Our History

Before the Civil War, the section of Cabarrus County lying east of Irish Buffalo Creek was inhabited largely by those who adhered to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. These Lutherans held membership at St. Martin's, St. James and St. John's Lutheran Churches. During the years of 1868-1870, Dr. G. D. Bernheim and Rev. Daniel M. Blackwelder recognized the need of these Lutherans for services at a location more easily accessible to them. A few services were conducted during this period in a home at the Lawson Litaker Mills.

In 1872 and 1873, Rev. Charles H. Bernheim, pastor of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church (Concord, NC) became interested in this work and was successful in partly organizing a congregation and maintaining a small Sunday School at what is now Faggart's Crossroads. Rev. W. W. Bowers became interested in the establishing of a Lutheran congregation for the people in this section of the county and labored accordingly; but after his death in 1873, the prospects for a Lutheran congregation in this area were dormant for several years.

In June 1880, Rev. S. T. Hallman came to St. James Lutheran Church as pastor and immediately saw the need of a Lutheran church in this vicinity and he began conducting services in a schoolhouse located on what is now a part of the present church grounds. As a result of his vision, a temporary Church organization was affected during the month of July, 1880; and on February 8, 1881, the corner stone for a new church building was laid. On April 17, 1881, a congregation to be known as "Mt. Hermon Evangelical Lutheran Church" was regularly organized under the guidance of Pastor Samuel Thomas Hallman. Twenty-five charter members were enrolled. The constitution of the North Carolina Synod and the discipline of the Book of Worship were adopted, and notice was given that the newly organized congregation would apply for reception into the North Carolina Synod at its next regular meeting. On Friday, April 29, 1881, Mt. Hermon, along with the newly reorganized Cold Water Lutheran Church congregation, was received as members of the North Carolina Synod.

In October, 1883, Rev. Hallman was dismissed to the South Carolina Synod and for several years, Mt. Hermon was supplied by many pastors, some of them Seminary students. In 1885-86, St. James was without a pastor and Mt. Hermon continued to be served by supply pastors. On May 3, 1888, the President of the N.C. Synod reported that the Rev. A.D.L. Moser had informed him that he had dedicated Mt. Hermon Church to the service of the Triune God according to the Book of Worship on Sunday, April 15, 1888 and that it was a frame structure, forty by sixty feet.

Through the years 1891-1914, Mt. Hermon was in a pastoral charge with other Lutheran Churches in the area. On April 16, 1891, a Sunday School was established at Mt. Hermon with five classes and 45 members.

At this time in history, 1915-1930, Mt. Hermon was not connected with any congregation in a definite pastorate. On February 2, 1930, a pastorate was formed with Ebenezer congregation in Rowan County. A document dated February 2, 1930 stated, “The Councils of Ebenezer and Mt. Hermon E.L. Churches held a joint meeting at Ebenezer E.L. Church, Rowan County and the two councils agreed by unanimous vote to form a pastorate, to be known as the Ebenezer Pastorate.

Agreements were made that Ebenezer would pay two-thirds of the salary and Mt. Hermon one-third and services would be held at Ebenezer the first, second and third Sunday mornings and fourth Sunday afternoon while Mt. Hermon would have two regular services each month, the fourth Sunday morning and the second Sunday afternoon. Also it was agreed that neither of the churches in the pastorate would withdraw from the pastorate without twelve months notice after such action was taken.

On June 1, 1930, the Rev. J. White Iddings began serving as pastor of the parish. Under his leadership, a Bible School began and the Light Brigade was organized on June 24, 1934 with 16 members. By August 1934, membership in the Light Brigade had increased to 27 and in February 1939, the Light Brigade changed its name to “The Children of the Church” and later changed to “Week Day Church School”. This was discontinued in the sixties.

In January 1938, the church was remodeled. The plans called for a six foot addition to the rear of the church, making room for a chancel, full basement and Sunday School rooms, brick veneering the entire structure, addition of a tower and refinishing the interior. The work being completed, the official opening was July 24, 1938. On July 31, 1938, Rev. Iddings resigned and the Rev. Paul Kinney began his work as pastor in September 1938.

The building program continued with completion of the basement, laying hardwood flooring in the church nave and a memorial window over the front entrance, given by the Luther League. A dedication service was held on April 9, 1939 during which time the altar, altar cloths, the cross, the candelabra and vases were dedicated to the Glory of God. Landscaping to the church grounds and the cemetery was completed and a more adequate system for upkeep of the church grounds was adopted.

During the late thirties the Luther League was organized; in the early forties the Lutheran Brotherhood was organized along with the Women’s Missionary Society (which is now known as the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America -WELCA)

Rev. Kinney resigned on May 31, 1943 and was succeeded by seminary student, Hoke H. Ritchie serving until October of that year. Rev. L. Clement Hahn accepted a call and began on November 7, 1943. The churches of Ebenezer and Mt. Hermon pastorate showed continued progress and in January 1946, the Council of Ebenezer gave official notice that they were going self-supporting and dissolving the pastorate. In May of 1946 the question was asked “why could not Mt. Hermon also go self-supporting and with the encouragement of Pastor Hahn, the congregation of Mt. Hermon voted to go self-supporting”. A member of the congregation gave a tract of land just north of the church for a parsonage and work began in April 1947. During the time of building, both congregations extended a call to Rev. Hahn and he accepted that of Ebenezer and the parish was officially dissolved April 6, 1947.

Rev. Jacob L. Lackey was the first pastor of Mt. Hermon after going self-supporting, beginning his work on June 1, 1947 and the first to occupy the new parsonage on November 21, 1947. Under his leadership, an electric organ was purchased to replace the pump organ; a youth choir was organized, and altar chairs were given. Rev. Lackey resigned August 28, 1949 and for the next month and a half, Rev. George Rhodes served as supply pastor.

Rev. Leroy Trexler began his work on October 15, 1949. Improvements were made by purchasing a piano for the children’s worship, the narthex of the church was refinished, a loan from the N.C. Lutheran Men’s Loan and Gift Fund was paid and the parsonage was dedicated in November 1950. Rev. Trexler accepter another call in December 1951 and again Rev. George Rhodes served Mt. Hermon as supply pastor.

Rev. J. Paul Rimmer accepted the call to Mt. Hermon and began his work in April 1952. During this time the upstairs area of the parsonage was completed. A major change to the church building was made in 1953 and that was of a new room added behind the sanctuary to the rear of the church with rest rooms in the basement.

The following year, a building for the Boy Scouts was constructed of cement blocks and was to be the foundation for the next major construction of Mt. Hermon, including plans for the provision of a second story to be added later. Rev. Rimmer accepted another pastorate in November of 1958 and the Rev. Charles McManus succeeded him on June 14, 1959.

In 1961 plans were made to add a floor above the Scout Building to construct a new parish building. The first “Parish Night” was held on December 9, 1961.

Following Rev. McManus’ departure in May 1962, he was succeeded by the Rev. Lewis Kyles in August 1962. The period between May and August was supplied by Seminary student Edwin Cook. On September 1, 1963, Rev. Kyles resigned and was followed by the Rev. Clarence Sifford, a Cabarrus County native, on July 1, 1964. Various seminary students and retired pastors supplied during the period from September 1963 to July 1964.

In 1968, a complete new “face-lift” was made to the church chancel. In 1970 the Parish Building was further expanded with a wing to the existing building adding a Pastor’s study and Sunday School rooms. (This wing is now the “office complex”). Also in the early 70’s, the first woman was elected to the Church Council. This was 92 years after Mt. Hermon was founded.

Following Pastor Sifford’s departure in December 1973, the Rev. John C. Misenheimer came to Mt. Hermon on July 1, 1974. During the time of Pastor Misenheimer’s pastorate, Mt. Hermon began an 8:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship Service using the Chicago Folk Service; the confirmation students became part of the Confirmation Camp at Lutheridge; a part-time secretary was hired; celebrated 100th anniversary; purchased a piano to be used in the contemporary worship service and membership experienced sizeable growth.

Rev. Misenheimer resigned in July of 1981 and was followed by the Rev. Thomas Smith in February 1982. During his 15 years of ministry with Mt. Hermon, the part time secretary became a full time secretary, plans were made and executed to build a new sanctuary (ground broken October 1987 with completion and dedication in December 1988); a new Allen Digital organ and a baby grand piano were purchased and added to the new sanctuary; the old sanctuary was renovated into a small chapel and additional Sunday School class space; also a first time Christian Education director was hired. Rev. Smith resigned in March 1997 and moved to Georgia. During the time of his departure and the present pastor, Dr. Norbert Hahn, the congregation was served with two interims, the Rev. Robert Land and the Rev. T.C. Plexico.

Dr. Norbert Hahn began his ministry in November 1999. During his time, Mt. Hermon has experienced a number of changes: a Bread for the World Chapter was begun; early 2000 the Chicago Folk service was replaced with a more contemporary service using band instruments; added a Monday night worship service; a new Sunday School rotation model was added; a 2-year special giving emphasis “Forward in Faith” was put in place to help with upgrading of property and other ministries; the addition of a Parish Administrator; the existing Parish Building was upgraded adding additional space for classes, meetings, etc. and the existing kitchen was renovated into a conference room and a kitchenette was added. In 2005, a third worship service was added on Sunday morning at 9:55 am. In 2006, 125 years of ministry was celebrated; Also during this time a Parish Nurse was added; ladies formed a quilters group to make quilts for Hospice of Cabarrus County, the Youth attended the National Youth Conference in San Antonio, Texas and the church has participated in the building of several Habitat Houses.

As people of God, Mt. Hermon continues to reach out to touch the lives of many in our church family, community and the world. We ask God’s blessings to continue to be with the family of Mt. Hermon as he calls us to new ventures – ventures that are as yet unknown, on paths as yet un-trodden, by means as yet unseen, with partners and people as yet to be revealed. The best is yet to come! Come Holy Spirit!

Submitted: October 6, 2008
By: History Team, Betty Love, Chrp.
Jo Ann Stowe, Peggy Faggart
Edna Cline, Jo Ann Foster