USA > North Carolina > Historic sketch of the Reformed Church in North Carolina > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 299
together with out-buildings, and pasture for the above, for your service and labors in the bounds of the above- named charge."
Rev. Crooks came to Matthew's from Davidson County, N. C., where he had labored about seven years. He was pastor of Matthew's until his death, on Janu- ary 24, 1859, nearly fourteen years, and is the only one of the faithful men who ministered to St. Matthew's congregation whose remains lie buried with its departed dead. As a preacher he was wonderfully plain and direct and brief in his sermons. He diligently watched over his flock and reproved wrong everywhere, and lived what he preached. He possessed the rare talent of saying much in few words, and of coming directly to the point. If at any time he unintentionally, by his plain and direct preaching, wounded the feelings of any person, he was ever ready to ask forgiveness, as he was himself ready to forgive others.
Rev. John Lantz was a son of Mr. Jacob Lantz, and was born near Daniel's Reformed Church, in Lincoln County, N. C., in May, 1811. His mother's family name was Hoke, a prominent family in North Caro- lina. He was baptized in infancy, and early instructed in the doctrines of the Christian religion as embodied in the Heidelberg Catechism, his father being for a number of years an active Elder in Daniel's Reformed Church. At the proper age he attended a course of catechetical instruction under Rev. John G. Fritchey, and manifesting a practical knowledge of the doctrines of the Christian religion in which he had been trained he applied for admission to the full privilege of church
300
The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
membership, and was accordingly confirmed along with twenty-three others on the 30th of May, 1829. His admission to the full communion of the church was among the fruits of the first year's labors of Mr. Fritchey in North Carolina, in which time seventy- four persons were added to the three congregations to which he then ministered.
Rev. Fritchey wrote Rev. S. R. Fisher concerning Mr. Lantz: "Though young when he was confirmed, he adorned his profession by a holy walk and conver- sation. It seems from his course during the four sub- sequent years that he felt himself called to the office of the Gospel ministry. His father consulted me, and after an interview with his son, I encouraged him to go forward and devote himself thoroughly to the work of the Lord, he having received an ordinary English education, and reading and speaking also the German language. He subsequently came to my house and remained under my private instruction for two years. At the close of this period he repaired to the Theological Seminary at York, Pa."
In the fall of 1835 he entered the Theological Semi- nary. He remained there during the prescribed theo- logical course which then covered only two years. At the close of his Seminary course he was licensed by the Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States, which convened in Sunbury, Pa., in Septem- ber, 1837. He returned to North Carolina, and shortly after, having received a call from the East Rowan Charge in Rowan County, he was ordained to the holy ministry by the North Carolina Classis in
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 301
1838. He labored in this charge during a period of fifteen years. He then removed to Newton, Catawba County, N. C., at which place he resided and labored for sixteen years.
Rev. Lantz was pastor at Matthew's from the death of Rev. Crooks in 1859 until 1868, at which time he removed to Augusta County, Virginia, where con- tinuing four years, he accepted a call from the charge at Taneytown, Carroll County, Md., in which field he closed his labors, having been there only ten months. His death took place on Sunday evening the 26th of January, 1873, in the 62d year of his age. He had been confined to the house for several weeks by in- flamatory rheumatism, to which other forms of dis- ease were successively added, culminating in his death. He was called away in the midst of very encouraging prospects of usefulness. He retained his intellectual faculties to the last, and died strong in the Christian faith which he had labored to preach to others. His remains were interred in the cemetery attached to the Reformed Church in Taneytown. An appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev. John M. Titzel, based on 2 Tim. 1: 10.
Rev. Lantz was a well-equipped man, and had what he knew at his tongue's end, and consequently he was a ready man. He seemed to need but little time for preparation to preach an acceptable sermon. It was his delight to preach and he never refused unless he was ill. His sermons were never written out, but he always had notes or outlines before him. Some of these notes were models of exegesis and sound theol-
302
The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
ogy, for his teachers, Drs. Mayer and Rauch, were of the best. His most striking characteristic was Chris- tian humility. He was as gentle as a girl and to the end of his life would blush like a girl in any embarras- sing situation or if any indelicate remark was made in his presence. He had to fight a natural timidity all his life, usually rose to speak with some slight em- barrassment, used the conversational style of preach- ing, becoming more hortatory as he reached the ex- hortation with which he always closed. Rich and poor were alike to him, and it was often said that he never had an enemy in his life. Everyone loved him for his genuine worth, and everyone was ready to say: "There is a good man and one in whom there is no guile."
The ministers since his time will be briefly mentioned. Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D., was supply from 1868 to 1873. Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D., and John A. Foil, Ph.D., from 1873 to 1881. Rev. Foil was then pastor from 1881 to 1885. Rev. J. L. Murphy from July, 1885, to Novem- ber, 1890. Student C. A. Starr from November, 1890, to September 20, 1891, when he died from injuries received in a wreck on the Chester and Lenoir Narrow Gauge Railroad. Rev. J. M. L. Lyerly from 1892 to 1893. Rev. Foil then acted as supply until June 24, 1894, when Rev. J. C. Clapp was installed in Salem Reformed Church, Revs. Smith and Foil, of Newton, conducting the service. Dr. Clapp served until June, 1897. Rev. Theodore C. Hesson from June 13, 1897, until June 25, 1902. Rev. Calvin Boyd Heller from October 19, 1902, to October 1, 1906.
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 303
The annual sessions of North Carolina Classis were held twice in St. Matthew's Church as follows: 1840, Rev. John Lantz, President. In 1845, Rev. Jeremiah Ingold, President. As a fitting close to this history of Matthew's congregation, we mention the fact that Hiram Jacob Crooks, son of Rev. David Crooks of blessed memory, has served as Elder for thirty-three years.
9. Grace Reformed Church, Newton.
Catawba County was formed in the year 1845, and the town of Newton was made the capital. At that time the town was but a straggling village. St. Paul's, St. John's and Grace Reformed Churches were strong congregations located in the country nearby. A few members were living in the village and as soon as their town became a county-seat they began to think about the importance of building there a Reformed Church. Rev. J. H. Crawford was pastor of the above-named country congregations, together with Lile's Creek. Before the organization of a congregation plans were inaugurated to build a house of worship. A lot was at once secured, and before the close of the year 1846 the church was ready for use, though not finished. It was for years called "The White Church," and for some time was the only church in the town of Newton.
There are no definite records stating the time when the congregation was organized. Classis held its an- nual sessions in the Newton Church in 1849, but the statistics of that year do not show a congregation at that place. In 1850 the statistics show a new charge
304 The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
called the "Newton Charge," consisting of four con- gregations. These four congregations evidently were the following: St. Paul's, St. John's, Lile's Creek and Newton. Bethel Church had been organized and incorporated with Grace Church into the "Catawba Charge." Rev. J. H. Crawford was the pastor of the latter charge, and the Newton Charge was vacant. It is to be presumed that the congregation in Newton was organized during the Classical year 1849-1850, by Rev. J. H. Crawford under the name of Grace Reformed Church. Mr. Crawford was the moving spirit in the building of the church. Here he preached statedly several years before the congregation was organized and also after it was organized. In 1852 Rev. C. H. Albert became the pastor. Daniel Rowe (Rauch) and Abel Ikerd were the first Elders. Their successors have been Reuben Setzer, F. D. Reinhardt, Joseph Reinhardt, M. L. McCorkle, S. M. Finger, J. C. Clapp, W. H. Williams, D. F. Moose, H. A. Forney and others. The Deacons have been Moses Fry, D. F. Moose, W. H. Williams, J. F. Smyre, D. L. Rowe and others.
The church in its early history was not only used as a house of worship, but also as a home for Catawba College. In this old church Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D., Rev. John Smith, Rev. Mr. Stirewalt, Major S. M. Finger and a host of other well-known men gained their first knowledge of Latin. In this building the first commencement of the College was held and here was aroused the impulse to education in Catawba and adjoining counties. Here Stephen White delivered his great temperance lectures which shook all the
--
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 305
country and was the means of beginning the great temperance reformation in this part of the State.
The first pastor, Rev. John H. Crawford, was a man of strong intellect, and with a mind well stored in all useful learning. He instructed his parishioners not only in the Word of God, but in all the improvements of the day. He was always ready to lead his flock in building up the church, in temperance, in Sunday Schools, in Missionary Societies-Home and Foreign- in school and education. He was a warm friend of Catawba College, and was the first President of the Board of Trustees. He was not often eloquent in his sermons, but sometimes he would rise above himself, and electrify his audience by the boldness and grandeur of his speech. He was never fully appreciated until he was called away. He returned to his old field of labor in 1863. His visit to the churches was an ova- tion. He preached in the "Old White Church" above mentioned and the good people of all denominations were his auditors. Unasked they made him a hand- some donation to bear his expenses and to show some little appreciation of his worth. He was married in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Miss Maria Spotswood. She came with him to North Carolina .and was a faithful co-worker in the church. She lived a most exemplary life in her walk and conversation. She was a pattern of excellence, modest, gentle, neat, not gaudy, and beloved by all who knew her. After the death of her husband, she moved to the town of Wadesboro, N. C., and made her home with one of her nieces until she died. She always loved the church of her fathers. In
306
The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
that faith she lived and in that faith she died. Rev. and Mrs. Crawford lived and died childless.
Rev. C. H. Albert remained pastor only one year, 1852-1853. He was succeeded by Rev. John Lantz, who supplied the church one year, 1853-1854. Mr. Lantz became the regular pastor in 1855 and served until 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. S. Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn was pastor one year, 1860-1861. After a short vacancy, Rev. John Lantz again became pastor, and this pastorate continued until 1868. Licentiate J. C. Clapp supplied the church 1868-1869. In 1869 Prof. Clapp was ordained and installed pastor of the church. He remained pastor until 1890, when he resigned in order to give his entire time and ener- gies to Catawba College of which he was President. Dr. Clapp had the assistance of Rev. J. A. Foil in 1875- 1876; of Rev. G. D. Gurley in 1882-1883, and of Rev. J. F. Hartzell in 1884-1885.
In October, 1883, the annual meeting of the Synod of the Potomac was held in Grace Church. Both the members of the congregation, Classis and Synod looked forward to the meeting with a great deal of interest. There is no doubt that this meeting left a deep impression on the congregation, and many of the members still cherish the names of the ministers and elders whom they entertained.
In February, 1886, the congregation decided to build a new and more modern house of worship, and Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D., Col. W. H. Williams and D. F. Moose were appointed the building committee. The congregation entered enthusiastically upon this work;
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 307
sufficient pledges were secured to assure success in the undertaking. In 1887 the corner-stone of the present elegant brick church was laid, Rev. G. W. Welker, D.D., preaching the sermon. It was completed and dedicated in 1888, Rev. J. C. Clapp, D.D., preaching the sermon.
The building of the new church was the last and most important work which Dr. Clapp rendered to the congregation, for in April, 1890, he tendered his resignation. That his ministry was a faithful and fruitful one is attested by the lives and characters of those who claim him as their spiritual father. But it was impossible to successfully carry on both the work of Catawba College, of which he was President, and the pastorate of a growing congregation, and on this account he surrendered the pastorate. For two years after the resignation of their pastor the church was without the services of a regular pastor, but services were held as often as opportunity afforded. During this interim, the congregation determined to become an independent charge. The town of Newton was growing and it was felt that the congregation could make greater progress if it had the undivided time of the pastor, and an overture was sent to Classis re- questing a division of the charge. The request was granted, and in 1892 Grace congregation, formerly a part of the Catawba Charge, was constituted a charge by itself, the only one at that time in the Classis. It has since this time had the entire time of its pastors.
In 1892 a call was extended to Licentiate A. H. Smith. He accepted the call and was ordained and
308 The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
installed October 9th. During Mr. Smith's pastorate a parsonage was built at a cost of $1,600. A handsome bell was presented to the church by Mr. Solomon Shrum. The bell in the old church belonged to Rev. Dr. J. C. Clapp and was by him presented to the new Trinity Church of Conover. Mr. Smith resigned in August, 1897. In September a call was extended to Rev. W. A. Long, Ph.D. Dr. Long entered upon the pastorate in November, 1897, and remained until May 1, 1901.
Rev. W. H. Stubblebine, Ph.D., succeeded Dr. Long in July, 1901. During Dr. Stubblebine's pastorate the congregation installed a pipe organ. A short time before her death Mrs. Sarah Finger placed in the church a handsome window in memory of her husband, Major S. M. Finger. The Ladies' Aid Society also placed a stained glass window in the church. The pastorate of Dr. Stubblebine closed in November, 1903.
In June, 1904, a call was extended to Rev. Charles E. Wehler, and the work of the congregation has con- tinued with unabated zeal. The congregation under the leadership of pastor Wehler entered upon the work of improving the church property. The par- sonage was thoroughly renovated. All the rooms were papered and the outside of the building painted. The outside of the church also was painted, the inside walls frescoed, the ceiling and wood-work painted and grained in golden oak, a velvet brussels carpet put upon the entire floor space of the church, a hot-air heating plant was installed and two beautiful electroliers put in the
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 309
church. Concrete walks were put down along the entire church and parsonage property. In addition to these improvements there were put into the church seven art windows as follows: Plockhorst's "Christ Blessing the Children," by the Sunday School; Hoff- man's "Boy Christ," by Mr. E. P. Shrum, a memorial to his deceased son; a representation of "Paul on Mars Hill," a memorial by the Matthew Locke McCorkle family; Raphael's "Sistine Madonna," by the Ladies' Aid Society; Plockhorst's "Good Shepherd," a me- morial to the late Deacon D. F. Moose, by his family ; a beautiful representation of "Christ Crowning Mary," by Col. W. H. Williams, in loving memory of his de- ceased wife and children; and a monogram window in Munich style of art glass work, by the Christian En- deavor Society. All these improvements were made with perfect harmony, and the congregation is now laying plans for the enlargement of the church and the building of a Sunday School room.
The faculty and students of Catawba College make a valuable addition to the congregation, and give it special importance. This is the principal institution of the Reformed Church south of Pennsylvania. The Classis of North Carolina justly expects this congrega- tion to furnish a spiritual home for the students, and to bestow upon them its fostering care, safe-guarding them against all pernicious influences, and leading them to the highest type of Christian manhood and womanhood.
310 The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
10. Friendship Reformed Church, Alexander County.
The Reformed Church in North Carolina has failed to enter many communities in which there was a Re- formed constituency, and in some cases after entering a community and establishing congregations has suf- fered these organizations to disband for want of pas- toral care. This was the case in Caldwell, now Alex- ander County. It is evident that many of the early settlers in this county were adherents to the Reformed and Lutheran Churches. Rev. A. L. Crouse (Luth- eran) in his Historical Sketches says: "A large pro- portion, if not a majority, of the Germans who settled in Alexander County belonged to what was then the German Reformed Church. These were the Richards, Hermans, Rowes, Benfields, Kellers, Prices and some say the Wittenbergers." Some of these at least must have crossed the Catawba River and worshiped with the congregations in Catawba County. The Lutherans established Friendship Church in the year 1833 and it is highly probable that the Reformed people held occasional services at this place. The Reformed peo- ple organized a congregation in this county in the year 1844, but it has been difficult to obtain much correct information concerning it. The following found on the first page of a little book belonging to the late Rev. Jeremiah Ingold, D.D., is about all the record that we have been enabled to find relating to this congrega- tion : ..
"ECCLESIASTICAL MEMORANDUM.
"Commencing on the third Sabbath in May, 1844.
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 311
I was ordained on the 4th of April at the Brick Church, Guilford County. Took charge of the congregation at . Friendship, Caldwell County. Preached my intro- ductory sermon on the 3d Sunday of May. The con- gregation had been organized about two months pre- vious by Rev. J. H. Crawford. Mr. Plassman and myself were present."
"Fourteenth of September, 1844, laid the corner- stone of a new church. Rev. J. H. Crawford preached. I resigned my congregation in Cald well County on the 3d Sabbath in October, 1845, and removed to Henry Sechler's Mineral Springs in Rowan County on Octo- ber 23d."
On another page we find the following entry:
"Catechumens in Caldwell Charge:
"John Price, Jonas Miller, Clement Head, Elizabeth Rauch, Margaret Price, Catharine Miller, Marcus Har- mon, Wilson Price, West Bradburn, Rachael M. Brad- burn, Susan Miller, Sarah Miller and Christina Keller."
The following entries of baptism are made:
"On April 5, 1845, at the stand in Cald well County, John Dallas Alexander, son of Joseph and Malinda Rowe; Absalom Andrew, son of Absalom and Anna Price; Andrew Alexander, son of Charles and Jane Benfield; Sarah Jane, daughter of Conrad and Cath- arine Benfield." Other entries of baptisms are made and each time it is stated "At the Stand in Caldwell County."
Under the head of funerals is the following:
"August 17, 1845, Mr. George Benfield at the Stand in Caldwell County." It will be noted that the name
-
312 The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
Friendship is used in the above. Rev. Mr. Crouse tells us that he has satisfactory evidence that the name of the congregation was Hopewell. He has this from some old people who are still living (1905), and he thinks that two churches bearing the same name would hardly have been so close together. He thinks that the Reformed people worshiped in the Friendship Lutheran Church before erecting a church of their own and this accounts for the confusion of names. The church was built on the Price place, near the road leading from Oxford Ford to All Healing Springs and about four miles from the road. The building was never finished and had no window sash nor shutters and no doors. No deed for the land was ever made by Mr. Price. After the building was abandoned as a place of worship, Mr. G. P. Rowan bought the farm, tore down the building and used the timbers in the construction of a barn. The only thing which now marks the spot where these people once worshiped is a grave- yard. There are twenty-four graves marked by noth- ing but common stones, which of course have no inscrip- tion. We would like to know more of this people. The members have scattered and gone into other com- munities. The Reformed Church in Alexander County is known only in history.
11. Bethel Reformed Church, Catawba County.
Bethel Church is on the South Fork of the Catawba River, about seven miles south of Hickory. It is first reported in the minutes of North Carolina Classis in 1849. It was organized by Rev. J. H. Crawford. It
The Reformed Church in North Carolina. 313
is in the region where Henry Weidner, the South Fork pioneer, located his grant of land. Here the Weidners, Robinsons, Wilfongs still maintain the ancient Re- formed faith. The records of this congregation were never kept, or if they were kept, have been misplaced or entirely lost. The congregation had its origin in the desire of members of Grace Church who lived in the Forks of the river, between Henry's Fork and Jacob's Fork, to have preaching nearer home. To accommodate this desire the Rev. John H. Crawford, then pastor of Grace Church, established a preaching point at Minerva school-house, which at that time was located at the cross-roads near the homestead of the late Jacob Shuford. Services were held here on Sun- day afternoons, the minister having preached at Grace in the morning. A meeting was held sometime about 1847, for the purpose of considering the pro- priety of building a house of worship. One who was present, while not remembering the date, remembers that the meeting was held in the woods, and while the congregation was there that it began to snow exceed- ingly fast. From this fact, the place for a while was called "Snow Hill." The organization must have been effected about 1847-1848, as it is reported in the minutes of Classis in 1849. We find that three chil- dren were baptized in 1848, being the first children baptized in the new church. Lazarus Dietz made a deed for the land to Jacob Shuford and Henry Link, dated September 2, 1848.
There have been two church buildings erected. The first was small and insufficient, being only 22 by 32
314 The Reformed Church in North Carolina.
feet. For a long time there was no stove in the church and the congregation would build a fire in the yard and around this they would stand until time for the services to begin.
About the year 1884, during the pastorate of the Rev. G. Dickie Gurley, the idea of building a new church was conceived, but nothing was done until 1886, when under the pastorate of Rev. Lewis Reiter plans for a new church were adopted and the present substantial brick building was erected, of which the cornerstone was laid September 8, 1886, Rev. C. B. Heller preaching the sermon from Haggai 1: 3, 4, 5. The congregation has grown greatly and the present building is inadequate to meet the growing demands of the congregation.
The following have served as pastors, but the length of the different pastorates cannot now be determined, viz. : J. H. Crawford, Jeremiah Ingold, J. C. Clapp and J. A. Foil, supply, J. H. Shuford, A. S. Vaughn, A. P. Horn, G. D. Gurley, Lewis Reiter, Joseph L. Murphy, P. M. Trexler and S. W. Beck. The pastorate of Rev. Lewis Reiter began in September, 1885, and ended September, 1890. The pastorate of Joseph L. Murphy began November, 1890, and ended January, 1903. During the summer of 1905, Milton Whitener, a stu- dent of theology in the Theological Seminary, Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, supplied the congregation for two months.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.