessities. Some of these visiting pastors at length settled per-
manently among them and founded congregations, many of
them composed entirely of North Carolinians. True, not all were
thus well provided for ; the harvest was so extensive and the
ministers were so few that but a small portion of the field could
be cultivated, and, in consequence, very many were left without
the spiritual care of Lutheran pastors, and were eventually lost
to the Lutheran Church. But these missionary efforts of the
Synod were the means of saving many, and of thus establishing
the Lutheran Church, where now, as a result, it is strong in
numbers, as well as in wealth and influence.
Accordingly the Rev. L. Markert was appointed traveling
missionary in 1813, visited those western fields, and in 1816
removed to Indiana and settled there. In 181 7, reporting by
letter to the Synod, he describes the deplorable condition of the
Church in that section, tells of the many scattered congregations
that he was then serving, he being the only Lutheran minister
in the State, and also sets forth the fact that on account of the
poverty of the people no minister could depend upon the
churches for his support, but must earn his living in some other
way ; but still those people were urgently petitioning Synod
that ministers should be sent to them.
In this same year (181 7), a petition came from Bedford
County, Tenn., requesting a visit from some one of the ministers
of the Synod, and in response the Synod took the following action :
RKV. PAUL IlENKET. AND WIFE.
THE MISSIONARY OPERATIONS OF THE SYNOD. 89-
"Resolved, That Candidate David ^enkel, provided he can
make the journey, visit that place, and also Cape Girardeau, at
the Mississippi River, to minister to them the sacraments, gather
congregations, and report the same at the next meeting of
Synod."
Unfortunately, the next meeting of the Synod, in 1819, was-
the beginning of the rupture, and we have no report of his con-
cerning the trip to that country.
In 1 8 19 there came to the Synod a heart -affecting memorial
from members of our Church in Illinois Territory, praying and
begging for ministers. But, alas ! with that terrible crisis upon
them, the petition " Could not otherwise be answered than with
this painful ejaculation : ' Dear Brethren, we gladly would help
you, but we cannot.' " The next year, by request of Synod,
Rev. L. Markert visited them and ministered unto them in
holy things.
In 1824, Rev. Jacob Scherer reported to Synod that, accord-
ing to previous instructions, he had visited Bedford County,
Tenn., had traveled 2200 miles, preached 38 times, and had
received ^45.60 ; his expenses being $20.69.
This same year Rev. William Jenkins reported that he had
visited the Lutheran congregations near Duck River, in Tennes-
see, where he was received with joy and treated with much
Christian affection. He says, " I preached in the two already
organized congregations with much pleasure, and organized
two additional churches in Franklin and Lincoln Counties. In
this district there is a great and open field for Lutheran
ministers, and the longing for them is on the increase." He
tells of a settlement near Jackson, "where many Lutherans-
reside, who would rejoice if they were visited, or were
served regularly." And he concludes his report thus, "Since
the last Synod I rode 3000 miles, preached 175 times, baptized
84 children, 7 adults and 7 negroes, received 34 into the
church, and buried eight persons. The destitution of Union
County, 111., was again presented to Synod in 1825, and Rev.
William Jenkins was appointed to visit there, and do for them
all that he could. The Secretary of Synod was also instructed
•90 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
to write to Rev. Samuel Schmucker, who was one of the founders
and first professors of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg,
Pa. , and at that time perhaps the most widely and favorably
known man in the Lutheran Church in America, to send a
preacher to that destitute field. In 1827 the Rev. John C. A.
Schoenberg was sent, and in 1828 he reported to the Synod that
"On his arrival at St. John's Church, in Union County, 111.,
the congregations were in a desolate condition, like sheep with-
out a shepherd. Some had suffered themselves to be proselyted
by sects, and others had almost despaired of obtaining a
minister of our persuasion. Soon, however, the wavering be-
came more steadfast, the desponding were enabled to rejoice,
and the congregations began to flourish. Hundreds of Luther-
ans are scattered through Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, en-
tirely destitute of preaching by our ministers, and in some places
■even congregations imperfectly organized, who seem to extend
their hands toward us, saying, ' Come over into Macedonia and
help us.' How painful is it, that we have to turn away from
such urgent calls with a sorrowful heart, unable to supply them
with the bread of life. ' '
In 1832, the Rev. Daniel Scherer, who for ten years had been
the pastor of St. John's Church, Cabarrus County, N. C, felt it
his duty to labor as a missionary in the State'of Illinois. He
located himself in Hillsboro, and soon had a congregation organ-
ized and in a flourishing condition. In 1834 the Synod adopted
the following resolution :
" Resolved, That we express our approbation of the laudable
■efforts of the Rev. Daniel Scherer in collecting and organizing a
Lutheran congregation in Hillsboro, 111."
"Resolved, That we receive the same into full connection
with this Synod."
In 1836, the Rev. Daniel Scherer was dismissed from the
North Carolina Synod to unite himself with the " Synod of the
West, ' ' and his congregation of course went with him.
Much missionary work was done by the Synod in parts of
Virginia up to 1842, the time when the " Western Virginia
5ynod ' ' was organized.
THE MISSIONARY OPERATIONS OF THE SYNOD. 9 1
From then on to the present time the missionary operations of
the Synod have been confined principally to the State of North
Carolina, other Synods having been formed around it, North,
South, and West. Many congregations have been organized and
much missionary work has been done. To-day the missionary
labors of the Synod are devoted mostly to the establishment of
new congregations, which are increasing so rapidly that it re-
quires all the energy and benevolence that the Synod can com-
mand to attend to these new fields.
The following are some of the congregations that have been
organized and assisted to a greater or less extent by the Synod :
St. Paul's Church, Wilmington; St. Mark's Church, Char-
lotte ; St. James' Church, Concord ; St. John's Church, Salis-
bury ; St. Matthew's Church, Wilmington ; Augsburg Church,
Winston ; Macedonia Church, Burlington ; St. Andrew's
Church, Concord, and many others.
Missionary Operations During the War.
During the war between the States (1861-65), the Synod was
actively engaged in missionary work among the soldiers in the
camps and hospitals and on the fields of battle, sending and sup-
porting chaplains to minister to them in spiritual things. No
careful record was kept of the work, but from what we have it is
evident that much good was accomplished and many souls com-
forted in the hours of suffering and death. The Synod at one
time appropriated J5000.00 to this work.
Among the Colored People.
In 1880 the Synod inaugurated missionary work among the
colored people. For this purpose D. J. Koontz, a most excel-
lent colored man, who had been instructed in both his literary
and theological course by members of the Synod, was examined
by the Ministerium, found qualified, and ordained by the Synod.
A lot was secured at Pleasant Grove, money contributed for the
erection of a house of worship, and the work progressed until
1885, when Samuel Holt and N. Clapp were ordained. These
reported, in 1889, four congregations under their pastoral care.
92 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
In this year W. P. Phifer appeared before Synod as a candi-
date for the Lutheran ministry, and, after examination, was
ordained by a special committee in 1890.
These four colored ministers, together with lay representatives
from their congregations, at the convention of Synod in 1889,
asked to be formed into a separate Synod of their own. A
special committee, consisting of Revs. W. G. Campbell, F. W.
E. Peschau, George H. Cox, and T. S. Brown, was appointed,
who reported to Synod as follows :
"We your committee, appointed to organize the Colored
Evangelical Lutheran Synod, met in the council room of St.
John's Evangelical Lutheran congregation, Cabarrus County,
N. C, on Wednesday, May 8th, 1889, at 11.30 a. m. Rev. W.
G. Campbell, the chairman, called the committee to order. Rev.
George H. Cox was elected as Secretary. After prayer by Rev.
F. W. E. Peschau, the colored brethren were organized and con-
stituted under the name and title of ' The Alpha Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Freedmen in America. '
"The Constitution of the North Carolina Synod was then
adopted as the Constitution of this Synod. Rev. D. J. Koontz
was then elected President, W. P. Phifer, Recording and Cor-
responding Secretary, and Rev. S. Holt, Treasurer."
Upon the adoption of this report, the members of the new
Synod offered the following, which was unanimously adopted :
" Resolved, That we, the members of the Alpha Synod, hereby
tender our most hearty and sincere thanks to the officers and
members of the honorable Synod of North Carolina for the kind
interest they have ever manifested to us, the first Colored Luth-
erans of North Carolina, and we pray that they may ever cherish
toward us the same kindly feelings, and help us in our work,
God bless you for it ! "
'^Resolved, That we hereby unanimously request the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Synod of North Carolina, that has ever been
our friend, to be kind enough to print the minutes of our First
Convention, as an appendix to theirs. ' '
Which request was granted.* In after years the Colored Luth-
eran pastors and churches voluntarily united with the Missouri
* See Minutes, 1889, page 57.
THE MISSIONARY OPERATIONS OF THE SYNOD. 93
Synod, which was conducting extensive missionary operations
among the colored people of the South.
The Woman' s Home and Foreign Missionary Societies.
In 1885 the missionary work of the women of the Synod was
inaugurated by the appointment of an Executive Committee to
plan and prepare for a permanent organization.
The First Convention was held in St. James' Church, Con-
cord, N. C, in 1886, at which were represented fourteen Auxili-
ary Societies, numbering 320 members, and " The Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society of the North Carolina
Synod" was organized by the election of Mrs. J. S. Fisher,
President ; Mrs. J. S. Heilig, Mrs. J. B. Davis, Mrs. J. D.
Shirey, Mrs. R. A. Brown, and Mrs. A. M. Brown, as Vice-Presi-
dents ; Miss Julia Shirey, Corresponding Secretary ; Miss Lillian
Slough, Recording Secretary ; Mrs. John A. Cline, Treasurer.
This Society has now been in active existence for sixteen
years. It has thirty Auxiliary Societies, with 944 active, hon-
orary, and life members, and has contributed ;^i 1,674. 18 to the
work of Home and Foreign Missions, besides creating, fostering,
.and encouraging a deeper interest in the general work of the
Church than had before existed.
CHAPTER XIII.
RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE.
In this good year of our Lord, 1903, we are celebrating with
joyful and grateful hearts the one hundredth anniversary of the
organization of our Synod.
Its beginning at Salisbury, N. C, May 2d, 1803, was small
indeed and seemingly insignificant. Its infancy was a period
of fear and hope. Its first history seemed to promise and de-
velop but little. But from 1803 to 1903 God has never forsaken,
it ; He has alwa5's been present with it, and has been constantly
pouring out His blessings upon it. One hundred and eighty-twa
ministers have belonged to the Synod. Many of the able, effi-
cient, and godly men of the Lutheran Church have been con-
nected with it during these one hundred years ; many of them
have gone on before us into the land of eternal day, and are
reaping the reward of the faithful servants of their Lord. Many
are earnestly and faithfully serving the Church under other Syn-
odical relations ; whilst on the roll of the Synod there are to-day
more ministers, more churches, and more members than have
ever been before at any one time during its existence.
Looking back through the history of the Synod there may
have been, doubtless are, records of words and actions that we-
may have felt disposed to criticise ; some things, perhaps, that,
we may have wished had not occurred ; and others that to us-
may have seemed strange that when begun were not carried for-
ward to completion. And yet, when the history is read and
studied in the light of the past ; when we consider the environ-
ments of these early fathers, their difficulties, the obstacles, that
were in their way and which they were compelled to overcome,
and all of the many things which entered into the questions of
the lives and doings of those whose faithfulness has made the
Synod what it is ; when we remember those who, in the love
(94) "
RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE. 95
and fear of God, piloted the Synod safely through the trying
times of the war between the States ; and back of them, those
who endured the hardships of the Revolutionary War and its after
results ; and still back of them, the men and women who-
labored and prayed patiently but steadily onward, building up
the Church and the Synod through storm and sunshine, and
amidst adversity as well as prosperity ; surely, as the memory
of those years and labors, together with their unnumbered bless-
ings, come crowding upon us, we can see the hand of God in all
of it — His hand of blessing. His guiding hand. His uplifting,.
His protecting. His preserving hand — and our hearts cannot fail
to go out to Him in thanksgiving for all His mercies and bless-
ings.
On all the great and important questions that have come before
the Church in the development of its life here, in its new home
in Amierica, the Synod has ever uttered a certain sound and
exerted an important and often a controlling influence.
The great vital doctrines of the Gospel of the Son of God, the
work of Home and Foreign Missions, Benevolence, Charity,
Education, and such questions, coupled with the duty and obli-
gations of leading godly lives, have ever been presented by the
Synod in the light and purity of God's Word.
And the people to whom and for whom the Synod has minis-
tered have ever responded nobly, grandly, and with hearty good-
will, contributing freely of their means as God has prospered
them to all the work of the Synod. But the grand object of the
Church upon earth is not only to teach doctrine, liberality, and
charity ; not merely to civilize and reform, but to bring men
and women into vital contact with the atoning blood of Jesus, to
bring them into the arms of His salvation. It does not matter
how grandly the Synod may have succeeded in everything else,
all would be complete failure without this having been accom-
plished.
In the light of her history, who can say that the Synod has not
been a success in this, as well as in the other ? The record is
written in the souls saved through its ministrations who to-day,
here and elsewhere, are praising and serving God, and in the
^6 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
songs of the happy redeemed ones around the throne of God in
heaven, who have gone up from around the altars of the
churches of the North CaroHna Synod.
Thousands upon thousands have been added to the Church,
thousands upon thousands more have heard the Word preached
from its pulpits. Who can compute the results ? It can never be
fully known until that day in which the secrets of all hearts shall
be revealed. But these grand results have come not because of
any peculiar gifts, merits, or worthiness in, of, or by those who
have constituted the Synod from time to time, but only because
of God's gracious mercy and love toward the Synod, and His
ever-watchful care over, around, and about it, leading it into the
right paths, and giving its ministry and members grace and
-strength to walk in those paths.
And now, standing at the one hundredth mile-post, and shading
our eyes as we attempt to look through the mists out into the un-
known future, cannot we go forward in perfect confidence and
trust in Him who has thus far led us onward ? Who can for a
moment question but that God will do still greater things in the
future, through the instrumentality of this Synod, if we only
press on in full faith in the promised presence of our Lord,
from whom all blessings come ? With her present facilities
and advantages ; her own literary institutions, both male and
female ; her Church Extension, her Home Missionary operations
on her own territory, and also through co-operation with the
United Synod of the South in its general work of Home and
Foreign Missions ; and the prospect and promise of a homoge -
neous ministry, educated in her own theological seminary of the
South, and the fast oncoming of the tide of immigration into her
territory, who can estimate what she may yet, under the bless-
ing of God, accomplish for His kingdom and glory ? Never has
the world needed the Gospel more than it does to-day. Never
have there been grander opportunities for real, genuine . Gospel
work all over the world than are presented now. Never was
there a time when the North Carolina Synod of the Evan-
gelical Lutheran Church was more needed than at the present
period of its history.
RETROSPECTIVE AND PROSPECTIVE. 97
Opening out before us are wide and ever-widening fields for
the sowing of the "good seed."
In the field of few other Synods in America is there such an
open door for work and usefulness as in our now time-honored
Synod of North Carolina.
The Master of the vineyard is certainly calling !
God help the Synod to hear and heed the call.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS
NOW CONNECTED WITH THE
Evangelical Lutheran Synod
and Ministerium
NORTH CAROLINA.
Albemarle Church, located in the town of Albemarle,
the county seat of Stanly County, was organized by Rev. W.
Kimball in 1880. Its house of worship was erected in 1881. It
is a small frame building, neatly painted, churchly in all its.
appointments, and was dedicated 1881 by Rev. W. Kimball and
J. B. Davis, D. D., the latter preaching the dedicatory sermon.
The congregation also has a very comfortable and convenient
parsonage, containing six rooms, located near the church, and
built in 1898. Mrs. S. H. Hearne, one of the leading members-
of the congregation, has the honor of having been the prime
mover in securing the parsonage, she having, by her own individ-
ual efforts, raised nearly all the funds for the undertaking. The
congregation has thirty-three members.
Pastors.
Rev. W. Kimball, Rev. J. A. Linn,
Rev. G. F. Schaeffer, Rev. J. D. Shirey, D. D.,
Rev. A. D. L. Moser, Rev. P. L. Mill^,
Rev. John H. Wyse, Rev. C. B. Miller.
(98)
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 99
Amity Church is located in Iredell County, N. C. , twelve
miles south from Statesville.
The congregation, which was formerly a part of St. Michael's,
was organized April nth, 1885, by Rev. H. M. Brown. It has
never been a large congregation ; now numbers forty-one mem-
bers.
The house of worship was erected 1888-1891, and was dedi^
cated April 30th, 1893, by the pastor, Rev. D. W. Michael, as-
sisted by Rev. W. S. Bowman, D. D. It is a frame building,
56 X 36, nicely finished, and well adapted to the wants of the
congregation. Its seating capacity is three hundred and fifty.
Pastors.
Rev. H. M. Brown 1885— 1888.
Rev. W. Kimball 1888— 1889.
Rev. T. H. Strohecker 1889— 1890.
Rev. D. W. Michael 1890— 1894.
Rev. H. W. Jeffcoat 1894—1895.
Rev. B. S. Brown 1895— 1899.
Rev. R. A. Helms 1899.
Augsburg Church, in the city of Winston, is a mission con-
gregation under control of the Board of Missions of the United'.
Synod. The mission was inaugurated in 1890, and the congre-
gation was organized by the missionary pastor. Rev. W. A. Lutz,
on September 27 th, 1891. The congregation worshiped in a
rented hall until the present church building was erected im
1893-95, and was dedicated, in 1895, by Rev. F. W. E. Peschau,.
D. D., Rev. W. S. Bowman, D. D., and the pastor, Rev. W.
A. Lutz. It is a stone and brick structure, of gothic style,.
50X 72, and beautifully finished both inside and out, and has a.
seating capacity of four hundred and fifty. Rev. W. A. Lutz;
resigned July 1st, 1900, and Rev. E. L. Folk became pastor in'
February, 1901.
New Bethel Church is located in Stanly County, N. C,
about ten miles northwest from Albemarle.
Some time between 1788 and 1806 members of the Lutheran
lOO HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
and German Reformed Churches were organized into a union
congregation, it is supposed by Rev. C. A. G. Storch, and
erected a house of worship near Bear Creek, in Stanly County,
about two miles from the present location.
The congregation was named ' ' Bethel, ' ' but was popularly
known as "Bear Creek Church," because of its location. Thus
it continued until 1874, when the Lutherans, for a money con-
sideration, surrendered all claim to the property, and built a new
house at the present location, the congregation taking the name
■of " New Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church." The building
was dedicated November 29th, 1874, by Rev. W. Kimball and
Rev. P. A. Strobel. It is a neat frame building, 60 x 40, with
a seating capacity of about five hundred.
In 1888, while under the pastorship of Rev. George H. Cox,
the congregation erected a parsonage near the church. It is a
neat, one-story building, containing six rooms, nicely painted,
having a well of good water, all necessary outbuildings, and
several acres of land.
The congregation now numbers one hundred and forty-nine
members.
Pastors.
Ilev. C. A. G. Storch 1806— 1814,
Rev. John William Meyer 1814 — 1817
Rev. C. A. G. Storch 1819— 1824,
Rev. Daniel Scherer 1824 — 1831
Rev. Daniel Jenkins 1834 — 1836,
Rev. Benjamin Arey 1837 — 1838,
Rev. P. A. Strobel 1838— 1841
Rev. William G. Harter 1841—1856.
Rev. J. D. Scheck 1856 — 1857
Rev. G. D. Bernheim 1858—1860,
Rev. J. B. Anthony i860— 1866
Rev. L. C. Groseclose 1867 — 1871
Rev. W. R. Ketchie 1873.
Rev. P. A. Strobel 1874— 1875
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1876— 1879
Rev. W. Kimball 1880— 1883
Rev. A. D. L. Moser 1885—1887
Rev. G. H. Cox 1888— 1890.
Rev. C. C. Lyerly 1890 — 1892
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
Pastors.
Rev. J. H. C. Fisher 1893— 1894.
Rev. C. C. Lyerly 1894— 1897.
Rev. J. A. Linn, present pastor, took charge October 2d, 1898.
Bethel Church is located in Rowan County, N. G., four
miles northwest from Salisbury. The congregation was first
known as " Franklin." It was organized by Rev. Jacob Crim,
in March, 1851, with twenty -one members. The first entry
under the name of Bethel occurs in 1854. The first house of
worship was erected a short distance from the present site. In
a few years a small village grew up about half a mile west from
the church. As a new church house was needed it was proposed
to rebuild in the village. This, however, was opposed, and as a
compromise the new house was erected midway between the old
site and the village. It is one of the most beautiful church sites
within the bounds of the Synod. The building is a frame,
60 X 40, beautiful in all its parts, and comfortably seats three
hundred and fifty. Present membership is one hundred and fifty-
two. Dedicated April 29th, i883,by Revs. J. B.Davis, D.D., and
V. R. Stickley. Three ministers have been reared in the con-
gregation, viz.: Revs. M. M. Miller, Turner Earnhardt, and
P. E. Monroe. Rev. M. M. Miller is buried in the graveyard.
He was killed in skirmish near Richmond, Va., June 7th, 1864.
A commodious and convenient parsonage stands in the village
of Zeb. It has eight rooms and all necessary conveniences, and
is owned jointly by this congregation and St. Paul's, with which
it is in pastorate relation.
Pastors.
Rev. Jacob Crim 1851—1858.
Rev. J. L. Smithdeal 1858—1860.
Rev. Jacob Crim 1861— 1862.
Rev. S. Scherer 1862—1872.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1872— 1873.
Rev. H. M. Brown 1873— 1882.
Rev. V. R. Stickley 1882— 1884.
Rev. C. A. Rose 1884— 1899.
Rev. V. Y. Boozer 1899
I02 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Bethany Church, located in Stokes County, N. C, six
miles south from Danbury. On the fifth Sunday in June, 1889,
Rev. H. M. Brown, who was then the pastor of the Forsyth e
Mission, by invitation of Mr. B. F. Pulliam, preached at Flat
Shoals school -house. He returned on the second Sunday in
August and held a meeting for several days, and as a result Mr.
B. F. Pulliam and Mrs. Golden united with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church by the sacrament of baptism. Others soon
followed, so that on the 9th of November, 1889, Bethany con-
gregation was organized with D. M. Hall, Elder, and B. F.
Pulliam, Deacon, there being five other members.
A neat frame church building was erected in 1890, the corner-
stone having been laid in August by Rev. C. B. Miller. No
special dedicatory services have been held. The house is
40 X 30, and comfortably seats about two hundred and fifty. The
present membership is twenty-five. The congregation holds an
interest in the parsonage of the Forsythe Mission.
Pastors. '
Rev. H. M. Brown 1889— 1891.
Rev. E. P. Parker 1891 — 1892.
Rev. H. A. Trexler 1892 — 1896.
Rev. R. Li Bame 1896 — 1897.
Bethany Church, located in Davidson County, N. C.
Traditions says that emigrants from Pennsylvania settled here
in 1791, and very soon thereafter organized a union congrega-
tion. The old deed of land is to " The Lutheran and German
Presbyterians, ' ' but the congregation is now composed of Luth-
erans and German Reformed.
The first house of worship was erected at about the same time
that the congregation was organized, and has long since passed
away.
The present frame structure was erected in 1 86 1 . It is 60 x 40,
and seats five hundred persons. It was dedicated by Rev. W.
Kimball. Rev. John Swicegood was reared in this congregation.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I03
The congregation has an interest in the parsonage at Tyro.
Pastors.
Rev. Daniel Jenkins, Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. John Swicegood, Rev. W. A. Lutz,
Rev. W. Kimball, Rev. H. A. Trexler,
Rev. C. H. Bernheim, Rev. R. L. Bame.
Rev. J. D. Bowles,
The congregation has never seemed to prosper, and has been
vacant often and during long intervals.
Christiana Church is located on the Gold Hill Road,
«ix miles southeast from Salisbury, N. C. It was organized
January 23d, 1871, by Rev. S. Scherer. Its first house of wor-
ship, a frame building, 50 x 35, was erected in 1874. In 1898^
while under the pastorate of Rev, C. A. Brown, the old house
was removed, and a beautiful modern building, 65x50, was
■erected in its place. This house was dedicated by Rev. L. E.
Busby on January ist, 1899. The congregation has one hun-
dred and twenty members on the roll.
The following have served the congregation ;
Pastors.
Rev. S. Scherer, Rev. J. Q. Wertz,
Rev. R. L. Brown, Rev. C. A. Brown,
Rev. J. M. Hedrick, Rev. J. P. Miller.
Rev. J. W. Strickler,
' Coldwater Church is located near Coldwater Creek, two
miles east from Concord, in Cabarrus County, N. C. It was
first a German Reformed congregation, and as such dates back
as far as 1768, five years before Nussman and Arends came
from Germany.
About 1782 the Lutherans belonging to St. John's Church,
and living in the neighborhood of Coldwater Creek, joined with
I04 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
the German Reformed to form a union congregation. Land for
a church site was deeded to the congregation, in that year, by
Adam Bowers, and Martin Phifer was made Trustee of the con-
gregation. The house that was built was of hewn logs, and was
not completed until about 1834.
In 1814 the congregation was admitted to Synod, and it is
probable that about that time it was organized as a Lutheran
congregation, worshiping with the German Reformed.
In 1843 most of the Lutherans belonging to the congregation
withdrew for the purpose of organizing a congregation at Con-
cord, which congregation has since been known as St. James'.
This left the congregation so weak that no Lutheran services
were held there again until 1871, when the organization became
an independent Lutheran congregation.
In 1880 the present house of worship was erected. It is
small, but very neat and churchly. There are forty-three mem-
bers belonging to it.
Pastors.
Rev. C. A. G. Storch, Rev. J. S. Heilig,
Rev. P. A. Strobel, Rev. W. Kimball,
Rev. W. G. Harter, Rev. J. M. Hedrick,
Rev. L. A. Bikle, D. D., Rev. J. D. Shealy,
Rev. J. H. Harry, Rev. H. A. McCuUough.
Rev. S. T. Hallman,
Centre Grove Church is located in Cabarrus County, N. C,
five miles north from Concord. It was organized by Rev. W.
Kimball on September 9th, 1876, and was composed of mem-
bers from Lutheran Chapel Church.
The house is a handsome frame building, 50 x 30, nicely
finished, and has a seating capacity for four hundred. It was
dedicated the first Sunday in April, 1880, by Rev. W. H. Cone,
assisted by Rev. V. R. Stickley.
The congregation had an interest in the St. Andrew's par-
sonage at Concord, which was destroyed by fire September 2 ist,
1900.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I05
Pastors,.
Rev. W. H. Cone for three years.
Rev. B. S. Brown for four years.
Rev. J. L. Buck for three years.
Rev. C. A. Marks for six years.
Rev. J. Q. Wertz for two years.
Rev. W. B. Oney for two years.
Rev. C. A. Brown since May, 1900.
The aggregate of vacancies is about three years.
\
Concordia Church is located in Rowan County, N. C,
fifteen miles southwest from Salisbury, on the Mooresville and
Concord Road.
The congregation was organized in 1882 by Rev. W. A. Lutz,
and was made up of families from Lutheran Chapel and St.
Enoch's Churches.
The house of worship is a frame structure, 70 x 50, well
finished and nicely furnished, and was erected in 1882 and
1883, and dedicated in the year 1883 by Rev. W. A. Lutz,
assisted by Rev. G. D. Bemheim, D. D., and Rev. S. T. Hall-
man, D. D. Its seating capacity is eight hundred, and the
present ipembership numbers one hundred and fourteen.
The congregation owns a parsonage located at " Saw " Post-
office, about one and one-half miles from the church. It is an
excellent frame building, two stories high, with an L, contain-
ing seven rooms, and having many conveniences for the pastors^
Pastors.
Rev. W. A. Lutz 1882— 1883.
Rev. Holmes Dysinger, D. D 1883.
Rev. W. Kimball 1884—1885.
Rev. C. B. Miller, supply 1886.
Rev. C. A. Brown, supply 1887.
Rev. D. A. Sox 1887— 1888.
Rev. W. Kimball 1889— 1891.
Rev. C. A. Brown 1892— 1893.
Rev. H. W. Jeffcoat 1894— 1900.
Rev. B. S. Brown I900-
Io6 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Christ Church is located in the town of Spencer, Rowan
County, N. C.
The congregation was organized in a school-house, about two
miles northeast from Spencer, by Rev. Simeon Scherer, Novem-
ber 13th, 1870.
The first house of worship was built on the Lexington Road,
three and one-half miles east from Salisbury. The present house
is a nice frame building, 60 x 36, with seating capacity of about
four hundred. It was erected in 1899. Present membership
forty-six.
Pastors.
Rev. S. Scherer 1870— 1875
Rev. H. M. Brown 1875—1880.
Rev. W. J. Smith 1881— 1882,
Rev. V. R. Stickley. . . ; 1882— 1884,
Rev. C. A. Rose 1884— 1897
Rev. W. Kimball 1897— 1898.
Rev. P. L. Miller 1898— 1900,
Rev. H. W. Jeffcoat 1900.
Ebenezer Church is located in Rowan County, five miles
west from Organ Church and four miles east from China Grove.
It was formerly a part of the western district of Organ congrega-
tion. In December, 1866, members of Organ Church living in
the above-named community petitioned the Southern Confer-
ence of the North Carolina Synod to authorize the formation of
a new congregation, for their benefit, somewhere near " Bos-
tian's school-house."
The conference granted the request and appointed the Rev.
•G. D. Bernheim, D. D., with Dr. P. A. Sifferd and Captain J.
A. Fisher as a special committee to attend to the matter. At
the annual meeting of Synod in May, 1867, this action of the
conference was ratified and confirmed ; whereupon the commit-
tee, on the first Sunday in June, 1867, organized the congrega-
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I07
tion as Ebenezer Evangelical Lutheran Church, there being
nineteen members entering into the organization.
The first council was elected upon the same day, and con-
sisted of Dr. P. A. Sifferd and Frederick Stirewalt, Elders ; and
Moses J. Barger and J. A. Eddleman, Deacons.
A lot, containing three and one-half acres, was donated by
Frederick and Paul Stirewalt, and the church was built thereon
■during the year 1868. It is an excellent frame building, 60 x 40,
nicely finished inside and out.
The dedicatory services were held by the pastor, Rev. G. D.
Bernheim, D. D., on January 31st, 1869, the sermon being
•delivered by the Rev. Prof L. A. Bikle, D. D. , who was at the
time President of North Carolina College.
In 1879 the congregation was, by Synod, placed in pastorate
relationship with Organ Church, and in 1887 the pastorate
•erected a parsonage negtr Organ Church, Ebenezer, holding a
■one-third interest in the same.
The present membership of tHe congregation is one hundred
.and twenty-three.
The congregation has had but very little vacancy since its
■organization, having been served as follows :
Pastors.
Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D 1867— 1870.
Rev: Prof. L. A. Bikle, D. D 1870—1875
Rev. W. Kiraball, 1875— 1876,
Rev. R. W. Petrea 1876— 1877
Rev. Prof. S. S. Rahn 1878— 1879
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1879—1885
Rev. W. R. Brown 1886— 1893
Rev. George H. Cox 1894.
Faith Church, in the village' of Faith, Rowan County,
N. C, six miles south from Salisbury, was organized by Rev. R.
L. Brown, on March 26th, 1899. The church building was
•erected during 1899-1900, and is a handsome frame structure,
Io8 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
56x34, built after the style of modern church architecture, with
seating capacity of about three hundred. The corner-stone was
laid February 17th, 1900, by the President of Synod, Rev. C. B.
Miller, assisted by Revs. G. H. Cox, C. A. Brown, V. Y.
Boozer, and R. L. Brown. The congregation numbers sixty-
three members, and bids fair to become a strong church.
Frieden's Church is located two miles north from Gibson-
ville, in Guilford County, N.C. This is one of the oldest Lutheran
churches in North Carolina. Although we do not know just
when it was organized, yet we do know that it was prior to the
Revolutionary War. During that war there was a man by the
name of Schumaker lived a few hundred yards from the church.
This man was a "Tory," and, upon a 'certain occasion, refused
to give a drink of water to a pounded soldier. This so infuri-
ated his companions that they took the man Schumaker to the
church, made him stand on the door-steps, and shot him there.
He is buried in the old graveyard. From this circumstance the
church was often called " Schumaker' s Church." Originally
the congregation was composed of Lutherans and German Re-
formed, who had together come from Pennsylvania. About the
year 1855 they separated, and it has since been wholly Lutheran.
There have been three houses of worship. The first was con-
structed of pine poles ; the second was a log-house, weather-
boarded and ceiled ; and the present is a fine brick building, with
a seating capacity of about five hundred. It was erected in 1869
and 1870, and was dedicated May 22d, 1871, by the pastor,
Rev. C. H. Bernheim, assisted by Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D.,
and Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D.
The congregation has always been numerically strong, though,
at present, but one hundred and seventy-eight members are re-
ported.
In the graveyard near the church lie buried Rev. Simeon
Scherer and Rev. J. R. Sikes, both of whom were born in the
county and died while pastors of the' church.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
109
An excellent parsonage, belonging to the pastorate, stands in
the town of Gibsonville, on the N. C. R. R. It is a frame
structure, with two stories and an L, containing six rooms. A
garden, barn, and other outhouses are attached, making a very
comfortable and convenient home for the pastor.
The list of pastors is incomplete, no records having been
kept of the early history of the congregation. The following
is measurably correct :
Pastors.
Rev. Philip Henkel,
Rev. G. Schober,
Rev. Jacob Scherer,
Rev. William Artz,
Rev. Simeon Scherer,
Rev. J. D. Sheck,
Rev. L. C. Groseclose,
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D.,
Rev. C. H. Bemheim,
Rev. W. Kimball,
Rev. J. L. Buck,
Rev. C. B. Miller,
Rev. J. R. Sikes,
Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. C. A. Brown.
Grace Church is located six miles southwest from Salisbury,
between Salisbury and China Grove. The organization was
effected in 1880, by the Rev. V. R. Stickley, and was composed
of members from Salem and Lutheran Chapel congregations.
Its house of worship, a neat frame building, 60x35, with a
seating capacity of four hundred, was erected in 1880, and ded-
icated by Rev. W. A. Lutz in 1881.
Belonging to the Salem pastorate, it holds a joint interest in
the parsonage near that church.
The present membership numbers one hundred and ninety.
Pastors.
Rev. V. R. Stickley 1880— 1882.
■ Rev. J. D. Shirey, D. D 1882— 1887.
Rev. W. Kimball 1889—1892.
Rev. C. A. Brown 1892— 1894.
Rev. V. Y. Boozer 1894—1895.
Rev. H. N. Miller, Ph. D 1895—1897.
Rev. H. A. Trexler 1897.
The aggregate of vacancies has been a little over two years.
no HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Holy Trinity Church, in the town of Mt. Pleasant, Cabar-
rus County, N. C, was organized about 1864, by Rev. L. C.
Groseclose. The congregation worshiped in the chapel of North
Carolina College until 1872, when its present church build-
ing was erected. It is a substantial brick structure, 50 x 40,
having vestibule, tower, and bell, with the auditorium neatly
frescoed. The congregation owns a good parsonage on a lot
adjoining the church lot. It is a two-story frame building, con-
taining seven rooms and suitable outbuildings. There are now
one hundred and fifty -three members belonging to it. The grave-
yard is located in the northern part of the town, about a half-
mile from the church. Here, among many others, lie buried
Rev. J. B. Anthony and Rev. J. D. Shirey, D. D.
The following named pastors have served the congregation at
different times :
Pastors.
Rev. L. C. Groseclose, Rev. B. S. Brown,
Rev. D. M. Henkel, Rev. H. N. Miller, Ph. D.,
Rev. S. B. Davis, D. D., Rev. J. A. Linn.
Rev. J. H. Wyse,
Hopewell Church is located five miles south from Winston,
N. C, on the road leading to Lexington. The land upon
which the church stands was originally donated by Mr. Henry
Rippel. He erected a school-house upon it, in which he and
Rev. G. Schober, in 1807, organized the first Sunday school
ever established in North Carolina. This was the beginning of
the congregation that was organized by Rev. Schober in 18 10.
The first house of worship was erected in 1810, and was ded-
icated in March, 1811. It was a log-house, 32x20, with end
and side galleries. It had a bell, which was moulded by Mr.
Rippel, and which is now preserved in the Museum in Salem,
N. C.
The second house of worship was erected in 1896, and was
dedicated in March, 1897, by the officers of the Northern Con-
ference of the North Carolina Synod. It is a neat frame build-
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. Iir
ing, 54 X 28, well finished and nicely furnished. The present
membership is only nine persons, and never has been large.
Its first pastor was Rev. G. Schober, who served the congre-
gation for twenty -six years, until 1836, without accepting any
salary at all. Since then there have been no regular pastors,
but the following have supplied the congregation for longer or
shorter periods :
Pastors.
Rev. L. C. Croseclose, Rev. W. A. Lutz,
Rev. W. Kimball, Rev. R. L. Brown,
Rev. J. R. Sikes, Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. W. A. Julian, Rev. E. L. Folk.
Rev. J. D. Bowles,
Haven Church is located on Chestnut Hill, West Salis-
bury, N. C. The congregation was organized August 13th,.
1899, by Rev. W. A. Julian, and was first called Mt. Zion.
The congregation is erecting a very nice building, 50 x 34,
with a tower seventy feet high, which, when done, will be hand-
some and churchly, and will comfortably seat about three hun-
dred and fifty persons.
The work is a mission of the North Carolina Synod and bids
fair to become a prosperous congregation. The present member-
ship is sixty -six.
Pastors.
Rev. W. A. Julian to September, 1899.
Rev. H. W. Jeffcoat present pastor.
Immanuel Church is located in Rowan County, N. C,
midway between Rockwell and Gold Hill.
For something like thirty years a Sunday school had been
maintained in Elm Grove school-house, with occasional preach-
ing service by the different pastors of Organ Church up until
April 14th, 189s, when Rev. George H. Cox organized the con-
gregation and served as the first pastor.
112 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
The house of worship is a very neat brick building, nicely fin-
ished, which was dedicated by Rev. H. M. Brown in October,
1898.
The present membership is forty-seven.
Pastors.
Rev. George H. Cox, Rev. Prof. J. H. C. Fisher.
Rev. R. L. Brown,
Lau's Church is located in Guilford County, N. C, eigh-
teen miles southeast from Greensboro and two miles from the
Alamance battle-ground, where was fought the battle between the
British and the Regulators in May, 1 7 7 1 .
No early records have been preserved, but the congregation
must have been organized at a very early date, probably by
Nussman or Arends, who made frequent ministerial journeys into
that section of country. The congregation has always been
Lutheran, never having united with the German Reformed, as so
many of the early congregations did.
When the first house of worship was built, how long it was
used, and what was its character, nothing is known except that
it was the inevitable log-house of the pioneer period.
The second house was a frame building. Both houses stood
very near the present location. The present building is a neat
frame structure, with a roomy vestibule, and the pulpit between
the doors as you enter the auditorium. It is 60 x 40, and has a
seating capacity of five hundred.
Just in the rear of the church is the old graveyard, where lie
the earthly remains of two Lutheran ministers, Rev. Jacob
Grieson and Rev. B. C. Hall.
The congregation no doubt participated in the organization of
the Synod in 1803, and took an active part in discussions and
struggles growteg out of the rupture that resulted in the forma-
tion of the. Tennessee Synod.
It has always been a strong congregation, and now numbers
two hundred and twenty-three confirmed members.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. II3
Near the church stands the parsonage, belonging to the churches
comprising the "Guilford pastorate." It is a comfortable and
convenient house, containing nine rooms. There are also neces-
sary outbuildings, and fifteen acres of land for the use of the
pastor.
Pastors.
Rev. A. Nussman, Rev. B. C. Hall,
Rev. J. G. Arends, Rev. W. A. Julian,
Rev. Ludwig Markert, Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. Jacob Scherer, Rev. A. D. L. Moser,
Rev. William Artz, Rev. B. W. Cronk,
Rev. John Swicegood, Rev. H. M. Brown.
Rev. Simeon Scherer,
Lebanon Church, located in Rowan County, N. C, two
miles from Barber's Junction, on the "Western " Railroad, was
organized by Rev. B. W. Cronk in 1893.
In the same year the present church-house was erected. It is
.a frame building, 60 x 35, with a seating capacity of three hun-
dred and fifty, and nicely finished.
It was dedicated by Rev. H. N. Miller, Ph. D., on the fifth
Sunday in November, 1896. The congregation numbers thirty-
four members.
Faslors.
Rev. B. W. Cronk 1890—1894.
Rev. V. y. Boozer 1894—1895*
Rev. H. N. Miller, Ph. D 1895—1897!
Rev. H. A. Trexler 1897.
Lutheran Chapel Church is located in Rowan County,
N. C, about one mile from China Grove. It is one among the
oldest congregations, and, like all the rest, has failed to preserve
any early records. From other facts that are known, it is evident
that the congregation must have been organized about 1780, by
114 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
either Nussman or Arends, and was served by them until January-
7th, 1789, when Rev. C. A. G. Storch became pastor. It was
then known as the Irish Settlement.
During this time, that is, between 1780 and 1789, the first
house of worship was erected, and was owned jointly with the
German Reformed. The building was painted red, and was
known as Savitz's Church. It was destroyed by fire by a crazy
man because it was not painted blue.
In a short time another house was erected on the same spot,,
and was again painted red. Between 1820-1830 the Lutherans-
were greatly wrought up on the questions then agitating the
Church, which resulted in a division and the formation of an-
other congregation, adhering to the Tennessee Synod. Thus
there were now three congregations, each having its own pastor,
and worshiping in the same house. This state of affairs continued
until about 1835, when a general separation took place, each
congregation building a house for itself.
Thus the third house of worship was erected, and took the
name of Luther's Chapel, which has since been changed to
Lutheran Chapel Church. This was a frame building, and was
unpainted. In 1865 the old church was removed, and a large
brick edifice was erected in its place. This continued in use
until 1892, when it was thoroughly remodeled and rededicated,
May 7th, 1893, the sermon being delivered by the President of
Synod, Rev. G. H. Cox, D. D. It is one of the most beautiful
churches in the Synod. The congregation has always been large
and always loyally Lutheran, and has taken an active part in all
the work of the Synod, of which it was an original member. The
congregation is thoroughly organized and equipped, and has a
membership of two hundred and ten.
In the graveyard lie buried Rev. W. Kimball, Rev. C. A.
Rose, and Mr. I. F. Patterson, who was for a number of years-
the Treasurer of Synod.
The congregation has an excellent parsonage, one mile from
the church, in the town of China Grove. It is a large frame
building, two stories, seven rooms, and has all conveniences and
comforts for the pastor and family.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 115'
Pastors.
Revs. A. Nussman and J. G. Arends 1780 — 1789
Rev. C. A. G. Storch 1789— 1820.
Rev. Daniel Scherer 1820 — 1830.
Rev. Jacob Kaempfer 1830 — 1833,
Rev. Henry Graeber 1833 — 1837
Rev. J. D. Scheck 1837 — 1854,
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1854—1855
Rev. B. C. Hall 1855—1857
Rev. William Artz 1859 — 1861
Rev. Whitson Kimball 1861 — 1877
Rev. W. H. Cone 1877— 1881
Rev. B. S. Brown i88i — 1887,
Rev. J. L. Buck 1887—18
Rev. C. A. Marks 1889 — 1896,
Rev. J. Q. Wertz 1896.
Luther Memorial Church is located at the southern point
of Rowan County, N. C, about four miles from Richfield. i
The first mention of the congregation is in the Minutes of
Synod for 1830. At that time the Rev. J. Kaempfer was pas-
tor. It is not known when it was organized.
The present house of worship was erected during the pastor-
ship of Rev. T. H. Strohecker, and was dedicated September 7th,
1883, by the pastor, assisted by Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D., Rev.
J. B. Anthony, and Rev. J. A. Linn, Jr.
It is a very pretty frame building, 60 x 40, with a seating
capacity of about three hundred. The present membership is
fifty-five.
Pastors.
Rev. Jacob Kaempfer 1832.
Rev. H. Graeber 1832 — 1841.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1841—1845.
Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr '. 1846— 1852.
Rev. W. G. Harter 1853—1856.
Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr 1856-1863.
Rev. L. C. Groseclose 1866— .1867.
Rev. R. L. Brown 1868-1874.
Rev. W. H. Cone 1875— 1877.
Rev. J. A. Linn, Jr 1878— 1880.
Il6 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Pastors.
Rev. T. H. Strohecker 1883— 1886,
Rev. H. A. Trexler 1886— 1888,
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1888— 1889,
Rev. C. C. Lyerly 1891— 1892,
Rev. J. H. C. Fisher 1894— 1896,
Rev. C. C. Lyerly 1897—18
Rev. P. H. E. Derrick 1898— 1899,
Rev. P. L. Miller 1899.
Macedonia Church is located in the town of Burlington,
Alamance County, N. C, on the line of the Southern Railroad,
between Greensboro and Raleigh.
In 1869, citizens of Burlington (then Company Shops) and
vicinity, petitioned the Synod to establish a mission at that
place, and assist them in the support of a regular pastor. The
Synod granted the request, and made Rev. W. A. Julian the
pastor. That was at the regular session in April, 1869. A
congregation was immediately organized, and at an extra session
of Synod held in August, 1869, it was received into Synod.
The church building was erected in 1879 and 1880, and was
dedicated on the fourth Sunday in April, 1880, by the pastor,
Rev. W. Kimball, assisted by Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D.,
who preached the dedicatory sermon. The house is a neat
frame, 36x22, with a seating capacity of about three hundred.
The number of members is now one hundred and ten.
The congregation owns an excellent parsonage on the adjoin-
ing lot to the church. It is a two-story frame, nicely finished
in every particular. It was erected in 1894 during the pastor-
ship of Rev. C. B, Miller. The congregation is not yet self-
sustaining.
Pastors.
Rev. W. A. Julian 1869—1873.
Rev. S. Scherer 1873 — 1876.
Rev. W. Kimball 1876— 1880.
Rev. J. L. Buck 1882— 1887.
Rev. C. B. Miller 1890 — 1895.
Rev. V. Y. Boozer 1895 — 1899.
Rev. W. W. J. Ritchie 1899.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. II7
Mount Zion Church is located on the Yadkin Railroad, in
the village of Richfield, Stanly County, N. C.
The congregation was organized by Rev. C. C. Lyerly, Octo-
ber 14th, 1894, with twenty-one members transferred from
"Luther's," two from "New Bethel," and two from "Matin's
Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, making a total of twenty-
five.
The house of worship is a small frame building, 48 x 32, nicely
finished, and churchly in all of its appointments. It was
erected during the pastorship of Rev. C. C. Lyerly. The present
membership is fifty-three.
Pastors.
Rev. C. C. Lyerly 1894 — 1897.
Rev. P. L. Miller 1898— 1900.
Mount Hermon Church is- located in Cabarrus County,,
N. C, four miles southeast from Concord.
The congregation was organized by Rev. S. T. Hallman,
D. D., on April 17th, 1881, and was composed of members
transferred from St. John's and St. James' Churches. Its house
of worship, a neat frame building, was erected in 1881, and
dedicated April igth, 1888, by Rev. A. D. L. Moser. It is
54x36, nicely finished inside and out, and has a seating ca-
pacity of three hundred and fifty. There are at the present time
eighty-five members. It had an interest in the St. Andrew's
parsonage at Concord, which was destroyed by fire September
2ist, 1900.
Pastors.
Rev. S. T. Hallman, D. D 1880— 1883.
Rev. G. F. Schaeffer 1884.
Rev. W. Kimball 1884— 1886.
Rev. J. M. Hedrick 1889— 1893.
Rev. J. D. Shealey 1894— 1895.
Rev. H. A. McCuUough 1895—1898.
Rev. W. B. Oney 1898— 1900.
Rev. C. A. Brown 190°-
The aggregate of vacancies has been about three years.
II 8 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. SYNOD.
Mount Olive Church is located in Cabarrus County, N.
C, five miles northwest from Mount Pleasant.
The congregation was organized at Moose's school-house,
April 28th, 1878, by Rev. R. W. Petrea, the pastor of St. John's
Church, with twenty-one members, nearly all from St. John's.
Mr. John Moose offered to donate the lot upon which the school-
house stood ; the offer was accepted, and in a very short time
a, part of the necessary lumber was on the lot. Then it was de-
cided to change to the present location. The work of building
was rapidly advanced, and the house was dedicated November
2d, 1879. It is an excellent frame structure, 50x40, churchly
in all its appointments, and has a seating capacity of about five
hundred. At the time of the dedication there were fifty-one
members. Now there are one hundred and forty -eight.
The congregation was received into the Synod April 30th,
1879.
It has an interest in the parsonage at St. Stephen's, with which
it is in pastorate relation.
Pastors.
Rev. R. W. Petrea 1878— 1882.
Rev. W. Kimball 1882— 1883.
Rev. J. B. Davis, D. D 1884—1885.
Rev. A. D, L. Moser 1887— 1888.
Rev. George II. Cox, D. D 1888—1894.
Rev. J. M. Lingle 1894 — 1895.
Rev. P. H. E. Derrick 1895— 1896.
Rev. George A. Riser 1898 — 1899.
Rev. W. A. Dutton 1900.
Nazareth Church is located in Forsythe County, N. C, a
short distance from Rural Hall. It is one of the oldest congre-
gations in the Synod, having been organized somewhere about
1785, and in all probability by Rev. A. Nussman.
For a long time the congregation worshiped in a school-
house ; then an old-time log church was built ; then, in 1878, a
brick church was erected, which was dedicated November 27th,
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. no
1879, by the members of the Northern Conference, Rev. L. A.
Bikle, D. D., preaching the sermon.
The house is 45 x 35, and nicely finished. The present num-
ber of members is ninety-eight.
Pastors.
Rev. A. Nussman, Rev. W. Kimball,
Rev. A. Roschen, Rev. J. D. Bowles,
Rev. P. Henkel, Rev. W. A. Lutz,
Rev. G. Shober, Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. J. P. Rosenmiiller, Rev. R. L. Broviri,
Rev. J. Crim, Rev. H. A. Trexler,
Rev. M. M. Miller, Rev. R. L. Bame.
Rev. John Swicegood,
Zion (everywhere and by everybody known as Organ
Church) is located in Rowan County, N. C, ten miles south from
Salisbury, on the Mt. Pleasant Road, and seven miles west from
Gold Hill. The exact date of the organization of the congrega-
tion is not known, but, in all probabihty, was shortly after 1747,
when those who organized it first came from Pennsylvania to North
•Carolina. The organization was effected in its first church build-
ing, possibly and probably one hundred and fifty years ago, and
no doubt was the first Lutheran congregation ever organized in
this Piedmont section of North Carolina. At the very lowest
€Stimate she is one of the very oldest congregations in all this
section of country ; a landmark reaching away back before the
Revolutionary War to the time of King George HI., and em-
bracing in its history from then until now many events pregnant
with interest and importance.
Its first house of worship was located about seven miles from
where Organ Church now stands, near where is now St. Peter's
Church. It was constructed of hickory logs, and hence was
■called "Hickory Church," and was erected, owned, and used
jointly by the Lutheran and German Reformed people. Just when
this house was built we have no positive information, nor do we
know for how many years they occupied it. The ground upon
120 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
which it stood was never deeded to either church, and hence,
when it became necessary to make a change, they both aban-
doned it, and it was used no more by either. The house stood
until it finally went to decay, the last crumbling remains being
remembered by persons who are still living.
The second house of worship was also a log church. It stood
just back of the present building, and was used by the congrega-
tion until the new house was ready for occupancy. In this-
house Nussman, the first pastor, began his work and preached
three years ; here Arends was ordained and preached ten years ;
and here Storch entered upon his labors and preached until they
moved into the new house. Then for years the building was-
used for school purposes. There are numbers of persons still
living who went to school in the old building.
The third and present house of worship is a stone structure,
50 X 40, and two stories high. The old pulpit was goblet-shaped,
with its sounding board overhead, and built high up against the
wall, with winding steps to ascend. It has long since disap-
peared.
On three sides of the auditorium there is a capacious gallery
with stairs leading up from either side, where, facing the pulpit,
stood for many years the old pipe organ, from which the church
derives its popular name of_"The Organ Church."
It was built in the house, entirely by hand, by a Mr. Stirewalt,
a member of the congregation, and was one among the very
first pipe organs ever built in America, and the first of any kind
in any Lutheran church in North Carolina.
It possessed none of the external beauty and symmetry of the
pipe organs of our day and time, but it was well adapted to its
surroundings and the object for which it was made ; and for long
years its deep, majestic, solemn voice led the congregation in its
service of praise, or wailed out its slow, heart-searching funeral
dirge as the body of one after another of the people was carried
out to the silent city of the dead. Like its builder, and the
many who loved it and who for many years had united their
voices with its mellow tones, it gradually yielded to the inroads-
of time and use, growing each year weaker and weaker, until at
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 121
length its work was done. Then, for a long time, it stood there
voiceless and shattered, a relic and reminder of by-gone days.
It has long since been removed.
In later years the house has been greatly modernized, im-
proved, and beautified. Seating capacity about four hundred.
At the east end of the church is the graveyard, surrounded by
a massive stone wall. Here lie buried the earthly remains of
four Lutheran ministers, viz.: Rev. C. A. G. Storch, Rev.
Henry Graeber, Rev. Joseph A. Linn, and Rev. Daniel I.
Dreher.
Upon a beautiful and -commanding elevation near the church
stands the parsonage, which belongs jointly to the two congrega-
tions constituting the pastorate, and which was built during the
pastorship of Rev. W. R. Brown.
It is a neat frame building, containing six rooms, and is fin-
ished in good style and taste, and has attached all necessary out-
buildings. Belonging to the congregation there are between
twenty and thirty acres of land surrounding the church, and
mostly in native forest.
The present membership is three hundred and thirty-seven.
Pastors.
Rev. Adolphus Nussman 1773^1774.
Rev. Gottfried Arends 1775— i78S-
Rev. Adolphus Nussman 1785 — 1787.
Rev. C. A. G. Storch 1788— 1823.
Rev. Daniel Scherer 1823— 1829.
Rev. Henry Graeber 1832— 1843.
Rev. Samuel Rothrock, D. D 1844— 1866.
Rev. W. H. Cone 1866 (4 months).
Rev. William Artz 1866—1868.
Revs. S. Scherer and W. H. Cone 1869— 1870.
Rev. W. H. Cone 1870— 1873.
Rev. W. R. Ketchie 1873— 1874.
Rev. P. A. Strobel 1874—1875.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1876— 1886.
Rev. W. R. Brown 1886—1894.
Rev. George H. Cox 1894.
The aggregate of vacancies since the first pastor in 1773 is
only one year.
122 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Prosperity Church is located in Cabarrus County, N. C,
about five miles from Mount Pleasant.
The congregation is an off-shoot from St. John's Church, and
was organized by its pastor. Rev. R. W. Petrea, at Rimer's
school -house, in 1879. In the beginning it was a union congre-
gation, composed of members of the Lutheran and German Re-
formed Churches, but before the church was completed a separa-
tion was effected, and the congregation has ever since been
wholly Lutheran. The house of worship is a very neat frame
building, which was erected in 1880 and dedicated in 1882 by
Rev. L. A. Bikle, D. D. It is 4ox-3o, and has a seating
capacity of about two hundred and seventy-five. The congrega-
tion has always been small, and now numbers sixty-two.
Pastors.
Rev. R. W. Petrea 1882—1887
Rev. S. L. Keller 1887— 1888
Rev. J. M. Hedrick 1888— 1893
Rev. B. S. Brown 1894— 1896,
Rev. S. D. Steffey 1896 (3 months)
Rev. R. L. Brown 1897 — 1899,
Rev. J. H. C. Fisher 1900.
Pilgrim Church is located in Davidson County, four miles
northeast from Lexington.
It is a very old congregation, having been organized early in
the last or possibly in the latter part of the preceding century.
The earliest record found is in the Minutes of the Synod for
the year 1810. Then Rev. Ludwig Markert was pastor,
Christian Meyer and Valentine Tag were Elders, and Henry
Conrad and Peter Lapp were Deacons. It was perhaps one of
the fourteen congregations that united to organize the North
Carolina Synod.
The church property has always been owned jointly by the
Lutherans and German Reformed.
The first house of worship was a primitive log -house, 28 x 24.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 23
How long that house was used we have no means of knowing ;
but it was at length supplanted by a frame building, 45x35,
with a gallery on two sides and one end, after the old rural
German style.
These houses stood very near where the present building is
located. It is a very neat frame structure, 65 x 40, with gallery
and vestibule, and has a seating capacity of five hundred. The
present membership is sixty-five. Belonging to the Davidson
pastorate, the congregation holds an interest in the parsonage
at Tyro.
According to the best information to be had, the following
have served as pastors :
Pastors.
Rev. Paul Henkel, Rev. P. E. Zink,
Rev. C. E. Bernhardt, Rev. W. H. Cone,
Rev. A. Roschen, Rev. A. D. L. Moser,
Rev. Ludwig Markert, Rev. J. D. Bovi'les,
Rev. G. Shober, Rev. C. H. Bernheim,
Rev. Daniel Jenkins, Rev. J. M. Hedrick,
Rev. Jacob Crim, Rev. D. W. Michael,
Rev. J. B. Anthony, Rev. R. S. Patterson,
Rev. L. C. Groseclose, Rev. W. Kimball,
Rev. Benjamin Arey, Rev. T. H. Strohecker,
Rev. W. A. Julian, Rev. P. J. Wade.
Providence Church is located in Scotch-Irish Township,
in Rowan County, N. C.
The congregation was organized in 187 1 by Rev. J. H.
Fesperman, and was a colony from St. Matthew's Church in
Davie County. Immediately after the organization steps were
taken to erect a house of worship. This building was of logs,
and though used for years was never completed. Later another
building was erected on the same ground. It is a substantial
frame structure, 45x35, and will comfortably seat perhaps four
hundred persons. It was dedicated on the fourth Sunday in
April, 1897, by Rev. B. S. Brown and Rev. H. W. Jeffcoat.
The present membership is forty-two.
124 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Pastors.
Rev. J. H. Fesperman S years.
Rev. W. R. Ketchie 15 years.
Rev. R. L. Bame I year.
Rev. H. M. Brown i year.
Rev. E. P. Parker i year.
Rev. H. E. H. Sloop i year.
Rev. W. Kimball I year.
Rev. R. A. Helms, present pastor.
Peace Church is located in Guilford County, N. C, on the
public road leading from Gibsonville to Greensboro.
The congregation is an off-shoot from Frieden's Church, and
was so named because "Peace " is the English translation for
Frieden. It was organized in 1898 by Rev. V. Y. Boozer.
The house of worship is a frame structure, 50 x 35, and is neat,
substantial, and churchly. It was erected in i8g8. The present
membership is fifty-five.
Pastors.
Rev. V. Y. Boozer 1898— 1899.
Rev. W. W. J. Ritchie 1899.
Richland Church is located in Randolph County, four miles
north from Liberty.
Emigrants from Pennsylvania settled here between the years
1750 and 1760, and, according to the best information, organ-
ized the congregation about the year 1791, under the leadership
of Rev. Christian Eberhardt Bernhardt, who came to this vicinity
in 1789. The congregation was then composed of Lutherans
and German Reformed, and continued thus until about the year
1802, when it became wholly Lutheran. It is, in all probability,
one of the congregations that participated in the organization of
the Synod in 1803.
The first house of worship, like all churches of that day, was
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 25
made of logs. It was about 35x25, had a gallery, a goblet-
shaped pulpit, and an elevated pew built expressly for the officers
of the congregation.
The present house of worship is a neat frame building, 45 x 35,
nicely finished and furnished, and having a seating capacity of
three hundred and fifty.
Not far from here the Rev. Jacob Scherer was born, and in this
congregation he was catechised and confirmed, and for long years
held his membership.
• Here, too, is the grave of the Rev. Philip Henkel, who died
in 1833, while on a visit to this congregation.
The congregation owns an interest in the parsonage of the pas-
torate located near Lau's Church in the adjoining county. The
present membership is sixy-nine.
Pastors.
Rev. C. E. Bernhardt, Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. Ludwig Markert, Rev. W. A. Lutz,
Rev. Jacob Scherer, Rev. D. W. Michael,
Rev. William Artz, Rev. W. A. Julian,
Rev. John Swicegood, Rev. A. D. L. Moser,
Rev. Simeon Scherer, Rev. B. W. Cronk,
Rev. B. C. Hall, Rev. H. M. Brown.
Reformation Church is located at the southern point of
Davie County, N. C, eight miles north from Salisbury.
In 1764 a colony from Germany settled ten miles north from
the present location, and erected a church which was called
"Heidleberg Church," and sometimes called "Dutchman's
Creek Church. ' ' The old church book records the first baptism
as having been administered on October 2d, 1766. This is the
oldest positive date connected with any Lutheran Church in
North Carolina, and the house they erected is supposed to have
been the first church in all that section of country. The con-
gregation seems to have lapsed, for the record is that a new
house was erected in 18 19, about eight miles south from the first
126 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
location, and that a congregation was organized in 1823, and was
named " New Jerusalem."
Again the congregation lapsed, for on October isth, 1873,
a new congregation was organized in a school-house by Rev.
J. D. Bowles and Rev. P. E. Zink, about one mile south from
Jenisalem, and was named "Reformation," and sometimes called
" Cherry Hill Church," and a new house was erected. This is
a nicely finished frame building, 55 x 35, with a seating capacity
for about three hundred and fifty. The present membership is
twenty-two.
In 1871 the Synod appointed a committee to make sale of
the real estate attached to the old Heidleberg Church. And in
1872 the committee reported that they had sold it for ^300.00,
and, in accordance with their instructions, had had a substantial
stone wall built around the old graveyard at that place.
The congregation has an interest in the parsonage at Tyro-
Shops.
Pastors.
Rev. Paul Henke! 1785 — 1789.
Rev. G. Shober 1809.
Rev. J. Crim 1843 — 1860.
Rev. C. Lentz 1863 — 1864.
Rev. W. R. Ketchie 1869— 1870.
Rev. J. D. Bowles 1870—1873.
Rev. H. M. Brovra 1874—1880.
Rev. W. A. Julian 1880—1885.
Rev. J. M. Hedrick 1885-1887.
Rev. R. L. Brown ,. 1888-1892.
Rev. E. P. Parker 1893—1894.
Rev. H. E. H. Sloop 1896—1897.
Rev. W. Kimball 1897—1898.
Rev. P. J. Wade 1898.
St. John's Church, located in Salisbury, Rowan County^
N. C.
The date of the first organization of the congregation is not
known, but was somewhere between 1747, when the first German
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 127
Lutheran settlers came from Pennsylvania, and 1768, when a
parcel of land lying near the little village of Salisbury, now the
old Lutheran graveyard in the city, was deeded to the congre-
gation by Mr. John lyouis Beard for the purpose of a graveyard ;
and upon which it was proposed to erect a house of worship.
In accordance with the usual custom at that time, the house
was built of logs, and was the first church of any kind ever
erected in Salisbury.
It was wholly Lutheran ; that is, no one else had any right or
title in it ; and it was the only one of the three mother-churches,
as well as many others in after years, that was owned entirely
by the Lutherans. According to the terms of the deed of the
land, the Church of England and the Calvinistic Churches were
permitted to hold service in the house when it was not being
used by the Lutherans, but they had no ownership in the prop-
erty and no union with the congregation.
The second house of worship, a frame structure, was erected in,
18 18. The Lutheran congregation seems to have lapsed, and
the Episcopalians to have continued to hold service in the old
house until it became dilapidated. Then they erected a new
house on the same ground ; they bearing nearly all the expense,
though assisted by the Lutherans. When the question of dedi-
cation arose, there came with it a dispute as to ownership. Un-
doubtedly the Lutherans owned the land, but the Episcopalians-
claimed the house. And finally, as the best way out of the
difficulty, the Lutherans purchased from the Episcopalians all
their interest in the house.
The third house of worship was built of brick, and cost
g2 500.00. The work was begun in 1848, during the pastorate
of Rev. J. H. Coffman, but was not completed until 1857, while
Rev. L. C. Groseclose was pastor. It was dedicated May 26th,
1857, the sermon being preached by Rev. D. F. Bittle, D. D.,
who was then the President of Roanoke College.
The fourth house of worship is a fine brick structure. The
corner-stone was laid December 9th, 1883, while the Rev. W.
J. Smith was pastor, and was dedicated the third Sunday in
May, 1889, by the pastor. Rev. C. B. King, the Rev. Dr. W. S-
128 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Bowman preaching the sermon. During the pastorship of Rev.
Dr. I,. E. Busby the church has been greatly improved and beau-
tified. In 1899 an addition for Sunday school purposes was
made at a cost of about ^^4000.00, and during 1901 the main
auditorium was remodeled and beautified at a cost of about
^2000.00.
The congregation also owns a neat parsonage standing upon
an adjoining lot to the church.
Although history does not so state, yet there are good reasons
for believing that this congregation united witli Organ and St.
John's of Cabarrus County in sending commissioners to Germany
in the search of a preacher and school teacher in 1772; for im-
mediately upon their return, in 1773, the preacher became the
pastor of all three churches, and settled in Salisbury.
This congregation is celebrated for some important events
that have occurred. Here the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and
Ministerium of North Carolina, the Mother Synod in the South,
and the third Synod in the United States, was organized in May,
1803, and here, in 1884, the Diet was held that projected the
formation of the United Synod in the South.
The congregation has had many trials and difficulties, lapsing
at one time for more than twenty years. Now, however, it is in
a flourishing condition, holding property valued at ^20,000.00,
and having three hundred and seventy-two confirmed members,
with more than three hundred in the Sunday school.
The pastoral changes have been many and frequent. The
following is the list, as nearly accurate as can be ascertained :
Pastors.
Rev. Adolph Nussnian 1773 1774.
Rev. J. G. Arends 1775 — 1785.
Rev. C. A. G. Storch 1788.
Rev. John Reck 1831.
Rev. D. P. Rosenmiller 183 1 1832.
Rev. John T. Tabler 1832 1833.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1833—1835.
Rev. E. A. BoUes 1835—1836.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1836— 1839.
Rev. John D. Sheck 1840 — 1844.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 129
Pastors.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1844.
Rev. J. B. Anthony 1844 — 1846.
Rev. J. H. Coifman 1848 — 1852.
Rev. Simeon Scherer 1852 — 1855.
Rev. L. C. Groseclose 1856 — 1865.
Rev. N. Aldrich .' 1865—1867.
Rev. Simeon Scherer 1 . . ., o/- o
Rev. W.H. Cone l^™"''^ 1867-1872.
Rev. J. G. Neiffer. 1872— 1876.
Rev. T. W. Dosh, D. D 1876— 1877.
Rev. W. J. Smith 1878— 1883.
Rev. William Stoudenmlre 1884 — 1886.
Rev. C. B. King 1886— 1896.
Rev. L. E. Busby, D. D . 1896.
St. John's Church, located in Cabarrus County, N. C,
six miles east from Concord and three miles west from Mt.
Pleasant. The exact date of the organization of the congrega-
tion is not known, but it was, no doubt, shortly after the arrival
of the first German emigrants from Pennsylvania, in 1747.
Its first house of worship was located near Buffalo Creek, about
one and one-half miles north from Mt. Pleasant and about three
miles east from the present church. It was a rude log-hut, built of
unhewn pine logs, and was without floor, windows, or chimney.
Here was also its first graveyard, the marks of graves being still
visible. The house was built and owned jointly by the Lutherans
and German Reformed.
In 1894, during the pastorship of Rev. J. Q. Wertz, a beauti-
ful monument was erected to mark the spot, an address being
delivered by Rev. George H. Cox.
The second house of worship was located about one-half mile
from the present location, on the land now belonging to Mr.
Archie Cline. This was also a log-house and owned jointly.
Here was the second graveyard, several graves being yet dis-
tinctly visible. We do not know when this house was erected,
nor how long it was used, but at length, in 17 71, a peaceable'
130 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
separation from the German Reformed was agreed upon, this
being the first positive date preserved in the history of the con-
gregation. Up to that time it had been known as "Dutch Buf-
falo Creek Church," but from then until now as "St. John's
Church, ' ' though the old name continued to cling to it for many-
years.
The third house of worship was located in the midst of what
is now the St. John's graveyard. The house was built chiefly
at the expense of one member. Captain John Paul Barringer,
and, as a mark of appreciation, the congregation had a large,
elevated, and enclosed pew constructed for the exclusive use of
him and his family.
The fourth house of worship was built upon the site of the
third, it having been removed. This was a frame building and
was larger and better than any that had preceded it. It was
begun in 1784 and was dedicated July 4th, 1785. Being painted
red, it came to be called and was known, as long as it stood, as
" The Old Red Meeting-house."
The fifth (present) house of worship is a substantial brick struc-
ture, 80 X 55. Originally it had a gallery and side doors, after
the style of the times. It was erected in 1845 and dedicated
August 22d, 1846, and was used without material change for
about forty-three years. Then, in 1888, the interior was com-
pletely remodeled, making it a modern church, with vestibule,
library, infant class-room, and council-room, and having a seat-
ing capacity of six hundred. It was rededicated February loth,
1889, the service and sermon being delivered by the pastor.
Rev. S. L. Keller.
Near the church stands the parsonage. It is a neat frame
building, two stories high, containing seven rooms, nicely fin-
ished and partly furnished, having all necessary conveniences
and comforts. A separate building stands close by, erected for
the pastor's study.
From the beginning the congregation has followed the true
Lutheran custom of having the school-house alongside of the
church. At first one house served for both church and school-
house. Then, as far back as the time of the first pastor. Rev.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I3I
A. Nussman, a separate house was built, in which the teacher
both lived and taught.
October 2 2d, 1782, Jacob Fegert, Marx Haus, and Jacob
Thieme, three members of the congregation, entered one hun-
dred acres of government land, in trust, for the congregation.
The same being that on which the church property now stands.
It is very valuable now and is a source of considerable income
to the congregation. The congregation is one of the largest in
the Synod, numbering at the present three hundred and eight
members.
Although it is one of the three mother-churches of the Synod
and has the honor of having entertained the first ecclesiastical
meeting ever held by Lutherans in North Carolina, it did not
participate in the organization of the North Carolina Synod, nor
become an integral part thereof until its Fourth Annual Conven-
tion, in 1806. Since then it has taken an active part in all the
work of the Synod, many important events having had either
birth or culmination in its house.
General Barringer, of Revolutionary fame, as well as many
other men prominent in the affairs of church, county, and State,
have been reared spiritually in old St. John's. The graveyard
is one of the largest in all the surrounding country, containing
about four acres, and nearly or quite four thousand graves.
Here lie buried the remains of three Lutheran ministers, Rev.
Adolphus Nussman, Rev. Jacob W. Barrier, and Rev. William.
Artz.
Pastors.
Rev. Adolphus Nussman 1774 — 1794-
Rev C. A. G. Storch 1796— 1797.
Rev. Adam N. Markerd 1797 — 1800.
Rev. C. A. G. Storch 1800— 1821.
Rev. Daniel Scherer 1821— 1831.
Rev. Henry Graeber 1832— 1843.
Rev. John D. Scheck 1844— 1857.
Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D 1858— 1860.
Rev. J. B. Anthony i860— 1867.
Rev. L. C. Groseclose 1867— 1872.
Rev. D. M. Henkel, D. D 1872—1875.
Rev. R. W. Petrea 1876— 1887.
132 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Pastors.
Rev. S. L. Keller 1887— 1890.
Rev. Peter Miller 1890— 1893.
Rev. J- Q. Wertz 1894— 1896.
Rev. S. D. Steffey 1896.
The aggregate of vacancies since 1774, when the congregation
secured its first pastor, is about six years.
St. Paul's Church, Rowan County, N. C, is located five
miles south from Salisbury. It was originally known as " Hols-
houser's Church," so named because the land was given by
Andrew Holshouser, near where was the Holshouser Mill, now
known as the Heilig Mill. Mr. Holshouser was a member of the
German Reformed Church, and the congregation was a union
■congregation. It was organized about the year 1835. The first
mention of it is in the Minutes of the Synod of 1837. In 1866
it became wholly Lutheran, the German Reformed establishing
what is now known as " Mt. Hope Church."
The present house of worship, which is the second building,
is a fine large brick structure. It was dedicated July 21st, 1872,
by Rev. W. Kimball, who was then pastor. During the pas-
torate of Rev. C. A. Rose the house was enlarged and re-
modeled at a cost of gi6oo.oo, and is now one of the most
complete and handsome country churches in the Synod. It was
rededicated April 29th, 1894, Rev. George H. Cox, D.D., preach-
ing the sermon. The seating capacity is about four hundred and
fifty. Number of members two hundred and eighty-five.
The congregation has an interest in the parsonage at Zeb, four
miles northwest from Salisbury, near Bethel Church, with which
it is in pastoral relation.
Pastors. '
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1835—1843.
Rev. Benjamin Arey 1843 — 1845.
Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr 1845 — 1855.
Rev. B. C. Hall 1855—1859.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS.
133
Pastors.
Rev. J. L. Smithdeal 1859 — 1860,
Rev. W. Kimball 1861— 1876.
Rev. W. H. Cone 1878— 1880.
Rev. B. S. Brown 1881—1882
Rev. V. R. Stickley 1882—18"
Rev. C. A. Rose 1884—18
Rev. V. Y. Boozer 1899.
Five ministers have come from this congregation, viz.: Revs.
J. H. Fesperman, C. L. T. Fisher, J. H. C. Fisher, C. A.
Brown, and W. W. J. Ritchie.
St. Paul's Church, Iredell County, N. C, is located three
miles east from Statesville.
The congregation was organized by Rev. Benjamin Arey,
and was admitted to S)mod in 1840.
The first house of worship was erected about one mile from
the present location. It was a frame building, 60 x 40, and was
used until 1885, when the present house was erected. It is a
neat frame building, after the modern style of architecture, about
60 X 30, and having a seating capacity of three hundred. It was
dedicated in 1886 by Rev. H. M. Brown. The present mem-
bership is thirty.
In the graveyard is the grave of Rev. Caleb Lentz.
Pastors.
Rev. Benjamin Arey 1840 — 1846,
Rev. W. H. Fink 1846— 1847
Rev. J. B. Anthony 1847 — 1849,
Rev. B. N. Hopkins 1849 — 1852
Rev. W. G. Harter 1852.
Rev. S. Scherer 1852-1855
Rev. John Swicegood 1855 — 1856,
Rev. Paul Kistler 1856— 1857
Rev. W. Gearhardt, D. D 1857—1859
Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr 1859—1860,
Rev. G. Stingly i860— 1861
Rev. J. L. Smithdeal 1863— 1865
134 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Pastors.
Rev. Paul Kistler : .'. 1870.
Rev. J. H. Fesperman. 1871— 1874.
Rev. W. R. Ketchre 1875—1879.
Rev. J. B. Anthony 1880— 1882.
Rev. H. M. Brown 1882—1887.
Rev. W. Kimball. 1888— 1889.
Rev. T. H. Strohecker 1889—1890.
Rev. D. W. Michael 1891— 1894.
Rev. G. S. Diven 1895-1896.
Rev. B. S. Brown 1896 — 1899.
Rev. R. A. Helms 1899.
The aggregate of vacancies is six years.
St. Paul's Church, corner of Sixth and Market Streets,
Wilmington, N. C, was organized by a committee appointed by
the North Carolina Synod, consisting of Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr.,
and Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D., in the old Presbyterian
Church that used to stand on Front Street, on May 31st, 1858.
There were fifty-eight members, of whom the following were
elected as the first council :
Trustees — J. G. Bauman, H. B. Eilers, H. Von Glahn, E.
Schulken, and II. Vollers.
Elders — N. Bremer and A. Adrian.
Deacons — W. Knohl and H. Rehder.
The congregation rented the ' ' Session House ' ' of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, where they worshiped until they were prepared
to go into their own property. On February 15th, 1859, the
lot upon which the church now stands was purchased, and the
corner-stone was laid September 6th of the same year. In i860
the church was under roof, and in 1861 the lecture-room was so
far completed as to enable them to hold divine service and Sun-
day school there. By this time the war between the States was
raging, and, in consequence, all work on the church was sus-
pended. When the city fell into the hands of the United States
troops they took possession of the church and destroyed or
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 35
mutilated everything, leaving nothing but bare walls and the
roof, thus entailing upon the congregation increased expense
and labor, so that the church was not completed until 1869, and
dedicated, August 2 2d, 1870, by Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D.,
Rev. C. H. Bernheim, Rev. L. MuUer, and Rev. W. A. Julian.
The house is a stucco-covered brick structure, 90 x 45 feet,
with a steeple 125 feet high, inside and outside most beautifully
finished, and has a seating capacity of four hundred.
The congregation has a large and commodious parsonage on a
lot adjoining the church lot. It is a two-story frame building,
with all modern conveniences. They also own what is called
the "Luther Memorial" building, for Sunday and parochial
schools. It was first erected in 1883, and opened for use in
1884. January 12th, 1894, it was destroyed by fire, but was im-
mediately replaced by a more elegant building, the corner-stone
being laid July i8th, and the house dedicated, September 30th,
1894. In this building the congregation maintains a regular
parochial school, the only one in the North Carolina Synod.
The congregation numbers three hundred and fifty members.
Pastors.
Rev. J. H. Mengert , 1859—1862.
Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D 1870— 1882.
Rev. F. W. E. Peschau, D. D 1882—1893.
Rev. Karl Boldt 1893— 1897.
Rev. A. G. Voigt, D. D 1898.
The aggregate of vacancies during the existence of the congre-
gation has been nine years lacking one month.
St. Paul's Church in the city of Asheville is a mission
■congregation, under the control of the Board of Missions of the
United Synod in the South, but connected with the North Caro-
lina Synod.
136 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
The organization was effected September nth, 1892, by Rev.
F. W. E. Peschau, D. D. , with twenty-five names enrolled. There
are now about forty members. They have no church building,
but worship in a rented hall. The mission has been served by
Rev. F. W. E. Peschau, D. D 1892—1894.
Rev. L. E. Busby 1894— 1896.
Rev. C. B. King 1896— 1897.
Rev. C. B. Cox 1898— 1900.
St. Paul's Church, Alamance County, N. C, is located
six miles from Burlington, on the old Salisbury and Hillsboro
Road.
The congregation was for many years known as "Graves
Church." It was organized about the year 1795, probably by
Rev. C. E. Bernhardt, and was composed of Lutherans and Ger-
man Reformed, but in a few years, about 1 801, it became wholly
Lutheran, and no doubt was one of the congregations that par-
ticipated in the organization of the Synod in 1803.
Two buildings have preceded the present house of worship,
which is a neat frame edifice, 40 x 35. It was erected in 1893,
and comfortably seats about three hundred persons. The present
membership is .sixty.
The congregation owns one-half of the parsonage at Gibson-
ville, it having formerly been connected in a pastorate with old
Frieden's Church. It is now, however, a part of the Guil-
ford pastorate.
Pastors.
Rev. C. E. Bernhardt, Rev. S. Rothrock,
Rev. Philip Henkel, Rev. C. H. Bemheim,
Rev. Ludwig Markert, Rev. W. Kimball,
Rev. Jacob Scherer, Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. William Artz, Rev. C. B. Miller,
Rev. John D. Sheck, Rev. H. M. Brown.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I37
St. Peter's (Krauth Memorial) Evangelical Lutheran
Church is located in Rowan County, N. C, about two miles-
from Rockwell, on the Yadkin Railroad.
The exact date of the first organization is not known, but it
was probably between 1825 and 1830. The congregation be-
longed exclusively to the Tennessee Synod.
During the year 1855, Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr., and Rev. S. Roth-
rock, D. D. , held services with the congregation, which resulted
in- the organization of a congregation in sympathy with the
North Carolina Synod, to which one-half the property was
ceded.
In 1858 this congregation was received as an integral part of
the North Carolina Synod, Rev. S. Rothrock being the pastor.
The first house of worship was a frame building, about 40 x 30,
with the old-fashioned gallery, pulpit, etc.
While under the pastorship of Rev. T. H. Strohecker, April
7th, 1883, the corner-stone of the new church was laid and the
house was dedicated, June 29th, 1884, Rev. J. B. Davis, D. D.,
preaching the sermon., and the members of the Conference, there
in session, participating in the services. It is a neat frame build-
ing, 60 X 40, in gothic style, and neatly finished inside and out.
Its seating capacity is about three hundred.
The congregation is now all one, belonging to the North
CaroUna Synod, but when the change took place is. not definitely
known. Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr., Rev. J. A. Linn, Jr., Rev. H.
A. Trexler, and Hon. L. H. Rothrock are children of this con-
gregation. The present membership is two hundred and forty-
Pastors.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1855—1868
Rev. S. Scherer 1868— 1870.
Rev. W. H. Cone 1871—1877,
Rev. J. A. Linn, Jr 1877—1880,
Rev. T. H. Strohecker 1881— 1885
Rev. H. A. Trexler 1886— 1892,
Rev. W. P. Huddle 1893— 1897
Rev. W. B. Oney 1897— 1898
Rev. E. W. Leslie i899-
138 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
St. Matthew's Church, of Rowan County, is located
■eleven miles east from Salisbury, on the Bringle Ferry Road.
In the year 1838 twenty young persons from the neighborhood
went to Organ Church to be catechised and confirmed by Rev.'
Henry Graeber, and then were organized into a congregation
by the Rev. Benjamin Arey. John Hartman, Jacob File, An-
drew Frick, and Peter Klutz constituted the first council. The
congregation worshiped in barns and private dwelling-houses for
a number of years, until the first house of worship was erected.
It was a frame building, nearly square, with gallery on three
sides; and stood near the present building, in what is now th»
graveyard.
The first child baptized in the congregation was Michael
Banie, son of Samuel and Anna Bame. The baptism was ad-
ministered by Rev. Benjamin Arey, in a barn, on April i6th,
1838.
The present church house was erected in 1882, and dedicated
in 1884 by Rev. J. B. Davis, D. D., and Rev. V. R. Stickley.
It is a neat frame building, 60 x 40, with vestibule, gallery, two
-council-rooms, tower and bell, and niche in rear of the pulpit.
The parsonage is located two miles from the church, on the
Bringle Ferry Road. It is a two-story frame building, contain-
ing seven rooms, and nicely finished, and was erected in 1889.
The congregation numbers three hundred and six members.
Pastors.
Rev. Benjamin Arey, Rev. J. A. Linn, Jr.,
Rev. J. D. Shack, Rev. R. L. Brown,
Rev. William Artz, Rev. T. H. Strohecker,
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D., Rev. H. A. Trexler,
Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr., Rev. W. P. Huddle,
Rev. W. Ximball, Rev. W. B. Oney,
Rev. L. C. Groseclose, Rev. E. W. Leslie.
Rev. W. H. Cone,
St. Matthew's Church, Wilmington, N. C, is located in
that part of the city called Brooklyn, N. Fourth Street, above Bla-
den. In the year 1890 some of the members of St. Paul's Evan-
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 39
gelical l.utheran Church, realizing the necessity for another
Lutheran Church in Wilmington, took the first step toward the
desired end by the organization of a Sunday school, in a rented
hall, on Fourth Street. The school grew so rapidly as to very
soon demand larger and more suitable quarters. A lot was pur-
chased and the work of building begun in 1891. In the follow-
ing year, 1892, ten members of St. Paul's, having secured letters
of honorable dismission for the purpose, on March 21st, organ-
ized the congregation. The building was soon completed. It
is a beautiful chapel, in gothic style, 55 x 30, with a spire 70
feet high. All is nicely finished and in churchly order.
The congregation also owns an excellent school-building, ad-
joining the church. It was originally intended for a parochial
school, but is now rentfid to the City School Board for the use
of the public school.
On July 28th, 1895, the pastor of St.' Matthew's, by instruc-
tions from Synod, organized a congregation in New Bern. Since
then the few members who were there have united with St.
Matthew's.
The pastor of St. Paul's, Rev. F. W. E. Peschau, D. D., served
the congregation from the beginning until April 27th, 1892,
when Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D., became pastor, and served
until October isth, 1899, when, on account of the infirmities of
.age, he tendered his resignation. On November 5th, 1899, the
congregation accepted the resignation and made the Doctor pas-
tor emeritus. He supplied the church until July 1901, when
the Rev. C. W. Kegley became the pastor, and was installed
the following 2Sth of August by the President of Synod and
the Rev. R. C. Holland, D. D.
St. Matthew's Church, Davie County, N. C, was organ-
ized by Rev. Benjamin Arey in 1847.
The church building is of logs, 50 x 36, and was erected in
1850, and dedicated by Rev. H. M. Brown in 1882. During
I40 HISTORY or NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
the pastorship of Rev. R. L. Brown the house was remodeled
and enlarged, Rev. Brown presenting the bell. It will seat
comfortably about three hundred. The present membership is-
forty.
Pastors.
Rev. Benjamin Arey 1840 — 184S
Rev. J. Crim 1845— 1861
Rev. W. Kimball 1861— 1866
Rev. W. R. Ketchie 1866—1882,
Rev. H. M. Brown 1882—1886
Rev. R. L. Brown 1888— 1892
Rev. E. P. Parker 1892—1893
Rev. H. E. H. Sloop 1894— 1896,
Rev. W. Kimball 1896—1898,
Rev. B. S. Brown 1898— 1899,
Rev. R. A. Helms 1899.
St. Enoch's Church is located in the town of Enochville,.
Rowan County, N. C. The congregation is an off -shoot from.
Lutheran Chapel Church, and was organized at Mr. Philip Over-
cash's residence, in August, 1835, by Rev. P. A. Strobel.
The first house of worship was a frame building, erected
shortly after the congregation was organized, at a cost of
^1500.00. It was dedicated the second Sunday in September,
1839, by Revs. W. Artz, S. Roihrock, and P. A. Strobel.
The present building is a fine brick structure, 70 x 50, beauti-
ful and churchly in all its appointments. It was erected in
1873, at a cost of J7000.00. It is calculated to comfortably
seat seven hundred persons. The dedication services were held
September 20th, 1874. The present number of members is two-
hundred and ninety-four.
This congregation has produced numbers of prominent per-
sons, among whom are Mr. W. T. H. Plaster, a teacher of three-
generations ; Rev. J. W. Rumple, Rev. T. J. Yost, Revs. W. A,
and J. L. Deaton, and Rev. B. S. Brown.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 141
An excellent parsonage stands near the church, containing
•eight rooms ; a two-room study. All necessary outbuildings,
an orchard, garden, and two or three acres of land. All of
which is in good condition and belongs to the pastorate, consist-
ing of St. Enoch's and Trinity Churches.
Pastors.
Rev. P. A. Strobel 1837— 1841.
Rev. W. G. Harter 1841— 1849.
Rev. J. H. Coffman 1849 — 1850.
Rev. B. N. Hopkins 1850 — 1852.
Rev. J. S. Heilig 1852—1866.
Rev. J. W. Barrier 1866— 1867.
Rev. A. D. L. Moser 1868— 1873.
Rev. W. A. Julian 1874 — 1879.
Rev. W. A. Lutz 1880— 1891.
Rev. V. R. Stickley . 1892.
The longest vacancy in sixty-five years was seven months.
To this congregation belongs the honor of inaugurating the
" Church Extension Fund " of the North Carolina Synod, which
was done by contributing g 7 5.00 in cash at its semi-centennial
exercises, in August, 1887.
St. Stephen's Church is located in Cabarrus County, N.
C, two and a half miles from Gold Hill, on the Concord Road.
Early in 1837, John Peck, John Lentz, Solomon Nussman,
Peter Troutman, Henry I. Barringer, and George Culp held a
meeting in the school-house and decided to build a church in
the neighborhood. The congregation was organized on Christ-
mas Day, 1837, at the home of Mr. John Peck, with thirty-two
members. P'our of these were German Reformed, and the rest
were Lutherans. The first officers were : Elders, John Lentz,
Lutheran, and John Peck, German Reformed ; Deacons, Solo-
mon Nussman, Lutheran, and Charles Barrier, German Reformed.
One month later, i. e., January 30th, 1838, a congregational
meeting was held, when Elder John Peck resigned and Henry
Lentz, a Lutheran, was elected in his place, and there never was
142 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
another German Reformed officer elected by the congregation,
so that in reality St. Stephen's has always been wholly Lutheran.
The first house of worship was begim before the congregation
was organized, and finished shortly after! This has been re-
placed by a more modern building, which was erected in 1880
and dedicated June loth, 1883, under the pastorship of Rev.
W. Kimball. It is a neat frame building, 60 x 40, with gallery
in one end, and has a seating capacity of four hundred. The
present membership is one hundred and thirty-seven.
In the year 1897 St. Stephen's and Mt. Olive's erected a
roomy and comfortable parsonage, near St. Stephen's Church,
together with all necessary outbuildings.
Pastors.
Rev. P. A. Strobel 1837—1843
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D \ 1843 — 1854.
Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr 1855 — 1863
Rev. L. C. Groseclose 1864 — 1866.
Rev. R. L. Brown 1866 — 1873
Rev. W. R. Ketchie 1873— 1874,
Rev. P. A. Strobel 1874— 1875
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1876— 1879
Rev. W. Kimball 1880— 1883
Rev. A. D. L. Moser 1885— 1887
Rev. George H. Cox 1888 — 1894,
Rev. J. M. Lingle 1894 — 1895
Rev. P. H. E. Derrick 1895— 1897
Rev. G. A. Riser 1898 — 1899.
Rev. W. A. Dutton 1900.
St. Mark's Church is located in the town of China Grove,
Rowan County, N. C.
It was organized in 1894, by Rev. C. A. Marks, and was com-
posed of members of the Lutheran Chapel Church, then living
in the town.
Their beautiful house of worship was erected in the same
year. By the year 1896 the congregation had grown so as to
ST. mark's KVANi;R1,ICAI. I.UTIIEKAX rHURCII and rAKSONAni!, CHARLOTTE N.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 145
necessitate the enlargement of the house. It is an excellent
building, and both beautiful and churchly in all its appoint-
ments.
The present membership is one hundred and sixty.
Pastors
Rev. C. A. Marks 1894 — i8g6.
Rev. J. Q. Wertz 1896.
St. Mark's Church, Charlotte, N. C, is located on North
Tryon Street of that city.
The congregation was organized in January, 1859, by Rev. G.
D. Bernheim, D. D. It had a severe struggle for existence for
several years, being weak in numbers. Gradually, however, it
grew and prospered, being assisted financially by Synod, until
during the pastorship of Rev. T. S. Brown, when it became self-
sustaining.
The first house of worship was a neat frame building at the
corner of College and Seventh Streets, and was purchased from
the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
The second was also a frame structure on North Tryon Street,.
one block from the present location.
The present building is of brick. It was erected in 1885, and
was dedicated, November 3d, 1885, by Rev. T. S. Brown, Rev.
W. S. Bowman, D. D., and Rev. E. A. Wingard, D. D. It has
a seating capacity for four hundred, and a Sunday school room
on the lower floor. It is elegantly furnished and finished, and
is the most beautiful church in the North Carolina Synod. To
Rev. T. S. Brown, Prof. W. A. .Barrier, and Messrs. Jacob
Duls, S. E. Linton, T. L. Seigle, and H. L. Klueppelberg the
credit of its erection and completion belongs. Present member-
ship one hundred and seventy-five.
The congregation also owns an elegant parsonage. The first
house for the pastor was located at the corner of Tenth and Pine
Streets- It was built in 1893, and was sold in 1899.
T44 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Then a new one was built on the church lot, 408 North Tryon
Street, at a cost of J3000.00. It is a three-story frame build-
ing, containing eight rooms, with all modern conveniences, and
is probably the best parsonage in the Lutheran Church in either
•of the Carolinas.
Rev. C. L. Brown, missionary in Japan, was baptized in this
church in 1876, and Prof. W. A. Barrier, who remembered the
United Synod's Theological Seminary in his will, was an active
member.
Pastors.
Rev. A. Phillipi 1859— 1860.
Rev G. D. Bernheim, D. D 1861—1865.
Rev. N. Aldrich 1865—1874.
Rev. E. A. Wingard, D. D 1876— 1882.
Rev. T. H. Strohecker 1882.
Rev. T. S. Brown 1882 — 1891.
Rev. W. S. Bowman, D. D 1891 — 1897.
Rev. C. B. King 1897— 1898.
Rev. R. C. Holland, D. D 1898.,
St. Michael's Church is located in the town of Troutman,
in Iredell County, N. C, on the A. T. and O. R. R., about
■six miles from Statesville..
The congregation was organized in 1815, by Rev. R. J.
Miller, and was admitted to Synod in October of the same year,
under the name of "NewPearth. " The organization was ef-
fected in "Cambridge Associate Presbyterian Church," about two
miles south from the present location, where the first communion
was had on August 27th, 181 5. The congregation continued to
worship there until about the year 1823, when a Mr. Daniel
Walcher donated land for a church site about one and one-
quarter miles southwest from where Troutman's now is. The
land was given to the Lutherans and Episcopalians jointly, and
upon it they erected a union house of worship, made of logs,
about 36 X 25. For several years both denominations worshiped
in this house, then the Episcopalians voluntarily withdrew and
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 1 45
•erected a church of their own a few miles distant. The date of
this movement is not known, but persons who have been reared
in the neighborhood, and who are now fifty years old, have
never heard an Episcopal clergyman preach there.
About the year 1850 the house was considerably enlarged
and improved, and the congregation continued to worship ia it
until it had erected the present building. The corner-stone was
laid August 19th, 1886, and the dedicatory services were held
August 14th, 1892, by the pastor, Rev. D. W. Michael, assisted
by Rev. Prof J. D. Shirey, D. D. It is a handsome frame
building, 60 x 36, with recess, council-rooms, etc.
A comfortable and convenient parsonage belongs to the con-
gregation. It is a two-story, eight-room, frame building, with
usual conveniences, located in the town near the church.
Rev. Simeon W. Harkey, D. D., and his brothers were born
and reared in this congregation.
The congregation, in the past, has been very strong; the
present membership is two hundred and twelve.
Pastors.
Rev. R. J. Miller 1815—1821.
Rev. John Reck 1825— 1830. '
Rev. J. T. Tabler 1832.
Rev. Benjamin Arey 1837— 1853. >
Rev. Paul Kistler 1856—1858.
Rev. James D. Stingley i860— 1862.
Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D 1862-1865.
Rev. W. Kimball 1868— 1870.
Rev. J. H. Fesperman 1871-1877.
Rev. J. B. Anthony 1878— 1880.
Rev. H. M. Brown 1882— 1887.
Rev. W. Kimball 1888.
Rev. T. H. Strohecker 1889— 1891.
Rev. r>. W. Michael 1891— 1894.
Rev. George S. Diven 1895.
Rev. B. S. Brown : 1896— 1899.
Rev. R. A. Helms ■ 1899— 1900.
A remarkable thing in this congregation is that dijring its
existence, eighty-eight years, its aggregate of vacancies hals been
nineteen years.
146 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
St. James' Church is located in the town of Concord,
Cabarrus County, N. C. The original members were nearly all
from Coldwater congregation. The exact date of the organiza-
tion is not known, but was, probably, about 1841 or 1842, and
was effected by Rev. W. G. Harter, who was the first pastor.
The first house of worship was built on what is now called
Mt. Pleasant Street. It was a large frame building, well fin-
ished, and was dedicated April 6th, 1843, the sermon being de-
livered by Rev. Henry Graeber. The building still stands and
is used by the town for a high school.
The second and present house of worship is a large brick
structure, standing at the corner of Union and Corbin Streets.
It was erected in 1882, and was dedicated May loth, 1891, by
the pastor, Rev. W. G. Campbell, assisted by Rev. S. T. Hall-
man, D. D., Rev. J. M. Hedrick preaching the sermon. It is
modern in all its appointments, having a corner tower 112 feet,
high, a lecture-room and an infant class-room in the basement,
and a .pipe-organ in the auditorium. Its seating capacity is
something over five hundred.
The congregation also owns an excellent parsonage, standing
on an adjoining lot to the church, on Corbin Street. It is a sub-
stantial brick building, containing seven rooms and all modern
conveniences. The present membership is two hundred and
ninety-five.
Pastors.
Rev. W. G. Harter .1842—1853.
Rev. D. I. Dreher 1854 — 1869.
Rev, C. H. Bernheim 1872 — 1873.
Rev. W. W. Bowers 1874 (died in office).
Rev. J. H. Harry 1874—1875.
Rev. L. A. Bikle, D. D 1876— 1880.
Rev. S. T. Hallman, D. D 1880— 1883.
Rev. W. G. Campbell 1886— 1893.
Rev. M. G. G. Scherer 1893— 1896.
Rev. C. B. Miller 1896 — 1901.
Rev. W. H. Hiller 1902.
The aggregate of vacancies is about three years.
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ST. JAMES EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, CONCORD, N. C.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. I47
St. Andrew's Church is located at the corner of West
Depot and Valley Streets, Concord, N. C. It was a colony of
Lutherans from different congregations attracted to Concord by
work found in the cotton mills, and was organized September
loth, 1893, by Rev. George H. Cox, D. D., then President of the
Synod.
The church house is a neat frame structure, 46 x 32, built in
gothic style. It was erected in 1889 and 1890, the work being
carried on by the St. James' congregation and superintended by
its pastor, the Rev. W. G. Campbell. It was dedicated Novem-
ber 7th, 1897, by Rev, V. R. Stickley, the President of Synod,
assisted by the pastor. Rev. H. A. McCullough, and Revs. J. Q.
Wertz and C. B. Miller. The congregation numbers eighty-
nine members. It has received considerable aid from Synod
and is not yet self-sustaining.
In 1899 a parsonage was erected by the pastorate, and was
located on the corner of West Depot and Walter Streets. It
was a neat cottage, containing ten rooms. It was destroyed by
fire September 21st, 1900, but was immediately rebuilt by St.
Andrew's congregation alone.
The congregation was supplied by Rev. W. G. Campbell and
other near-by pastors until November, 1894, then the following
served as
Pastors.
Rev. J. D. Shealey 1894—1895.
Rev. H. A. McCullough 1895—1898.
Rev. W. B. Oney 1898— 1900.
Rev. C. A. Brown 1900— 1901.
St. Luke's Church is located fourteen miles west from Salis-
bury, on the Sherill's Ford Road. The congregation was or-
ganized in 1870, by Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D.
The corner-stone of the church building was laid in April,
1 8 7 1 , and the edifice was completed and dedicated in May, 1872,
by Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D., and Rev. J. G. Neiffer. It is a large
148 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
lirick structure, 60 x 40, with gothic windows and an inclined
floor, and with a seating capacity of four hundred and fifty.
The congregation also has an excellent parsonage, located
about three-quarters of a mile west from the church, and built in
1879. It is a two-story house, with an L, containing six rooms,
and has attached a well of good water, stable, garden, orchard,
and six acres of land. There are eighty members.
Pastors.
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1869—1875.
Rev. V. R. Stickley 1876— 1882.
Rev. J. D. Shirey, D. D 1882— 1889.
Rev. H. C. Haithcox, D. D 1890.
Rev. B. W. Crank 1891— 1894.
Rev. H. W. Jeffcoat 1894 — 1900.
Rev. B. S. Brown 19CX).
During this time the congregation has been vacant in the ag-
gregate of four years.
St. Luke's Church, Tyro, Davidson County, eight miles
west from Lexington, was first known as " Swicegood's Meeting-
house," and afterward as " Sandy Creek. " It is one of the
oldest congregations, and, in all probability, took part in the
organization of the Synod in 1803. Just when it was organized
we do not know, as no records can be found.
Rev. Christopher Eberhardt Bernhardt came from Germany
to North Carolina in 1787 and Rev. A. Roschen in 1788, and
labored in that part of Rowan County lying east of the Yadkin
River, now known as Davidson County, and in 1800 the Rev.
Paul Henkel came from Virginia and labored in the same field.
Rev. Bernhardt having removed to other parts. The prob-
ability is that one of them organized the congregation some-
where between 1787 and 1800. The original members of the
congregation were what have since been called " Pennsylvania
Germans," who settled in that neighborhood as early as 1764.
"The congregation is now worshiping in its fourth church
building, all of which have stood upon the same ground.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 149
The first was a rude log-house, 24 x 20, which was destroyed
by fire.
The second was a reproduction of the first.
The third was a firame building of the same size.
The fourth and present house is a neat frame building, 58 x
35, with gallery, annex, and two council-rooms, and having a
seating capacity of four hundred and fifty. It was erected in
1 86 1, and dedicated the same year by Rev. W. A. Julian.
A commodious two-story parsonage stands near the church,
which was built in 1854, and which is deeded to the Trustees of
the pastorate. The present membership is one hundred and
eighty.
We are not sure that we have the full list of pastors, but, so
far as known, the following have served at different times and
for different periods :
Pastors.
Rev. Paul Henkel, Rev. W. A. Julian,
Rev. G. Shober, Rev. W. H. Cone,
Rev. L. Markert, Rev. A. D. L. Moser,
Rev. Jacob Scherer, Rev. J. D. Bowles,
Rev. Jacob Miller, Rev. C. H. Bemheim,
Rev. I>. P. Rosenmiller, Rev. P. E. Zink,
Rev. John Tablet, Rev. R. W. Petrea,
Rev. Daniel Jenkins, Rev. J. M. Hedrick,
Rev. Benjamin Arey, Rev. D. W. Michael,
Rev. Jacob Crim, Rev. W. Kimball,
Rev. J. B. Anthony, Rev. T. H. Strohecker,
Rev. L. C. Groseclose,
and the present pastor. Rev. P. J. Wade, who took charge in iSg*,
Shiloh Church is located twelve miles west from Winston>
N. C, in P'orsythe County, and constitutes a part of the Forsythe
Mission. It is unknown when the congregation was first organized^
but there are traditions reaching back to a very early date. It is
supposed to have been a union congregation with the Moravians,
as some of the pastors of that church preached there. It is now
«5o
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
entirely Lutheran, but when the separation was effected is not
known.
The first house of worship was erected about a quarter of a
mile from the present site. It was an old-time log-house,
30 X 20, with the old-fashioned galleries.
The present house is a brick structure, 46 x 32. It was erected
in 1880 to 1882, and was dedicated by the members of the
Northern Conference in October, 1884. Its seating capacity is
three hundred. The number of members is forty-two.
The Forsythe Mission has an excellent parsonage located near
Rural Hall. It was erected in 1895, in the place of the old
parsonage that stood near Nazareth Church, twelve miles north-
-east from Shiloh.
Pastors.
Rev. Paul Henkel,
Rev. John Swicegood,
Rev. W. Kimball,
Rev. J. R. .Sikes,
Rev. W. A. Lutz,
Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. W. R. Ketchie,
Rev. H. M. Brown,
Rev. H. A. Trexler,
Rev. R. L. Bame.
Salem Church is located on the Beattie's Ford Road, seven
miles west from Salisbury.
There were twenty-two persons living in that neighborhood,
who were members of Organ Church, situated seventeen miles
■away. Becoming wearied with the long journey to and from
their church, at their request, in 1850, the Rev. B. N. Hopkins
organized them into a congregation under the name of Salem
Evangelical Lutheran Church.
For some reason, not now known, the congregation did not
make application for and was not admitted to Synod until 1854;
since than it has always taken an active part in all the work of
the Synod.
The first house of worship was erected in 1850. It was a
frame structure, 50 x 35, with a gallery at the back end.
In 1882 the present building was erected. It is a churchly
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 15I
Structure, 50 x 36, with a seating capacity of four hundred, and is
free from debt. It was dedicated November 25th, 1883, by
the pastor, Rev. J. D. Shirey, D. D., assisted by Rev. W. A.
Lutz, who preached the dedicatory sermon.
Mr. John Barger donated thirty acres of land when the con-
gregation was first organized. Upon this tract the church stands,
as also an excellent parsonage erected during the pastorship of
Rev.V. Y. Boozer, in 1894. It is a two-story frame building, con-
taining six rooms, nicely finished, and with all things arranged
for the comfort and convenience of the pastor. It belongs to
the Salem pastorate.
The present membership is one hundred and thirty-five. The
congregation has had but few and short vacancies.
Pastors.
Rev. B. N. Hopkins 1850 — 1854.
Rev. J. S. Heilig 1854—1859.
Rev. Jacob Crim 1859 — 1862
Rev. S. Scherer 1862— 1868
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D 1868—1875
Rev. V. K. Stickley 1875— 1882.
Rev. J. D. Shirey, D. D 1882— 1889
Rev. H. C. Haithcox, D. D 1889— 1890,
Rev. B. W. Cronk 1890— 1894,
Rev. V. Y. Boozer 1894— 1895
Rev. H. N. Miller, Ph. D 1895— 1897
Rev. H. A. Trexler 1897.
Trinity Church is located in Cabarrus County, N.
miles from Concord.
The congregation originally came out from old St. John's
Church, and was organized by Rev. J.. 8. Heilig, in 1857.
The first house of worship was a frame building, 40x30,
erected the same year of the organization.
The present house is a brick structure, 60x40, with a seating
capacity of four hundred, and cost §3000. 00. It was erected in
1897, and was dedicated on the second Sunday in November, 1897.
152 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. M. G. G. Scherer. Rev. J.
Q. Wertz and Rev. H. N. Miller, Ph. D., assisted Pastor Stickley
in the dedicatory exercises.
The congregation owns an interest in the parsonage at Enoch-
-ville, N. C. The present membership is seventy-four.
Pastoj-s.
Rev. J. S. Heilig 1857—1866.
Rev. J. W. Barrier 1866— 1867.
Rev. A. D. L. Moser 1868— 1873.
Rev. W. A. Julian 1874— 1879!
Rev. W. A. Lutz 1880— 1891.
Rev. V. R. Stickley 1892.
Union Church, originally known as "Pine" Church, is-
located in Rowan County, N. C, five miles southeast from Salis-
bury.
There are no records to show when the congregation was first
organized, but, judging from other historical facts and dates-
that are recorded, it is reasonable to suppose that the congrega-
tion was organized by Rev. J. G- Arends in the year 1784, and
was one of the congregations that participated in the organization
of the Synod in 1803.
Of the first house of worship very little is known, except that
it was built of pine logs, and hence called the "Pine Meeting-
house. ' '
The present building is of brick, 60 x 40, with gallery in one
end, and with a seating capacity of about four hundred. It was
erected in 1878 and 1879, during the pastorship of Rev. R. L.
Brown, and was dedicated on the first Sunday in December,
1879, the President of Synod, Rev. L. A. Bikle, D. D., preach-
ing the sermon.
, Rev. S. Rothrock, D, D., lies buried in the graveyard near
the church.
SKETCHES OF CONGREGATIONS. 15 J
The congregation owns a nice parsonage, two-stories high,
with an L, containing six rooms. There are also necessary out-
buildings, and several acres of land. The membership is now
two hundred and sixty-eight.
Pastors.
Rev. J. G. Arends, Rev. W. H. Cone,
Rev. C. A. G. Storch, Rev. A. D. L. Moser,
Rev. Daniel Jenkins, Rev. R. L. Brown,
Rev. S. Rothrock, D. D., Rev. J. M. Hedrick,
Rev. William Artz, Rev. J. W. Strickler,
Rev. J. B. Anthony, • Rev. J. Q. Wertz,
Rev. L. C. Groseclose, Rev. C. A. Brown,
Rev. S. Scherer, Rev. J. P. Miller.
Zion Church is located fourteen miles south from Greens-
boro, in Guilford County, N. C. It was organized about the
year i8i 2, by Rev. Jacob Scherer, and was composed of members
transferred from Lau's Church, with which it has always been
in pastorate relation. At first it was a union church, composed
of Lutherans and German Reformed. In 1820, when the Ten-
nessee Synod was organized, a part of the Lutherans united with
that Synod, and from then until 1845 there were three congre-
gations worshiping in one house. Then it became wholly
Lutheran, and remains so to this day, although two congregations
are jointly owning the property.
The congregation belonging to the North Carolina Synod now
numbers twenty-eight members. The Tennessee congregation
has always been numerically the stronger.
The first house of worship erected when the congregation was
first organized was a log-house, with end and side galleries.
The present building is a pretty frame structure, erected in
1856, and is 50 X 40, with a seating capacity of about four hun-
dred.
154
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Pastors.
Rev. Jacob Scherer,
Rev. William Arte,
Rev. John Swicegood,
Rev. Simeon Scherer,
Rev. B. C. Hall,
Rev. William A. Julian,
Rev. E. P. Parker,
Rev. A. D. L. Moser,
Rev. B. W. Cronk,
Rev. H. M. Brown.
CHAPTER XV.
NOTEWORTHY TRANSACTIONS OF SYNOD.
1803 Monday, May 2d, the first conference or convention to
organize the Synod of North Carolina met in Salisbury,
N. C. The Sunday previous several of the ministers
preached in Pine Church^ now Union Church, where the
Holy Supper was administered to many communicants.
The ministers present at this convention were :
1. Rev. Johann Gottfried Arends, of Lincoln County.
2. Rev. Robert J. Miller, English Lutheran preacher,
of the same county.
3. Rev. Carl August Gottlieb Storch, near Salisbury.
4. Rev. Paul Henkel, from Abbot's Creek, Rowan
County.
It was resolved that Pastor Paul Henkel should visit
Rev. Arends' congregation next August, and perform the
necessary Ministerial Acts, because Pastor Arends' want
of sight and other bodily infirmities disabled him from
attending to them. This was accordingly done.
1803 Monday, October 17 th, the North Carolina Synod re-
assembled with the above-mentioned ministers and Philip
Henkel as Catechist. Place of meeting, Lincolnton, N. C.
At this meeting the first Constitution was adopted.
1804 Very little business was transacted at this meeting of
the Synod, because most all the ministers were incapaci-
tated on account of the prevailing fever.
1810 Protracted meetings were recommended, to last three
days, to which Moravian and Reformed ministers should
be welcomed to assist ; this was resolved on motion of
Rev. Philip Henkel. At this meeting. Rev. Gottlieb
Schober, of the Moravian Church, was ordained as a
Lutheran minister.
(155)
156 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
181 1 The Minutes contain the " Extract of the Journal of Rev.
Robert Johnson Miller, the First Missionary of the Lu-
theran Church in North Carolina."
The Minutes were printed for the first time in the
English language, and contain ' ' A Proposed Constitu-
tion for an Orphan School in the United States, Consti-
tuted by the Synod of the Lutheran Ministry of North
Carolina," containing ten articles. Also an order of
service for the burial of the dead.
1813 The Minutes of this meeting are lengthy, 52 pages. They
contain the missionary journals of Revs. R. J. Miller
and Jacob Scherer ; besides extracts of sermons, and ac-
counts of remarkable occurrences, furnished by Rev.
Miller.
1814 An Appendix to the Minutes contains the correspondence
of Revs. Storch and Schober with Bishop Von Vleck, of
the Moravian Church, for a supply of ministers, which
was fruitless, as the Bishop laments that the want of min-
isters is also great in his own Church.
1815 The Synod ordered a special conference to be held in
Bethel Church, Lexington District, S. C, by Revs.
Storch, Miller, and Schober, and the Lutheran ministers
in the vicinity, to adjust certain difficulties and misun-
derstandings of the rules of Synod. This conference
was held and the best results followed. Their report was
submitted at the next meeting of Synod.
1816 Trouble arose in Synod, from Lincoln County, N. C,
about the ordination question, that licensed candidates
should not perform Ministerial Acts without having been
first ordained. But the Synod resolved that it would not
act differently from the Pennsylvania Ministerium, that a
licentiate could with good conscience perform all minis-
terial duties.
1817 A letter was read from Rev. John Bachman, D. D., of
Charleston, S. C, in which he expressed the desire that a
theological seminary, to educate ministers, would be estab-
lished ; that his congregation would cheerfully contribute
NOTEWORTHY TRANSACTIONS OF SYNOD. 15,7
toward this object. That he regrets not being able to
attend this Synod, though he belongs to the New York
Ministerium, because of the season of the year in which
the North Carolina Synod is held.
It was also ordered that the book, " Luther," be pub-
lished in the English language, and that the English
minutes be published in the same.
1819 Time of meeting changed from Trinity Sunday to second
Sunday after Easter ; this was done to elect and send
deputies to the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, held in
Baltimore, Md., on Trinity Sunday, for the purpose of
forming a general union of all Lutheran Synods, which
resulted, a year later, in the organization of the General
Synod.
This change of time became the beginning of the
division in the North Carolina Synod, and occurred at
St. John's Church, Cabarrus County, then called Buffalo
Creek Church.
1820 Repeated and earnest efforts were made at this Synod to
heal the breach made in the Synod last year, but without
success, so the following fall the seceding party organized
the Evangelical Lutheran Tennessee Synod.
1821 Rev. R. J. Miller took his departure from Synod to unite
with the Episcopal Church, and Rev. J. E. Bell reported
by letter that he had united himself with the Presbyterian
Church.
1824 A letter from South Carolina was read, informing the
Synod that the ministers in that State had taken steps to
form their own Synod, but desiring to labor in har-
mony with this body, which feeling was reciprocated,
and, in 1825, a delegate was appointed to visit said
Synod.
1827 First settled pastor sent to Illinois — the Rev. John C. A.
Schoenberg.
1828 " The Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Society for North
Carolina and Adjacent States " was organized.
.1831 March 27th, the Rev. C. A. G. Storch, Senior of this
J 58 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Ministerium, departed this life, of which the Synod made
honorable and affectionate mention.
1832 The second and very lengthy Constitution adopted.
1834 The congregation at Hillsboro, 111., organized by Rev.
Daniel Scherer, was received in connection with the
North Carolina Synod.
1835 Messrs. Charles Fisher, Emanuel Shober, Daniel M. Bar-
ringer, Colonel John Smith, and Rev. Daniel Jenkins
were appointed a committee to formulate a plan for a
manual labor school, in the bounds of Synod, and to re-
ceive bids for its location, which, however, resulted fruit-
lessly, doubtless owing to the overture made by the Synod
of South Carolina the next year (1836), when Rev. E. L.
1836 Hazelius, D. D., and Mr. Henry Muller were sent as com-
missioners to induce this Synod to make the classical and
theological institution at Lexington; S. C, also our insti-
tution of learning. The liberal offer of the South Caro-
lina Synod was accepted, and this relationship continued
until the establishment of North Carolina College.
1840 The third Constitution of Synod adopted, and printed
in the Minutes, as formerly.
1841 " The Secretary brought to the notice of Synod the con-
dition of the lands bequeathed to the Directors of the
Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., amounting to two thousand
acres or more, by our late venerable Father Shober, stat-
ing that during an interview lately had with E. Shober,
Esq., executor, he (E. Shober) stated that he had written
to the President of the General Synod, and to the Direc-
tors of the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, request-
ing them to appoint an agent to dispose of the lands, to
prevent intrusion, etc.; and that all his communications
thus addressed had been treated with neglect. He also
informed the Secretary that, since the death of his father,
he had regularly paid the taxes on said lands, but that he
could do so no longer. Whereupon, it was
"Resolved, That the President correspond with the
Directors pf the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg,,
NOTEWORTHY TRANSACTIONS OF SYNOD. 1 5 9.
relative to the lands bequeathed to that institution by our
venerable Father Shober, deceased, with a view that they
may not be lost to the Church."
1842 The President of Synod reported that he had addressed
"a letter to the Board, and received an answer from
their Secretary, Rev. John N. Hoffman, in which he
assures us that due attention shall be paid to the subject,
and that every effort will be made to secure the bequest
of Father Shober. ' '
Later on the Synod was informed that Rev. S. S.
Schmucker was authorized to sell these lands ; but as
they were located in the mountains of North Carolina
very little was realized from the sale of them. Had they
been retained until this time, they would have become
exceedingly valuable for the timber alone that was stand-
ing on them.
1843 Considerable money was raised for a Centenary Fun'd,
and several succeeding Synods made large additions
thereto. These funds were applied to the various objects-
of the Synod, and finally to the then future college.
1846 Another Constitution of the Synod was adopted, and
appended to the Minutes.
1852 The first step was taken toward the establishment of a
male institution of learning in the bounds of the Synod ;
suggested in the President's report; and
1853 In commemoration of the semi-centennial of the organi-
zation of the Synod, the establishment of the Western
Carolina Male Academy, Mount Pleasant, N. C, was
decided at a convention held for that purpose in Con-
cord, N. C, July 2ist, 1852, and carried into effect.
In the year 1859 the academy became a college. Special
services were resolved to be held in all the churches in
gratitude to God for His blessing during the past fifty
years of the existence of the Synod.
1855 The fifth Constitution of Synod was adopted and printed
with the Minutes. Also at a convention preceding the
meeting of Synod, all the congregations connected
l6o HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD,
with the Synod formed themselves into regular pastorates,
making in all about twelve charges.
1858 A committee was appointed to visit the cities of Wilming-
ton and Newbern, to inquire into the condition of the
German and English Lutherans residing there, with the
view of organizing Lutheran Churches in those places.
The committee succeeded in organizing St. Paul's Luth-
eran Church in Wilmington.
1859 St. Mark's Lutheran Church in the city of Charlotte was
organized. The establishment of these new congrega-
tions in these two important cities of our State gave the
Synod a prominence in the Church-at-large, and a spirit
of progress which has been a blessing to it up to this
time. Rev. John H. Mengert was chosen as the mis-
sionary in Wilmington, and Rev. Alexander Phillippi the
missionary to labor in Charlotte.
1861 The Synod to a certain extent severed itsconnection with
the General Synod, as the war between the States made
" it impracticable to send our delegates to the next meet-
ing to convene at Lancaster, Pa. ' '
1862 The Synod finally withdrew from the Geileral Synod, and
resolved to form, in connection with other Lutheran
Synods in the South, a Southern General Synod of their
own.
1868 The first step was taken to arrange for a colored Lutheran
ministry to labor exclusively among the colored poptila-
tion of this State, which finally resulted in forming their
own Synod.
The female seminary at Mount Pleasant, N. C, be-
came an institution of the Synod ; the money for that
purpose having been collected at the North by Rev. G.
D. Bernheim.
1869 At an adjourned meeting of Synod, held in Salem Church,
Rowan County, August 26th, 1869, the North Carolina
Synod adopted a thoroughly Lutheran doctrinal basis,
conformable to the teachings of the symbolical books.
1870 The sixth Constitution of Synod, as adopted at the ad-
NOTEWORTHY TRANSACTIONS OF SVNOD. l6l
journed meeting of last year, was appended to and printed
with the Minutes of this year.
1871 The Synod dissolved its connection with the Southern
General Synod.
1879 The seventh Constitution of Synod was printed with this
year's Minutes.
1880 The "Proposed Constitution for the Use of Congregations
of the Synod ' ' was published with the Minutes ; so also
was the Constitution of Synod republished.
1881 Synod reunited with the General Synod of the South.
1887 Synod was incorporated by an Act of the Legislature of
North Carolina. (See Minutes, page 18.)
Synod was informed of the merging of the Southern
General Synod into the United Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in the South, which was consummated
June, 1886, without a negative vote, thus heaUng the
long-continued division of 1819 and 1820, "and uniting
all the Lutheran Synods in the South Atlantic States into
one general body. ' '
i88g The colored Lutheran ministers were organized at their
special request into a separate Synod of their own, under
the name and title of the Alpha Synod ; they subse-
quently united themselves with the Missouri Synod.
August 27th, 1889, a new or revised Constitution of
Synod was adopted, making the eighth in number.
1891 Two important legacies for the benefit of our Church in
North Carolina were reported this year ; they were made
by Capt. W. A. Barrier, who departed this life in Char-
lotte, October 8th, 1890 ; and Capt. T. L. Seigle, also
of Charlotte, who died February 27th, 1891 ; both these
legacies were in favor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church,
Charlotte; that of Capt. Barrier also included giooo.oo
to North Carolina College and a considerable sum to
our Southern Theological Seminary, with the proviso
that, if said seminary should fail of being established, the
amount intended for that institution should be given to
this Synod for the benefit of Home Missions. A copy of
1 62 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Capt. Barrier's will is published in the Minutes of this
year.
1892 Several years ago a legacy was left to Synod by Mr. M.
A. Blackwelder, which was, however, involved in litigation,
and Synod did not receive any benefit from it until 1892
(see page 25 of Minutes of Synod), when Synod dis-
posed of its interest in the land to Mr. A. D. Misen-
heimer for the sum of J500.00.
i8g6 The Synod this year was called upon to mourn the loss
of three of its most useful and worthy members: Rev. J.
B. Davis, D.D., was taken from earth to heaven in Salem,
Va. , January 3d, 1896, formerly President of North Caro-
lina College, an able preacher, and a very scholarly man.
The next was Mr. I. Frank Patterson, the honored Treas-
urer of Synod, called away in the midst of his years and
Usefulness, and who bequeathed to the Synod the sum of
$2000. 00, the interest of which is to be devoted to Home
Missions in the bounds of this Synod ; a very timely
legacy and very much needed. Mr. Patterson died at
China Grove, N. C, February i8th, 1896. After him,
the Lord called Rev. Prof. J. D. Shirey, D. D., Presi-
dent of North Carolina College, to his rest, who departed
this life in Mount Pleasant, N. C, on Easter Sunday
morning, April 5th, 1896. Rev. B. H. W. Runge's
death was also reported at this Synod. This young brother
was but thirteen days in the ministry, and died in Wil-
mington, N. C, June 15th, 1895.
iSgg The Theological Seminary of the South was removed from
Newberry, S. C, to Mount Pleasant, near Charleston,
S. C, in the fall of 1898, and has now a local habitation
of its own, which has brought it at once into prominence
and gave it prosperity. It was reported in the Minutes
in the following glowing terms: "It is with special
gratitude and encouragement we can call attention to the
fact that this school of the prophets has been perma-
nently established in a home of its own in Mount Pleasant,
NOTEWORTHY TRANSACTIONS OF SYNOD. 1 63
S. C. , a suburb of the city of Charleston ; and that, at its
head, has been secured the services of our beloved brother.
Rev. J. A. Morehead, who, with the able assistance of
the local talent of Charleston, afford the institution a
strong and ample teaching force. ' '
CHAPTERS
A TABULATED SKETCH OF EVERY MINISTER THAT
{Read across Botk pages.)
Adolph Nussmann.
Johann Gottfried Arends
Names of Ministrrs.
Arnold Roschen
Christopher E. Bernhardt
Charles A. G. Storch
Robert J. Miller
PaulHenkel
Philip Henkel
John Ludwig Markert.. .
John Michael Rickert. .
Gottlieb Schober
Jacob Grieson
William Hauck .
Godfrey Dreher
Jacob Scherer
Charles Z. H. Schmidt.
John P. Franklow
Daniet Moser
Michael Ranch
John Yost Meetze..
John W. Meyer., . .
Philip Roth
Jacob Miller
Licensed, Where, When,
BY Whom.
Came to North Carolina, 1773
As teacher, Oct. 16, 1772, in Gottingen,
Germany.
Came to North Carolina, fall of 1788... .
Came to America, 1786
Came to North Carolina, Sept. 1788. . . .
A Methodist licentiate
1781, by Pennsylvania Ministerium
June, 1800, by Pennsylvania Minis-
terium.
Davidson Co., Oct. 22, 1804, North
Carolina Synod.
Abbot's Creek, Oct. 22, 1804, North
Carolina Synod.
Member of Moravian Church
Organ Church, Oct. 23, 1810
Member of the Methodist Church
Organ Church, Oct. 23, iBio, North
Carolina Synod.
Organ Church, Oct. 23, 1810, North
Carolina Synod.
A teacher in Tennessee
Lincolnton, April 6, 1812, North CarO'
Hna Synod.
Lincolnton, April 6, 1812, North Caro-
lina Synod.
Lau's Church, Oct. 19, 1812, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. iQ, 1812, Lau's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 20, 1812, Lau's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 20, 1812, Lau's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 20, 1812, Lau's Church, North
Carolina Synod,
(164)
As a converted Roman Catholic priest.,
Organ Church, Aug.
Joachim Buelow.
Ordained in Germany * . . .
Wurtemberg, Germany, about 1785 .
Ordained, Where, When,
BY Whom.
1775, by Rev.
Helmstaedt, Germany, March 12, 1788, by
Rev. J. C. Velthusen D. D.
St. John's, Cabarrus^ Rlay 20, i794» by the
Lutheran ministry in North Carolina.
Philadelphia Pa., June 6, 1792, Pennsyl-
vania Ministerium.
Union Church, N. C, April, 1805, North
Carolina Synod.
Abbot's Creek Church, Oct., 1808, North
Carolina Synod.
Was never ordained
Organ Church, Oct. 21, 1810, North Caro-
lina Synod.
Was never ordained
On the list of 1810..
In South Carolina, spring of 1812, by Rev.
Storch and others, in special conference,
Lau's Church, Oct. 18, 1812, North Caro-
lina Synod.
Lincolnton, N. C., April 6, 1812, by North
Carolina Synod.
Lau's Church, Oct. 20, 1812, North Caro-
lina Synod.
St. John's, Cabarrus, April 28, 1819,
North Carolina Synod.
St. John's, Cabarrus, April 28, 1819
In 1822, by G. Dreher and M. Ranch
committee of North Carolina Synod.
Was never ordained ,
Was never ordained .
June 4, 1822, Pilgrim's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
XVI.
HAS EVER BEEN CONNECTED WITH THE SYNOD.
Admitted to
North Carolina
Synod, Whence,
When.
The pioneer Lutheran
pastor in North Car-
olina.
One of the organizers of
the North Carolina
Synod.
Oct. 20, x8o6.
One of the organizers
of Synod.
One of the organizers
of Synod.
One of the organizers
of Synod.
Oct. 17, 1803, as cate
chet.
Lahored in Davidson
Co., N, C.
Lahored in Stokes and
Forsythe Counties,
Always a raemher of
North Carolina
Synod.
Nothing more heard of
him.
Labored in South Car-
olina.
An organizer of South
Carolina Synod.
An organizer of South
Carolina Synod.
An organizer of South
Carolina Synod.
Labored in Guilford
Co., N. C.
Removed, How,
When.
Died Nov. 3, 1794..
Died July 9, 1807..
Returned to Germany.
Died in South Carolina,
Aug. B7, 1809.
Died March 27, 1831
Died 1834
Died Nov. 27, 1825
Died Oct. 9,1833
Died Nov. 22, 1850
Dropped by North Caro-
lina Synod, May 4,1833.
Died June 29, 1838. . .
Died Aug. 13, 1854.
Died July 28, 1875
Died March 2, i860
Died in Tennessee, 1814,
Died in South Carolina,
Sept. 4, 1829.
Died in Lincoln Co., July
II, 1839.
Died Feb. 26, 1869,..
Died May 7, 1833
Expelled Oct. 21, i8i7,by
North Carolina Synod.
Died in 1824.
Moved to Indiana.
Age.
Yrs. Mos. Dys,
55 3 Some,
66 6 28
47
66 9 II
70 II II
-54 o 17
82 7 26
86 3 19
8S
73
49 2
88 4
Buried.
St. John's Grave-
yard, Cabarrus
Co., N. C.
Lincolnton, N. C.
Near St. Michael's
Church, South
Carolina.
Organ Church.
Lenoir, N. C. ..
New Market, Va.. .
Randolph Co., N.C
Portland Mills, Ind,
Salem, N. C.
Guilford Co.
Lexington District,
S. C.
Columbus, Texas . .
Lexington District
S. C.
Lincoln Co., N. C.
Lexington County,
S. C.
Lexington District,
S. C.
Remarks.
Labored in Davidson
Co., N.C.
Came to America two
years before Storch.
Returned to Episcopal
Church, June, 1821.
Abundant in labors.
Labored often as trav-
eling missionary.
First Missionary of
Synod in Ohio, In-
diana, and Illinois^
Wanted to be ordained^
as a Reformed min-
ister.
United with Tennessee.-
Synod.
Abundant in labors..
Honored for his long
and useful life in the
Church.
(165)
i66
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Names of Ministers.
David Henkel
John Feter Schmucker.
Jacob Zink
Andrew Henkel
Adam Miller
John Dreher
Daniel Scherer
Daniel Walcher
32 Joseph E. Bell...
33 Martin Walther..
34 Michael McMakin. .
33 Jacob Moser ,
Martin Kibler
Adam Grimes
Andrew Seechrist.
John Reichert. . . .
Samuel Herscher. .
William Jenkins
Daniel J. Hauer, D. D.,
John C. A. Schoenberg ,
John Reck
John P. Klein (Cline)..,
Julius C. W, Schyler. . . ,
47jHenry Graeber, M. D.. ,
481 William Artz ,
49|David F. Rosenmiller..
Jacob Kaempffer
John T. Tabler
Samuel Rothrock, D. D.
53 Daniel Jenkins . .
54 Edwin A. Bolles.
Licensed, When, Where,
BY Whom.
Oct. 19, 1813, Pilgrim's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. ig, 1813, Pilgrim's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 18, 1814, Organ Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. ig, 1814, Organ Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 17, 1815, Emanuel's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 17, 1815, Emanuel's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 22, 1816, Guilford Co., North Caro-
lina Synod.
Oct. 22, 1816, Guilford Co., North Caro-
lina Synod.
Oct. 22, 1816, Guilford Co., North Caro-
lina Synod.
Oct. 21. 1817, Pilgrim's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
Oct. 22, 1817, Pilgrim's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
May 31, 1820, Lincolnton, North Caro-
lina Synod.
May 31, 1820, Lincolnton, North Caro-
lina Synod.
June 18, 1821, Lau's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
June 18, 1821, Lau's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
June 19, 1821, Lau's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
June 4, 1822, Pilgrim's Church, North
Carolina Synod.
May 4, 1824, St. John's, Cabarrus,
^forth Carolina Synod.
May 9, 1826, Zion's Church, BotetQurt
Co., Va., North Carolina Synod.
Jan. 15, 1824, St. Michael's, South
Carolina Synod.
June 6, 1819, by Philip Henkel..
May 30, 1820, Lincolnton, N. C.
July xo, 1820, Solomon's, Tenn., Tennes-
see Synod.
July 19, 1820, Solomon's, Tenn,, Tennes-
see Synod.
Was never ordained
June z8, 1821, Lau's Church, North Caro-
lina Synod.
Was never ordained
Ordained, When, Where,
BY Whom.
June 6, 1819, by Philip Henkel
June 18, 1821, Lau's Church, by North
Carolina Synod.
April 4, 1824, St. John's, Lexington Dis-
trict, S. C, by South Carolina Synod.
Was never ordained
May 4, 1831, Organ Church, North Caro-
lina Synod.
Was never ordained
Jan. 14, 1824, St, Michael's, S- C, by
South Carolina Synod.
May 7, i8a8. Union Church, Rowan,
North Carolina Synod.
May 6, 1829, St. John's, Wythe, Va., by
North Carolina Synod.
May 7, 1828, Union Church, Rowan,
North Carolina Synod.
May 10, 1826, Zion's Church, Botetourt
Co., Va., by North Carolina Synod.
St. John's, Virginia, May 6, 1829, North
Carolina Synod.
Zion's Church, Va., May 8, 1826, North
Carolina Synod.
St. Paul's, Lincoln Co., May 9, 1827,
North Carolina Synod. I
June 7, 1818, by Pennsylvania Synod. .Fredericktown, Md., Sept. 5, 1821,
Lau's Church, May 4, 1830, North Caro-
lina Synod.
Lau's Church, May 4, 1830, North Caro
Una Synod.
Lau's Church, May 4, 1830, North Caro
Una Synod.
St. Paul's Church, Lincoln Co., May 21,
183a, North Carolina Synod.
Frieden's Church, May 4, 1833, North
Carolina Synod.
St. Paul's Church,Virginia, May 7, 1834,
North Carolina Synod.
Pilgrim's Church, May 17, 1836, North
Carolina Synod.
Organ Church, May 4, 1831, North Caro-
I Una Synod.
Organ Church, May 4, 1831, North Caro-
I Una Synod-
Organ Church, May 4, X831, North Caro-
lina Synod.
St. Paul's Church, Virginia, May 7, 1834,
North Carolina Synod.
Ebenezer, Georgia, March 12, 1,837, ^Y
South Carolina Synod.
TABULATED SKETCH OF MINISTERS CONNECTED WITH THE SYNOD,
167
Admitted to
North Carolina
Synod, Whence,
When.
44
45
46
47 Maryland and Virginia
Synod, 1828.
,'5.!.
S3'
54' ■
Removed, How,
When.
Age.
Yrs.Mos.Dys.
Died June 15, 1831.
Died April 23, 1870..
Died July 6, 1844 . . .
Died X847, Lexington
District, S. C
Died April 4, 1852. . . .
Expelled by North Caro-
lina Synod, May 5,
1823.
Joined the Presbyterians,
May 20, 182Z.
Joined the Tennessee
Synod.
Died Dec. 26, 1865...
Joined the Maryland
Synod.
Died March 22, 1868...
Expelled May 5, 1835.
Died in South Carolina,
Expelled by South Caro-
lina Synod, Nov. 26
1825.
Died Oct. 27, 1877
Died Nov. 27, 1901
Died..
Died Sept. 11, 1843
Died April 19, 1876
Died Sept. 26, 1880
Died Jan. 20, 1880
Expelled Sept. 28, 1841.
Died Nov. 2, 1894
Died Dec, 22, 1893.
36
In his 82d year,
75 7 3
95
50 7 13
71 10 18
71 3 4
79 5 27
84 II 6
Buried.
Lincoln Co.
An organizer of Ten-
nessee Synod.
Labored in Virginia,
Germantown, Ohio,
Washington Co.,
Va.
Mt. Carmel, 111..
Wilkes Co.
Shelbyville, Tenn.
Hanover, Pa.
New Market, Va.
Organ Church.
St.John's, Cab. Co.
Lancaster, Fa.
Glen Rock, Pa.
Union Church,
Rowan Co.,N. C
Columbia, S. C.
Remarks.
Labored in North Car-
olina and Illinois.
An organizer of South
Carolina Synod.
Labored in Tennessee ,
Missionary to Illinois.
Labored all his life in
North Carolina, a
ministry of sixty-one
years.
i68
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Names of Ministers.
Benjamin Arey
John Schweisguth
^Swicegood).
Elijah Hawkins
Philip A. Strobel. ,
Jacob Crim
John J. Greever . ,
N. Aldrich
Gideon Scherer... .
Licensed, Where, When,
BY Whom.
John D. Scheck . . .
William G. Harter,
Joseph A. Linn ....
Jacob B. Anthony.
William H. Fink...
John H. Coffman. . .
Burrell N. Hopkins .
Levi C. Groseclose. .
Johns. Heilig
Simeon Scherer
William Gerhard, D. D.
Daniel I. Dreher
Bryant C. Hall
Paul Kistler
Caleb Lentz
William A. Julian
G. D. Bernheim, D. D.
John L. Smithdeal
Pilgrim's Church, May 17, 1836, North
Carolina Synod.
Pilgrim's Church, May 18, 1836, North
Carolina Synod.
St. John's Church, Lexington, S. C,
Nov. 16, 1836, South Carolina Synod.
St. John's Church, Lexington, S, C,
Nov. 16, 1836, South Carolina Synod.
St. John's, Charleston, S- C, Nov. 16,
1837, South Carolina Synod.
St. Michael's Church, Oct. 6, 1S40, North
Carolina Synod.
St. Michael's Ch., Oct. 6, 1840, North
Carolina Synod.
St.Michael'sChurch^Oct.e, 1840, North
Carolina Synod.
Ebenezer, Georgia, Nov. 26, 1827, South
Carolina Synod.
St. John's, Charleston, S. C, Nov. 16,
1837, South Carolina Synod.
St, James' Church, ConcordJ May 6,
X844, North Carolina Synod.
Organ Church, May 3, 1847, North
Carolina Synod .
St. Paul's, Catawba, May 8, 1848, North
Carolina Synod.
St. John's, Cabarrus, May 9, 1849, North
Carolina Synod.
Pine Grove, Va., Sept. 6, 1849
western Virginia Synod.
St. Stephen's Church, May 6,
North Carolina Synod.
St. Peter's, Virginia, Aug. 30,
Southwestern Virginia Synod.
Miflflinburg, Pa., Sept, z8, 1847. .
Okdained, Where, When,
BY Whom.
Zion's Church, Virginia, May 16, 1838,
North Carolina Synod.
Hopewell Church, Aug. 31, 1851, North
Carolina Synod.
Zion's Church, Virginia, May 16, 1838,
North Carolina Synod.
Zion's Church, Virginia, May i6, 1838,
North Carolina Synod.
Sandy Creek, N. C, Nov. 7, 1841, North
Carolina Synod.
Zion's Church, Virginia, May 24, 1842,
North Carolina Synod.
Ebenezer, Georgia, Nov. 31, 1841, South
Carolina Synod.
Zion's Church, Virginia, May 24, 1842,
North Carolina Synod.
St. Paul's Church, Newberry District,
Nov. 21, 1830, South Carolina Synod.
St. John's Church, Broad River, S. C.,
Nov. 13, 1838, South Carolina Synod.
St. Matthew's Church, Rowan, July 27,
1845, North Carolina. Synod.
By Methodist Church in 1832 .
Was never ordained
Was never ordained .
Was never ordained .
South- St. Peter's Church,Virginia, Sept. 24, 1850,
Southwestern Virginia Synod.
, 1851, St. Enoch's Church, Oct. 29, 1854, North
j Carolina Synod.
1848,1st. Peter's Church, Virginia, Sept. 24, 1850,
i Southwestern Virginia Synod.
iPottsville, Pa., May 29, 1850, Pennsyl-
I vania Ministerium.
John H. Mengert
Daniel H. Bittle, D. D. .
Louis A. Bikle, D. D. . . .
Alexander Phillippi,D.D
St. Matthew's Church, South Carolina,
Nov. 16, 1853, South Carolina Synod.
Fredericktown, N. C, May 8, 1855,
North Carolina Synod.
Ebenezer, Georgia, Nov. 31, 1841, South
Carolina Synod.
St. Enoch's, North Carolina, May 6,
1856, North Carolina Synod.
St. Enoch's, North CaroUna, May 6,
1836, North Carolina Synod.
St. Andrew's, Lexington District, S. C,
Nov. 14, 1849, South Carolina Synod.
St, Paul's, Alamance, N. C, May 3,
1858, North Carolina Synod.
University of Basel, Aug., 1836 Baden, Germany, Oct. z, 1839..
Cincinnati, Ohio, April 18, 1848 'Dayton, Ohio, April 17, 1849.,
St. Mark's, Charlotte, May 28, 1859,
North Carolina Synod.
St. Mark's, Charlotte, May 28, 1859,
North Carolina Synod.
Concord, N. C., June 8, 1856
Luther Chapel, North Carolina, Aug.
29- 1858.
St. Matthew's Church, South Carolina
Nov. 16, 1843, South Carolina Synod.
Luther Chapel, North Carolina, Aug.i
z8, 1858, North Carolina Synod. 1
Salem Church North Carolina, May 29,!
1 1850, North Carolina Synod.
Charleston, S. C., May 15, 1853, South
Carolina Synod.
Organ Church, May 4, 1862, North Caro-
lina Synod.
Wytheville, Va., Aug., 1861, Southwest-
ern Virginia Synod.
TABULATED SKETCH OF MINISTERS CONNECTED WITH THE SYNOD. 1 69
Admitted to
North Carolina
Synod, Whence,
When.
Removed, How,
When.
Age.
Yrs.Mos.Dys.
Buried.
Remarks.
68
Honorably dismissed
May 29, 1855.
Died Sept. g, 1870
South Carolina Synod,
May 30, 1837.
South Carolina Synod,
May 30, 1837.
South Carolina Syno'd,
April 23, 1839.
Died
Died
Died June 30, 1877.
Died June 3, t866. .
One of the organizers
of Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod.
South Carolina Synod,
Sept. 24. 1841.
South Carolina Synod,
Sept. 24, 1841.
Died.
Died.
Died March 16, 1864.
Methodist Church,
M!ay 6, 1844.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, May i, 1851.
Died Nov. 20, 1886
Dropped Nov. 12, 1850,
by South Carolina
Synod.
Expelled by North Caro-
lina Synod, May i, 1852,
Expelled by North Caro-
lina Synod, May 4, 185^
To Southern Jllinois
Synod, 1873.
Died Aug. 12, 1885 . . .
83
Pennsylvania Minis-
terium, 1855.
South Carolina Synod .
From Methodist
Church.
South Carolina Synod,
May s, 1856.
Died July 11, 1876
Ministerium of Pennsyl
vania, 1861.
Died Feb. 18, 1871.
Died July ig, 1864.
Joined the Methodists in
1859.
Died Sept. 30, 1863.
South Carolina Synod
April zg, 1858.
Died..
66 2 3
70 4 II
46
39
44
Evansvilje, Ind., April
. 28, 1859-
Salem, Va., April 28,
1859.
Died Oct. 26, 1876 j 62
Died Jan. 14, 1874 54
To Tennessee Synod,
1885. i
4 »
3 3
4 10
7 8
Shady Grove, N.C
Dansville, N. Y.
Texas.
Burke's Garden,Va
Charlotte, N. C.
Organ Church..
Mt. Pleasant, N.C
Killed going from
church by a fall from-
his horse.
Concord, N. C.
Frieden's Church
Gibsonville, N.C
Organ Church,
North Carolina.
Lau's Church.
Transferred to Mary-
land Synod, Sept. 8,
1866.
First principal of W.
Ca.Male Academy at
Mt. Pleasant, N. C.
Ancram, N. Y..
Gardenville, Md
Savannah, Ga...
Transferred to South
Carolina Synod, Jan..
g, i860.
First pastor of St.
Paul's, Wilmington.
First President of North
Carolina College.
Moved to Virginia.
170
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
p
8s
86
87
88
89
90
91
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
lOI
Names of Ministers.
Licensed, Where, When,
BY Whom.
Ordained, Where> When,
BY Whom.
James R. Sikes
Whitson Kimball
James D. Stingley. .. .
Martin M. Miller
Georgfe F. Schaefer , . .
W.H.Cone
J. W.Barrier :...
A. D. L. Moser
L. W. Heydenreich. . .
Charles H. Bernheim ..
J . H. Fesperman
R. L. Brown
W. R. Ketchie
J. D. Bowles
PhilipM. Bikle, Ph.D.
Jacob G. Neiffer
W.E. Hubbert
102 E. P. Parker.
103 P. E. Zink.
J04 H. M. Brown
IDS D. M. Henkel, D. D...
106 J. B. Davis, D. D,
107 J. H. Harry
108 Calvin W. SifFerd, D. D.
109'T. W. Dosh, D. D
110, V. R. Stickley
111 R. W. Petrea
112 E. A. Wingard, D. D.. . .
113 |S.S. Rahn, D. D
114I William A. Lutz
T15 Franklin P. Cook
116 J. A. Linn
Sandy Creek, N. C, May 7, i860. North
Carolina Synod.
Sandy Creek Church, May 5, t86o,
North Carolina Synod.
Charleston, Nov. t8, 1846, South Caro-
lina Synod.
St. Mark's Church, Charlotte, May 2,
1863, North Carolina Synod.
Organ Church, May 4, 1862, North Caro
Una Synod.
Ad interim, May, 1858
Organ Church, July 4, 1866, Conference
of North Carolina Synod.
Bethlehem Church, Oct. 19, 1863, gouth
Carolina Synod.
Bethlehem Church, Nov. 13, 1855, South
Carolina Synod.
Lau's Church, May 2, 1868, by North
Carolina Synod.
Lau's Church, May 2, 1868, North Car-
olina Synod.
Lau's Church, May 2, 1868, North Car-
olina Synod.
Jan., 1861, South Carolina Synod .-.
Washington Co., Va., 1868, by South,
western Virginia Synod.
Organ Church, Aug. 26/ 1872, North
Carolina Synod.
New Market, Va., Oct. 5, 1848, Tennes-
see Synod.
Virginia Synod
Smith Co., Va., Aug., 1873, Southwest-
ern Virginia Synod.
Ebenezer Church, Georgia, April, 1874,
Georgia Synod.
Frieden's Church, Aug. 5, 1861, North
Carolina Synod.
Organ Church, May 4, 1862, North Car-
olina Synod.
St. Andrew's Church, Nov. 14, 1849, South
Carolina Synod.
Was never ordained
Hollidaysburg, Pa., Sept., 1865, by Alle-
ghany Synod.
Saiem, va., Au^., 1858, Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod.
Was never ordained
St. Mark's, Edgefield, Oct. 22, 1866, South
Carolina Synod.
Pine Grove Church, Oct. 31, 1858, South
Carolina Synod.
Salem Church, Oct. 15, 1871, North Car-
olina Synod.
Salem Church, Oct. 15, 1871, North Car-
olina Synod.
Salem Church, Oct. 15, 1871, North Car-
olina Synod.
Sept., 1861, Georgia Synod
Salem Church, Aug. 29, 1869, North Car-
olina Synod.
Floyd Co., Va., 1870, by Southwestern
Virginia Synod.
Frieden's Church, Sept. 29, 1872, Confer-
ence of North Carolina Synod.
St. Paul's Church, Rowan, May 4, 1873,
North Carolina Synod.
St. Paul's Church, Rowan, May 4, 1873,
North Carolina Synod.
New Market, Va., Sept. 11, 1849, Tennes-
see Synod.
'834, Virginia Synod
Concord, July 26, 1874, North Carolina
Synod(
St. John's Church, Cabarrus, May i, 187s,
North Carolina Synod.
1858
Smith Co., Va., Oct. 1B75, Southwestern
Virginia Synod.
St. Enoch's Church, May 7, 1876, North
Carolina Synod.
St. Luke's Church, Newberry Co., S. C,
1875, South Carolina Synod.
Mt. l-'ilgrim Church, Nov. i, ^874, Georgia
Synod.
St. Peter's Church, May 5, 1877, North
Carolina Synod.
St. Peter's Church, May 5, 1877, North
Carolina Synod.
St. Peter's Church, May 5, 1877, North
Carolina Synod.
TABULATED SKETCH OF MINISTERS CONNECTED WITH THE SYNOD.
171
Admitted to
North Carolina
Synod, Whence,
When.
MississippiSynod^May
z, x86x.
Pittsburgh Synod,i882,
Virginia Synod, May
3, 1866.
South Carolina Synodj
May 2. 1867.
East Pennsylvania
Svnod, April 30,
x868.
South Carolina Synod,
April 30, 1868.
Georgia Synod, April
29, 1869.
Virginia Synod, Aug.
25, 1870.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, Aug. 23, 1871
Removed, How,
When.
Died Jan. 21, 1895 .
Died May 23, 1898.
Died.
Killed in battle June 7^
1864.
Died July 20, 1867...
Died July 26, 1893...
Died March 18, 1879,
Died Jan. 20, 1901 . .
Age.
Yrs.Mos.Dys.
To South Carolina Synod
in 1874.
To Maryland Synod, July
13, 1870.
To District Synod of
Ohio, Sept. 24, 1875.
To Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod, April 7,
1877.
Died Dec. 23, 1892,
Virginia Synod, May
I. 1873.
Virginia Synod, April
28, 1875.
109'South Carolina Synod.
I May 2.1876.
no Southwestern Virginia
I Synod, May 2, 1876.
III!
112 South Carolina Synod,
! Sept. 8, 1876.
113 South Carolina Synodj
March 23, 1877.
114
116'
To Indiana Synod,
March 3. 1876.
Died Fet. 26, 1895
To Southern Illinois
Synod, June 10, 1875,
Died Dec. 24, 1889
To Southern Illinois
Synod, April 7, 1888,
To South Carnlina
Synod, Feb. 15, 1883,
To South Carolina
Synod, Oct., 1879.
To District Synod of
Ohio, April, 1878.
9 23
I 25
10 5
10 24
8 24
69 9 14
86
Buried.
Gibsonville, N. C.
Lutheran Chapel.
Bethel Church, Ro.
wan Co., N. C.
St. John's, Cabar
rus Co.
Charlotte, N. C.
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Near Conover,
N. C.
A very useful minister.
Remarks.
Salem, Va.
Burkittsville, Md.
172
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
Names of Ministers.
Licensed, Where, When,
BY Whom.
Okdained, Where, When,
BY Whom.
W. J. Smith.
127
128
129
130
131
132
134
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
M5
146
147
B. S. Brown
D. J. Koontz (colored)..
S. T. Hallman,D. D....
J. D. ShJrey, D. D
F. W F.Peschau, D. D.
J. L, Buck
Thomas H. Strohecker. .
T.S. Brown
St. Paul's Church Newberry Co., Oct.
19, 1868, South Carolina Synod.
Oct. 30, i860, Virginia Synod
Apollo, Pa., fall of 1873, Pittsburgh
Synod.
1877, by Southwestern Virginia Synod.
Frieden's Church, May 5, 1878, North
Carolina Synod.
Frieden's Church, May 5* 1878, North
Carolina Synod.
Mt. Pleasant, May i, 1880, North Carolina
Synod.
Walhalla, S. C, Oct. 17, 1869, South Caro-
lina Synod.
Augusta Co., Va., Oct. 20, 1861, by Vir-
ginia Synod.
By Pittsburgh Synod, 1876
Washington, D. C, Oct.,
Maryland Synod.
1881, by
Nathan Clapp (colored) ,
Samuel Holt (colored).,
J.M. Hedrick
C. A. Rose ,
J. C. F. Rupp
W. Stoudenmire ,
J. W. Strickler
W. G. Campbell
W. R. Brown
Smyth Co.,.Va., Aug. 25. 1878, by South
western Virginia Synod.
Pottstown, Pa., 1879, by Ministerium of
Pennsylvania.
Clover Hollow, Va. Aug., 1882, by South-
western Virginia Synod.
1884, North Carolina Synod.
1884, North Carolina Synod.
Clover Hollow, Va., Aug,, 1B81, South-
western Virginia Synod.
May 20, 1882, Southwestern Virginia
Synod.
Madison^ Va. , April, 1877, Southwestern
Virginia Synod.
H. A. Trexler .
C.B.King
St. John's Church, Wythe Co., Va.
1885, Southwestern Virginia Synod.
George H. Cox, D. D . .
J. G. Schaidt
B. W. Cronk
D.W.Michael
S.L. Keller
C. B.Miller
J. H. Wyse
C. A. Brown
C. A. Marks
H. C. Haithcox, D. D.
J.Q. Wertz
Botetourt Co., Va., Aug., 1884, by
Southwestern Virginia Synod.
1876, by Virginia Synod.
Clover Hollow, Giles Co., Va,, Aug. 27,
1882, by Southwestern Virginia Synod.
Augusta Co., Va., Aug., 1877, by Virginia
Synod.
Easton, Pa., June 22, 1886, by Ministerium
of Pennsylvania.
Easton, Pa., June 22,1886, by Ministerium
of Pennsylvania.
St. Michael's Church, Iredell, May 3, 1887,
North Carolina Synod.
Holston Synod, Sept. 25, 1872.
Pennsylvania Ministerium, 1875.
Salem, Va., Aug., 1885, by Southwestern
Virginia Synod.
Sandy Creek Church, July 10, 1887, North
Carolina Synod.
Philadelphia, Pa., June 7, 1887, by Minis-
terium of Pennsylvania.
Concordia Church, Sept. 17, 1887, North
Carolina Synod .
Lancaster, Pa., June, 1888, by Ministerium
of Pennsylvania.
Salisbury, Aug. 29, 1889, North Carolina
Synod.
Giles Co., Va., Aug., 1877, by Southwest,
ern Virginia Synod.
Danville, Pa., June 16, 1873^ Susquehanna
Synod.
Orangeburg, S. C, Oct., 1881, South Caro-
lina Synod.
TABULATED SKETCH OF MINISTERS CONNECTED WITH THE SYNOD. 1 73
118
119
Admitted to
North Carolina
SvNOD, Whence,
When.
South Carolina Synod.
May 29, 1880.
South CaroHna Synod,
May 2, 1883.
Middle Tennessee
Synod, May 3^ 1882.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, May 3, 1882.
Pennsylvania Minis-
terium. May 3, 1882.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, May 2, 1883.
To Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod, March 20,
1883.
Died May 27, 1890.
To South Carolina
Synod, Oct. 22, 1883
Died April 5, i8g6
Removed, How,
When.
Age.
Yrs.Mos.Dys.
Virginia Synod, Aug.
16, 1884.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, July g, 1884.
Pittsburgh Synod,
April 24, 1885,
Maryland Synod, No
vember 13, 1884.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, Dec. 18, 1885.
Alleghany Synod, July
1, 1886.
Pennsylvania Minis-
teriuni, Aug. 10, 1886.
Pennsylvania Minis-
terium, Sept. 21, 1886.
To Pittsburgh Synod
April 18, 1893.
To Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod, 1889.
To Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod, April ig,
1892.
Organizer of Alpha
Synod, May 8, 1880.
Organizer of Alpha
Synod, May 8, 1889
Died Feb. 17, 1895...
Died July 2, 1899
Holston Synod, Dec.
10, 1887.
Holston Synod, May
3, 1888.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, May 31, 1887.
Pennsylvania
terium, Feb.
Minis-
i, 1888.
Pennsylvania Minis-
terium, Nov. 26, 1888.
South Carolina Synod
May 2, 1890.
East Ohio Synod, May
I 2, 1890.
t47 South Carolina Synod
I May 2, 1890. ^_
Moved to Ontario, Can-
ada.
Dropped May 3, 1892.
To Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod, 1890.
To Susquehanna Synod,
July 13, 1893.
To Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod, Dec. 20,
To Tennessee Synod,
1890.
To South Carolina
Synod, March 19, 1894.
To Virginia Synod^ Dec,
o South
Synod, i8go.
To South
Synod, z8go.
Carolina
Carolina
To Virginia Synod, Feb.
17, 1S96.
To Northern Illinois
Synod, Dec. 9, i8go,
SO
42
Buried.
Concord, N, C. .
Mt. Pleasant, N. C.
Charlotteville, Va.
Lutheran Chapel,
N. C.
Remarks.
First President of Al-
pha Synod.
President of Elizabeth
Female College at
Charlotte.
174
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
148
C. L. T. Fisher
W. P. Phifer (colored) .
W. S. Bowman, D. D..
Peter Miller
153
"54
IS5
156
IS7
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
X69
170
171
172
"73
174
17s
176
177
Names ot Ministers.
Taneytown, Md., 1884, Maryland
Synod-
Licentiate of Maryland Synod
C. C. Lyerly. .
W. A. Deaton.
M. Wolf
H. M. Petrea...
J. H. C. Fisher .
W. P. Huddle..
R. L, Bame . . . .
W. H. Stntts..
KarlBoldt....
M. G. G. Scherer
B.H.W. Range
H. E. H. Sloop
V. Y. Boozer ,
H. W. Jeffcoat
J. D.Sl)ealy
P. H. E. Derrick ....
H.N. Miller, Ph.D..
H. A.McCullough...
L. E. Busby, D. D...
S. D.Steffcy
W.B.Oney
C.L.Miller
G. A. Riser
C.B. Cox
A. G. Voigt, D. D...
R. C. Holland, D. D.
Martinsburg, Va., Dec. 3, 1853, Virginia
Synod.
New Market, Va., Oct. 26, 1858, by
Virginia Synod.
March, 1S81, Southern Illinois Synpd.. .
Martinsburg, W. Va., Oct. 7, 1889, by
Maryland Synod.
Salem, Va., Au^. 25, 1885, by South
western Virginia Synod.
Licensed, Where, When,
BY Whom.
Baltimore, fall of 1885, Maryland Synod . .
Charlotte, April 28, 1890, North Carolina
Synod,
Woodstock, Va., Oct. 20, 1856, Virginia
Synod.
Oct. 22, i860, by Virginia Synod
St. John's Church, Illinois. 1886, by South-
ern Illinois Synod.
St. Enoch's Church, May 3, 1891, North
Carolina Synod.
Oswego, N. Y.. Sept. 9, 1889, by
Synod of New York and New
Jersey.
New Market, Va., Oct. i, iBSz, by Vir
ginia Synod.
Baltimore, Md., Oct. s, 1893, by Mary-
land Synod.
Salem, Va., Aug., 1889, by Southwest-
ern Virginia Synod.
Burke's Garden, Va., Aug., 1881, South,
western Virginia Synod.
Aurora, W. Va., Oct. 1868, by Virginia
Synod.
Ordained, Where, When,
BY Whom.
St. Paul's Church, Rowan, May 3, 1892,
North Carolina Synod.
Washington, D. C, Oct. 9, 1890, Maryland
Synod.
Pembroke, Va., Aug. 19, Southwestern
Virginia Synod.
Lutheran (.hapel. May 5, 1893, North
Carolina Synod.
Lutheran Chapel, May 5, 1893, North
Carolina Synod.
Red Hook, N. Y., Sept. 28. 1890, by
Synod of New York and New Jersey.
Waynesboro, Va., Oct. 14, 1883, by Vir-
ginia Synod.
St. Paul s Church, Wilmington, June 2,
1895.
Bethel Church, Rowan, Aug, 23, 1894. . . .
Bethel Church, Rowan, Aug. 23, 1894.
Bethel Church, Rowan, Aug. 23, 1894. . . .
Union Church, Lexington Co., S. C,
J891, by South CaroUna Synod.
Frostburg, Md., Oct. 11, 1894, by Mary-
land Synod.
St. Michael's Church,. Lexington Co., S.
C, Oct. 27, 1895, South Carolina Synod,
Burke's Garden,Va., Aug., 1892, by South
western Virginia Synod.
Clover Hollow, Va., Aug., 1882, South-
. "tr: i_:_ o J
i. North Carolina
1, North Carolina
western Viremia Synod
Burlington, May i, i^
Synod.
Burlington, May 1, il
Synod.
Org:an Church, July 6, 1898, North Carolina
Synod.
Norristown, Pa., May 22, 1883, Pennsyl-
vania Ministerium.
Hebron Church, Madison Co., Va., Oct.,
1869, Virginia Synod.
TABULATED SKETCH OF MINISTERS CONNECTED WITH THE SYNOD. 1 75
150
151
152
153
154
iSS
156
IS7
158
IS9
iGo
161
1^2
163
164,
i6s
z66
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
Admitted to
North Carolina
Synod, Whence,
When.
Nebraska Synod, May
2, 1890.
Georgia Synod, May i,
i8gi.
Virginia Synod, Oct.
30, 1890.
Southern Illinois
Synod, June 6, i8go.
New York and New
Jersey Synod, June
28, X890.
Maryland Synod,
March 24, 1892.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, May 2, 1893.
South Carolina Synod,
May 3, 1894.
West Pennsylvania
Synod, May 3, 1894.
South Carolina Synod,
Nov. 27, 1894.
Georgia Synod, July 6,
1895.
Maryland Synod, Sept,
30, 1895.
South Carolina Synod,
April 17, 1896.
South Carolina Synod,
May 4, 1896.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, June 10, 1896.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, March g, 1897.
South Carolina Synod
June 17, 1898.
South Carolina Synod,
June 30, 1898.
Removed, How,
When.
Age.
Vrs.Mos.Dys,
One of the organizers of
the Alpha Synod, May
8, 1889.
Died March 26, igoo. . . .
To Southwestern Vir-
ginia Synod, Jan. 15,
1804.
To Central and Southern
Illinois Synod, Dec. 7,
1897.
To South Carolina
Synod, Sept. 28, i8gi.
Died March 5, iSgg ....
To Alleghany* Synod,
Aug. zg, i8g3.
To Virginia Synod
March 24, 1897.
To Central lUinois
Synod, Nov. 30,
1894.
To New York Minis-
terium, April 25, 1804.
To South Carolina
Synod, Jan. ig, 1898
To South Carolina
Synod, Sept. 5, iSgg
Died June 15, 1895. .,
To Georgia Synod, Oct,
6, i8g6.
To South Carolina
Synod, Dec. 3, iSgs-
To South Carolina
Synod, Jan. ig, 1899.
To South Carolina
Synod, Aug. 11, i8g8.
To Virginia Synod
April 20, igoo.
To Tennessee Synod,
May 18, 1898.
To Virginia Synod, Oct
16, 1890.
To Hofston Synod,
March it, igoi.
69 7 23
Buried.
Charleston, S. C.
Poplar Mount, N.C,
Wilmington, N. C.
Remarks.
176
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
p
:z;
178
179
180
x8i
182
X83
184
185
186
Names of Ministers.
P. L. Miller..
P. J. Wade..
E. W.Leslie
R. A. Helms
W.W.J. Ritchie.
E.L.Folk
J. P. Miller
W. A. Dutton
C. R. W. Kegley . ,
Licensed, Where, When,
BY Whom.
Lebanon, Va., Aup. 23* 1891, Virginia
Synod.
Ceres, Va., Aug., i88g, by Southwestern
Virginia Synod.
East Radford, Va., Aug., 1896, by
Southwestern Virginia Synod.
Botetourt Co., Va., May, 1885, by
Southwestern Virginia Synod.
Rural Retreat, Va., 1893, by South-
western Virginia Synod.
Ordained, Where, When,
BY Whom.
New Market, Va., Aug. 25, 1895, by Vir
ginia Synod.
St. Peter's Church, West Virginia, Oct.,
1891, by Potomac Conference of the Vir-
ginia Synod.
Rural Retreat, Va., Au^. 19, 1898, by
Southwestern Virginia Synod.
Augusta Co., Va., Aug. 23, i8g6, by Vir-
ginia Synod.
Newberry Co., S. C, Oct. 19, 1899, by
South Carolina Synod.
Salem, Va., Aug. 1885, by Southwestern
Virginia Synod.
Holly Grove, N. C, 1889, by Tennessee
Synod.
Blueridge Springs, Va., 1897, by South-
western Virginia Synod.
Salem, Va., Aug. 18, 1901, by Southwest-
rn Virginia Synod.
TABULATED SKETCH OF MINISTERS CONNECTED WITH THE SYNOD. 1 77
Admitted to
North Carolina
Synod, Whence,
When.
Removed, How,
When.
Age.
Yrs.Mos.Dys.
Buried.
Remarks.
178
179
180
x8x
182
183
184
185
186
Ohio Synod, July 22,
1898.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, Sept. 15, 1898.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, April 8, 1890.
Virginia Synod, July
South Carolina Synod,
Dec. 7, 1899.
Virginia Synod, Jan.
26, 1901.
Tennessee Synod, Dec.
23, 1900.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, May ig, igoo.
Southwestern Virginia
Synod, Aug. 18, igoi.
To Wittenberg Synod,
March zg, 1901.
•
CHAPTER XVII.
THE GROWTH OF THE SYNOD IN THE NUMBER OF ITS MINISTERS.
A. D.
Minis-
ters.
Candi-
dates.
Cate-
chets.
Licen-
tiates.
Total.
Remarks.
1803
1803
1804
1806
1809
1810
1811
l8l2
1813
1814
1815
1816
1817
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
183s
1836
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
184s
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
6
6
8
9
9
9
9
10
II
II
10
II
II
8
6
7
7
8
10
12
IS
7
7
8
7
8
7
10
9
9
5
6
6
5
II
7
9
9
S
5
4
4
3
I
2
6
7
6
4
5
2
S
4
3
4
7
6
3
4
7
6
3
2
7
7
6
10
6
6
S
S
2
2
2
I
I
2
2
2
5
7
7
7
II
12
14
«7
22
23
25
25
26
22
20
20
19
II
10
IS
IS
15
16
19
19
12
II
II
II
IS
13
13
13
16
14
10
II
II
II
II
12
12
12
12
Convention organized.
No change reported.
No change rej>orted.
Tennessee Synodjwas formed.
South Carolina Synod organized.
Minutes very incomplete.
Catechets no longer admitted.
Synod of [Southwestern
ginia was formed.
Vir-
(178)
GROWTH OF SYNOD IN NUMBER OF ITS MINISTERS.
179
A. D.
Minis-
ters.
Candi-
dates.
Cate-
chets.
Licen-
tiates.
Total.
Remarks.
185 1
8
10
10
10
12
12
13
\l
18
18
19
21
i6
14
17
14
16
19
IS
14
18
20
19
22
19
23
23
23
23
24
27
29
25
29
28
30
35
32
i
32
35
34
36
39
34
35
6
4
3
3
3
5
4
5
5
S
5
4
I
2
I
I
2
3
3
3
3
14
14
13
13
15
17
17
18
21
23
23
23
22
18
15
18
16
19
22
18
17
18
20
19
22
19
23
23
23
23
24
27
29
25
29
1852
i8?'?
1854
i8ss
tSSA
1857
185S
1859
i860
1861
1862
1863
1864
186s
1866
1
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
The licensure system abolished.
1873
1874
187s
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
Colored ministers admitted.
1881
1882
1883
1884
188s
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
189s
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
Colored ministers formed the
Alpha Synod.
. '
■.
-^y
t
Heavy losses by death and re-
movals.
CHAPTER XVIII.
A SUMMARY OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
6
ll
Baptisms.
ll
5"
a
S
S
1
ll
C/3
1
>
2
1
J
Remarks.
i«03
1810
No report.
27
36
First published list of
1812
13
28
16
22
87
67
67
83
39
II
'I
14
II
35
26
36
29
13
768
868
473
924
1060
975
1019
578
606
434
312
461
453
613
667
492
636
493
141
266
266
133
454
442
518
446
189
237
220
112
223
149
198
245
357
264
217
congregations.
First report.
1813
1814
1815
1816
22
i^
62
94
75
107
122
72
120
128
126
122
98
94
1817
1819
i8zo
54 slaves baptized.
40 slaves baptized.
1821
7 slaves and 1 Indian
1822
baptized.
1 1 slaves baptized.
1823
1824
1825
1826
3 slaves baptized.
24
37
34
39
40
45
33
1335
1393
1509
1927
1794
1888
1732
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
,832
•833
'834
1836
1837
1838
'839
1840
1 841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
"3
14
250
No report.
24
23
19
26
36
22
37
35
23
17
21
17
21
24
30
23
26
35
1994
1621
1572
1789
1759
2024
1641
1886
2343
1929
1463
1882
2093
2272
2082
2523
221S
2482
2472
2
18
19
II
8
•7
II
I
5
II
9
20
II
23
26
22
39
18
441
387
321
289
356
321
322
361
344
273
23
185
238
20s
229
236
264
294
264
144
233
155
"3
213
223
190
176
130
169
56
87
i6i
174
217
199
281
161
12
36
7
71
7«
75
40
71
77
46
98
120
83
76
122
158
154
97
129
59
68
51
2
6
\l
10
12
14
10
II
7
4
3
3
5
4
7
' 2
5
6
71
71
68
22
6
^6
37
15
12
440
60s
465
655
450
543
345
85
25 received by letter.
47 received by letter.
2 received by letter.
4 received by letter.
9 received by letter.
S.W.Va. Synodformed.
17 received by letter.
14 received by letter.
27 received by letter.
12 received by letter.
28
35
196
9
60
80
201
20 received by letter.
(180)
SUMMARY OF PAROCHIAL REPORTS.
1
•3
is
is
Baptisms.
"
i
1
§-"8
1:^
1
1
2
'V
S
111
Remarks.
!x
u
ii_
<!
"
<
b
<g
H
i/i
1852
28~
2587
41
200
196
39
77
10
25
160
1853
2S
2513
41
229
251
26
6i
4
II
90
1854
29
26
2812
2697
30
39
239
176
162
212
16
25
69
96
4
10
'!S5
20
'163
1856
25
2682
31
200
104
32
"5
10
37
335
'f57
28
2620
29
131
189
50
96
13
40
451
*
1858
32
3360
92
26s
246
80
137
18
50
380
1859
24
3171
68
233
414
58
117
26
120
799
i860
38
3942
65
253
114
5°
102
29
80
595
1861
39
4083
60
301
258
49
97
33
170
1221
1862
3!
4250
73
332
318
41
162
21
97
644
'f^3
38
4055
26
251
96
26
317
23
"3
677
1864
37
41 10
59
178
315
42
226
12
71
416
1865
Few ministers present.
No report.
1866
32
3109
75
159
210
16
222
II
33
250
1867
32
3471
63
139
200
34
S3
II
88
752
1868
33
3351
37
191
161
140
68
20
119
782
1869
33
3903
72
173
178
50
73
15
92
725
1870
39
4201
97
299
254
77
85
28
1881576
1871
31
3555
35
253
153
109
los
23
177
•335
1872
40
4266
44
220
150
62
78
23
152
1 150
1873
36
3843
23
1-37
"5
60
82
14
119
809
187441
4201
28
238
162
80
lOI
24
169
134s
i87S'37
4131
62
283
379
145
100
24
167
1211
1876135
3320
50
251
183
55
96
26
198
1380
I877I4I
4170
33
297
213
91
139
28
218
1684
1878
43
4508
38
322
212
70
134
3°
266
1884
1879
44
4806
77
377
315
63
131
35
320
2559
1880
48
4689
36
386
190
64
123
32
267
1872
1881
SO
4823
29
294
223
124
106
29
279
187s
1882
SS
4833
29
324
176
72
98
28
267
1741
1883
56
4670
45
359
322
93
114
313
2708
1884
47
414s
3i
381
217
84
106
339
2784
'ffs
44
4108
18
315
204
74
112
233
2149
1886
50
4150
25
343
287
86
133
107
2596
1887
49
4613
46
318
293
140
146
283
3208
1888
51
4524
62
388
258
102
153
348
3640
1889
53
6310
36
343
294
133
55
44
536
3461
1890
54
6162
44
332
306
89
77
55
429
5757
1891
52
6519
47
415
307
109
78
5°
600
4902
1892
53
6908
21
368
329
121
87
5°
627
4947
1893
53^
6844
49
434
274136]
72
49
602
479"
1894
52J
7116
41
269
378
109
86
56
663
4834
1895
57
7077
31
303
326
204
67
52
660
5125
1896
62
7087
39
330
278
152
102
57
691
5262
1897
60
7136
29
351
219
U5
99
58
680
5314
1898
53
6392
37
297
277
129
89
54
643
5290
1899
60
7347
13
353
283
141
78
59
903
5705
1900
62
8167
40
415
256
209
118
•54
637
5244
1901
58
8173
17
352
296
168
90
5°
664
5469
CHAPTER XIX.
A SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS.
Date.
en
a
1
1
§
S3
1
1
c
a
U
3
t
a
H
Remarks.
$43 40
53 20
2705
41 01
40 85
39 90
47 70
$1° 44
Ifii3 84
53 20
173 75
41 01
40 85
39 90
47 70
I&I2
146 70
1814
z8is
1816
1817
181B
No Synod held.
234 12
51 00
58 60
70 66
47 45
25 94
62 01
62 19
85 07
96 17
59 78
63 06
41 5=
39 92
45 06
46 84
47 =1
94 =4
V f
66 so
62 18
48 74
33 17
41 81
5806
57 =8
Sa 24
42 72
SO 49
52 97
64 79
60 09
6489
71 06
88 42
77 63
70 62
$246 7S
48087
51 CO
49 1°
58 60
70 66
93 05
25 94
62 01
62 ig
85 07
96 17
7403
152 65
41 52
5609
76 00
63 84
58 71
655 94
311 46
378 75
340 85
256 39
10s 7S
99 1°
257 II
23s 24
131 96
157 82
132 63
163 73
189 19
132 2S
208 90
197 52
187 40
48786
558 38
86064
X820
rSai
1823
1824
45 6°
X825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
14 2S
8959
1831
1832
1833
16 17
30 94
1834
1835
1836
11 so
31 00
8443
110 8s
69 21
35 49
34 03
40 55
41 97
:.::::: ;;;;::
1837
530 70
237 00
224 45
163 SO
I2S 00
21 52
3' 9°
174 75
ISS 21
39 00
28 so
II 83
56 50
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
184s
i8ji
3568
77 08
78 08
56 74
X36 22
1847
18^8
1849
1850
1851
..:....
!J67 46
148 8i
80 31
36 ig
64 50
67 33
I8S2
X853
$59 52
$36 03
363 25
416 2S
695 69
1854
1855
1856
1857:
27 00
* Education added.
(182)
SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS.
183
Date.
1
•3
1
1
1
g
cd
s
Cd
a
V
p
3
g
1
n
1
H
Remarks.
1858
^100 70
105 55
100 35
118 22
"9 99
215 00
572 50
S184 89
*43i 85
353 15
213 94
305 49
763 19
$251 61
357 25
1785s
485 80
616 20
2627 00
*S37 =0
23034 65
812 05
1027 41
911 28
1594 39
3199 50
1859
i860
'|'22I40 00
180 00
Only Home Mission
Society.
1861
1862
Confederate money.
Confederate money.
Confederate money.
No report. Few min-
isters present.
1863
1864
1865
1866
109 18
129 68
7905
92 95
=93 77
4°o 17
497 35
426 19
319 67
213 59
413 71
413 40
41785
502 90
560 52
736 60
367 24
303 71
342 10
282 75
285 38
307 60
305 91
26s 27
279 65
246 60
449 34
567 36
109 18
31S 18
1867
1868
14 SO
27 00
52 00
§5635
11 18 00
338 02
558 15
504 85
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
"875
'876
1877
1878
1879
1880
Incomplete.
iReports mixed.
426 19'All objects included.
359 67|A11 objects included.
348 24' All objects included.
434 yiJAU objects included.
447 93
550 84 Missions included.
487 10 Missions included.
1151 14 Missions included.
40 00
119 00
21 00
$1565
105 00
*I74 36
73 70
733 =9
22 47
136 52
^?roi
509 10
291 20
429 91
1429 89
"3 57
276 18
38034
331 54
556 36
239 16
14637
60 05
135 36
122 58
224 25
152 61
400 03
525 37 Missions included.
607 04 Missions included.
1882
1883
18B4
1885 .....
1886 .. ..
277 69
506 5'
443 16
Pl?6
78607
651 88
604 77
685 62
714 91
855 15
956 33
881 25
708 61
973 3"
912 27
467 17
187 15
1685 71
1228 90
Z'a86 10
265 10 1652 06
571 47 2050 29
1226 97 3728 II
1726 13 2799 18
X4t;i 98 z6>;8 8i
18B7
1888
1889
1890
1270 68
71368
1140 80
421 54
614 54
355 ^?
343 38
161 15
489 31
1329 23
1544 '5
2601 91
2039 78
2803 02
1863 63
iQM 75
1681 72
1906 42
1764 36
1818 49
2658 46
3068 29
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
'8.39
igoo
IQOI
igo2
506 18 670 44
* Mission only.
t North Carolina College Endowed.
§ General Synod delegates. II General.
I No report.
OTHER FINANCIAL REPORTS.
1883 contains the report of the first Church Extension Fund collection, which has done much good,
and is in a prosperous condition ; but as the figures are evidently reported wrong at times, they
cannot be embodied here. State of funds in 1900, $1923.90.
1886 the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies were organized, which have been very
successful in all these years, raising over $1000.00 annually at the present time.
1 84
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
P
K
Pi
10
O
H
M
M
o
w
H
H
m
K
O
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s
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S°S«^9SS9S9SS9S9cdnsa
^6
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a ttj 9
u
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uuu 8
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9 b
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WjJOcnJijfl o w c
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i-i W r^ ^^ imi-% tw A« 5i. /ii jiH TT tt ti. t5_ *^ ."tr ■*-• +H *^ -M. W
W m -^ lrJ^O 1^,00 OS <U Q
TABLE OF SYNODICAL MEETINGS.
i8s
>:,>-.
u
Q o g r
3 ca S ^ s.rt'^ S S S'-'
^u^^u
■■^'IJ-;
'0 Sa'
<->9 S5 B-a «"^ 6-3 -s
i ■§ >2 S !> -3 S ,^5 „« J
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; .a ^ ja ,c j3 ja .a .
Ti- invD t-^OO On O >-< N PO -^ m\D r^OO O O 1 N f*^ ^ »ri^O 1^00 CTi O f M ro ■* m
i86
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA SYNOD.
>-, >^ ]>-, >^ >-. ►. >> 5^ i>^ >i ^ X >.
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TABLE OF SYNODICAL MEETINGS.
187
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CHAPTER XXI.
THE OFFICERS OF SYNOD.
DATE.
PRESIDENT.
SECRETARY.
TREASURER.
1803.
Rev. J. G. Arndt.
Rev. R. J. Miller.
>Jo Treasurer.
1804.
" Paul Henkel.
tt it tt
it it
1806.
" C. A. G. Storch.
" Christoph Bernhardt.
tt It
1809.
<i <i <<
** Ludwig Markert.
it ft
181O.
ti Ct it
** Gottlieb Schober.
it it
181I.
t( 11 it
'^ Philip Henkel.
it ft
1812.
*' R. J, Miller.
*' G. Schober.
Rev. G. Schober.
I813.
" C. A. G. Storch. .
(( it tt
(( it tt
1814.
it it fc
tt ft tt
it It tt
1815.
" Philip Henkel.
*' Jacob Scherer.
it it it
i8i6.
'* C. A. G. Storch.
" G. Schober.
it ft tt
I8I7.
(( It ft
ti tt ft
it tt tt
I8I9.
(1 t( tt
it it it
H ti ti
1820.
it H tt y
It tt tt
it tt ((
I82I.
" G. Schober.
" Jacob Scherer.
it ti it
I82Z.
n tt
it tt ti
tt it it
1823.
" C. A; G. Storch.
a ti ti
it tt tt
1824.
" Jacob Scherer.
** Daniel Scherer.
ti if tt
1825.
" G. Schober.
*' Jacob Scherer.
tt ii tt
1826.
(( it tt
ft it ti
it if ii
1827.
ti it it
it it tt
ti tt tt
1828.
it it It
" John Reck.
it it tt
1829.
tt tt tt
it tt it
it it tt
1830.
it if it
it tt a
ti it it
I83I.
ii It ft
" Henry Graeber.
ti it it
1832.
" Henry Graeber.
** William Artz.
Mr. Theobald Lentz.
1833-
ft tt tf
it it ti
tt it tt
1834.
ft it ft
it tt it
Rev. S. Rothrock.
1835-
** Jacob Scherer.
'* Henry Graeber.
" William Artz.
1836.
** William Artz.
it it ti
Col. John Smith.
1837-
** Henry Graeber.
*' S. Rothrock.
Mr. Theobald Lentz.
1838.
" William Artz.
ti tt it
" M. Barrier.
1839.
a n tt
it it it
Col. J. Shimpoch.
1840.
" S. Rothrock.
" p. A. Strobel.
Mr.D. M. Isenhauer.
I84I.
*' H. Graeber.
" J. D. Scheck.
*' A. Richard.
1842.
" J. D, Scheck.
" W. G. Harter.
ft tt tt
1843-
** William Artz.
(( ii ti
Col. J. Shimpoch.
1844.
it tt tt
" S. Rothrock.
tt it
1845.
" J. D. Scheck.
(( it it
D. Barringer, Esq.
1846.
" S. Rothrock.
*' J. B. Anthony.
M. Barrier, Esq.
1847.
it it it
" J. A. Linn, Sr.
ft it ft
1848.
" J. B. Anthony.
" W. G. Harter.
it it tt
1849.
" B. Arey.
" J. A. Linn, Sr.
it tt tf
1850.
" W. G. Harter.
'* J. Grim.
it ti tt
1851.
" J. A. Linn, Sr.
" W. G. Harter.
it ti tt
1852.
" William Artz.
" J. A. Linn, Sr,
it tt tt
(188)
OFFICERS OF SYNOD.
189
DATE.
PRESIDENT.
SECRETARY.
TREASURER.
1853-
Rev. J. A. Linn, Sr.
Rev. L. C. Grosclose.
M. Barrier, Esq.
1854.
" S. Rothrock.
" W. G. Harter.
"
i8SS-
(i ki il
" L. C. Groseclose.
it
1856.
" Wm. Gerhardt.
" S. Scherer.
"
1857-
" L.C.Groseclose.
" D. L Dreher.
it
1858.
" J. A. Linn, Sr.
tt tt It
tt
1859.
" William Artz.
" J. S. Heilig.
ti
i860.
" S. Scherer.
" D. I. Dreher.
"
I It
1861.
" J. D. Scheck.
" G. D. Bernheim.
it
1862.
" D. I. Dreher.
" J. A. Linn, Sr.
"
1863.
" G.D. Bernheim.
" L. A. Bikle.
Major L. G. Heilig.
1864.
" J. Grim.
" J. B. Anthony.
ti ti a
1865.
" J. B. Anthony.
" L. A. Bikle.
M. Barrier, Esq.
1866.
" S. Rothrock.
" W. Kimball.
Dr. P. A. Seaford.
1867.
" N. Aldrich.
" W. A. Julian.
it It it
1868.
" L. A. Bikle.
" N. Aldrich.
ti ti tt
1869.
" W. A. Julian.
" L. A. Bikle.
ti ti ti
1870.
" W. Kimball.
" C. H. Bernheim.
a ti It
187I.
" S. Rothrock.
" J. G. Neiffer.
tl tt tt
1872.
" W. H. Cone.
" yf. Kimball.
Major L. G. Heilig.
1873-
" J. D. Bowles.
" A. D. L. Moser.
(( tt it
1874.
" S. Rothrock.
" W. R. Ketchie.
il tl it
187S.
tt (C ti
" R. L. Brown.
it il It
1876.
" L. A. Bikle,
D. D.
" C. H. Bernheim.
Rev. S. Rothrock.
1877.
" L. A. Bikle,
D. D.
" W. Kimball.
tl ti tt
1878.
" G.D. Bernheim,
D. D.
" L. A. Bikle, D. D.
tl it il
1879.
" L. A. Bikle,
D. D.
" J. S. Heilig.
it ti It
1880.
" S. Rothrock.
" J. A. Linn, Jr.
Col. p. N. Heilig.
1881.
" V. R. Stick'ley.
" W. J. Smith.
tt tt
1882.
" S. T. Hallman.
tt tt tt
tl It
1883.
C( (C ti
" J. A. Linn, Jr.
it It
1884.
" J. A. Linn, Jr.
" T. S. Brown.
it It
1885.
" W. A. Lutz.
" B. S. Brown.
it tt
1886.
" F.W.E. Peschau,
" J. L. Buck.
tt it
1887.
" " " D.D.
tt u ((
it tt
1888.
It t.i it tt
" C. B. King.
tt li
1889.
1890.
(( ti tt tt
" G. H. Cox, D.D.
tt tt tt
tt tt tt
ii tt »*
Mr. I. F. Patterson.
189I.
tt tt tt tt
tt tt tt
it li It
1892.
It 11 tt tt
et, tt tt
tt ti it
1893-
tt tt ft tt
tt tt tt
a
1894.
" B. S. Brown.
tl tt tt
ti it tl *
'* J. D. Heilig.
1895.
1896.
tt tt tt
" V. R. Stickley.
It it tt
" M. G. G. Scherer.
1897.
1898.
tt tt tt
" H. N. Miller, Ph. D.
li tt tl
" C. A. Rose.
" L. E. Busby, D. D.
tt it ti
1899.
1900.
(( tt tt -K-
tt tt tt tt
it It ti
." C. B. Miller.
" C. B. King.
It ti tt
It tl tt
I90I.
tt it it
tt tt it
* Died in office.
CHAPTER XXII.
A TAELK SHOWING THE WORK OF THE BOARD OF CHURCH
EXTENSION.
1888. Seed planted by St. Enoch's Church, Enochville ^75 00
1889. Amount reported as being on hand.
1890.
1891.
1892.
1893.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1897.
1898.
1899.
1900.
1901.
98 21
Loaned.
Amount loaned St. James', Concord, to build ,St.
Andrew's, Concord jSsoo 00
Amount loaned St. Matthew's Mission, Wilmington, N. C. 350 00
Amount loaned Bethany, Stokes County, N. C 100 00
Amount loaned St. Mark's, China Grove, N. C 400 00
Amount loaned Christ's Church, Spencer, N. C 200 00
Amount loaned Haven, Chestnut Hill, Salisbury, N. C . . 400 00
(190)
284
95
398 58
421
ot,
611
10
960
24
1095
00
1407 83
I 544 OS
1 547
23
1823
33
1923
90
"943
90
Returned.
«Soo
00
350
00
100
00
200
00
CHAPTER XXIII.
A TABLE SHOWING THE STATISTICS OF THE WOMAN'S HOME AND
FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
189s
1896
1897
1898
1899
Where Convention Was Held.
St. James', Concord
St. Enoch'. s, Enochville
St. John' s, Salisbury
Holy Trinity, Mt. Pleasant.
Lutheran Chapel
St. Mark's, Charlotte
St. Peter's, Rowan
Union
Holy Trinity, Mt. Pleasant.
Organ
St. Enoch's, Enochville. . . .
St. John's, Salisbury
Bethel, Roviran
St. Mark's, Charlotte
1900 Lutheran Chapel.
cd at
320
467
419
552
605
641
727
834
693
900
851
291967
29I889
29,915
30944
«!274 18
474 I
64s 48
602 37
740 82
731 90
61S 23
796 84
726 45
1062 93
860 30
999 34
87s 82
816 19
877 83
265
199
317
279
303
)i!93 17
86 22
58 91
108 35
120 34
109 33
(191)
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