USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 12
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19. Jerusalem Reformed Church, Davidson County.
This church is in the southern part of Davidson County, distant some twelve or fourteen miles south- east of Lexington. The congregation was organized by Rev. Thornton Butler in 1858 for the convenience of the members of Beck's Church who were living too far from their place of worship. It is a union church and forms a part of the Lower Davidson Charge. It has never had a large membership, but has been active in good works. It has in the last several years suffered greatly from the exodus of its members to the towns. Its pastors have been Thornton Butler, P. A. Long, M. L. Hedrick, A. R. Holshouser, W. H. McNairy, L. M. Kerschner, H. E. Sechler, W. H. Causey, Paul Barringer and P. M. Trexler.
20. Hedrick's Grove Reformed Church, Davidson County.
The original members of Hedrick's Grove were trans- ferred mainly from Beck's. The congregation was organized the first Sunday in May, 1891, with forty- one members. Allen Hedrick, R. E. Hedrick and John Black were elected Elders, and R. L. Beck, H. H. Hedrick and Franklin Hedrick, Deacons. The pastor at the time was Rev. A. R. Holshouser.
The erection of the church was commenced in the fall of 1890. The corner-stone was laid on Thanks- giving Day, the address being delivered by Rev. J. C. Leonard, at that time pastor of the Upper Davidson Charge. This building was intended for both church and school purposes, with school rooms on the first floor and an auditorium above. It was furnished
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during the winter. The church was dedicated July 31, 1892. Rev. J. C. Leonard preached the sermon from Genesis 28: 17, "This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
An academic school was conducted here in 1892 and 1893 by Messrs. R. E. Leonard and Crawford Clapp. Rev. W. H. McNairy also taught in the academy during several months of his pastorate in the church. The public school of the district is taught in this building every year.
Hedrick's Grove Church is located in a fine agricul- tural section of Davidson County in a thickly popu- lated community. Its members come mostly from a long line of Reformed ancestors. It has had a rapid growth. Its misfortune is that it has had no pastor during several years of its history. Its regular pastors and those who have supplied this pulpit are the fol- lowing: Revs. A. R. Holshouser, W. H. McNairy, L. M. Kerschner, H. E. Sechler, Paul Barringer and P. M. Trexler, D.D. Classis met in this church in 1892.
21. Calvary Reformed Church, Davidson County.
Moffit's Grove school-house, two miles west of Thomasville, was for many years a preaching point for all denominations. The Reformed Church had once organized a small congregation here, but it never amounted to much and was allowed to go down. In 1889 the Classis of North Carolina committed the in- terest here and in Thomasville to the care of Rev. P. M. Trexler, pastor at Concord. The intention was to get the members living in the town and in the coun-
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try to unite their forces and build a church at the edge of Thomasville. The Rev. P. M. Trexler preached once a month during the classical year, but the plan proved impracticable. In 1891 the Classis appointed Rev. J. C. Leonard, pastor of the Upper Davidson Charge, to look after the interest at Moffit's Grove and instructed him to organize a congregation if deemed advisable. At the same time the Classis pledged two hundred dollars towards the building of a church. After several services were held the outlook seemed favorable, and accordingly Calvary Reformed Church was duly organized November 30, 1891, with the following charter members: D. A. Long, Mrs. D. A. Long, John A. Long, Mrs. Mary A. Clinard, R. C. Clinard, Margaret Kanoy, Cicero Kanoy, Minnie Belle Kanoy, Lauella E. Kanoy, Martha Belle Kanoy, Lizzie Kanoy, Francis V. Kanoy, A. F. Kanoy, Louisa V. Kanoy, F. W. Kanoy, Mary Ann Kanoy, John Shuler, Nathan Ward, Alice Ward, Lottie Kanoy, Eliza Kanoy, Sarah Kanoy. Immediately afterwards Bethlehem Black and Mrs. Bethlehem Black were re- ceived. The first officers were D. A. Long and F. W. Kanoy, Elders, and A. F. Kanoy, Deacon. All the services were held in the school-house.
During the winter and spring the work of building a neat frame church was pushed forward. The lot was donated by Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Moffit. The members of the church and friends in the community did a great deal of the work. The new house of worship was dedicated May 29, 1892. The sermon was preached by Rev. P. M. Trexler, D.D., and the service was con-
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ducted by Rev. J. C. Leonard. In 1892 Calvary Church was attached to the Upper Davidson Charge. It re- mained in this connection until April, 1896, when it became a part of the newly constituted Thomasville Charge. Rev. J. C. Leonard was the pastor from the beginning of its history until April, 1896. His suc- cessors have been Revs. Clarence Clapp, J. N. Faust, W. W. Rowe, Fred. Cromer, Lucian W. Showers and Irwin S. Ditzler.
Calvary Church is located in a prosperous farming community near the town of Thomasville. The con- gregation has grown and is at present in a flourishing condition. The future is hopeful.
22. Heidelberg Reformed Church, Thomasville.
In 1894 the Classis of North Carolina instructed Rev. J. C. Leonard, at the time pastor of the Upper Davidson Charge, to canvass the town of Thomas- ville, and if found advisable to organize a congrega- tion. Accordingly Heidelberg Reformed Church was organized June 17, 1894. W. L. Myers and J. T. Long were elected Elders, and T. A. Livengood and R. P. Murphy, Deacons. The following became members at the organization: John A. Long, Mrs. John A. Long, Daisy L. Long, Joseph P. Long, Cora Long, W. L. Myers, Mrs. W. L. Myers, Randall P. Murphy, J. T. Long, Mrs. J. T. Long, T. A. Livengood, Mrs. T. A. Livengood, J. Lee Briles, Mrs. J. L. Briles, E. B. Clod- felter and R. T. Cecil. The congregation was organ- ized in Mr. T. A. Livengood's house on Main Street, where all the services were held for several months.
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During the spring months of 1895 the services were held in a room over the store of Mr. W. L. Myers. The lot on Main Street was purchased in the summer of 1895 for four hundred dollars, and the erection of a house of worship was at once commenced. The work was pushed rapidly, and the lecture room was ready for occupancy in August, and the services were held in it until the auditorium was finished. The new .church was dedicated December 15, 1895, Rev. J. L. Murphy preaching the sermon. The following Re- formed ministers were present: Revs. J. W. Cecil, W. H. McNairy, J. L. Murphy and the pastor, Rev. J. C. Leonard.
In 1896 the Thomasville Charge was constituted, consisting of Emanuel, Calvary and Heidelberg con- gregations, and the charge was enrolled as a mission by the Board of Missions. The pastors of the charge so constituted have been Revs. Clarence Clapp, J. N. Faust, W. W. Rowe, Fred. Cromer, L. W. Showers and I. S. Ditzler.
23. First Reformed Church, Lexington.
Lexington is the county-seat of Davidson County. The Abbott's Creek section was settled by Germans from 1745-1755. The first church established within the present limits of Davidson County was Leonard's (Pilgrim) Church. Beck's, Sower's and Bethany are all old congregations. But the town of Lexington was neglected by the Reformed Church. Members located here from time to time, but the majority of them were absorbed by other churches. At the annual
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meeting of the Classis of North Carolina at Arnold, Davidson County, in 1900, a request was sent to the Board of Missions for the enrollment of Lexington and High Point. At the same time Classis pledged $400.00 towards a house of worship in each town. In July the Board of Missions acted favorably on the request of Classis, and commissioned Rev. J. C. Leon- ard as missionary for both places to begin work the first of October. The missionary located in Lexington in August and began to prepare for the building of a church. A loan of $1,000.00 was granted by the Board of Missions. A handsome lot was secured at the corner of Centre and Salisbury Streets at a cost of $900.00. Work was commenced on the building October 4, 1900, when the missionary, the Rev. Mr. Leonard, placed the first brick in the foundation. The work was pushed rapidly forward, and the new church was ready for occupancy January 20, 1901, when the first service was held. Immediately after the service the congregation was organized with the following members: C. L. Everhart, Mrs. Sallie Heit- man, Mrs. J. F. L. Tussey, Mrs. Sallie Hinkle, Mrs. Amanda Sowers, C. C. Burkhart, Mrs. Emeline Burk- hart, E. A. Rothrock, Mrs. Amanda J. Rothrock, Ada E. Rothrock, P. J. Leonard, Mrs. Carrie P. Leonard, Dupree Clodfelter, Early Clodfelter, Mrs. Callie H. Sowers, Mrs. S. Rothrock, Mrs. Corinna Holmes, Charles Burkhart, Mrs. Catharine Burkhart, J. T. Hedrick, Mrs. Velna Hedrick and Mrs. Charles Rhodes. P. J. Leonard, E. A. Rothrock and C. C. Burkhart were elected Elders, and J. T. Hedrick, C. L. Everhart and
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D. Clodfelter, Deacons. The Sunday School was organized the following Sunday, January 27th, with fifty-five persons in attendance.
The beginning was a humble one, but the member- ship entered upon the work in faith. The church was dedicated to the Triune God, February 17, 1901, by the pastor, Rev. J. C. Leonard. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. L. Murphy, D.D., of Hickory, on the text: John 17: 21. The subject was: "The Glory of a United Church." Other ministers of the Reformed Church present were: Revs. J. N. Faust of Thomas- ville and H. A. M. Holshouser of Pilgrim. The present membership of the church (1907) is 150. The Sunday School has an enrollment of 250 in the main school, 36 in the Home Department and 30 on the Cradle Roll. The congregation owns a parsonage which stands on the church lot.
24. Second Reformed Church, Lexington.
The Second Reformed Church of Lexington is an outgrowth of the First Church. In the fall of 1903 the Nokomis Cotton Mill Company donated a lot near the point where the Raleigh road crosses the Southern Railway. Rev. J. C. Leonard, pastor of the First Reformed Church, secured the money for the new church from friends in Lexington and elsewhere. The first brick in the foundation was laid November 23, 1903. The first service in the new church was held Sunday afternoon, March 13, 1904, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Mr. Leonard. The house of worship was dedicated May 22, 1904. Rev. J. C. Clapp,
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D.D., preached the sermon from Psalms 26: 8. The Sunday School was organized June 5, 1904, with about 70 scholars. On the same day a congregation was organized with the following members: B. W. Koontz, S. L. Thomason, R. Everhart, G. Everhart, Mrs. Sallie Everhart, Crissie A. Swing, Ella Swing, Cora Ree Craver, Mamie L. Craver, T. A. Swing, Minnie L. Ever- hart, Claudia Alice Everhart, Mary Frances Barr, May Milliken, Mrs. Phoebe Ripple, Belle Ripple, Mrs. Del- phina Swing, R. H. Grimes, Mrs. Mattie Grimes, H. A. Thomason, Mrs. Ida Thomason. R. H. Grimes and S. L. Thomason were elected Elders, and B. W. Koontz and T. A. Swing, Deacons. Mr. A. S. Peeler, a student in the Ursinus School of Theology, was commissioned by the Sunday School Board and spent his summer vacation in 1904 in this school. The work has gone forward with much encouragement. The present membership of the congregation is about seventy.
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CHAPTER V.
THE CENTRAL GROUP OF CHURCHES.
1. Grace (Lower Stone) Reformed Church, Rowan County. L OWER Stone Church in Rowan County and Pil-
grim Church in Davidson County are the two oldest Reformed Churches in this section of the State, both dating back of 1760. The present building used by the Grace congregation dates from 1795, and for forty years prior to that date the congregation occu- pied a log church. The first church, called the "Hickory Church," was built in 1754 or 1755. Elder Casper Holshouser was born in 1785 and died in 1870 at the advanced age of 85 years. Fortunately his statements concerning the early history of the congre- gation have been preserved and are reliable. He was often in the old house before it was removed, and he remembered well the facts given by older members of the church. He said that the opinion expressed in later years and held by some that the old church was a union church was without foundation or authority. The Reformed Church was numerically strong in this region from the beginning. There were many Re- formed families and many strong and active young men. These families lived on Little Buffalo, Dutch Buffalo, Bear Creek Cold Water, Jenny Wolf and Dutch Second Creek, and were connected with this
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church. When the Hickory Church had grown strong and flourishing, the desire for a more commo- dious and substantial building matured into purpose, and developed into a plan. A tract of sixteen acres of land was secured from Lorentz Lingle for the sum of five pounds, proclamation money of the province of North Carolina. This was part of a large tract of land granted to the said Lingle by the Earl of Granville. This deed was made in February, 1774, and conveys the land to Andrew Holshouser and John Lippard for the use of the "Calvin Congregation." About this time, through the neglect or dishonesty of the Earl of Granville's agents, many instruments put on record failed to convey a good title, and in order to secure this in due form, the original Trustees trans- ferred the property to Jacob Fisher and John Casper. In this deed the church is called "The German Presby- terian Congregation on Second Creek in the Dutch Settlement."
The agents of the Earl of Granville made a grant of 572 acres of land to Lorentz Lingle December 21, 1761. But this grant included the "Hickory Church" grounds. Many of the early settlers were "Squatters" on the Granville lands in this section of North Caro- lina. It may also be said that some of the churches were "Squatters." This was true of the "Hickory Church," for it was built on land belonging to the Earl of Granville, as was also its nearest neighbor, the old Leonard's (Pilgrim) Church across the Yadkin River. This explains why Mr. Lingle gave a deed to Mr. Holshouser and Mr. Lippard for the congrega- tion.
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The present house of worship, the second on the ground, is built of rough stones. It is not known where the stones were quarried, but likely trom some vein or slate ridge in the vicinity. The walls are massive, measuring 32 inches at the ground, 27 inches at the floor and 21 at the gallery. The building is 40 by 50 feet, and the walls are 27 feet high, with 12-foot gables. More than twenty years elapsed before the church was completed. The long time required was no doubt owing to the fact that the Revolutionary War was in progress during a part of this period. Securing necessary funds was quite a task. Besides the direct gifts of the people, fairs (not lotteries as has been stated) were held from which some revenue was secured. In 1797 the Synod was overtured by this congregation to take up a collection for the building fund of the church, but the request was not granted. Another disadvantage was that there was no regular pastor to look after the work, Rev. Samuel Weyberg having his time taken up in teaching and serving the Cabarrus Churches and those on Abbott's Creek, and Rev. Andrew Loretz of Lincoln County being able to visit them only at in- tervals of several months. The work was not finally completed until about the year 1800, and possibly later. The church was not dedicated until November, 1811, during the pastorate of Rev. George Boger. Rev. Andrew Loretz of Lincoln County preached the sermon. Rev. Dr. Robinson, pastor of Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church, was present and took part in the services.
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The style of architecture of this church is peculiar to that period. The floor was laid with smooth stones, and these remained in place until 1871. The pulpit was in the usual design of the wine-glass, with the over-head sounding-board. There were galleries on three sides. While Rev. R. F. Crooks was pastor the ancient pulpit was removed and one of modern design was installed. Later on other improvements were made, including a belfry and bell. During the pas- torate of Rev. C. B. Heller the parsonage and its sur- roundings were beautified and improved to an amount of over $400.00, and the ancient cemetery was enlarged to more than twice its former size, inclosing the church within its bounds.
During the pastorate of Rev. Paul Barringer the centennial of the church was observed on the 2d, 3d and 4th of August, 1895. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Dr. Cyrus Cort of Wyoming, Delaware, Rev. Dr. Wm. E. Hoy of Japan, Rev. Dr. J. C. Clapp of Newton, Rev. Dr. J. L. Murphy of Hickory, Rev. B. F. Davis of Concord and Rev. C. B. Heller of Mt. Craw- ford, Virginia, a former pastor.
Over each of the three doors is a verse in German. Translated into English they are as follows:
OVER THE SOUTH DOOR. "To the glory of God has been built, The Church which you here behold, By a people who God confess, And name themselves after Jesus Christ; Who are also incorporated with Him, And they call themselves 'The Reformed, 1795, Grace Church. The end."
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OVER THE WEST DOOR. "Let thy Word in Zion resound, Go with each one, out and in; And when, in throngs, we tread Where the service of God is held, Oh, do Thou bless us, Lord; Grant also faithful Ministers, Who Thy Word pure with profit teach, And the world to Thee convert. Grace Church."
OVER THE NORTH DOOR.
"We go into our house of God With heartfelt joy, in and out, God permits us still to Bad The precious Treasure, the Word of Life, Here He shows us Heaven's gate, The forgiveness of our sins. Grace Church."
To the right of the south door is the face of a dial chiseled on the face of a smooth blue stone, and on this is the inscription: "Im Yahre Christi 1795," that is: "In the year of our Lord 1795." The hands of the clock point to the hour 9:30. This no doubt means that the walls of the house were finished at that hour on a certain day in the year 1795. An old German record reads as follows in English:
"IMMANUEL.
With the help of the triune God have those who are herewith connected succeeded thus far that the build- ing was commenced and completed. We herewith announce to our posterity who those were who under- took and brought it to completion, and upon what
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grounds this church was built, and who at this time were in control.
1. This church was built on the principal ground and corner-stone Jesus Christ, who has revealed His holy teachings and mysteries to His believing ones, and Dr. Calvin and Zwingli who have made us ac- quainted with the valuable understanding of Jesus Christ, and according to their doctrine we call our- selves Evangelical Reformed.
2. This house was built in the State of North Caro- lina, Rowan County, which is called the Salzburger district, over which Governor William Davie now reigns. But unfortunately our Government of the whole fourteen states is not founded on our faith in Jesus Christ. But anyone who believes in one God, and not in the Holy Trinity, can get so far as to be President, be he a Jew, heathen or Christian, it is all the same.
3. This house shall be called Grace Church, because the eternal life and the means of grace for the same are gifts from God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. This house shall, if God give us grace, be dedi- cated by our beloved pastor who has served us already six years-namely, Rev. Pastor Andrew Loretz, who was born a brother of the House of God, as a member of the Canton of Zurich, a Swiss from Europe.
5. For this edifice a building committee was elected who were members of the congregation-namely, Sir George Henry Berger and John Sifford. They con- sidered the burden too great and they therefore de-
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LOWER STONE CHURCH, ROWAN CO., N. C.
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clined and it was not undertaken. Finally the con- sistory undertook the work-namely, Elders Jacob Fisher and John Casper and the Deacons Franz Lingle and John Fisher who with the aid of the congregation were their own building masters until the church was completed."
This paper was evidently written in 1798, because that was the year in which Wm. R. Davie was Gov- ernor. This would indicate the high esteem also in which Rev. Andrew Loretz was held by the congrega- tion. He was not the pastor at the time of this writ- ing, but had served the congregation six years from 1789 to 1795. It is likely that the writers of this document expected the church to be dedicated in the year 1798 or 1799. There is no record to show why this plan was not carried out, but probably further disappointment was met in collecting funds. As already stated, the Synod failed to grant the funds asked for in 1797. But the desire of having Rev. Andrew Loretz dedicate the church was realized, even though the dedication was deferred until 1811.
The congregation is in possession of fairly good records from 1782. Mr. Jacob Fisher presented to the church in 1782 a large blank book for the record of baptisms. The name of the first child recorded in this record is Anna Maria Maurer (Mowery). She was the daughter of Frederick Maurer, and was born May 7, 1782; the date of the baptism is October 20, 1782. On the same date the twin daughters of David Kluttz, Anna Maria and Catharine, born September 9, 1782, were also baptized. The officiating clergyman was, of course, Rev. Samuel Suther.
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The terms of the first pastorates are not recorded. Rev. Christian Theus, who lived over the South Caro- lina border, made occasional missionary journeys to the German settlements in North Carolina as early as 1755. He must have known of the "Dutch settle- ment on Second Creek" and visited those Germans. The Rev. Mr. Martin preached for the dispersed Ger- mans in 1759 and subsequent years, and the Rev. Mr. Dupert came in 1764. These ministers preached to all the congregations of Reformed people in North Carolina and the upper part of South Carolina. Rev. Samuel Suther located in North Carolina in 1768 and preached for the Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus), Rowan and Guilford congregations for 18 years, with occa- sional assistance from Rev. Christian Theus. The following dates from 1768 are approximately correct :
Rev. Samuel Suther 1768-1786.
Rev. Andrew Loretz. 1789-1795.
Rev. Samuel Weyberg 1795-1803.
Rev. George Boger
1803-1830.
Rev. Daniel B. Lerch. 1830-1834.
Rev. John Lantz 1837-1853.
Rev. Thornton Butler 1853-1869.
Rev. John C. Denny 1869-1874.
Rev. Robert F. Crooks 1876-1881.
Rev. G. D. Gurley (supply) 1882-1884.
Rev. Calvin Boyd Heller 1884-1891.
Rev. Paul Barringer
1894-1897.
Rev. W. H. McNairy 1897-1900.
Rev. Chas. H. Riedesel 1900-1903.
Rev. Walter W. Rowe 1904-
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It is likely that Rev. W. C. Rankin, the Classical missionary, supplied this church in 1835 and 1836. Rev. Gilbert Lane was associated with Rev. Thorn- ton Butler during a short period in the years 1856- 1857. Rev. John Ingle was supply about six months during Rev. Thornton Butler's pastorate while Mr. Butler was ill, and also about six months after Mr. Butler's resignation. Revs. J. C. Clapp and J. A. Foil jointly supplied the church two years, 1874- 1876, and Rev. J. J. Excell three months in 1892. In the temporary absence of Rev. W. H. McNairy in 1897-1898, Rev. Michael L. Hedrick preached for the congregation about seven months.
Among the interesting traditions connected with Grace Church is one to the effect that the first church in the community was a union church, in which the Lutherans had an equal right, located about six miles northeast of the present site. This tradition says that it was agreed to build a union church of stone to take the place of the dilapidated wooden building, and that the site selected was the present location of Organ Lutheran Church. It is said that from misunderstanding or disagreement the two con- gregations separated after a year's labor, and that the Reformed moved to the present location and built a church whose inside walls would receive the outside walls of Organ Church, and that in height would take in the roof of the latter. But investigation discredits the union tradition. Each congregation from the first seems to have had its own house of worship built of hickory logs. The Lutherans began to build their
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