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Our History
Before the Civil War, the section of Cabarrus County lying east of Irish Buffalo Creek-- in what is now number eleven township -- was inhabited largely by those who adhered to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. These Lutherans held their membership at St. Martin's, St. James and St. John's Lutheran Churches. During the years 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) 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 Rev. Bowers died 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 as pastor and immediately saw the need of a Lutheran church in this vicinity. He began conducting services in a schoolhouse located on what is now a part of the present church grounds. As a result of the activity of Pastor Hallman, 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 N. C. 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 N. C. Synod at its next regular meeting.
On Friday, April 29, 1881, Mt. Hermon, along with the newly reorganized Cold Water congregation, was received as a member of the N. C. Synod.
In October, 1883, Rev. Hallman was dismissed to the South Carolina Synod. Mt. Hermon was supplied by many pastors, some of them Seminary students, as convenient arrangements could be made. It is listed in the record of Synod as a pastorate with St. James, Concord.
In 1885 and 1886, St. James charge is listed as vacant; and, according to the report of the President of the Synod in 1887-1888, Mt. Hermon was closed without a regular pastor, but having a supply pastor. On May 3,1888, the President of the N. C. Synod reports, "Rev. A. D. L. Moser informed me that he had dedicated Mt. Hermon Church to the service of the Triune God according to the Book of Worship, Sunday, April 15, 1888. It is a frame structure, forty by sixty feet and cost about $1,500.00.
Thru the years 1891-1914, Mt. Hermon was in a pastoral charge with other Lutheran Churches in the area. They were St. Andrews, Cold Water and Prosperity (now Cross of Christ.) It was during this period that a Sunday School was established at Mt. Hermon. It was organized April 16,1891 with five classes and 45 members.
According to the record, from 1915-1930, Mt. Hermon seems not to have been connected with any congregation in a definite pastorate. Although, Mt. Hermon is listed with Prosperity (now Cross of Christ) and Cold Water congregations, it seems that these congregations received services from the same pastor, without Mt. Hermon's having sustained any definite pastoral relationship.
(All information to this point was taken from history researched and written by Mr. Asa Blackwelder in January, 1938. Mr. Blackwelder was born in 1861 and confirmed as a charter member in 1881. He was the son of Richard M. and Eliza Catherine (Litaker) Blackwelder.)
On February 2, 1930, a pastorate was formed with Ebenezar congregation in Rowan County.
Document dated February 2, 1930: "The Councils of Ebenezer and Mt. Hermon E. L. Churches held a joint meeting at Ebenezer E. L. Church, Rowan County, February 2, 1930, with Mr. Asa Blackwelder as Chairman protem, and Lewis C. Basinger as Secretary protem.
The two councils agreed by unanimous vote to form a pastorate, to be known as the Ebenezer Pastorate.
The following agreements were made: SALARY: Ebenezer to pay two-thirds; Mt. Hermon one-third. SERVICES: Ebenezer to have first, second and third Sunday mornings, and fourth Sunday afternoon. Mt. Hermon to have two regular services each month, fourth Sunday morning and second Sunday afternoon. We agree, furthermore, that neither of the Churches in the Ebenezer Pastorate shall withdraw from the pastorate without twelve months notice, after such action shall have been taken. However such change may be made at any time with the mutual consent of both congregations. " (signed by Asa I. Blackwelder and Lewis C. Basinger)
On June 1,1930, Rev. J. White Iddings began serving as pastor of the parish. Under his leadership a Bible School began. This was a big event in the lives of the children in the Mt. Hermon congregation as well as the children in the community.
Another highlight in the lives of the children was the organizing of the LIGHT BRIGADE. It was organized June 24, 1934 with 16 members. The following information is taken from the Secretary's minutes: "Officers for the Mt. Hermon Light Brigade for 1934-1935 are as follows: Johnny Litaker, President; Marguerite Faggart, Secretary-Treasurer; Mrs. J. White Iddings, Superintendent."
"On the first Sunday in July, 1934, a District Light Brigade Rally was held at St. James, Concord. Mt. Hermon Light Brigade was one of the two Light Brigades with 100% present, and these Light Brigades were awarded a banner."
By August 1934, the membership had increased to 27. In February 1939, the Light Brigade changed its name to "The Children of the Church."(The year is not known, but "The Children of the Church" was discontinued and followed by "Week Day Church School". In the sixties, Week Day Church School was discontinued)
On January 10, 1938, plans were made to remodel the Church. Our financial standing was very low. ($150.00). The building committee was composed of Brady Faggart, Chairman; W. N. Isenhour, George E. Faggart, W. W. Black and Fetzer Litaker. Building 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. All labor was donated except masonary and electrical work. The official opening was held July 24, 1938.
On July 31, 1938, Rev. Iddings resigned and Rev. Paul Kinney began his work as pastor on September 15, 1938.
The building program continued with completion of the basement, laying hardwood floor in the church auditorium and a memorial window over the front entrance given by the Luther League. On April 9, 1939 a dedication service was held, during which the Altar, Altar Cloths, the Cross, the Candelabra and the Vases were dedicated to the Glory of God.
To add to the beauty of the renovated church, shrubbery was donated, the Church grounds and cemetery were landscaped and grassed, and a more adequate system for upkeep of the Church grounds was adopted.
The cost of the renovation amounted to approximately $2,500.00.
As the Church building was being improved, the members began seeking ways to expand their Christian services.
During the late thirties, the Luther League was organized to give the young people of Mt. Hermon an outlet for their interest in Christian service. The League became a vital part of the Church, and served as a source of great pride to the young people involved. Even today, it still provides strength and vitality to the life of the congregation.
In the early forties, the Lutheran Brotherhood was organized at Mt. Hermon with most of the men in congregation as charter members. The exact date of charter is not certain, but the Lutheran Men have provided much worthwhile service to the Church throughout the years.
The Women's Missionary Society was organized in 1941. It is now known as the LCW. (Lutheran Church Women) Three circles are named for the following charter members:
Other charter members were: Mrs. Mae Faggart, Mrs. Mary Isenhour, Mrs. Mae Isenhour, Mrs. Gertrude Cline, Mrs. Emma Faggart, Mrs. Annie Lee Faggart, Mrs. Gladys Ridenhour, Mrs. Annie Bell Plott, Mrs. Jenny Faggart, Mrs. Minnie Faggart, Mrs. Nannie McEachern, Mrs. Annie Blackwelder, Mrs. Mary Barringer and Mrs. Bessie Faggart.
Rev. Kinney resigned from the parish on May 31,1943, and was succeeded by Seminary student, Hoke H. Ritchie, who served until October 24, of that year.
Rev. L. Clement Hahn accepted a call and began his pastorate on November 7, 1943.
During the next several years, 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 1946, the Council of Mt. Hermon began an inquiry as to forming a pastorate with Mt. Gilead; but, while the investigation was in progress, the question was asked "Why could not Mt. Hermon also go self-supporting-" With this in mind and with the encouragement of Pastor Hahn, Mt. Hermon voted to go self-supporting.
Mr. George Faggart gave a tract of land just north of the Church for a parsonage and work began on April 12, 1947. The building committee for the parsonage was Mr. George Faggart, Mr. Will Black, Mr. Clyde Isenhour and Mr. H. D. Faggart.
During the time of building, the Ebenezer, Mt. Hermon congregations both extended a call to Rev Hahn and he accepted that of Ebenezer. The parish was officially dissolved April 6, 1947;
As a self-supporting congregation, Mt. Hermon's first pastor was Rev. Jacob L. Lackey Rev. Jacob L. Lackey who began his work on June 1,1947 and occupied the new parsonage on November 21,1947. Under his leadership , an electric organ was purchased to replace the pump organ, and the musical worship of the congregation turned in a new direction with a wider selection of hymns and anthems made possible. The youth choir was organized during that year, also.
Altar chairs were placed in the Church in memory of Mr. and Mrs.Valentine Litaker by their children. (Mr. Litaker was one of the first officers in 1881.)
Rev. Lackey resigned August 28,1949 and for the next month and half, the congregation was served by supply pastor, Rev. George H. Rhodes.
On October 15, 1949, Rev. Leroy C. Trexler Rev. began his work. Improvements were made at the church, a piano was purchased to aid the children's worship, the vestibule of the Church was plastered, the loan from the N. C. Lutheran Men's Loan and Gift Fund of $4,000.00 was paid; and the parsonage dedicated on November 1950.
Rev. Trexler accepted another call on December 31,1951. The following three months, supply pastor, Rev. George Rhodes again served Mt. Hermon.
Rev. J. Paul Rimmer accepted the call to Mt. Hermon and began his work April 20,1952. During this time the upstairs area of the parsonage was completed.
A major change to the Church building was made in 1953. A new room was added behind the sanctuary to the rear of the Church, with rest rooms in the basement. The work was done by members of the Church, resulting in a total cost for materials of $2,550.22.
The following year, a building for the Boy Scouts was constructed of cement blocks on a spot to the rear and south of the main Church building, which was to be the foundation for the next major construction of Mt. Hermon. Included in the plans for the building was provision for a second story to be added later.
Rev. Rimmer left on November 30, 1958 to accept another pastorate, and Rev. Charles R. McManus succeeded him on June 14, 1959.
In 1961, the provision in the plans for the Scout Building to add a floor above became a reality when construction of a new parish building was carried out by members of the congregation and various contractees. The first "Parish Night" was held on December 9th. Cost of the new parish building was $9,502.27.
When Rev. McManus departed on May 31, 1962, he was succeeded by Rev. Lewis Kyles on August 19, 1962. The period between May 31 and August 12 was supplied by Seminary Student, Edwin Cook.
On September 1, 1963, Rev. Kyles resigned. He was followed by 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.
The year 1968 saw a complete new "face-lifting" for the Church chancel, changing it to look as it does today. Under the direction of member H. E. Faggart, many members of the congregation contributed to the success of this project. The total cost of materials was $3,404.31.
The Parish Building was further expanded in 1970, with the addition of a wing, extending from the southern half of the building's front eastward, and including four rooms - one to be used for the Pastor's study and the others for Sunday School rooms. This total cost came to $7,000.00.
The first woman to be elected to the Church Council began her term on January 1, 1973, just 92 years after Mt. Hermon was founded. Mrs. Edna Cline was the first of several women who have served with distinction on the Church Council.
Following Pastor Clarence Sifford's departure in December 1973, The Reverend John C. Misenheimer came to Mt. Hermon on July 1, 1974.
The mission of Mt. Hermon was clearly defined in 1975 when the church council adopted the following statement of purpose: "THE MISSION OF THE MEMBERS OF MT. HERMON IS TO EXPERIENCE THE LIVING CHRIST THROUGH WOR SHIP, FELLOWSHIP AND LEARNING, AND TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF HIS LOVE BY WITNESSING AND SERVING THE PEOPLE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR WORLD."
This mission statement provides both a summary of what our church has accomplished and a challenge to the ministry that lies ahead.
In recent years Mt. Hermon has enjoyed steady growth, making possible an expanding benevolent ministry here at home and abroad. At the same time the church has upgraded its facilities and added new office equipment to better serve its members.
In 1977, the basement of the Church was completely renovated at a cost of $15,810.62. In 1979, the parish building was air conditioned and took on a new look with the addition of paneling and wallcovering; while new altarware and a piano was added to the sanctuary to enhance the beauty of our worship.
From its humble beginning with 25 members in 1881, our church has grown to a congregation of 340 baptized members; and has accomplished so much in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The first hundred years in the life of Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church have seen much vision realized, many dreams brought to life, ambitious plans implemented and carried out, extensive projects attempted and completed, programs of lasting spiritual value successfully conducted, and a century of real Christian growth achieved - all through cooperation, love, understanding and faith, and always with the help and blessings of God, our Father.
As Mt. Hermon enters its second century, our congregation is faced with many new challenges of a new generation - new moral concepts, new attitudes toward life, and changing social patterns -- that will require the same fortitude and strength of character, and faith in God, that guided the destiny of our church during its first one hundred years.
Current updates will be added soon!
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