ELCA

A History of St. Andrew ELCA and the Lutheran Church in New Bern

 

LUTHERANISM

IN

NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA

by

Robert M. Weeks

            Several attempts had to be made before Lutheranism was planted in New Bern. In April 1965, Michael Wesley Horner, a young member of St. Andrew wrote a brief history of the Lutheran Church in New Bern and reported the following interesting account of history: "In 1707 a small group of colonists came to the Trent River. Reverend Claude Phillippee de Richebourg brought Palatinates the Protestants down from Virginia. Among them were Lutherans, French Hugenots, Calvinists, and Reformed Church members." Unfortunately, nothing more is known of the fate of these first Lutheran settlers.

            St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Wilmington, North Carolina, sponsored the organizing of St. Luke's Lutheran Church on July 28, 1895; however, this congregation disbanded on June 12, 1898, due to the lack of Lutherans in the area. Then in March 1948, the Board of American Missions sent The Reverend Rufus B. Cuthbertson to New Bern as a Mission Developer. The first gathering of interested persons was held May 16, 1948, in the New Bern Recreation Building on George Street with 19 persons attending. The following Organizational Committee was appointed at this service: Walter Klimek, E. W. Eudy, Leo Morgan, Howard Weiss, Roy Setzer, and William Anspach. Due to Pastor Cuthbertson's dedicated work, regular Lutheran worship services began May 30, 1948, in a building (a metal Quonset Hut) owned by the Pepsi-Cola Company, located on End Street (now First Street), with 33 persons attending. October 3, 1948, the congregation moved its meeting place to the Dr. Pepper plant on Highway 17. St. Andrew was organized January 9,1949, with 64 confirmed members and 28 baptized members attending. The first church building was dedicated March 11, 1951.

            Gaining new members, providing education for its youth, meeting financial goals,

and planning for a church building and parsonage were major concerns for St. Andrew from 1950 to 1982. Until the 1980's, St. Andrew experienced a struggle to maintain members and gain new members; however, as The Reverend David Eastes began his ministry in 1982, New Bern began to grow as a retirement community, and more Lutherans arrived to join St. Andrew. Since 1982, the congregation has enjoyed steady growth. At this date, the baptized membership is 370. As a result, a new sanctuary and a new educational facility has been added to the original church.

            St. Andrew has always been a participant in local community efforts by providing a meeting place for the New Bern Child Development Group, classes for the Craven County School System and the Craven Community College, Alcoholic Anonymous, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Primary community mission is accomplished by supporting the local Religious Community Services and the Salvation Army. Additionally, St. Andrew has joined LARC (association of Lutherans, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics) and is involved in building a Habitat for Humanity home. Concerned about war refugees, the congregation has sponsored a total of seven families during its history. Always concerned about spreading Lutheranism in Coastal North Carolina, St. Andrew initiated the organization of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Havelock, North Carolina, in 1958. Additionally, St. Andrew has helped to sponsor Lutheran mission work in Washington, North Carolina, and Newport, North Carolina. Currently, the mission of St. Andrew can be best expressed by the words posted on its church sign, "The Caring Church." The Reverend Gary Roth became the pastor in March 1998.  After Pastor Roth was called to another congregation, The Rev. Dr. Theodore H. Rust became pastor of St. Andrew on December 1, 2006. 

            Liturgically and theologically, St. Andrew has remained faithful to the teachings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The congregation has contributed five ordained pastors. Holy Communion administration is accomplished using both the common cup and individual glasses. The chancel has a sanctuary lamp. The altar has been made free standing. A processional cross, a Paschal candle, and torches have been added as worship aides. In addition to an adult choir, youth and adult bell choirs have been organized.

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