USA > North Carolina > Rowan County > Salisbury > History and 200th anniversary of Union Evangelical Lutheran Church of Salisbury, North Carolina, 1774-1974 > Part 5
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It is shortly after this that building once more begins to come out in Coun- cil meetings, as the Council is asked to make decision in various areas. By the third Sunday of October, 1951, the congregation finds the church un- usable, and on that Sunday meets jointly with Christiana Congregation. It was during this time that the tower was enclosed, that the trancepts were built - that the building as we know it now came into being. As we understand it, the original plans which anticipated an expense of $20,000 were enlarged through individual gifts. The tower work was done by us- ing the future framing for the Mahaley - Peeler Annex as scaffolding. Work progressed, and the congregation was ready to have a Service of Dedication in November, 1952. The Minutes of Synod for 1953 report: "A Dedica- tory Service for the Mahaley - Peeler Memorial Annex, Kerns Memorial Transcept, Peeler - Trexler Memorial Narthex, Bankett Memorial Chimes, and Projection Room Equipment, etc., including additional fixtures and appointments was held on November 30, 1952 at 11:00 A.M." The Presi- dent of Synod, Dr. F. L. Conrad, was present and delivered the Sermon. The total cost was approximately $36,000, and a Service of Rededication for Union Church was held at the same time.
Something else had been happening at Union. It is listed as a "first" in the Council Minutes. We quote from a called meeting on July 6, 1952: "It was decided at this meeting to give Pastor Plexico a gift since this is the first pastor to marry while serving this congregation."
Pastor Plexico resigned, effective Novem- ber 1, 1953, and once again it was time for a pulpit committee to work. History repeated itself again, and the congregation called a seminarian - T. Joseph Shumate. Pastor Shumate came to Union following his gradu- ation in 1954.
Pastor Shumate started a new Parish Reg- ister, and under the Historical Events in that register listed happenings for the years. In this way we are able to date certain happen- ings. Quotations which follow, unless other- Pastor T. Joseph Shumate wise noted, are from this Parish Register.
In 1954 a "circle drive was paved in front of church, $1,500. Outside Bulletin Board was erected by Luther League."
The days of the old school house were numbered, for it was no longer meeting the needs of the congregation, even as a Community Building. In the minutes of a Council meeting on March 20, 1955, we read, "The con-
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CHURCH AT DEDICATION SERVICE - NOV., 1952
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gregation voted to accept the proposed community building plans." Mr. J. H. Barringer, Jr. was named chairman of this committee. And it could have been that the beginning of work in the area brought forth action by the Council in August: "Motion carried that table for Homecoming be placed in shade at front of church."
By the end of 1955, the meaningful happenings were listed: "Central heating system installed in parsonage, $985. Lake built by Brotherhood and stocked with bream and bass. New Church Constitution adopted."
In April, 1956, the Church Council went on record: "Motion carried that Church Council go on record as naming the new building fellowship hall." The Council went on record, but we call it something of a cross be- tween that action and the old community building - Fellowship Building! Listed happenings for 1956 are "Softball field graded, removal of old ten- ant house and barn, $100. Two arches in nave rebuilt. Interior walls of church repainted. Exterior woodwork of church and educational build- ings repainted. Cemetery marked off and permanent markers installed. Union Church included in will of E. B. Bankett."
At the December, 1957 Council Meeting, the Council is informed that Bob Oddie has paid $150 for the old community building. Then on De- cember 8, Dr. Misenheimer, Assistant to the President of the N. C. Synod, is present for the dedication of the new Fellowship Building which had cost $11,000.
Historical Events listed for 1957 are "Interior of old parsonage repaint- ed. Softball field enlarged, $78.00. Deep well drilled at church, pump in- stalled. Shrubs removed from around church, grass planted. Steps built to small furnace in right wing. Extra speaker added for church organ - speaker system improved."
Pastor J. Schoneberg Setzer
On December 22, Pastor Shumate an- nounced his resignation to become effective January 12, 1958. Once more Union was to look to Southern Seminary.
Seminarian J. Schoneberg Setzer was called and accepted the call to Union follow- ing graduation. During that year new Ser- vice Books and Hymnals were purchased and dedicated in September. New choir robes were purchased. Two new Bibles were pur- chased for the pulpit and lectern by Miss Lucy Kerns, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kes- ler. New siding was placed on gables of the parsonage.
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CHURCH POND BUILT IN 1955
SHELTER ADDED IN 1970
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There was an encounter with the old also. The old parsonage and out- buildings were sold and torn down for $350. An old Bible was rebound by Mr. and Mrs. M. Lee Trexler. The archives was started during Pastor Set- zer's pastorate, and it likely came from this time. The Council acted to purchase a 1954 Farmall Tractor for $550 for the upkeep of the grounds, and the tractor is still in use.
The Parochial Report for 1958 showed 479 Baptized Members, 383 Confirmed Members, and 293 Communing Members. 36 were on the Sun- day School staff, and 356 enrolled. There was 1 Men's Group with 20 members, 1 Women's Group with 92 members, and 2 Young Peoples' Groups with 50 members. Congregational expenses were $10,166 and Benevolence was $5,531.
In 1959, it is apparent that there is another need in the physical plant - a need for a storage building. The $150 from the sale of the community building, and the $350 from the sale of the parsonage and outbuildings are earmarked for this. "The Council voted in favor of presenting the pro- posed plans for the new building to the congregation, and also to recom- mend that the necessary funds be on hand before the construction is start- ed." Mr. James L. Lyerly had completed the building by the October Council Meeting of 1960. The contract had been given for $2,413.20 on July 24. The area between the church and the Fellowship Building was al- so paved during the year. In December, 1960 the Council voted to set up a Memorial Fund, stating that "Those in the congregation desiring to remem- ber loved ones and friends can donate to this fund instead of buying flow- ers. This would be a permanent record, and a memorial fund book would be placed in the church."
Pastor Vernon A. Frick
With the resignation of Pastor Setzer at the end of August, 1961, a pulpit committee got busy again. Once more Union looked South, but not to Southern Seminary this time. The Rev. Vernon A. Frick, pastor of Nativity in Spartanburg, S. C., was called and accepted, entering the work at the end of December. Perhaps this explains some of the work done at the parsonage that year: "painting interior, tile on bathroom floor, new tub, half bath installed upstairs."
The Historical Events for 1962 show a list- ing: "Canopy and walk from Church to Fel- lowship Building, given by Miss Lucy Kerns
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($1,500). Walks from Fellowship Building to pavement poured, pavement of area between Fellowship Building and Church to circle drive ($1,150). Landscaping from fellowship building to and including cemetery, new road graded down west side of cemetery ($550)." During this year storm win- dows were installed at the parsonage, the narthex and chancel were paint- ed, a folding door was placed in the Fellowship Building, and a Worship Center was installed in the Fellowship Building which was given by Miss Lucy Kerns.
Over the years, the upstairs of the parsonage had very little use until Pastor Frick came, so a great deal was needed. In 1963 the floors were anded. The walls were sheetrocked, and celotex placed on the ceiling and the upstairs was painted. A double garage was also built at the parsonage.
Attention was given to equipment and facilities at the church in 1964 is a new mimeograph machine was purchased. Work was also done in reno- vating the pastor's study and the church office. This was followed in 1965 with a face lifting from without as the exterior of the Church and Fellow- ship and Storage Buildings were painted. New white paraments were pur- chased, and a storage cabinet for the paraments was placed in the small room to the left of the chancel.
1966 was to be a big year at Union. Along with small improvements as needs were met - such as the installation of two electric heaters in the nursery (the Mrs. C. J. M. Cauble Classroom), and carpet and floor cover- ing for downstairs in the parsonage - there was a need for something more extensive. Once again Union had been getting ready to build to meet a need for more educational space. On August 28, 1966, Dr. Misenheimer, Assistant to the President, was with the congregation as ground was bro- ken for a new Educational Building. This building was completed and dedi- cated by the President of Synod, Dr. George Whittecar, on April 30, 1967. The cost of the building which was to handle the educational needs from Nursery through the Third Grade was $35,000. Also included in the build- ing was a Library - Conference room.
A road was built around the cemetery in 1968 and the parsonage was recovered. That year, the entrance to the church took on the look which we have become accustomed to as new tile was placed and a new center guard rail was added. At the end of the year, Union was reporting 579 Baptized Members, 448 Confirmed, 353 Communing, and 385 Active Con- firmed Members. There were 55 leaders in Sunday School and 320 pupils. The current expenses were $17,633 with unusual expenses of $8,727. $9,797 was given towards the Apportionment that year and $1,950 was given to other Benevolence. The indebtedness of $4,289 on the Educa- tional Building was paid in full.
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Different persons will remember in their own way the happenings of 1969. This was the year when the air conditioning was accomplished in the church. At the same time repair work was done on both furnaces and the sanctuary was painted and recarpeted. The total cost was $11,546. Work was also done across the road as the parsonage was painted inside and out.
In 1970 the church roof was replaced and an air conditioner was in- stalled in the nursery. The drive at the parsonage was reworked and cover- ed with stone, and a shelter was built at the pond.
Pastor L. Aaron Lippard
Pastor Frick resigned to accept a call to Frieden's, Gibsonville on August 15, 1971. The vacancy was only of a short duration for the Rev. L. Aaron Lippard of Cedar Grove, Vale accepted the call and moved in Octo- ber 15. This change of pastors was respon- sible for some more work in the parsonage as the kitchen and upstairs were carpeted, and paneling was placed in the den.
The Fall of 1971 witnessed a return to "school days" at Union. A weekday Kin- dergarten was started with Mrs. Ann Tucker as teacher. The Kindergarten meets in the Kindergarten classrooms of the Educational
Building.
Aluminum siding was placed on the tower and the boxing and gable ends of the church and educational wings in 1972. The cost was $3,500. The Fellowship and Educational Buildings were treated for termite con- trol, and the kitchen was painted in the Fellowship Building.
The big news of 1973 was that the congregation agreed to the recom- mendation of the Organ Committee, and in due time - following work of men of the congregation in providing an organ chamber - a new Schantz Pipe Organ was installed. The $25,500 organ of 12 ranks was dedicated debt free at a recital given by Mrs. Dawn Merrell on October 14.
The original plans to simply grade and pave an area for multiple use as tennis court and basketball court was enlarged on in the Winter of 1973. Not only were these facilities made possible, but the court area was treated and painted, and a chain link fence was used to set the area off. It is hoped that in the future this area might be enlarged with facilities for younger children as well.
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As we come to our 200th Anniversary, certain things have happened: the Fellowship, Educational, and Storage Buildings have been painted out- side. The church office has been renovated and painted. The congregation voted on the last Sunday of May, giving the Church Council approval to do the work and borrow the money needed for repairs estimated at $7,000 in the left educational wing off the sanctuary.
The history of the congregation was being completed, with hopes of being ready for distribution by Homecoming Sunday. The Rev. Herman Fisher, a grandson of Pastor Brown who was here when the present church was built in 1879, and a grandson further removed of the Michael Brown who built the Old Stone House and was trustee of the church's original land grant, was to speak on Homecoming. Sons of the congregation in the ministry had been invited back to preach during the year.
It is a year of joy, when we know anew of God's blessings! The God of our fathers leads us into every new undertaking.
INTERIOR OF CHURCH
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INTERIOR OF CHURCH
TENNIS COURT
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CHURCH AND OTHER BUILDINGS
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SONS IN THE GOSPEL MINISTRY
MILES JOSEPH KLUTTZ was the first son of Union to enter the Gospel Ministry. He was born to H. A. L. and Mary E. Walton Kluttz on March 26, 1893. He graduated from Lenoir Rhyne in 1916 and received his B. D. from Southern Seminary in 1919. He was ordained at the Synod meeting in 1919 which met at Union. The following year he did graduate work at Philadelphia Seminary. He married Sarah Pearl Lyerly at Union on November 19, 1922. Children: Pearl Lyerly (Mrs. Fred McCall, Jr.), Miles Pastor Miles Joseph Kluttz Joe, and Sarah Elaine (Mrs. Eugene Honbar- rier). Churches served: Ascension, Brook- lyn, N. Y., 1920-24; in N. C .: St. Luke's, Bear Poplar, 1924-27; at Waynes- boro, Va. and Damascus, Va., 1927-40; Wittenberg, Granite Quarry, 1940- 52. He retired of ill health in 1952 at Granite Quarry. He died April 22, 1963 and is buried in Union Cemetery.
BERNARD LITTLETON TREXLER was born December 17, 1917 to William Roedel and Carrie Cauble Trexler He graduated from Lenoir Rhyne in 1938 and Southern Seminary in 1941. He was ordained by the N. C. Synod that year. He married Dorothy Caughman of Columbia, S. C. on November 1, 1941. Children: William Bernard (a Lutheran Minister) and John David. Churches served: Holy Communion, Belmont, 1941-43; Trinity, Rocky Mount, 1943-49; St. Mark, Asheville, 1949-59; St. Mark, Corpus Christi, Tex., 1959-61; and Trinity, Greenville, S. C. since 1961.
Pastor Bernard Littleton Trexler
Pastor Leroy Cauble Trexler
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LEROY CAUBLE TREXLER was born August 9, 1922 to William Roedel and Carrie Cauble Trexler. He graduated from Lenoir Rhyne in 1943 and Southern Seminary in 1945. He was ordained by the N. C. Syn- od that year. He married Mable Shealy of Columbia, S. C. on September 27, 1945. Children: Baby girl (deceased), Nancy Eileen, Robin (deceased), Leroy Cauble, Jr. Churches served: Good Shepherd, Goldsboro, 1945-49; Mt. Herman, Cabarrus Co., 1949-51; St. John, Cherryville, 1952-58; St. Paul, Sarasota, Fla., 1958-65; and St. Paul's, Columbia, S. C. since 1965.
ROBERT GLENN YOUNG, son of Ed- die Linz and Lala Agner Young was born July 15, 1945. He graduated from Catawba College in 1967 and from the Southern Sem- inary in 1971. He was ordained in that year and has served as pastor of Morning Star, Matthews since his ordination. On Decem- ber 18, 1966 he married Barbara Beaver of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Rockwell, N.C. They have two children: David Neil and Barbara Suzanne.
Pastor Robert Glenn Young
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INDEX OF PASTORS AT UNION
1. John Gottfried Arends (Visitation Services) - 1774 - 1785 .. 3, 6
2. Carl Augustus Gottlieb Storch (Part Time) - 1788 - 1810 10
3. J. W. Meyer - Catechist, served Union 1813 14
4. John Reck - 1826 - 1831 14
5. Samuel Rothrock - 1833 - 1835 17
6. Daniel Jenkins - 1836 . 18
7. Samuel Rothrock - 1836 - 1842 19
8. William Artz - 1843. 20
9. Samuel Rothrock - 1844 20
10. J. B. Anthony - 1845 - 1846 21
11. W. G. Harter - 1847 - 1850. 21
12. B. N. Hopkins - 1850 21
13. L. C. Groseclose - 1851 22
14. Simeon Scherer - 1852 - 1854 22
15. B. C. Hall - 1855. 22
16. L. C. Groseclose - 1857 - 1865 23
17. D. I. Dreher - 1866 24
18. W. H. Cone - 1867 - 1868 (?) 24
19. Simeon Scherer - 1869 - 1872 (?) 24
20. A. D. L. Moser, Supply - 1868 - 1873 (?) 32
22.
R. L. Brown - 1874 - 1884. 29
23.
Student H. L. Yarger, Summer Supply - 1884 32
24.
J. M. Hedrick - 1884 - 1885 32
J. W. Strickler - 1886 - 1889
33
27.
C. A. Brown - 1894 - 1900. .34
34
J. P. Miller - 1900 - 1903 34
30.
N. D. Bodie - 1903 - 1907
35
31.
L. B. Spracher - 1908 - 1914 36
32. R. L. Patterson - 1914 - 1915 43
33. C. R. Pless - 1916 - 1919 43
34.
J. B. Haigler - 1920 - 1922 44
35.
J. C. Dietz - 1923 - 1925 45
36. N. D. Bodie - 1926 - 1927 46
37. J. C. Dietz - 1927 - 1932
46
39 W. B. Weant - 1949 - 1950
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40. T. C. Plexico - 1951 - 1953 51
41. T. J. Shumate - 1954 - 1958 52
42. J. S. Setzer - 1958 - 1961 55
43. V. A. Frick - 1961 - 1971 57
44. L. A. Lippard - 1971 - 59
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21.
W. H. Cone - 1874 25
25. 26. J. Q. Wertz - 1890 - 1893 .33
28. 29.
Student J. L. Morgan, Summer Supply - 1900
38. B. E. Petrea - 1932 - 1949 48
HOW OUR MAIN BUILDING(S) GREW
ILLUSTRATION OF FLOOR PLANS OF CHURCH, SHOWING ADDITIONS
1879 saw the completion of the rectang- ular building which is now our nave. (see pages 29 - 31)
The 1902 addition was small but mean- ingful. It furnished our present chancel area, the organ chamber to the right, and the small room to the left. (page 35)
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The addition of a tower in 1910 made the center aisle possible which we know today. (pages 42 - 43)
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r
I
1
1
r
7
1
1
1
1
1
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1
1925 saw the completion of the first educational unit. A window in the original rectangle became a door to the new addition. (page 45) See top illustration.
In 1952 extensive remodeling and new additions brought the look which we know today: trancepts in our worship area and more classroom space. (page 52) See bottom illustration.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Old Record Book No. 1 (Union)
2. Record Book No. 2 (Union)
3. History of the German Settlements And of the Lutheran Church in North and South Carolina, By G. D. Bernheim
4. The History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium of North Carolina, By G. D. Bernheim, D.D., and George H. Cox, D.D.
5. History of the Lutheran Church in North Carolina, edited by Jacob L. Morgan, D.D., LL.D., Bachman S. Brown, Jr., D.D., and John Hall, D.D.
6. Life Sketches of Lutheran Ministers - North Carolina and Tennessee Synods, 1773 - 1965; Published by the authority of the North Caro- lina Synod of the Lutheran Church in America
7. "Barringer - Lyerly History," the historical sketch of Union Congre gation written by Misses Mary Barringer and Ella Mae Lyerly in 1928 and 1929.
8. "Sketch of Union Lutheran Church," by William D. Kizziah for Homecoming, 1959
9. History of Rowan County, by Rev. Jethro Rumple
10. Minutes of the North Carolina Synod, from the Archives of Synod
11. "The Rothrock Diary"
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