USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 17
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A conspicuous character among the pastors of Grace Church was Rev. John G. Fritchey, who was licensed and ordained as a missionary in the year 1828, and intended to settle in the West, but was directed by the Rev. F. A. Rahauser to come to North Carolina. The coming of Mr. Fritchey marked an epoch in the con- gregations of the Reformed Church in North Carolina west of the Catawba River. The earliest records we have of Grace congregation are of a meeting of the Consistory held June 5, 1831, and Mr. Fritchey was then their pastor. He was a bold and fearless preacher, preaching his convictions on all questions, and was ever ready to defend his doctrines. It is related by Elder F. D. Reinhardt that Michael Rudisill (Luth- eran) would stand at his gate watching for Fritchey to come along, and that they would sometimes argue for an hour, making Fritchey almost too late for his appointment. It is related also that these men were the best of friends. It was during Rev. Fritchey's pastorate that the trouble arose over the question of admitting the colored people into the church during services. As this caused a division in the congrega- tion, we believe it well to copy from the records. The minutes of February 10, 1838: "After prayer by Rev.
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J. G. Fritchey the object of the meeting was made known by the chairman. A communication from John Coulter (one of the Elders of the congregation) was received and read. After which the discipline of the German Reformed Church was read in the audi- ence of the meeting. A communication from Elias Jarrett (Lutheran), one of the Trustees of the church, was received and read.
"Resolved, that the vote of the meeting be taken upon the question, whether people of color should be admitted into the church at times of public worship, when the German Reformed congregation meets for that purpose, or not. The vote was taken as follows: Those voting in favor of admitting were: Barbara Coulter, Ann Shuford, Sarah E. Shuford, Harriet Ramsaur, Philip Shuford, Jesse Whitener, Henry F. Ramsaur, Daniel Conrad and David Ramsaur. Those opposing were: Solomon Shuford, Lavina Yoder, John A. Yoder, John Yoder and David Yoder, Sr. After the vote was taken the following resolution was adopted, viz .: that the blacks be allowed to occupy the two back seats on the gallery fronting the pulpit, when- ever they are admitted, and that they shall not be allowed to go in until the whites are all seated, and then if there is sufficient room, they are to be invited in by one of the officers, and to remain there in their place until the whites have gone out of the church." This was the rock of offence which split the congrega- tion, and which has been held against the Reformed people of Grace. We submit it to the enlightened consciences of the present time and ask if the action
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of the Reformed people was not the mark of kindness which distinguished the masters of slaves of that period ?
The Rev. Mr. Fritchey closed his eventful pastorate in the year 1840 and returned to Pennsylvania. He was succeeded by the Rev. John H. Crawford, who continued to serve the charge until August 27, 1853, when he resigned to accept work in Virginia. Those persons who remember Rev. Crawford speak of him with the highest admiration as a man of firm char- acter and sterling worth. The late Judge M. L. Mc- Corkle always contended that Rev. Mr. Crawford had not received just recognition at the hands of the Church; that he should have been honored with the degree of D.D.
About the year 1848 the territory between St. Paul's and Grace was divided, making the public road leading from Hickory to Lincolnton the dividing line. Several families living within the territory allotted to Grace held their membership at St. Paul's and had worshiped at that place, but like obedient children of the Church they at once transferred their membership to Grace. Prominent among these was the Coulter family. One of these, Martin Coulter, was an Elder. He was a man faithful in business and devoted to his church. It was his habit on Saturday to make all necessary preparations for the coming Lord's Day. Early Sunday morning he went to church with his German hymn book in his hand, and the German Bible under his arm. He entered the church, took his seat and spent the time until the service began in quiet
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meditation. He often led the congregation in prayer to edification. In his time the services usually lasted all day. In the morning a Sunday School service was held. George P. Shuford and John Coulter usually superintended the Sunday School. The Sunday School was followed by a sermon, this by a short recess and another sermon. The people in those days did not grow weary in the service of worship.
The church was vacant until 1856, when Rev. Jere- miah Ingold became pastor and entered upon his duties.
On August 8, 1856, a meeting was held by the mem- bers of the Reformed and Lutheran congregations to consult upon the propriety and expediency of build- ing a new church edifice. The following resolution was passed: "Resolved, that we will build a new church edifice and that it shall be a union church between the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations, pro- vided each party pays one-half of the cost and that we raise the sum of twelve hundred dollars by sub- scriptions and donations." Rev. J. Ingold was ap- pointed agent, and he was asked to appoint an agent on the part of the Lutherans to solicit subscriptions and donations. The building was completed and was dedicated on the 13th of June, 1857, and is the present brick structure in which the congregations have worshiped these many years.
The cost was $1,400.00. It is said that the Rev. G. W. Welker inspired the congregation to erect a new building. He was preaching in the old log building, standing in the little high pulpit goblet shaped, gal-
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leries on three sides, the logs conspicuous, when in his emphatic way he said: "Let me not come to this place again until you have a new building." The dedication services were union, and two sermons were preached. The Rev. Polycarp C. Henkel, D.D., preached the ser- mon in the morning for the Lutherans and selected 2 Corinthians 3: 18 as his text, and it is said preached for three hours. It is also said that this was one of his strongest sermons. Rev. G. W. Welker, D.D., preached the sermon in the afternoon for the Reformed congregation, selecting as his text Genesis 28: 17. This sermon made a profound impression and is remembered by the older people to-day and they love to talk about it. This church was greatly improved in the year 1905. Besides those mentioned above, the following have served as pastors: Rev. Jeremiah Ingold resigned September 13, 1873, which was to be effective in the coming November. Rev. Julius H. Shuford, 1874- 1876; Revs. J. C. Clapp and J. A. Foil (supply), 1876- 1877; Rev. Julius H. Shuford, 1878-1879; Rev. A. S. Vaughn, 1881-1883; Rev. A. P. Horn, 1883-1884; Rev. G. D. Gurley, 1884-1885; Rev. Lewis Reiter, 1885-1890; Rev. Joseph L. Murphy, 1890-1903 Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D. (supply), 1903-1905; Rev. Joseph L. Murphy (supply), part of 1905; Rev. Samuel W. Beck entered upon his pastorate October 1, 1906.
The official membership of Grace has been marked by the intelligence, piety and faithfulness of the men who have served as Elders and Deacons. It is to be regretted that a full record containing the names of all the faithful men who have served this congregation
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with the terms of their office is not at hand. It is feared that we shall omit many and it may be some of the most faithful. The following is the list as we have been able to gather it: John Coulter, Daniel Conrad, David Ramsaur, Philip Shuford, Solomon Warlick, George P. Shuford, Solomon Ramsaur, H. F. Ramsaur, Henry Reinhardt, Peter Finger, E. P. Coulter, El- kanah F. Ramsaur, P. W. Whitener, S. T. Wilfong, Q. A. Wilfong, W. P. Dellinger, D. F. McGill, John Reinhardt, J. M. Clampitt, R. O. Ramsaur, R. L. Shu- ford, A. C. Shuford, L. R. Whitener, G. S. Wilfong and Walter Reinhardt.
The efficiency of the eldership and their faithfulness to duty may be seen from the following action of the Consistory taken relative to holding public worship: "Resolved, that we will hold public worship on the fourth Sabbath of each month, and when no minister can be secured the Elders shall conduct the services, and that it be the duty of Brothers George P. Shuford and H. F. Ramsaur and John Coulter to superintend these meetings."
Thus it will be seen that these good people fully realized the importance of the office of Elder. These good brethren were ruling Elders in the true sense of the term, for at a certain time we find them passing resolutions instructing the pastor relative to refusing to conduct funerals when these conflicted with the regular services. The Consistory of Grace laid great emphasis upon the piety of the membership and be- fore receiving a member that person must give evidence of "experimental religion."
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On the 30th day of October, 1897, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations united in celebrating the centennial of the organization of the congregation. Revs. R. A. Yoder and J. L. Murphy were pastors respectively of the Lutheran and Reformed congre- gations and arranged the programme for the occasion. Rev. P. M. Trexler, D.D., delivered an address on the Swiss Reformation, and Rev. Prof. W. P. Cline spoke on the German Reformation. Rev. J. L. Murphy spoke on the Classis of North Carolina and Rev. R. A. Yoder delivered an address on the Tennessee Synod.
As a union church the congregations worshiping at that place united in the Sunday School work. The first union school was organized May 8, 1831, and con- tinued until a few years ago, when the Lutherans with- drew and organized a denominational school. Since that time there have been two schools conducted in the same building. In the main, however, the rela- tion existing between the two congregations has been most pleasant and these people have demonstrated to the world the beauty of brethren dwelling together in unity.
4. Emanuel's Reformed Church (the "Old White Church"), Lincolnton.
This church was in Lincolnton, in old Lincoln County of Revolutionary fame. A large part of this county was settled as early as 1745-50, when the Ger- mans found Pennsylvania too straight for them and turned their faces to a sunnier and more fertile clime. In the vicinity of this county town were found the
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Hokes, Reinhardts, Summeys, Fingers, Shufords, Anthonys, Ramsaurs, Summerrows and others, who united with their Lutheran neighbors and built a church in the town of Lincolnton.
On December 14, 1785, General Joseph Dickson entered for the citizens of Lincoln County the tract of land on which the town of Lincolnton stands, con- sisting of 300 acres of vacant land, and the town was laid off in lots in 1786. The same year the first court house was built and was constructed of logs. During the sessions of the court held in Lincolnton, in the old log court house, a man named Thomas Perkins, or Thomas Hawkditch, was killed by falling from one of the open windows. As there was no vacant space within the corporation for the purpose of burial, the body was taken south of the court house, and buried within a short distance of the corporation limits. When the Lutherans and Reformed desired to build a church, the question arose where to put it. The place where this man was buried was suggested as being central and convenient, and accordingly was selected as the site for the church and afterwards became the cemetery of the old "White Church."
. On January 10, 1788, "Joseph Dickson, Proprietor in Trust for the citizens of Lincoln County, in consid- eration of ten shillings," deeded "two acres and six- teen poles in the South East Square of the town of Lincolnton to Christian Reinhardt, agent for the 'Dutch Presbyterians,' and Andrew Heedick, agent for the 'Dutch Lutherans,' in a part of which the Dutch Meeting House for Public Worship now stands."
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The land was purchased "for the purpose of building thereon a Meeting House for Public Worship, School Houses, both Dutch and English, and for a place for the burial of the dead, and the said societies have at their joint expense already built an house for Public Worship on the premises, and the said societies not having been incorporated, are desirous that the lands hereby intended to be conveyed should be vested in fee simple in the said Trustees, Christian Reinhardt and Andrew Heedick and their heirs and assigns for- ever in Trust for the uses in this deed declared, and the said Societies have signified the same to the said Joseph Dickson and requested him to convey accord- ingly the lands hereby intended to be conveyed." This deed for the church was drawn and witnessed by Waightstill Avery, Esq. The "Dutch Meeting House" mentioned in the deed was a small one-story log building, and the nails used in its construction were hand-forged. The Dutch and English school houses mentioned in the deed were never erected. In 1819 the old log church was raised a story higher, the south, east corner of which was "carried up" or fitted by Philip Cansler and Adam Reep. It was weather- boarded, ceiled and a new pulpit built. The pulpit was high and was reached by a stairway from either side, overspread with a sounding board. The pews were high backed, and there were wide, spreading galleries. Col. John Hoke was at that time Treasurer of the church and his final settlement shows the cost to have been $573.06. At that time there was a school taught in the church by a Mr. Quinn, and we find this
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entry on the subscription list for the church: "School boys paid first money of all, $2.12}." The carpenter work was done by Daniel Shuford. In 1827 a bell was purchased. The church was painted white in 1830, from which circumstance it was ever after called "The White Church." There is a voucher of that date filed for $175.00 for painting and repairs.
The first ministers to serve this church were Rev. Arndt for the Lutherans and Rev. Andrew Loretz for the Reformed. Both these men were instrumental in having the church built.
For reference to Arndt in this connection see letter on church history and schools on the Dutch Side by Gen. Barringer. The oldest record dates from 1794. At that date. the title page informs us, Johan Gottfried Arndt was the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran congregation, and Rev. Andrew Loretz of the Reformed congregation, which at that time seems to have been synonymous with Dutch Presbyterians. The first entry made is the baptism of Anna Maria Hoch (now Hoke) June 7, 1794.
After the death of Rev. Loretz, the Presbyterians of the Concord Presbytery seem to have occupied the church jointly with the Lutherans, and were organized under the pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Humphrey Hunter, a patriot and soldier of the Revolutionary War, who often preached in the old "White Church" from 1796 until his death in 1827. The members of the Re- formed Church became enrolled as Presbyterians under Rev. Bell, who was pastor from 1819 to 1825. The record book of the Presbyterians dates from
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February, 1823. Rev. Patrick J. Sparrow was pastor of the Presbyterians from 1827 to 1833. During his pastorate the title to the property was taken into the courts by Rev. Fritchey and adjudicated to belong to the Lutheran and Reformed Churches.
For sixteen years the Reformed had no regular pas- tor, from the death of Loretz in 1812 to the coming of Fritchey in 1828, and in consequence of the proselyting agency of Rev. Bell the congregation became so dis- tracted that it never recovered its former vitality. Rev. Fritchey was pastor from 1828 to 1840. From the fourth Sunday of June, 1839, the Presbyterians held no more services in the "White Church."
The Reformed congregation continued its organiza- tion under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Crawford from 1840 to 1842. Rev. Solomon S. Middlekauff from August, 1842, to May 21, 1845. His early death was a great loss to this church which never recovered from this stroke. Rev. David Crooks from February, 1846, to January 24, 1859, when they became so reduced in number that they ceased to have regular service, and at a meeting of Classis at Daniel's in 1866, it is men- tioned as a matter of regret that "the congregation at Lincolnton, one of the oldest and most flourishing in the bounds of the Classis, has become destitute of regular pastoral care."
We see it stated by a certain writer that in 1873 the church was used only by the Baptists, lately organized under the pastoral care of Rev. Needham B. Cobb.
Not only was the church used by the Reformed, Lutheran and Presbyterian congregations as we have
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seen, but also by the Methodists, Episcopalians and Baptists, who all in turn formed organizations and worshiped there until able to erect their own houses of worship.
During the year 1882 Rev. J. A. Foil, Ph.D., served the congregation as missionary with a small appro- priation from the Board of Home Missions. From July, 1885, to November, 1890, it was served once a month by Rev. J. L. Murphy, then pastor of the Lin- coln Charge and residing at Maiden.
On the night of December 23, 1893, at 8 p. m., the "Old White Church," one of the oldest landmarks in the town of Lincolnton, was destroyed by fire. As the flames got under full headway the old logs of the struc- ture seemed to stand out individually and plainly silhouetted against the sky, and swaying slowly to and fro, moved by the current generated by the fire, the old bell tolled out a mournful protest, until it too fell with the crashing timbers. Thus was blotted out a building with which all the religious history of the vicinity was associated, and strange to say, some of the political. All the different denominations have wor- shiped within its walls, and its galleries have resounded to the oratory of Ried and Manly, Dockery the elder, and Bragg and other gubernatorial aspirants.
The North Carolina Classis met in this church in 1853, Rev. Jeremiah Ingold, President.
5. Salem Reformed (Union) Church, Lincoln County.
The original founders of Salem Church were: John Ramsaur, Henry Ramsaur, Jacob Killian, Anthony
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Hallman, Henry Cressamore, Jonas Rudisill, Henry Gross, Jonas Heedick, David Carpenter and John Cline. Three of these were Reformed, namely, John Ramsaur, Henry Ramsaur and David Carpenter.
The first church building was a house made of logs, but when built we have no means of knowing, for there are no records preserved prior to 1814. The oldest inscription found in the cemetery is that on the monu- ment of Antoine Hes or Has, born 1762; died Decem- ber 25, A. D. 1792. He was school teacher and chor- ister as we learn by tradition. On another, Mrs. Moore, 1802. Norris, infant, 1802. Henry Cressamore, 1803.
On the title page of the old minute book is a record of a meeting of the citizens of Salem, August 29, 1814, to form a confederation or agreement as follows: "Whereas, it is proposed to repair the old meeting house known by the name of Salem so as to render it commodious for the place of Divine worship-to be free to all Christian denominations or worshipers, for any and every Christian minister of any denomination whatever, who may be properly authorized by and in good fellowship with the religious society to which he may belong, who may from time to time appoint to preach in said meeting house, we subscribers do hereby promise to pay to Col. John Reinhardt, Capt. Henry Ramsaur or Mr. Joshua Wilson (who are to act as commissioners to superintend the work) the several sums annexed to our names to aid and assist in repair- ing the aforesaid house for the aforesaid purpose. The money to be paid whenever the commissioners may call for it."
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This action was made necessary by reason of the building being in a terribly dilapidated condition and . in no wise fit or pleasant to hold any Divine service in it, and very uncomfortable. For some time previous service had been held at Jacob Killian's, and also while the church was being repaired. It seems that the church was in such bad condition as to indicate that some of the logs were rotten, for we find an item in the bill for repairs which reads: "Paid the two John Freys for hewing logs for the Meeting House, $4.25." The fact that the church was old and dilapidated in 1814 proves conclusively that here on this hallowed spot was a church, school-house and graveyard dating from the coming of the oldest settlers.
The whole cost of repairs and re-furnishing was $338.94. Of this amount the Reformed paid fully one hundred dollars. Mr. Jacob Killian contributed three Spanish doubloons. At the time the repairs were made the land upon which stood the school-house and church with the cemetery attached comprised two acres and thirty-two poles. This was owned by Jacob Killian, who on July 19, 1815, deeded the same to the Commissioners "for the purpose of encouraging schools and a place for public worship."
In 1863 Henry Killian, of York District, State of South Carolina, for the sum of one dollar deeded three roods and twenty-five perches to John Coulter, Absalom Brown and Jacob Ramsaur, Trustees of Salem, "for the purpose of encouraging Christianity and increasing the area of the cemetery."
On October 22, 1903, another tract of land was
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added, containing 148 poles, and deeded by A. M. Lutz and wife J. L. Lutz, to Ambrose Costner, H. F. Mc- Caslin and Charles Ramsaur, Trustees of Salem Church. Consideration, five dollars.
On September 26, 1835, there was a meeting of the citizens of Salem to consider a proposition made "to build an addition to said house for the accommodation of people of color on days of public worship." It was decided to build and a committee of five was appointed to form a plan and to estimate the cost.
The committee reported as follows: "The addition to be put to the pulpit end of the Meeting House, thirteen feet wide, with a shed roof, one-story high; to have four 12-light windows, one outside door, and from the body of the house into the addition to be finished off in a plain manner, and that three logs be- hind the pulpit are to be cut out as far as the opening of the gallery."
The committee consisted of John Killian, John Car- penter, Jacob Killian, Philip Rudisill and James Summerrow. Total cost of the addition was $69.85, shared about equally by both denominations.
On April 15, 1848, a meeting of the members of the congregations was called to consult on the propriety of repairing the old house or building a new one. Since the church was a free church, built for the use of any who might choose to occupy it, and as the land was the common property of all who chose to make use of it, some of the Lutherans determined to build a house for their exclusive use, and notice was given to all who had any claims to present them that the Luth-
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erans might build as they desired. On the day ap- pointed for the meeting of the congregations Jacob Killian, John Coulter, Jacob Heedick and Ambrose Costner were the only ones present, in addition to the Lutheran minister, Rev. J. R. Peterson. During the discussion Jacob Killian expressed himself in favor of a union church, because his father had given the land for that purpose and heretofore that had been the course pursued. John Coulter, Secretary, expressed himself in like manner. He said the Reformed had no congre- gation, and might not have, but on account of funerals, as some Reformed families buried their dead at Salem, he would like their interest to be continued. He stated that as they had other churches convenient it would not be needed for regular use. Jacob Heedick and Ambrose Costner were also both in favor of a union church. The argument of these brethren pre- vailed and it was decided to build a union church. William McCaslin, Jacob Ramsaur (M. W.), David Heedick, John Coulter and John Heedick were ap- pointed the building committee. This committee met at the house of John Coulter on April 29, 1848, and re- solved to build a union church of brick to belong to and be the property of the Lutheran and the German Reformed denominations of Christians. The size of the house was to be 35 feet by 45 and 13 feet high in the clear; two doors and eight windows 18 lights to be not less than 10 by 12 inches, and covered with good heart pine shingles. Jacob Ramsaur (M. W.), William McCaslin and David Heedick were appointed the commissioners to superintend the construction,
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