Davie County, NC
Lutheranism had been established in Davie County, North Carolina prior to the Revolutionary War. The Lutheran Synod of North Carolina was formed in 1803. St. Matthews Lutheran Church began as a primitive log building in 1840 and served as the spiritual home for the early settlers who were united in their faith. Among the first pastors were Reverend Benjamin Arey, Reverend Jacob Crim, and Reverend William Rufus, all names well known in the Lutheran archives of North Carolina.
From its founding, church officials with Biblical names like Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, and David were record keeping people. An article found in The Mocksville Enterprise, dated January 11, 1934, highlights St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in celebration of the 450th anniversary of the birth of Martin Luther. The article includes much of the church’s history beginning in 1840 such as their pastor history, births, names of the members of the congregation, marriages, and births. Family surnames such as Daywalt, Seamon, Felker, McDaniel, Walker, Lapish, and Safriet can be found on the rolls of both membership and headstones.
As the community grew, the need for a more substantial building became apparent. The church that is standing today was built in the early 1880s and stood as a symbol of their commitment to their faith. Over the years, the church became a cornerstone of the community, hosting events and services that brought people together in fellowship.
By 1958 however, active participation had dwindled significantly and plans were put into place to reactivate the congregation. Their efforts increased attendance so much that a 10am Sunday School was able to be held on the first and third Sundays, and church services at 3 PM every second and fourth Sunday.
Unfortunately, that 1958 revival only lasted a season, and by the early 1970’s, the church disbanded permanently. The decision to close its doors was made when a special executive board of the North Carolina Synod of the Lutheran Churches in America held a hearing in 1972, concerning whether or not the membership congregation had become “so diminished in number, and or financial strength as to render it impracticable for the congregation, to fulfill the purposes, for which it was organized, or protect its property from waste and deterioration.”
The church sits in a curve on a country road, surrounded by big trees, the original outhouse, and a graveyard with 140 burial sites (several unknowns). The grounds are well maintained, which makes for a great photo op most any season of the year.
