Grace Evangelical and Reformed Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grace Lower Stone Evangelical and Reformed Church
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | S of Rockwell on SR 1221, near Rockwell, North Carolina |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1795 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000990 |
| Added to NRHP | January 20, 1972 |
Grace Church, also known as Lower Stone Church, is one of the oldest churches in North Carolina. It was started around 1745 by a group called the Reformed congregation. The amazing stone building you see today was finished in 1795. Grace Church is a very special place with a long and interesting history!
Contents
Grace Church: A Historic Place
How Grace Church Began
Grace Church started when many German settlers moved into North Carolina in the 1740s and 1750s. These settlers came mostly from Pennsylvania. Many Germans were Lutheran, but the people who started Grace Church followed the Reformed tradition. They were sometimes called the "Calvin" or "Presbyterian Congregation."
At first, Grace Church shared a wooden building with Organ Zion Lutheran Church. This building was known as the "Hickory Church." It was built around the mid-1750s on Jacob Fulenwiler's land. In 1771, both churches moved to Grace Church's current location. Organ Church then moved to its own spot in 1774.
Building the Stone Church
Work on the current Grace Church building began after Organ Church started their own building in 1792. Grace Church's stone walls were finished in 1795. The church is made from strong local granite. It has a tall, 12-foot gable roof.
The church building is 51 feet long and about 41 feet wide. Its walls are 27 feet high and very thick! At ground level, the walls are 32 inches thick. They are still 21 inches thick at the gallery level. Grace Lower Stone Church and Organ Lutheran Church are very similar. They are almost the same size and built from the same type of rock.
Inside the Old Church Building
The church's floor was originally made of smooth stones right on the ground. This stone floor stayed until 1871, when the current floor was put in. The first seats were simple wooden benches without backs. The pulpit looked like a wine glass and had steps leading up to it. It also had a special sounding board above it.
In 1876, a new pulpit and altar pieces were made by church members. The church also had galleries on three sides. These were like balconies that added more seating. In 1937, these galleries were changed to make classrooms for Sunday School. Later, the classroom walls were removed. Now the galleries look much like they did a long time ago.
Over the north, south, and west doors, you can see stone tablets. These tablets have messages written in German. On the south wall, there is a smaller tablet with a clock face. It has a German message that says: "In the year of Christ, 1795: with God's help." This tells us when the walls were completed.
Why It's Called Grace Church
The church was finished in 1795, but it wasn't officially dedicated until November 1811. During that service, the Rev. George Boger was the pastor. In a church document from 1798, the church's name was explained. It said: "This house shall be called Gnaden Kirch (Grace Church) because the eternal life and the means of grace for the same, are gifts from God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."
The church's style is called Georgian colonial architecture. This style was common for stone buildings in Pennsylvania. The inside of the church is quite plain and whitewashed. This simple look was typical for Reformed churches. In 1901, a bell tower was added to the roof. Grace Church is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historic site.
A Look at the Churchyard
Grace Church is in a peaceful setting. It is surrounded by a very old churchyard with many graves. Some of the earliest families in Rowan County are buried here. You can find names like Barringer, Beaver, Holshouser, Lingle, and Trexler on the gravestones. Many people who are members of the church today are descendants of these early settlers.
Grace Lower Stone Church has been like a "mother church" for other Reformed churches in the area. Over its long history, many members who grew up here have gone on to serve the larger Church and their communities.
Grace Church Today
Grace Church became a full member of the United Church of Christ in 1957. This group was formed when the Evangelical and Reformed Church joined with the Congregational Christian Church. However, in 2005, Grace Church decided to leave the United Church of Christ. This was because of a disagreement over some beliefs. The church wanted to follow its original Reformed traditions more closely.
