USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 11
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This third and last church built on these grounds is now the sole property of the Reformed congregation, which has a history at this place of one hundred and
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fifty years. Pilgrim is one of the oldest Reformed Churches in North Carolina, and it has all along been active and influential. Its Elders during this long period have been men of recognized standing in the community. Its present membership is 172, with a Sunday School of 176. This congregation has given to the Reformed Church four ministers, viz .: Revs. H. F. Long, D.D., W. A. Long, Ph.D., J. C. Leonard, D.D., and J. L. Bowers.
The family names now appearing on the roll are as follows: Byerly, Bowers, Conrad, Clodfelter, Cross, Everhart, Essex, Fritts, Pounds, Green, Helmstetler, Hedrick, Hepler, Leonard, Long, Yokely, Wagner, Mayab, Medlin, Nickelson, Sink, Smith, Miller, Sowers, Craver Tesh, Sanes, Causey, Clinard, Tysinger, Grimes.
12. Beck's Reformed Church, Davidson County.
Beck's is one of the old Reformed Churches in North Carolina. It has had a long and honorable history. Its first members were German settlers from the Palati- nate and other sections of Europe. They brought with them their German Bibles, hymn-books and catechisms, some of which are still preserved as precious heir- looms in the homes of their descendants.
The name arose from the family of Becks (Pecks) in the community. This is still a common name in the membership of this historical congregation. The meagre records do not show that the church ever had any other name, though it is presumed that it had, just as the mother church of that section, Leonard's Church, was organized under the name of Pilgrim.
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But if there was such a name it has long since been lost sight of, and the church continues to be called "Beck's Church."
The deed of the Beck's Church land bears the date of November 5, 1787, and conveys fifty-three acres from Dr. John Billings, L. Smith and others to Martin Frank and Frederick Billings of the "Profession of the Church of England," and David Smith and Henry Lookinbee of the "Profession of the Church of the Dutch Settlement on Abbott's Creek." Martin Frank and Frederick Billings were the Trustees of the Luth- eran Church, called in this deed "The Profession of the Church of England." David Smith and Henry Look- inbee were the Trustees of the Reformed Church, called in the deed "The Profession of the Church of the Dutch Settlement on Abbott's Creek." These pecu- liar titles arose from the fact that the members of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches could not speak English. The officials gathered from their broken explanations that the first-named Trustees represented a denomination somewhat like the Church of England, and wrote the deed accordingly. The officials also understood that the latter Trustees represented a denomination identical with the "Dutch Congregation on Abbott's Creek," already mentioned in the official records of 1783, and so wrote the title.
The pastor of the Reformed Congregation at Beck's Church in 1787 was the Rev. Mr. Schneider. It is thought that he organized the congregation, though already when he came a log church had been built under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Suther. The citizens
ST. MATTHEW'S ARBOR, LINCOLN CO., N. C.
BECK'S CHURCH, DAVIDSON CO., N. C.
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of the community suffered greatly during the Revolu- tionary War. The Reformed people, as at Leonard's Church, followingthe example of their pastor, Samuel Suther, were intense patriots. A notable example was Peter Hedrick, the great-grandfather of Rev. M. L. Hedrick. He was born December 17, 1733. Later in life he came to America and settled in North Carolina on the Four-mile Branch near Beck's Church. The site of his home is well known. When the war broke out he enlisted in the American army. This excited the intense hatred of the Tories. In his absence one day a band of Tories came to his house and holding a pistol in the face of his wife cursed her, and told her to give up all she had or die. She answered that she was helpless and begged them to spare her and her children and her property. They only abused her for her pitiful entreaties. They took all the provisions except a little salt, drove off the choice horses and cattle and shot the others, and then burned all the buildings. When Peter Hedrick returned a few weeks later and found his desolated home, he took his wife and children to Virginia until after the war, when he returned. He died January 24, 1789, and lies buried in the Beck's Church graveyard.
The log church was used by the congregation until the year 1878, when a large frame church was built which is still in use. The pastors have been those who served Pilgrim Church until the Lower Davidson Charge was formed in 1862, and from that date the pastors of that charge.
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13. Bethany Reformed Church, Davidson County.
To write the history of Bethany Church is to give the history of the German people who settled in that community-a people simple in habits of life, indus- trious, of upright character, true devotion to the church, and strong in the faith of a Saviour's love.
The deed conveying the property was made August 1, 1789, and begins as follows: "This indenture made the first day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine between Frederick Miller of Rowan County in the State of North Carolina of the first part and the inhabitants of Brushy Fork belonging to the Societies of the Church and Presbyterian parties as the second part witnesseth, that said Frederick Miller for and in consideration of the sum of one pound and thirteen shillings current money of North Carolina to him in hand paid before the ensealing and delivering hereof by the aforesaid parties of the second part, the receipt whereof the said Frederick Miller doth hereby acknowledge ... to be for the use of building a meeting-house and other religious purposes." Frederick Miller signed the deed by making his mark.
The first church must have been built about the time the deed was made. It was a log structure about 30 by 40 feet with galleries on three sides. The pulpit was in the usual goblet shape, supported by a poplar post, and was large enough for only one person. The first name by which the place was called was Fredericktown, in honor of Frederick Miller. Later on it was called Possumtown. And thereby hangs a
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tale. It is said that while the good people were at church, some one without the spirit of worship in his bosom caught several opossums, stuck their tails through a stick and left them at Frederick Miller's house; and from that time the place was known as Possumtown, which clung to it until 1861, when the new church was dedicated. No one seemed to know what name would be given the church. The dedica- tion sermon had been preached, Rev. P. A. Long read the service of dedication, and in that dedicated the church as Bethany. The name is beautiful, and it carries our minds to the place where Jesus so often rested just outside Jerusalem.
This was a union church. "The Church Party" named in the deed was the Lutheran Church and the "Presbyterian Party" was the Reformed Church, names given by the county officials who knew nothing of our German people and their churches. It is not known when the first services were held, but certainly prior to the year 1789 when the site of the church was secured. The first church in this section of the State was the old Leonard's Church about twelve miles further south on Abbott's Creek. The ministers who preached there held occasional service in distant communities where were found Reformed families. Prominent among those ministers who served Leon- ard's Church was Rev. Samuel Suther, who preached from 1768 to 1786. Following him was the Rev. Mr. Schneider. It is known that he organized Beck's Church in 1787, and it is likely that he also organized Bethany. The next ministers were Revs. Andrew
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Loretz and George Boger. From 1812 for a long period Bethany had no regular pastor, and the interest went down.
The fire was smothered; it was not extinguished. The harps were hanged upon the willows, but the love for Jerusalem still warmed the heart. The story has been told, true or not true, that a few remained faith- ful and that upon the Lord's Day these with German hymn-books and German Bibles in hand gathered and held service, singing the songs with the true fervor of the Fatherland. This condition of affairs remained until 1848, when Rev. Thornton Butier, a young North Carolinian who had just finished his education at Mercersburg, Pa., took charge of the churches in David- son County. His charge consisted of five churches.
It is said that Mr. Butler held a conference with John Long, Samuel Yokeley and Henry Clodfelter as to the prospect of re-organizing Possumtown. Butler said that the only thing that would revive the church at that place was a camp-meeting. These German fathers were not given much to camp-meetings and were slow to move in that direction. They regarded the remedy severe although the case was a desperate one. Finally John Long said, "anything to save the church." Accordingly arrangements were made and a camp-meeting was begun on Friday night before the third Sunday in August, 1851, and continued until Wednesday of the following week. This meeting was held by Reformed preachers, Butler, Welker and Ingold. The following year there were two camp- meetings: one on the first Sunday in August, held by
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tne Lutherans, and one on the third Sunday of the same month, held by the Reformed. Camp-meetings were held each year on the third Sunday in August, the Lutheran and Reformed people uniting. The Reformed did not hold a meeting, however, after the year 1854; the last of the camp-meetings was held by the Lutherans in 1858.
It was during this period that the congregation was reorganized. Dr. Welker says that it was resuscitated in 1849; again he says in the Colonial Records that under the ministry of Rev. Thornton Butler, 1848-'56, it was revived and grew to become a prosperous church. But as Rev. Butler resigned in 1851 the resuscitation must have taken place prior to that time. In the spring of 1853 Rev. William Sorber was installed pastor over the Davidson Churches. He was pastor at the time of the last camp-meeting held at Possum- town. The last meeting was known as the Sorber Meeting.
The pastors succeeding Rev. William Sorber have been those mentioned in connection with Pilgrim Church, Bethany having formed a part of the original Davidson Charge, and later the Upper Davidson Charge. Bethany has given to the Church several of her sons as ministers: Revs. Philip Allison Long, Thomas Long, John Albert Murphy, Joseph L. Murphy and William H. Causey. Prominent among the officers of the church have been John Long, Samuel Yokeley, Israel Long, Lewis Livengood, Henry Clodfelter, Ham- ilton Clodfelter and John P. Long.
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The property was held in common by the Reformed and Lutherans until August, 1902, when a division was made. . Three acres of land were reserved for the cemetery to be held in common; and the remaining land was divided into two parts, one part containing four acres and the other two acres. The Reformed received the two acres, and went to work at once to build a new church. The corner-stone was laid March 14, 1903. The work of building was steadily pushed to completion. November 15th, a beautiful Sunday, the new house of worship was dedicated. The sermon was preached from Haggai 3: 9, by Rev. J. L. Murphy, D.D., a son of the congregation. Rev. W. H. Causey, another son of the congregation, was also present and took part in the services. The act of dedication was performed by the pastor, Rev. H. A. M. Holshouser.
14. Beulah Reformed Church, Davidson County.
Beulah Reformed Church is situated six miles north- west of Lexington. It is more frequently called "Sower's Church." This congregation has had a long history, but just how long is not known. It was a preaching place before the congregation was organized. The tract of land on which the church was located was donated to the congregation by Elder Philip Sauer (Sowers) of the Pilgrim Church. Philip Sauer came from Germany to North Carolina in 1753 and took up large tracts of land on "Swearing Creek." He was the ancestor of all the people in this section of the State now called by the name Sowers. He was a
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member of the Reformed Church and an Elder, and his interest in this church was large. It was largely through his influence that the first grant was made to the "Dutch Congregation on Abbott's Creek," Pilgrim Church, of which he was a member. When the country became more thickly settled and other churches were needed, he cheerfully donated eleven acres of ground for Beulah Reformed Church. That was about the year 1788. He showed his wisdom, too, in giving the land for the exclusive use of the "Reformirte Kirche." This was one of the few early churches that was never a union church.
The Rev. Mr. Schneider was the first pastor at Beulah. Under his ministry the old log church was built in 1788 or 1789 at the northeast corner of the present graveyard. This church was used until 1851, when a frame structure was built a few yards further north. This latter church, after many re-modelings, still stands and is in use at the present day.
Among the family names prominent in the early history of this church are the following: Koontz, Ever- hart, Sowers, Livengood, Hege, Berrier, Grimes, Wehrle (Whirlow), Schaaf (Shoaf). Some of these names are still found on the roll of membership. Its pastors have been those mentioned elsewhere in con- nection with Pilgrim Church and for that reason are not repeated here. It was a part of the original "Davidson Charge," and has formed a part of the Upper Davidson Charge since the division of the David- son Charge. Its present membership is about 160.
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15. Emanuel Reformed Church, Davidson County.
Emanuel Church is situated three and a half miles south of Thomasville, in Davidson County, and is one of the old churches in that section. It has always been a union church, the Lutherans sharing the prop- erty with the Reformed. The site is a fine one and easily accessible. The site was a burying ground as early as 1808 and likely also a place of worship. Ac- cording to the custom of those early days a rude log church was first built, which in this instance was also used for school purposes. The place was then called "Bowers' Meeting House." There is no record of a congregation here prior to about 1814. A frame church was built to replace the log house which had been used for occasional services for several years past. Leonard's and Beck's were the two strong churches of Rowan County east of the Yadkin River at the time, and the Reformed people of the Emanuel community held their membership at one or the other of these places until a congregation was organized at that point. This church was at first connected with the Davidson Charge, then with the Lower Davidson Charge; it now forms a part of the Thomasville Charge. Emanuel Church is situated in a prosperous community and has always had a good membership. Its early ministers were such men as Schneider, Christ- man, Weyberg and the Synodical missionaries. Its later pastors have been those of the charges named above.
The house of worship erected in 1814 was used until December 12, 1901, when it was destroyed by fire. A
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large modern frame building was erected the following year and is the pride of the present congregation.
Absolam Grimes, David Myers and Lewis Liven- good were the first Elders named in the records. Its principal families were the Grimes (Grimms), Myers, Imlers, Shulers, Lohrs, Livengoods, Veitches, etc.
16. Hebron Reformed Church, Davidson County.
Hebron Reformed Church (formerly Pleasant Re- treat) is located in Davidson County about seven miles south of Winston, North Carolina. Previous to the establishment of this church this community had no convenient place of worship. But there were godly people living in the community who felt the need of a church within easy reach. Among these were Joseph Miller, a local Methodist minister, and Thomas Long, a member of the Reformed Church and a man of ability to lead. These two men met together and said: "There ought to be a church here," and took steps towards its establishment. Selection of a location for a church became necessary. There were two inviting spots: one on the land of Michael Miller and the other on the land of Thomas Long. To vote in the civil election at that time it was necessary for a man to own fifty acres of land. Mr. Miller owned just fifty acres and to give a lot for the church would have disfranchised him. Thomas Long owned more than the required amount and he suggested that they select a lot on his land for the reason that he could give it and still be eligible to the right of voting. About this time a Mr. Jones who was a theological student,
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came from the Seminary in Pennsylvania and passed through this community. He stopped with Thomas Long, who told him of the intention of the community to build a church in their midst. This gentleman en- couraged the movement. He was shown the proposed locations. He favored the one proposed by Thomas Long and this became the building site.
The congregation was organized by Thornton Butler in 1856. He had charge of the Reformed congrega- tions in Davidson County at this time. The members met August 13th to begin work for the erection of the church. The church was built and formally dedicated. It was a frame building filled in with brick and plas- tered.
In giving a historical sketch of this congregation it it befitting to dwell upon the life of Thomas Long, who was one of the charter members, an Elder when the first church was built, and afterwards became pastor of the congregation. He was born in Davidson County near Bethany Reformed Church. He was a son of John Long and a member of a large family. His brother Allison Long was a minister in the Re- formed Church. Thomas Long received no education but that of the free schools of his day; but he was evidently a man of considerable natural ability. He applied himself to a diligent study of the Bible, ex- ercised a true and abiding faith in God, lived out the great truths of the Gospel, and thus by his own wise persevering efforts, he prepared himselt to render the Church in his day good service. He married Elizabeth Furguson and began life upon the farm. To them
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were born four children. After her death, he married Amanda Berrier and to them were born six children. During the Civil War there was a scarcity of Reformed ministers in North Carolina; so on the third day of May, A. D. 1863, he was licensed to preach the Gospel. When the Reformed Churches in Davidson County were divided and made to constitute the Upper David- son Charge and the Lower Davidson Charge, he be- came pastor of the Upper Davidson Charge. This was his first and only charge. Here he labored till about 1886, when age and bodily affliction disqualified him for the duties of the ministry. Though he was without a college education, yet, by purchasing good books and consulting Dr. Welker, he acquired a clear conception of the principal theological doctrines then held by the churches. A doctrinal sermon preached by him is remembered, in which he defended the Re- formed view over against some other then being propagated, and his arguments were unanswerable. In some things he may not have held strictly to Re- formed customs. He always knelt in praver. He was a farmer and worked on his farm and raised fine crops. In the pulpit he was awkward, making few gestures and seldom changing his position. He preached without notes, but his sermons had power. It is not known that he ever received a stated salary. He served four congregations and often preached at school-houses and "stands" in different parts of the county. He later organized Mt. Tabor at the "Poor House," and when he resigned the charge he still re- tained this congregation for years; and when he be-
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came too feeble to stand and preach, these people so devoted to him made a chair and he would sit and talk to them. He often traveled in a two-wheeled gig drawn by a little black mule, and with his long locks of hair flowing from beneath his broad-brimmed hat made a striking appearance. He advocated the neighborhood prayer-meeting in the community and great was the spiritual uplift received from these meetings. Father Long had a strong physical consti- tution, but by exposure and over-exertion he became a great sufferer from rheumatism in his old age, and was practically helpless for many years before his death. He was in great demand in his community. He was sought by many for advice in the adjustment of difficulties and disputes.
As a scholar and preacher Father Long was not profound or eloquent, but very earnest and sincere. His message carried conviction because it came from the heart and his own experience. He did a good work and the churches of the Upper Davidson Charge -especially Pleasant Retreat-are greatly indebted to him for his long life of sacrifice and untiring efforts. His funeral was conducted by Rev. H. A. M. Hols- houser, assisted by Rev. J. H. Shuford of the Reformed Church and Rev. Lutz of the Lutheran Church. His remains were placed in the little country grave-yard beside the church of which he was a member from its establishment till the end of his life.
Rev. G. Dickie Gurley supplied the congregation one year after Rev. Long's active pastorate but be- fore he resigned. Rev. J. H. Shuford, a native of
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North Carolina, became the pastor of this congrega- tion in the spring of 1887 and preached until the summer of 1888. Rev. J. C. Leonard, a native of Davidson County, succeeded Rev. Shuford in 1889 and served until 1897. Rev. H. A. M. Holshouser, a native of Rowan County, became pastor in 1897 and remained until the end of the year 1903. Rev. W. H. Causey, a native of Davidson County, became pastor January 1, 1904, and remained until January 1, 1907.
Classis met at this church in the spring of 1875. Jeremiah Ingold of Hickory, a learned and pious man, was elected President. Rev. G. W. Welker of the Guilford Charge was present in his official capacity as Stated Clerk. Revs. J. C. Clapp, Thomas Long, J. W. Cecil, P. M. Trexler, J. H. Shuford and John Ingle were also present. Sermons were preached during the meeting by Ingold, Clapp, Trexler and Shuford. This was Rev. Shuford's first attendance at Classis as an ordained minister.
The first building was used as a house of worship until 1902, when it was superseded by the present building. It had become very much dilapidated and did not meet the needs of the congregation nor the demands of the times. So the congregation under the pastoral supervision of Rev. H. A. M. Holshouser erected a new house of worship quite adequate to its needs. The church has been a religious centre for the community ever since its organization. At this time it has a membership of 116. It is active in the Sunday School and the benevolent work of the church, and is liberal towards the support of the pastor.
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17. Mount Carmel Reformed Church, Davidson County.
Mt. Carmel Reformed Church is four miles west of Lexington in the County of Davidson. It is an off- shoot of the Pilgrim and Beulah congregations. Rev. Thornton Butler, pastor of the Davidson Charge, began to preach at the school-house of district number 26 in January, 1848, and he organized the congrega- tion in August, 1849. Andrew Koontz and John Hedrick were the first Elders and Samuel Koontz and John L. Hedrick were the first Deacons. In 1855 an arbor was built near the school-house, and this arbor and the school-house served as the places of worship until the year 1880, when a neat and comfortable church was erected. The congregation is connected with the Lower Davidson Charge. This church has suffered greatly from removals of its promising young people to other localities.
18. Mount Tabor Reformed Church, Davidson County.
Mt. Tabor, a child of Pilgrim Church, is four miles east of Lexington in Davidson County. The house of worship was built and the congregation organized by Rev. Thomas Long in the year 1883. It was for several years incorporated with the Upper Davidson Charge. In 1888 it was detached from this charge and constituted an independent mission. It was in 1894 united with the Lower Davidson Charge. Its membership has grown from a handful to a large congregation.
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