Our early pastors did not serve just one Church - they served a Charge. Much of this information is from the history of Low's Lutheran Church and other Lutheran churches in the Guilford-Alamance Charge.

Rev. Adolphus NUSSMANN was the first Lutheran minister in NC. He was born in Germany. He served the Lutheran congregations of NC from 1774 - 1789.

Johann Gottfried ARENDS was a very important figure in Lutheran History. He served the area from 1775 - 1789, and was the first Lutheran to be ordained in the state of NC. He was also born in Germany. When the NC Lutheran Synod was formed in 1803, they chose ARENDS as their president. This was in spite of the fact the he was 62 years of age and blind.

By the time Christian Everhard BERNHARDT became pastor in the Guilford, Alamance Charge (1789-1800), there were five Lutheran pastors in the state. BERNHARDT's charge at that time included Low's, Friedens and Grave's (which later became St. Paul's) Churches.

Philip L HENKEL was the first or our pastors to be born in America rather than Europe. He served from 1800 - 1805, and continued to serve the Church in other areas of the state until 1833.

John Ludwig MARKERT served from 1805 - 1810. The Charge then included Richland Evangelical Lutheran Church. MARKERT was born in Ohio, but ordained in NC. After leaving the charge he worked in various states before becoming the first president of the Indiana Synod.

These next people were not only pastors, but members of well-known families of the area. The following information is from church histories. I do not have detailed genealogical information on these people.

Jacob SCHERER served the Charge from 1810 - 1828. He was born in Guilford County 7 Feb 1775 to Frederick SCHERER and Barbara SMITH. He died 2 Mar 1860 and was buried at Columbus, TX. Jacob was married to Elizabeth GREESON, daughter of Jacob GREESON and Barbara COBLE.

Jacob GRIESON (GREESON) served as assistant to SCHERER and others from 1810 - 1854. GREESON was licensed, but not ordained. It is said that his sermons were short and he liked to continue the discussion by the fireside. Jacob was born in Guilford County. His father was also a Jacob, son of Isaac. He married Barbara COBLE, daughter of Adam.

William A. ARTZ served from 1829 - 1853. He was born in Maryland. His first wife was Sarah TROXLER of Orange County, NC.

John SWICEGOOD only served one year: 1854 - 1855.

Simeon SCHERER served from 1855 - 1859. He was the son of Jacob SCHERER above. He was born 29 Oct 1819 in Guilford Co, but went as a child to VA with his parents. He died 11 Jul 1876.