USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 13
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stone church one year earlier than their brethren of the Reformed faith. There was no doubt a friendly rivalry between the two congregations and the Re- formed took advantage of their privilege to build a church which would be large enough to contain that already commenced by the Lutherans.
The parsonage was built during the pastorate of Rev. Thornton Butler by Lower Stone, Bear Creek and Holshouser's Churches. It is now owned by Lower Stone exclusively. The parsonage property adjoins the church lands.
Lower Stone Church is in a flourishing condition. It is the mother church in this part of the Classis. Many people of prominence have gone out from its membership. It has given to the church the follow- ing ministers: Revs. A. R. Holshouser, M.D., James Lippard, J. M. L. Lyerly, Ph.D., H. A. M. Holshouser and A. S. Peeler. Lower Stone has given many mem- bers to all the new churches in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties.
The following represent the family names of Lower Stone at the present time: Barringer, Boger, Bost, Brown, Bonds, Beaver, Corl, Carter, Fisher, Foil, Fouts, Hipp, Holshouser, Isenhouer, Kluttz, Lippard, Lyerly, Miller, Misenheimer, Mesimer, Peeler, Powlas, Rimer, Roseman, Sifford, Shuping, Moose, Reinhardt, Josey, Scott and Hammond.
2. Coldwater and Gilead Reformed Churches, Cabarrus County.
Coldwater Reformed Church dated from the years that immediately followed the exodus of the German
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Protestants from Pennsylvaina to the Carolinas. The church now known as Mt. Gilead is the successor of the old Coldwater Church, which had its name from a well-known stream in that region on whose banks the early German settlers of Cabarrus (then Mecklen- burg) made their homes. This Coldwater Church was the oldest Reformed Church in that part of the State. No records of organization can be discovered, but most probably it may have been done by Rev. Samuel Suther, who already in 1768 was its pastor. It is to this church and its members that Governor Tryon refers in his journal, kept during his military raid on the Regulators, under date of August 21st (Sunday) : "Heard Mr. Suther, a Dutch minister, preach who recommended with warmth a due obedience to the Laws of the Country and a union of heart to support the Peace and Tranquillity of the Province." Rev. Samuel Suther was ordered by Governor Tryon to accompany the Rowan and Mecklenburg battalions on this expedition, as their chaplain, which he did. While they were in camp at Hillsboro he preached as the following order shows: "It is ordered that Mr. Suther preach tomorrow (Sept. 25, 1768) to the Rowan and Mecklenburg battalions. Service to begin at 11 o'clock." (Colonial Records, Vol. 7, page 834.)
In the year 1814 Coldwater Church became a union church, Lutheran and Reformed. In the year 1843 the Lutheran congregation withdrew and erected their own house of worship in the town of Concord. Owing to causes unknown, but possibly the removal of Suther to South Carolina, this Reformed congrega-
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tion was for a time almost extinct, until it was revived under the ministry (1851) of Rev. J. Ingold. It did not seem to prosper, the house was old and dilapi- dated, when under the ministry of Rev. Dr. Ingold the congregation moved out on the Salisbury and Concord road, within three miles of the latter place, built a new brick church and called it Mt. Gilead, or as it afterwards came to be called "Old Gilead," from the fact that it remained standing for some years after the New Gilead Church was built in 1887-8, thirty or forty yards from the old church. After the "New Gilead Church" was built the "Old Gilead Church" was used as a Sunday School room until no longer fit for use.
The first records accessible date from October, 1851. The record speaks of the Joint Consistory of the charge as composed of Mt. Zion and Coldwater Churches in session at Peter Deal's. Here that body "resolved to purchase a new book to chronicle the records of the charge's work," and from that day to this we have a pretty full record of the acts and pro- ceedings of that body. Also at that same meeting we find the following interesting record: "Resolved upon consultation that a change of ministers would not be for the benefit of this charge as a whole, there- fore we undertake to make up the salary for another year." "Moved and seconded, that in case Coldwater raise the amount of sixty dollars, that they have one- third of the Rev. J. Ingold's time for the next year." One would infer from the above that Cold water was to have one-third of the preaching, but the next clause
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puts a different interpretation upon it. "Moved and seconded that in case they do not raise the amount of sixty dollars that they raise the amount of forty-five dollars for one-fourth of the time, and the days of preaching to stand as they were for the past year." Therefore we infer that these resolutions refer to the pastoral work of the minister in charge. The pastoral oversight was to them, as it should be to all charges at the present, a matter of great concern and was an object of serious consideration. In the records of the following year (1852) we have the first mention of Mt. Gilead. During this year there were frequent meetings of the Joint Consistory, and it is vaguely hinted that there was being made a sale and transfer of some of the church property of the charge. No doubt it relates to the disposal of the Coldwater prop- erty. On the seventh of March, 1852, a meeting of the officers was held, and we find the following which is very indefinite: "The Commissioners, who were appointed out of both churches, to sell the old church property, and see to the rebuilding of the grave-yard, reported through one of the Commissioners and was accepted." We cannot conjecture to what church property reference is made unless it be that of Cold- water. Both churches, Mt. Zion and Coldwater, seem to have had an interest in the proceeds as the money due Mt. Zion was to be turned over to the Treasurer of that church and to be loaned "into good hands." At the close of this year 1852 we find the record speaks of Mt. Gilead and its share of preaching to be half on condition that Mt. Gilead raise eighty or eighty-five
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dollars for the pastor's salary. A record in the min- utes of this annual meeting shows how careful our forefathers were that every cent of money given to the church should be kept as a sacred fund. "Re- solved, that the Treasurer purchase a money purse to keep the church's money in." Since Suther's time the following have served as pastors: Revs. Ingold, Ingle, Cecil, Trexler, Barringer, Davis and the present pastor, Rev. John H. Keller. Of these, Rev. Paul Barringer, D.D., served the longest-twenty years. Under his pastorate the work was greatly blessed and prospered. It was also during his pastorate that the present com- modious building was erected, in which at the present day still worship the descendants of the Coldwater Reformed fathers after the manner of their ancestors. Here you may find Foils (Phyles), Hilemans, Clines (Kleins), Meisenheimers, Shinns, Cooks, Suthers, etc.
Among the large-hearted and noble people of sub- stantial character who have been worshippers here, and who have been loyal supporters of the Gospel, perhaps the most prominent in its history have been and still are the Hilemans. Of one of these, Elder John Hileman, or Father Hileman as he was usually called, special mention must be made as his just tribute and due. As a boy he was catechized and confirmed in the Old Savitz or Mt. Zion Church, China Grove. Soon his piety and worth as a layman was recognized and while young he was elected Deacon and soon there- after was called to the honored position of Elder, which office he continuously and most acceptably filled for more than fifty years. During the pastorate of the
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sainted Dr. Ingold in the West Rowan Charge, old Coldwater in said charge became sadly in need of a strong leader from among the laity. Dr. Ingold recog- nized in Mr. Hileman, then a young man, one who would meet his expectations. In this he was not dis- appointed. At the earnest solicitation of Rev. Ingold, Elder Hileman transferred his membership to old Coldwater, and here exercised a wonderful influence in the growth and development of the congregation. He was ever regarded as the pillar of this church, which fact is shown in his practically building the "Old Mt. Gilead Church," making, hauling and laying the brick with his own hands in 1857, only a short while after his transfer from Mt. Zion to Cold water. When the "New Gilead Church" was built in the years 1887-88, old Father Hileman, who was then living a practically retired life, gave a four hundred dollar subscription to the pastor who was canvassing the congregation for the new building. He made the significant remark when subscribing: "If more is needed let me know." When the walls and roof were completed he asked the privilege of finishing the in- terior, which was done bv his own hands and must have cost him fully four hundred dollars more. Father Hileman was a most active and skilled workman in wood and iron, a model farmer and an honest public miller. Father Hileman was not a man given to ostentation of manner, but was quiet, sturdy and de- termined in character, whose motives in religious convictions were always of the highest type. As a thinker and worker he had few equals and no superiors
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among the laity. He was well informed on questions of theology, and a student of the Bible. He was chosen as a delegate to the annual meetings of Classis more frequently than any other Elder in the charge. He seldom failed to attend these meetings when elected to represent the church. He took the church papers and informed himself on all that was being done within the bounds of the different Synods. He was a strong supporter of the doctrines of the Reformed Church. He believed in catechization and a thorough knowledge of the Heidelberg Catechism before admis- sion to full church membership. His sense of right and honor was so strong that he was regarded as one of the most upright men in the whole community. He was a graduate from the great university of ex- perience, a valuable friend to the poor, a true exponent of the dignity and value of labor, a champion of virtue and an uncompromising enemy of vice; these traits of character humbly manifested in his Christian life emi- nently qualified him to be a most valuable counselor. He labored long and well, departing this life on Thurs- day, March 16, 1905, aged ninty years, five months and four days. His last words were: "I have tried to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God." Father Hileman left two sons, one of whom, Ambrose, now dead, achieved quite a reputa- tion in the political world, having been elected to the House of Representatives of his native State several times, and was once Speaker of the House. He was also a ruling Elder for a number of years at the Gilead Church. Hence both father and son were Elders at
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the same time in the same church. Crawford Hileman, the oldest and only remaining son, has been an officer also for many years in Gilead Church. The mantle of his father seems to have fallen upon him and he bears it worthily. He is a man of influence and commands the respect of all who know him.
The new church at this place was dedicated in the fall of 1888, and the dedication sermon was preached by the sainted Dr. Welker, who was a warm friend of the pastor, Rev. Barringer. His sermon was able and made a most profound impression on the audience as he spoke of the sacredness of the occasion in setting apart the building to the service of the Triune God. Out of this congregation has grown a vigorous scion, Keller Reformed Church, which was organized and a church built in 1900. Rev. Paul Barringer, D.D., preached the dedication sermon from the 122d Psalm, Ist verse: "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord."
Some years prior to this quite a nucleus of Reformed people were found in the town of Concord, a number of whom came from the Gilead congregation. Under the instruction of the Mission Board, Rev. G. D. Gur- ley was commissioned to organize a congregation at this point. He proceeded to do so, but soon became discouraged and abandoned the work, when the Rev. Paul Barringer, who then labored in the Gilead Charge, kept up the interest, preaching in a rented hall, until a lot could be secured and a church built to which old Father Hileman was the first contributor, giving ten dollars. Rev. Barringer secured the greater part of
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the money necessary to build this new church at Concord, when he then turned over the work to Rev. J. W. Cecil. Also upon a visit of the Rev. Barringer to the Bethel (Bear Creek) congregation of the East Rowan Charge, quite a donation in lumber was secured for the church in Concord.
3. Mt. Zion Reformed Church, Rowan County.
Mt. Zion Reformed Church is located in Rowan County a mile south of the present town of China Grove. It is on the north side of the Southern Rail- way and the large brick church and the neatly kept cemetery present a fine appearance as viewed from passing trains. This church was originally known as "Savitz's," in the later records corrupted into "Sav- age's," but the real name from the first is supposed to have been Mt. Zion.
The date of its origin is unknown. German settlers came to this community as early as 1745 and earlier. They were members of the Reformed and Lutheran Churches. The first resident pastor was Rev. Samuel Suther, who lived near the old "Coldwater Church." The members who organized Savitz's Church may have been at first connected with Cold water Church, as that seems to be the older of the two. But in the absence of positive records dates cannot be fixed. It is possible that "Savitz's Church" was organized prior to the coming of Martin and Dupert to this German settlement of North Carolina. The following tradition may refer to a date as early as 1755. This traditional history comes down from a man by the name of
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Allen Rose, a school teacher who taught in the school- house at the old Savitz's Church. The story was given to Allen Rose by an old Mr. Shuping, and by Mr. Rose was given to his son Calvin Rose. This tradition says that the church was originally to be located two or two and a half miles west of the present site, on a farm now owned by Joseph Sechler. The logs had all been cut and placed on the grounds. The day for the raising of the walls was appointed, and all the people gathered and began work in good earnest. But after the foundation was laid and the first logs placed, one of the builders became offended at a remark made by another. This brought on a quarrel in which a large majority of those present took part. In the midst of the disturbance a peacefully disposed gentle- man threw down his axe and declared: "I do not propose to be a party in the erection of a house for Almighty God that has been begun in bitter strife." Others followed his example, and soon the work came to an end. Nothing more was ever done at this point, and the timbers were allowed to go to decay.
But two of the workers started home, travelling east. They were anxious to have a house of worship for themselves and their German brethren. Reaching the point where they must separate, they sat down to eat their dinner. Naturally their conversation was about the distressing affair of the morning. As they ate their dinner, one of the gentlemen remarked: "This spot would be a desirable location for a church." The other agreed that it would, provided water could be found near by. They then started out in search
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for water, and to their great joy found a spring con- veniently near. This place was selected, and a little later a log church was built. It is the site of the pres- ent Mt. Zion Church. The first church was a small building, afterwards displaced by a larger one painted red. A half-witted man in the community conceived the idea that red was Satan's emblem, and he delib- erately set fire to the building as he said in order to burn the devil.
Another church was soon built on the same founda- tion. This church was occupied by the Reformed and Lutherans jointly until 1836. In that year the Luth- erans withdrew and built a church of their own a few hundred yards away. The Reformed congregation continued to occupy the old church for a few years and then built a brick church on a lot of their own. This was in the year 1844. The lot of four acres of land was purchased from Catharine Partee for forty dollars. The following were the officers at this time: Andrew Shuping, David Correll, Solomon Sechler and John Hileman, Elders; Jacob Shuping, Jacob Shulen- berger, Daniel Corriher and Levi Correll, Deacons. March 21, 1846, David Correll made a donation of eighty-five acres of land to the Elders of the congre- gation in trust for parsonage purposes. The Elders at this time were Henry Sechler, Solomon Sechler, Peter Deal and Jacob Shuping.
The old church was demolished in 1876 and the new church was commenced in 1879. It was a dark period in the history of the congregation from the tearing down of the old church until the completion of the
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new. The parsonage property was sacrificed to com- plete the work and save the church. Finally the house of worship was completed.
The family names now appearing on the Mt. Zion list are as follows: Linn, Deal, Correll, Corriher, Sech- ler, Holshouser, Peeler, Sloop, Bostian, Beaver, Lit- aker, Blackwelder, Plott, Yost, Stirewalt, Pethel, Overcash, Fleming, Shuping, Shulenberger, Cook, Kirk, Honberger, Weaver and Freeze.
The pastorates beginning with the year 1768 have been as follows :
Rev. Samuel Suther 1768-1786.
Rev. Andrew Loretz. 1789-1792.
Rev. Samuel Weyburg 1793-1802.
Rev. George Boger 1802-1830.
Rev. Daniel B. Lerch
1830-1834.
Rev. John Lantz
1837-1845.
Rev. Jeremiah Ingold 1845-1856.
Rev. Samuel J. Fetzer
1858-1863.
Rev. Jesse W. Cecil. 1863-1866.
Rev. John Inglee. 1866-1874.
Rev. Jesse W. Cecil 1874-1875.
Rev. Julius H. Shuford 1876-1877.
Rev. Peter M. Trexler 1877-1881.
Rev. Paul Barringer 1881-1891.
Rev. Peter M. Trexler
1892-1894.
Rev. Anthony Shulenberger 1895-1900.
Rev. Joshua L. Bowers.
1901-
The old cemetery contains quaint inscriptions on some of its many monuments. There are many names familiar at this present time, and many that no longer
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occur anywhere in the community. In the old ceme- tery lie buried the mortal remains of Rev. Samuel J. Fetzer, of blessed memory, and by his side lies the body of his wife. Father Fetzer was born in Wood- stock, Virginia, September 14, 1820, and died while he was pastor of Mt. Zion and Coldwater Churches, August 8, 1861. He is still lovingly remembered by his parishioners who survive to the present day.
James Overstreet, who was a Representative in the Seventeenth Congress from South Carolina, is buried in this cemetery. He was traveling by stage from Washington City to his South Carolina home when, on the 24th of May, 1822, he was taken violently ill as he was passing through this community and died. He was buried by the Masons. His age was 49 years, 3 months and 13 days. In this "city of the dead" we find the familiar names Savitz, Sechler, Partee, Beaver, Shuping, Correll, Corriher, Ervin, Linn, Baker, Yost, Deal and many others. Many of these were among the pioneers of our Reformed Church.
The new cemetery is one of the prettiest and most carefully kept anywhere in the country. It is the common burying-ground of a large section of country. Abraham Sechler was the first person buried in the new graveyard. He died June 23, 1882. Mrs. Alice E. Bostian was the second. She was buried July 11, 1882. Both these persons were members of the Re- formed Church. There are now more than three hun- dred graves in the new cemetery.
In 1891 three churches, Mt. Zion Reformed, Chapel Lutheran and St. Mark's Lutheran, purchased from
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W. A. K. Sloop and wife a plot of ground north of the union cemetery, each church holding a separate plot in the new purchase. This is also beautifully kept, each church paying a proportionate part for the support of a keeper who gives his entire time to this work.
In 1799, on the first day of June, John Litaker deeded four acres of land to Conrad Sloop, Jacob Bos- tian, Adam Correll and Jacob Correll, "Elders and Trustees for the United German Congregations of the Presbyterians and Lutherians." The "Presbyterians" were of course the Reformed and the "Lutherians" were the Lutherans. This represents only a part of the church property, as there had been gifts of a few acres by others. The Reformed and Lutherans held this jointly until 1898, when the two by mutual agree- ment made a division of the property. The share of the Mt. Zion congregation was four and one-half acres, adjoining their individual property.
4. Bethel (Bear Creek) Reformed Church, Stanly County.
Bethel, commonly known as Bear Creek (originally "Barren Creek"), is situated in the extreme western end of Stanly County. A German record, which bears no date, reads as follows: "Let this record show to everybody and particularly to those who have a right to know that we, born by the Grace of God in the Christian Church and some implanted in the same through baptism and confirmation in Europe and others in America, have settled here in North Carolina at the eastern end of Cabarrus and western end of
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Montgomery County on the waters of Bear Creek and Buffalo Creek, and that we call ourselves Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed, according to the faith of our ancestors. Since we agree on the leading points of Christian doctrine and no difference exists between us, except the outward name which God does not respect but only looks upon the purity of faith and purpose of the heart among all people, and since those that fear Him and do right are dear to Him, and since the Preserver and Benefactor of the whole human race not only wills that all His children prosper in earthly things but that they also come to a knowledge of the truth and their souls shall be for- ever happy, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls has sought us lost and scattered sheep in this hemi- sphere and has called and acknowledged us through His Word outwardly, and through His Spirit inwardly and has blessed us in spiritual things and has awakened in us the desire that we should like often to attend His Holy Church services and the place where His honor dwelleth, and that we should like to see our growing youth brought up in a Christian manner and instructed in true Christianity."
Services were held in this community some time before any church was built. The nearest regularly organized congregation was that on Second Creek, in Rowan County. Here Rev. Samuel Suther had preached eighteen years, from 1768 to 1786. And prior to this time, Leinbach, Martin and Dupert had held services. Some or all of these men held occasional if not stated services wherever German settlements
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were found, and the Bear Creek settlement was not overlooked. Rev. Andrew Loretz came to Second Creek Church in 1789, and he no doubt preached also at Bear Creek, as did also Weyberg and Boger. The- ophilus Loetter, a German school teacher who taught near the site of the present church, sometimes held services for the people. He was in the community as early as 1797, and was a highly-educated man. He was the first person buried in the cemetery, but the grave is unmarked. Services were held in Chris- topher Lyerly's barn and the Col. George Barnhardt barn.
The work of building the church was commenced March 21, 1806. The first sermon was preached in the church May 25, 1806, the day of Pentecost, by Rev. George Boger. The architect of the church was Christopher Lyerly. He and Henry Seitz were in- stalled as Deacons of the congregation in November, 1806, and they served until 1811, when they were recognized as Elders. William Heynsemann and John Barrier were then made Deacons. Seitz and Barrier were Reformed.
The first church was built of pine logs, and its con- struction went forward very slowly. The means of the people being limited a petition was sent to the "Charleston Society" for assistance. In response, three boxes of window panes were sent. It is said to have been thirty years before the church was entirely finished.
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