USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 14
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At the beginning of this congregation the following families were represented: Henry Seitz, Christopher
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Lyerly, John Barrier, William Heynsemann, Matthias Barnhardt, Henry Hahn, Zacharias Lyerly, Henry Smith, Christian Gregory, Jacob Hegler, John Reiden- hour, William Lowder, Andrew Smith, Barbara Moose, Jacob Barrier. Barbara Moose was a widow with several children, her husband having died before the organization of the church.
The Reformed and Lutherans worshiped in the same church harmoniously for many years, electing the same officers, and sometimes supporting the same pastor. But in course of time it became evident that a division would be better, and this was effected August 16, 1875. The Reformed congregation retained the church lands, consisting of 110 acres, and the old church, while the Lutherans secured a new site and built about two miles east. Many Lutherans united with the Reformed Church. The land was originally deeded by Christopher Lyerly to Henry Smith and his successors in office. The date of the deed is July 2, 1809. The Reformed continued to worship in the old church until 1878, when a new building was erected. The work was begun in January, and the new church was dedicated the fourth Sunday in October, 1878. Rev. J. W. Cecil preached the sermon. Rev. R. F. Crooks was the pastor at the time, and Daniel M. Moose was the leading spirit in the erection of the church.
Rev. George Boger was the first regular pastor of the congregation after the building of the first church. His successors were the ministers who at the same time served the Lower Stone (Second Creek) Church.
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There have been many good and loyal people among the membership of this church. John Barnhardt served as Elder thirty years. He greatly rejoiced over the spiritual prosperity of the people. He often held prayer-meetings, and read sermons to the people. John Moose (father of Caleb and John H. Moose) and Col. George Barnhardt were prominent in church work in their day. The following names represent the families of the congregation at present: Moose, Lentz, Palmer, Moody, Sides, Barrier, Hurlocker, Fisher, Lyerly, Wagoner, Blackwelder, Rowland, Penninger, Shoe, Peck, Hartman, Harwood.
The Bear Creek congregation is an active community of people in church work, being above the average in this respect. The church has been open every Sunday for at least twenty-five years past for religious services of some kind, and there have always been worshipers present no matter what the state of the weather. The annual "Missionary Sales" add much interest to the benevolent operations of the church. The idea originated with Mr. John F. Moose in 1880. The first sale amounted to about eight dollars. In 1905 the sum realized was one hundred and seventy-five dollars. Mr. Daniel M. Moose has cried all these sales.
5. Shiloh Reformed Church, Rowan County.
Shiloh Reformed Church was organized March 19, 1871, by the Rev. J. C. Denny, pastor of the East Rowan Charge, which at that time consisted of Lower Stone, Bear Creek and Mt. Hope. Seventeen persons entered into the organization, with J. W. Fisher and
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T. H. Webb as Elders, and W. E. Dunham and Dewalt Kluttz as Deacons. Mt. Hope was then separated from the East Rowan Charge and joined with Shiloh to constitute the Central Rowan Charge. For some time previous to the organization services had been held in an old log school-house by Rev. Denny and P. M. Trexler, a student for the ministry. The organi- zation was effected for the convenience of the Re- formed people living in Salisbury and its vicinity, who were at too great a distance from Mt. Hope or Lower Stone to make it convenient for them to worship at either place. The church was built during the fall and winter preceding the organization by the members, with F. M. Holshouser and Lawson Fisher as foremen. About two miles southwest of the location of the new church stood an old frame church building, owned by the Methodists, and called Shiloh; but owing to want of members and lack of interest the congregation had passed out of existence. This building was purchased for a small sum, and as much of it as could be profit- ably used was wrought into the new structure. For this reason, and because some of the few Methodists remaining cast in their lot with the Reformed, the new church fell heir to the name of the defunct Metho- dist organization, and was called Shiloh. The cost of this building and the date of its dedication are not known. This church was built on two and a half acres of land, deeded by J. W. Fisher and T. W. Haynes for the consideration of five dollars on Janu- ary 1, 1873, "to Dewalt Kluttz, F. M. Holshouser and Michael Beaver, Deacons of the German Re-
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formed Church." This tract of land lies on the west side of the old Charleston Road, three miles southeast of Salisbury, on a slight eminence. The church was located near the road in the midst of a beautiful grove of oaks, and commanded a fine view of the surrounding country. Student P. M. Trexler, having been licensed by the Classis on June 2, 1871. served jointly with Rev. Denny the new congregation until Sunday, September 17, 1871, when the former was ordained and installed as pastor, Rev. S. R. Fisher, D.D., editor of the "German Reformed Mes- senger," preaching the sermon, Revs. Ingle and Allison Long taking part in the ordination and installation services. On the Saturday preceding, immediately after the preparatory services, a meeting of the Joint Consistories of the Rowan Charges was held, at which time were adopted and signed the famous "Shiloh Resolutions," which had been drawn up by Rev. Denny. An interesting special meeting of Classis was held in this church in December, 1871, to consider the "Shiloh Resolutions," and also an overture from the Dutch Reformed Church inviting North Carolina Classis to unite with that body. Rev. Trexler con- tinued as pastor until some time during 1876, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Denny, whose pastor- ate extended to January 1, 1878.
In November, 1877, some of the members proposed to their pastor that they hold a week or ten days revival service. Rev. Denny consented. At this time the Methodists of the Western District of the North Carolina Conference were holding their annual
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sessions at Salisbury. The meeting at Shiloh had continued but a few days when it was suggested that application be made to the Methodist Conference for preachers to help carry on the meeting. The request of course was gladly and promptly granted, and some of their best men were sent out each day, two at a time. The meeting grew daily in interest, the attend- ance being very great. As a consequence, the power and influence of the Methodist preachers grew every day, until the building of a Methodist Church began to be agitated; in a few days more it was suggested that Shiloh Reformed congregation go over to the Methodist Church. This movement came very near taking the whole Reformed congregation at one sweep into the Methodist Church. Every one seemed to be wrought up to a high tension along this line; but just in time, under the Providence of God, some of the good old Reformed Church members began to get upon their feet and to think seriously about what was taking place. Those who saved the day for the Re- formed Church by refusing to surrender the property were John Wilson Fisher, Daniel M. Klutts, F. Monroe Holshouser and Crawford Peeler. As a result of this disaffection fully one-half of the membership of Shiloh was swept into the Methodist Church. Much bitter feeling and strife was engendered, which did not finally disappear until the lapse of five or six years. The pastor, Rev. Denny, having sorely compromised himself in the whole sad al'air, was regarded as the one most to blame. The Classis cited him to trial to answer for his conduct, but fearing the consequences
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he left the Reformed Church, made application to and was received as a minister into the Baptist Church. Thus ended a disagreeable experience in the history of this congregation whose name means peace. Rev. Denny was succeeded by Rev. John Ingle, who took charge January 1, 1878, and closed his pastorate Janu- ary 1, 1883. He was succeeded by Rev. R. F. Crooks, who was pastor until July, 1888. Rev. J. M. L. Lyerly was called as pastor July 1, 1889, and continued as such until June, 1892, when he resigned to take up the work in the Lincoln Charge. The congregation was again vacant until July 1, 1893, when Rev. Lyerly again became pastor and served until July 1, 1906, at which time it became an independent charge, having been so constituted by North Carolina Classis at its annual sessions in May, 1906. Shiloh congregation at that meeting was detached from the Central Rowan Charge and called Faith Charge. Rev. Lyerly supplied Shiloh congregation from July 1, 1906, until October 1, 1906, when Rev. C. B. Heller became the pastor.
On August 26, 1898, a meeting was held at Faith, Rowan County, to consider the advisability of securing the removal of Shiloh Reformed Church to that place. Faith at that time was a small village built along the old Charleston Road, three miles south of Shiloh Church, and contained about two hundred inhabitants, nearly all of whom were members of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, although there was no church in the village. For some time previous to the above date a union Sunday School had been conducted in the public school building, and a prosperous Young
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Men's Christian Association had been formed. At this meeting in August, 1898, after a thorough discus- sion it was ordered that a petition be placed in the hands of D. A. Wiley (Lutheran) to secure the signa- ture of all persons desiring to enter the organization to report on the 2d of September, 1898. The proposi- tion had been made that the Lutherans join with the Reformed at Shiloh and at Faith in a union church at the latter place, hence the appointment of D. A. Wiley to circulate the petition. On the second of September, 1898, a number of persons met according to adjournment. D. A. Wiley failed to appear. The reason for this failure of Wiley to appear was owing to the fact that the Lutherans, fortunately for both themselves and the Reformed, concluded that the necessity for union churches no longer existed, and resolved to organize a church of their own. Another petition was placed in the hands of John A. Peeler. On September 4, 1898, the petition from the Reformed members at Faith was presented to the Shiloh congre- gation, and on the seventh of September Shiloh con- gregation met and decided that it did not see its way clear at that time to move its place of worship to Faith. On September 14, 1898, the Reformed people of Faith met, and by a unanimous vote resolved to build a church, which was completed and dedicated on Easter Sunday in the year 1899, Rev. J. C. Leonard preaching the sermon. The lot, sixty by one hundred feet, was donated by the Peeler brothers, P. A. Peeler, L. M. Peeler and Jno. A. Peeler. The whole cost of the new church, including pews, bell and ornamental
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iron fence was sixteen hundred and twenty-five dol- lars. Before the church at Faith was finished the following named members of Shiloh, all that re- mained of a once prosperous congregation, decided to cast their lot in with their brethren at Faith, and all were re-organized under the old name of Shiloh: J. W. Gardner, Mary E. Gardner, W. S. Brown, Martha Brown, Robert Brown, Agnes Brown, Ivey Brown, Adam Fulk, Mary Fulk, William Bringle, Lorenzo Walton, Mrs. L. Walton, Mamie Byrd, Thomas Byrd and Jane L. Byrd. In July, 1899, the following named members of St. Luke's Reformed Church were trans- ferred to Shiloh congregation at Faith: John Franklin Wilhelm, Mrs. Mary Wilhelm, P. A. Peeler, Mrs. Mary L. R. Peeler, David D. Peeler, Martha J. Peeler, John A. Peeler, Mrs. Clara Peeler, L. M. Peeler, Mary E. Peeler, George H. Peeler, Mrs. Lottie Peeler, Jane C. A. Peeler, May Agnes Peeler and John Andrew Murray Peeler. In the fall of 1899 the old Shiloh church building was sold to Wesley Brown, one of the mem- bers, for seventy-five dollars. The building was trans- ferred to Granite Quarry and converted into a store building. Shiloh congregation, though now located at Faith, still holds the original tract of land, including cemetery, which is cared for by the members. The congregation also owns a cemetery in Faith. The present membership is eighty, with bright prospects for the future. The following have served as officers from the date of the organization to the present time: Elders, Wilson Fisher, T. H. Webb, Michael Beaver, Dewalt Kluttz, Alfred Peeler, John Franklin Wilhelm,
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. S. E. Davis, P. A. Peeler, W. S. Brown, F. M. Hols- houser and J. E. Holler; Deacons, Wm. E. Dunham, Dewalt Kluttz, Henry Kirk, Daniel Kluttz, Crawford Peeler, Adam Lyerly, F. M. Holshouser, J. W. Gardner, A. M. Faulk, L. C. McCombs and J. W. Jones.
6. St. Paul's and Mt. Hope Reformed Churches, Rowan County.
St. Paul's congregation, also known as Holshouser's Church, was organized in March, 1850, by the Rev. John Lantz, with the following seventeen members: Jacob Lingle, John Lippard, Sr., John Lippard, Jr., Daniel Peeler, David Kluttz, Solomon Kluttz, Peter A. Fisher, David Fisher, John Yost, Michael Shuping, Margaret Kluttz, Barbara Kluttz, Anna Weaver, Mary C. Trexler, Sarah Peeler, Christina Peeler and Eliza Rendleman. Jacob Lingle and Daniel Peeler were the first Elders and John Yost and Solomon Kluttz were the first Deacons. St. Paul's was situated about four miles from Salisbury near the New Concord Road in the neighborhood of Holshouser's Mill, now known as the old Heilig Mill. St. Paul's was originally built as a union church by the members of the Re- formed and Lutheran Churches. Andrew Holshouser, a member of the Reformed Church, gave the land on which the church was built. But by some means the Lutherans came into possession while the church was still incomplete, for after the Reformed congregation was organized the Lutherans proposed that if the Reformed would assist in finishing the church they should have an interest in the property. But it seems
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that the Reformed, having obtained an interest in the property, lost it through a mistranslation of the German word "Reformirte," which was rendered into English by the word "Presbyterian."
In November, 1865, the Classis of North Carolina authorized the Rev. Thornton Butler to disband the congregation at St. Paul's and organize at a point about seven miles from Salisbury, on the "New Con- cord Road."
In the year 1866 a beautiful brick church sixty by forty feet was erected. The brick were made by the members of the congregation. Before and during the erection of the building services were held in the grove. On the 14th of January, 1866, the congrega- tion was organized under a new name, Mt. Hope Re- formed Church. The following persons at this organi- zation were elected officers: Elders, David Roseman and Solomon Kluttz; Deacons, John W. Fisher, J. H. A. Lippard, E. S. P. Lippard and Martin Yost. Soon after the church was built it was dedicated. Rev. Thornton Butler preached the sermon. The land on which Mt. Hope Church is built was given by two persons. Jacob Lingle gave five acres, deeded Febru- ary 2, 1866; John Lingle gave six acres, deeded Feb- ruary 10, 1866. Seventy acres of land were given to the church by Jacob Lingle and also a sum of money to be used for the erection of a parsonage. The par- sonage was soon built. Revs. John Ingle and R. F. Crooks were the only pastors who lived there. The land has been recently sold. The first recorded bap- tism is that of Wade Rufus, son of George Pendleman,
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born January 21, 1851, and baptized May 24, 1851. When the congregation was originally organized at St. Paul's, it was put in the East Rowan Charge. In 1871 it was incorporated with the Central Rowan Charge. In 1906 Mt. Hope and Bethany were consti- tuted the Crescent Charge. The following have served the congregation as pastors and supplies: Rev. John Lantz, 1850-1853; Rev. Thornton Butler, 1853-1869; Rev. J. C. Denny, 1869-1871; Rev. P. M. Trexler, 1871-1877; Rev. J. Ingle, 1878-1882; Rev. R. F. Crooks, 1882-1888; Rev. J. M. L. Lyerly, 1889- 1906.
The congregation has had a very varied career. It has had many obstacles to overcome, its rapid growth being hindered. It numbers only about seventy members at present, but they are prominent members of our church in this State, and they stand high in the community in which they live.
7. St. Luke's Reformed Church, Rowan County.
St. Luke's congregation, about three and a half miles northeast of Rockwell, Rowan County, is an off-shoot of Lower Stone Church. The three acres of land upon which the church is erected were given by Alexander Peeler, father of Theological Student Lee A. Peeler, who is a member of this congregation. The cemetery ground originally belonged to Peter Trexler, father of Rev. P. M. Trexler, D.D. It was his intention to deed it to the church, but owing to his death, which was somewhat unexpected, it was deeded by the Cope Mining Company. The congrega-
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tion was organized in the home of Alexander Peeler, December 31, 1871, by Rev. P. M. Trexler, D.D., with twenty members. He at that time was pastor of the Central Rowan Charge. After the congregation was organized it was incorporated with the Central Rowan Charge. The church was dedicated the fifth Sunday of June, 1873. The sermon was preached by Rev. J. C. Denny. Prior to the erection of the church services were held in the beautiful grove where the church now stands. The congregation at present does not have a large membership, about 50, but they are a true and loyal people of the Reformed Church. When the Reformed Church was built at Faith, in 1899, many of the prominent members were dismissed to that congregation. Also many were dismissed to the organization at Blowing Rock. The following have served the congregation as pastors and as sup- plies: Rev. P. M. Trexler, December 31, 1871, to March, 1876; Revs. J. C. Clapp and J. A. Foil supplied until January 1, 1878; Rev. John Ingle from January 1, 1878, to January 1, 1883; Rev. R. F. Crooks from 1883 to July, 1887; Rev. C. B. Heller supply until July, 1889; Rev. J. M. L. Lyerly from July, 1889, to 1906. During the pastorate of Rev. Lyerly it was vacant about thirteen months, he having gone to the Lincoln Charge. At the annual meeting of Classis, May, 1906, the congregation was incorporated with Lower Stone and Ursinus congregations, constituting the East Rowan Charge. Rev. W. W. Rowe, the present pastor, began work July 1, 1906.
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8. Trinity Reformed Church, Concord.
Rev. P. M. Trexler preached in Concord a few times prior to the annual meeting of Classis in 1880, and encouraged the Reformed families there in their fond hope to secure the planting of a mission in that pros- perous town. That year a petition was sent to Classis asking pastoral oversight and regular services. Rev. P. M. Trexler was instructed to continue to look after the interests of the Reformed Church in Concord. Correspondence with Rev. Theodore Appel, Superin- tendent of Missions, resulted in the appointment of Rev. G. D. Gurley as missionary in Concord the last of October, 1880. Services were held in the court house until the close of the year. Then a hall was rented and fitted up in the "Means Building." A number of people proposing to enter the organization met in this hall January 1, 1881, and adopted a con- stitution. (The name of Trinity Reformed Church was chosen for the new congregation. A second meet- ing was held January 30th, when Alexander Foil was elected Elder and J. W. Fetzer and J. W. Foil Dea- cons. These persons were inducted into office March 20th. The following persons entered the church at its organization: John W. Fetzer, Mrs. Eunice Foil, James W. Foil, Mrs. Jane Foil, Mrs. Mark Fink, Anth- ony Bost, Mrs. Margaret J. Bost, Mrs. Lou Hoover,
Miss Hester Foil, Mrs. A. H. Fetzer, Nevin Fetzer, Willie Fetzer, Alexander Foil, Henry Cook. Shortly afterwards the following persons also became members of the new congregation: H. A. Barrier, Mrs. M. E. Barrier, J. C. Lippard, Mrs. E. C. Lippard, Smith
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Shuping, Mrs. S. A. Shuping, R. T. Lippard, Mrs. E. C. Mitchel and Miss Jennie M. Foil. The pastorate of Rev. G. D. Gurley continued only about a year. - Fol- lowing this pastorate the interest was in the care of Rev. Paul Barringer, pastor of the West Rowan Charge, until 1884. During this time preparation was made to build a church. Rev. Jesse W. Cecil was pastor one year, 1884-1885. A lot was purchased September 30, 1884, at the corner of Church and Means streets, the cost being $450. The corner-stone of the church was laid in May, 1884, and the building was rapidly pushed to completion. The first service was held in the new house of worship April 13, 1884, when the sermon was preached by Rev. J. W. Cecil, and the church was dedicated in May following. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. G. W. Welker, D.D.
Rev. P. M. Trexler was pastor from 1885 to 1891. The annual sessions of Classis were held in this church in 1887. In the year 1892 Trinity Church and the New Gilead Church were constituted the Concord Charge, and the Rev. Paul Barringer was the pastor for two years, from 1892 to 1894. The lot for the parsonage was purchased in 1893 adjoining the church, and the house was built the same year. Rev. B. F. Davis was pastor of the Concord Charge 1894-1896. In the latter year Trinity was again constituted a charge, and was served by the Rev. Mr. Davis until 1898. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. N. Faust, who was installed June 11, 1898, and his pastorate continued until August, 1899. Rev. Wm. H. Mc-
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Nairy was pastor 1900-1903. Rev. H. A. M. Hols- houser was pastor from January 1, 1904, until April 5, 1905. During his pastorate the parsonage was re- paired and the re-building of the church was com- menced. He was succeeded by Rev. S. W. Beck in May, 1905. The entire church was covered with tin shingles, a pulpit recess was built, the partition be- tween the auditorium and Sunday School room was removed, a new heating plant and handsome pews and leaded glass windows were installed and the entire building was newly painted. The church was re- dedicated August 13, 1905, Rev. J. C. Leonard preach- ing the sermon. Rev. W. H. Causey became pastor January 1, 1907.
9. St. Paul's Reformed Church, Enochville.
This congregation is an outgrowth from Mt. Zion Reformed Church. It was organized October, 1886, by authority of Classis under the direction of Rev. Paul Barringer. In August, 1886, an appointment for preaching was made at the Deal school-house with a view of securing the opinion of the Reformed people in that community relative to organizing a congrega- tion. Rev. P. M. Trexler preached from the text Luke 12: 32. After the service the matter of an or- ganization was discussed, when the decision was reached to meet at the home of L. B. Corriher October 9th for the purpose of electing officers. On that date W. C. Rose and L. B. Corriher were elected Elders and J. W. Deal and L. C. Beaver Deacons. W. C. Rose, L. B. Corriher and J. W. Deal were appointed to secure
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the names of persons wishing to become members of the new congregation. There were twenty-six re- ported as charter members. Later in the same month a meeting was held in the "Old Cooper House" owned by J. W. Deal, when the officers were inducted into office, and the name St. Paul's Reformed Church was chosen. David Deal, Lock Beaver and W. C. Rose were appointed to select a building site. At the next meeting they reported several places, and by vote of the members the present site of the church was chosen. An acre of land was purchased from Aaron Yost at a cost of fifty-five dollars, and W. A. Deal was made Trustee. The deed bears the date November 5, 1886. On the death of W. A. Deal, his son, J. S. Deal, was elected Trustee, and he is still in office.
The following have been the pastors of the congre- gation :
Rev. Paul Barringer 1886-1891.
Rev. Peter M. Trexler 1892-1894.
Rev. Anthony Shulenberger 1894-1900.
Rev. Joshua L. Bowers 1901-
The following have held the office of Elder: W. C. Rose, L. B. Corriher, J. W. Deal, V. R. Kimmons, L. C. Beaver and W. P. Goodnight; the following have been Deacons: J. W. Deal, L. B. Corriher, J. S. Deal, W. P. Goodnight, W. B. Beaver, Jacob W. Deal, Henry Yost and A. V. Kimmons.
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