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History Of Organ Evangelical Lutheran Church (BY Z. A. KLUTTZ.) It was away back in the dim, fai distant past, about two hundret years ago, a generation before th( Revolutionary War, when-this sec tion of country was but an im mense wilderness, when there wen no railroads, no steamboats, nc roads, only Indian trails, when the country was inhabited by wild In dians, that our forefathers, in Pen nsylvania, finding it difficult, tc secure farm-hands and houses at such prices as to them seemed pos sible to pay, gathered together theii holdings, packed them into theii scoop-bed wagons, and driving theii herds of live stock, started out tc find homes and farm-hands in thf provinces of Virginia and Nortl Carolina of which glowing report: had reached them. Leaving Pennsylvania, they trav eled down through Maryland, acros: the James River, up the beautiful Shenandoal valley of Virginia, and over the mountains into what i< now known as the Piedmont section of North Carolina. Today, the route that they travelled can easily be traced by the many Lutheran settlements along on either side of the wav. At that time there were no well kept public highways with sign boards directing the traveler on his way, but only Indian trails winding in and out, over hill and dale and through dense and dark forests, and often difficult to fol low. Then, there were no bridges spanning the rivers and creeks, but each stream must be forded, and that, often where the’ ford was rough and rocky, and through deep and ruushing waters, with high, precipitous banks on either side. And not only were these natural difficulties to be overcome, but they were compelled to be constant ly on the watch to guard against and repel the sudden attacks of the unfriendly Indians through whose territory they must pass. Thus it was that our forefathers, through toils and labors, exposeure and trials, difficulties and dangers, came to this section of North Carolina in which we are living to day. In the providence of God, here they came, a devout Spartan band; and here they settled ‘when the foundations of this grand old state of North Carolina were being laid; and here they organized their con gregations and, side by side with i*i 11*11 tiieir nomes, erecteu incir cnurcnes, trusting in God for pastors, though they knew not whence nor how they would come. Thus, somewhere between the years of 1740 and 1745, the first three Lutheran churches were estab Ished; viz. St. Johns Church in Sal isbury, Zion, now known as Organ Church in Rowan County, and St. Johns Church in Cabarrus, then Mecklenburg County. So far as can be ascertained, these three con gregations were organized about the same time, that is somewhere about the year 1745, and very soon thereafter they erected their churches and held regular services, conducted by their church officers But they had no pastor for more than twenty-five years. Zion, known as Organ Church, is located in Rowan County, N. C., ten miles South from Salisbury, on the Mt. Pleasant road, seven miles West from Gold Hill and nine miles East of China Grove. The exact date of the organization of the congregation is not known, but, in all probability, was shortly after 1745, when those who organ ized it first came from Pennsyl vania to North Carolina. The or ganization was effected more than one hundred and eiehtv years aeo. and no doubt was the first Luth eran congregation ever organized in this Piedmont section of North Carolina. At the very lowest esti mate Organ Church is one of the very oldest congregations in all this section of country; a landmark reaching away back before the Revolutionary War to the time ol King George III, and embracing in its history from then until now many events with interest and im portance. It’s first house of worship wai located about seven miles fron where Organ Church now stands near where is now St. Peter’: Church. It was constructed oi hickory logs, and hence was callec "Hickory Church,” and was erect ed, owned, and used jointly by thi Lutheran and German R.eforme< people. Just when this house wa built we have no positive informa tion, nor do we know for how many years they occupied it. Th< ground upon which it stood wa never deeded toxeither church, an< hence, when it became necessary t< make a change, they both abandoned it, and it was used no more by , either. The house stood until it fin ally went to decay. A large and costly granite monu ment has been recently erected b? the members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and dedicated as a memorial to mark the place of the first or ganized congregation and the first Lutheran church ever erected in North Carolina. This monument stands near the South West cornet in St. Peter’s cemetery, Rowan County, North Carolina. The second house of worship was also a log church. It stood just back of the present building, and was used by the congregation until the new house was ready for occu pancy. In this house Rev. Nussman, the first pastor, began his work and preached three years; hero Rev. Arndt was ordained and preached ten years; and here Rev. Storch entered upon his labors and preach ed until they moved into the new house. Then for years the building was used for school purposes. The third and present house of worship is a stone structure, J0x40 and two stories high. The old pul pit was goblet-shaped with its sounding board overhead and built high up against the wall, with winding steps to ascend. It has 1*1 i lUlig Mine UCCU ICillUVCU. On three sides of the auditorium there is a capacious gallery with stairs leading up from either side. The present church building began in the year 1774 and finished in the year 1794. According to this they were twenty years in building it. And judging from the size of the house, and of the material of which it is built, they surely must have been that long if not longer. The following members of our congre gation began to build the so called j Organ Church, viz: George Lewis Siffert, Wen del Miller, Peter Eddle man, John Stirewalt, Philip Cress, Peter Stirewalt, Michael Goodman, Christopher Pless, Leonard Siffert, Jacob Klein, Anthony Kuhn, George Henry Bcrges, Christapen Goodman, John Rendleman, John Eagle. They were all farmers, de pendent upon their labors on the farm for their support, with none of modern labor saving machinery. They must therefore have devoted to the work of the building, only that part of the year that could best be spared from the farm. That, we know, wouldn’t be but compar atively a short time in each year. The walls are built entirely of stone, not hewn or dressed stone, such as we use at the present day, but rough uncut stone, just as it was formed by nature. Where they procured this stone is a myst ery, as there is none like it around here. They must have brought it from a considerable distance. The floor, also was laid of large n . . t .1 ii c iiai aivsxxwo* jui lag gaiJLtxy x awing the pulpit stood for years and years', the old pipe organ, from which the church derives its popular name of "The Organ Church.’’ It was built in the the house entirely by hand, by a Mr. Stirewalt, a member of the congregation, and was one amongst the very first pipe organs ever built in America, and the first of any kind in any church in North Caro lina. It possessed none of the ex ternal beauty and symmetry of the pipe organs of our day and time, but it was well adapted to its sur roundings and the object for which it was made; and for long years its deep, majestic, solemn voice led the congregation in its service of praise; or wailed out its slow, heart-search ing funeral dirge as the body of one after another of the people was carried out to the silent city of the dead. It gradually yielded to the inroads of time and use, growing each year weaker and weaker, until at length, its work was done. It has long since been removed from its old place in the gallery, and its parts have become broken and scat tered. Many portion's of it are care fully preserved as relics. The con gregation has had made, from its remains, many yard-sticks, that were eagely sought for, and highly treasured in remembrance of the old organ. In the year 1772, Organ Church of Rowan County, and St. John’s Church of, then Mecklenburg, now Cabarrus County, after having no doubt, exhausted every effort to se cure a pastor from the older settle ments in Pennsylvania, determined to send a delegation to the father land, to appeal to their country men and brethern in the faith, to send them a pastor and school teacher; that they might have the Blessed Word preached to them, and that their children might be taught the things necessary for them to know. Accordingly Christopher Rintelmann, of Organ, and Christopher Layrely, of St. John’s, two brave, strong, honest, consecrated men of God, represent ing sixty families, undertook the long and hazardous journey at their own expense. They were instructed i to apply to the Consistory of Hannover, in preference to any other, because at that time the Provence of North Carolina was under the government of the king ,of England, who, at the same time, was Elector of Hannover. Supplied with the necessary credentials and especially with one from Governor Tryon who was, at that time, Governor of the Province of North Carolina, being the great seal of the Province, and with a letter of recommendation from him i to the “Society for the spread of the Gospel in foreign parts,” at London; the commissioners left their homes in 1772, traveled horse back to Charleston, South Carolina, made a safe voyage across the At lantic and went, first, to England where they were most cordially re ceived and kindly treated. The Missionary Society to which they appealed, heartily endorsed their cause. The king of England and numbers of the English noblemen gave liberally of their means, and St. James’ Lutheran Chapel in Lon don gave them a handsome sum of money for that day, in all amount ing to more than eight hundred dol lars. In Germany they found the same hearty welcome awaiting them, where besides offering of money, they were presented with Bibles, hymn books, Catechisms and other publications; and to Organ church was presented with the following: viz. a baptismal bowl, platter, wine tankard, goblet and wafer box, con stituting the first vessels of the kind ever owned and used by the congre (Mfinn TKpca vaccaIc Kiua Kppn -in possession of the congregation now for one hundred and sixty-one years, and plainly indicate by their appearance the long term of their service. For many years they were the only vessels used. Then they were set aside to be succeeded by a glass set which was used until an elegant silver set was purchased during the administration of Rev. W. R. Brown, later an individual com munion set was presented to the congregation, which they are now using, by Mrs. Ellen Smith Lentz, in memory of her deceased husband, Mr. D. S. Lentz. The congregation has in its pos session today every communion ves sel and every baptismal bowl that it has ever owned. Amongst these old relics is an old black bottle used for years and years for holding and keeping wine. How old it is no one knows. It no doubt came from [the old country, and possibly was brought with the other vessels in 1773. In the fall of 1773 the two commissioners, Christopher Lyerly and Christopher Rendleman, arriv ed in America with their pastor and school teacher. The consistory of Hannover t . 1 • i* gx.aixi.cu. lucu puuuuui xui pasiux and a school teacher, and at once, officially called and commissioned the Rev. Adolphus Nussman as pas tor and Mr. John Godfried Arndt as school teacher, and also, pledged the institution to serve the brethern in North Carolina in the future, by sending them additional ministers upon application. What a blessed work those two laymen accomplished! God alone knows what might have become of the Lutheran church in North Carolina if those two had not vol unteered to undertake the voyage to Europe. We of today should honor their memory as the preser ves of Lutheranism in North Caro lina. Thus the Rev. Adolphus Nuss man became the pioneer Lutheran minister of North Carolina. He was thirty-three old when he ac cepted the call to the Lutheran church in North Carolina. Upon his arrival here in North Carolina, he at first, made his home in the vicinity of Organ church and served as pastor of that church and St. John’s church in Salisbury, and occasionally visited and minist ered to the spiritual needs of St. John church in Cabarrus County. The school teacher, Mr. Arndt, taught the children of Organ church for two years, and was then ordained to the Gospel Ministry, and became the second pastor of Organ church, the Rev. Nussman removing to Cabarrus County and becoming the pastor of St. John church in that county, which he served faithfully and well until his death, November 8, 1794. His earthly remains lie in the old grave yard of St. John church. Rev. Arndt was the first Luth eran Minister ever ordained in North Carolina, and the second pastor of Organ church. He serv ed that congregation for eleven years and then removed to Lincoln County. He was one of tho organ izers of the North Carolina Synod and was its first president. The ministerial life and history of this church is, indeed, remark able. In its history it seems to have been vacant but one year. It has had twenty different pastors, whose names and tme of service are as lollows: Rev. Adolphus Nussman 1773 1774, 1 year. Rev. Gottfried Arndt, 1775 1785, 10 years. Rev. Adolphus Nussman, 1785 1787, 2 years. The church was now vacant for one year, and was visited occasion ally by Rev. Gottfried Arndt. Rev. C. A. G. Storch, 1788 1823, 3 5 years. Rev. Daniel Scherer, 182 5-1829, 6 years. Rev. Jacob Kaempfer, 1829 1832, 3 years. Rev. Henry Graeber, 18332 1834, 11 years. Rev. Samuel Rothbrock, 1844 1866, 22 years. Rev. W. H. Cone, Janl, 1866 May 1, 1866, 4 months. Rev. William Artz, May 1, 1866. Rev. Samuel Rothrock July 1, 1868- Jan. 1, 1869, 6 months. Rev. S. Scherer and W. H. Cone, 1869- 1870, 1 year. * Rev. W. H. Cone, Jan. 1, 1866 May 1, 1873, 3 years, 4 months. Rev. W. R. Ketchie, June 1873 June 1874, 1 year. Rev. P. A. Stroble, Jan. 1, 1874 1 1 fi7( 1 vmt 9 mnntlis. Rev. Samuel Rothrock, Jan. 1, 1876-Jan. 1, 1886, 10 years. Rev. W. R. Brown, July 1, 1886 Jan. - 1894, 8 years. Rev. G. H. Cox, 1894-1904, 10 years. Rev. C. A. Brown, 1904-1907, 4 years Rev. H. A. Trexler, 1908-1913, 6 years. Rev. R. R. Sowers, Jan. 1, 1914 April 30, 1918, 4 years 4 months. Rev. L. L. Lohr, Nov. l, 1918 April 15, 1919, 5'/2 months. Rev. M. L. Ridenliour, May 1, 1919-May 1, 1923, 3 years. Rev. P. L. Miller, Sept. 1, 1922 12 years. During the troubles of 1878 1879, which resulted in the organ ization of the Tennessee Synod in 1820, Organ congregation came in for its full share. Party spirit ran very high between what was then called the "Henkelites” and the "Lutherans.” Both parties sought to hold possession of the old church, and were not very scrupulous as to the* measures or means used. On one occasion a communion meeting was in progress in Old Organ church. Services were held [on Saturday and while progressing [one of the Henkelites slipped the key from the dcor of the church, hastily pressed it against his bare wrist, thereby taking an impression, from which he quickly whittled in pine bark a pattern; that night he made a key. Sometime during the night "Henkelites” gathered at the church, expecting with the key to open the door and take possession of the house and keep the "Luther ans” out. But, alas, the key would not turn in the lock. In the eager ness to force it they put a stick through the ring of the key to act as a lever; but the ring burst and they failed. The next morning they gathered with the congregation; and when the communion services were ended refused to leave the house. There upon a fierce struggle, which re sulted in the forcible ejection of the "Henkelties” from the build ing. Some were by physical strength forced out of the doors, while others were taken up bodily and thrown out of the windows. The speaker was told when he was only a young boy, by an ex slave, Sam Propst, that he was pre sent at Organ church when the above occasion took place. When the "Lutherans” and the "Henkelites” separated, they divid ed a part of their sacramental uten sils between them. I am, to-day, returning to the congregation of Organ church a pewter communion cup, and a Baptismal pan, which was given to the Henkelites when they made the separation. These vessels, I was told, was brought along with the first vessels from (Germany. These utensils were pre sented to me to be given to Organ church, by a former member, whose good parents belonged to the "Henkelites. The original deed for the land upon which the old Organ church building now stands is dated Au gust 16, 1786. It was given by Mr. Ludwig Sifferd "To the Elders and Trustees and their successors in office, for the Lutheran Congrega tion belonging to the Second Creek Organ Meeting house.” The deed calls for "Ten acres including the said meeting house, school house I and other buildings thereunto be longing,” for which is acknowledg ed the receipt of "Five pounds, good and lawful money of North Carolna.” The title of land is traced back through the following parties, it being a part of a tract of land con taining seven hundred and one acres of land to Ludwig Sifford from Thomas Frohock and William Frohock in the year 1777, whose right preceded from William Mc Culock in the year 1766, whose right preceded from Hugh Mon gumory in the year 1762, whose right preceded from David Jones, sheriff of Rowan County in the year 175 8. From this title deed we learn something interesting to consider. First. They erected the house be fore they had any right or title to the land upon which it now stands. Such a proceeding at the present day would be very much out of the ordinary, and would be undertaken by very few. It shows how honest conscientious those old-time people were, as well as the entire confi dence they had in each other. Second. This deed gives us an ap proximate date for the old organ; because the church was never known as Organ church until the organ was placed in it. The second parcel of land soldi m Orvan church dated Sentemberi 10, 1789, from John Rintlemanl and his wife, Margaret Rintleman, to the Lutheran Congregation be longing to the Second Creek Organ Meeting House, containing ten acres, the consideration being five pounds. Organ church now owns thirty and nine-tenths acres of land, most of which is in natural forests. The parsonage of Organ church was built in the year 1887, during the administration of Rev. W. R. Brown. It is a neat frame buildng containing six rooms, and is finish ed in good style and excellent taste both inside and out. It stands upon a beautiful and commanding eleva tion overlooking the church. This together with the necessary out-buildings, makes a pleasant and convenient home for the pastor. The Centennial celebration of Organ church was held on Sunday, May 6, 1894. The exercises of the celebration of the centennial were held in the beautiful grove sur rounding the church. A stand had been erected under one of the large oaks, and seats arranged in front. The church was totally inadequate to accommodate the large concourse of people assembled on this occa sion. The crowd was estimated at from 3,000 to S,000. t> . r> _t t» _ _T'\ r\ L . J xvc v . jauiuvi iwuuwvn, j—'. iv• iiuu charge of the exercises in the fore noon. He had not been well and was rather feeble but could not forego the pleasure of being present on this joyous occasion. His voice was clear and distinct. The old familiar hymn, "AH Hail the Power of Jesus Name,’’ was sung with power and expression by the con gregation. Rev. W. R. Ketchie, a former pastor, read the 46th Psalm, and prayer by Rev M. G. G. Scherer, D. D. An address on the history of Organ church was delivered by Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D. At the close of Dr. Bemheim’s address the choir sang with powerful effect, "My Church, My Church, My Dear Old Church,” and an intermission for dinner was taken. In the afternoon the exercises were conducted by Rev. W. A. Lutz and prayer by Rev. H. M. Brown. An address was given by Rev. F W. E. Peschan, D. D., prayer by Rev. L. K. Probst, secretary of the board of missions of the United Synod. Before the congregaton was dis missed Rev. Lutz suggested that we gather around the grave of Rev. C. A. G. Storch, whose remains are hurried in the cemetery adjoining the church. Dr. Rothrock was present at the grave and the Apost le’s Creed and Lord’s Prayer were repeated in concert. After this one stanza of “Nearer My God to Thee,’’ was sung and Dr. Rothrock pronounced the benediction. The leader of the choir was Mr. William Fesperman. The organists were Miss Daisy Kluttz and Miss Mattie Holshouser. The members in the choir were Misses Mary C. Holshouser, Mary Lee Miller, Abby C. Cox, Alice Kluttz, Effie Kluttz, Katie Beaver, Eudora Bost, Nettie Barger, Eliza beth Fesperman, Cora Bost, Joan Smith, Ellen Holshouser, Ellen Smith, Laura Harris, Jennie Fesper man, and C. Brown Cox, L. A. Holshouser, Milo Kluttz, James Bost, G. O. Kluttz, Z. A. Kluttz, L. L. Fesperman, D. M. Barger, H. L. Barger, W. F. Josey, E. W. Cox, John L. Miller and George L. Brown. On November 18, 1906, at the close of the meeting of the South ern Conference of North Carolina Synod, the stately and beautiful tower and bell recently built and placed by the Organ Congregation to the old historic Organ Evange listic Lutheran church, at a cost of $1,378.94, was dedicated to the service of the Lord by Rev. G. H. Cox, D. D., president of the North Carolina Synod, also the old church was renovated and beautified to the amount of $279.27, making $1, 65 8.21 the total cost of improve ment, Rev. C. A. Brown being the pastor. In 1927 Organ Congregation be came self-supporting, the present pastor, Rev. Paul L. Miller5 to be the first all time pastor. The Organ Congregation began to hold annual home coming in the summer of 19233. The home coming in 1923 mark ed the 178th annivarsary of the congregation, the IS Oth anniver sary of the arrival of the first pas tor, and the 149 th anniversary of the laying of the-foundation of the present church building. In the year 1928 Organ Church f congregation erected a modern two story Sunday school building at a total cost of about ten thousand I dollars. The building is built of rough granite to correspond with the old church building. The Park brothers furnishing free hauling of the granite and sand. 2 The laying of the cornerstone about the front door was on May 20th, 1929. The building was first used for Sunday school on Sunday, Decem ber 1, 1929. The present Sunday school Supt. is Mr. Ethan Shive, Hollie Ritchie, assistant Supt., and Clyde Sifford, secretary and treas. The number of enrollment of members in Organ church Sunday school is 3 5 0 members. The numb er of members of Organ Church Congregation is 525 members. The writer is greatly indebted for the above history from the well preserved German Record Book of Organ Church, which was translat ed into the English language by the Rev. G. D. Bernheim, D. D;, and the Rev. A. G. Voit, D. D., also from the history of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and Ministerium of North Carolina by the Rev .G. D. B:rnheim, D. D., and the Rev. G. H. Cox, D. D., and from the his tory of the beginning of the Luth eran church in North Carolina by Rev. G. H. Cox, D. D. 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