Part 1- A Mighty Fortress…
As members of A Mighty Fortress we use the name frequently without much thought about how we came to be a congregation bearing that name. The name wasn’t assigned to those early members or chosen from a list of possible “ catchy” names. Here’s a short description of how 63 years ago on April 28th a Planning committee representing faith-filled Lutherans boldly chose the Provisional name of A Mighty Fortress for a new congregation. Mecklenburg County had been expanding and the Lutheran Church in America was looking for a site for establishing a Mission Church to serve the county’s growth. After a short time of surveying possible locations, they found their site: 4.44 acres of prime land in a commanding location which was ideal for a “fortress”. The land was purchased for $20,700 and an additional purchase was made for a parsonage on 948 Coulwood Drive for $19,500. The Mission Church and the eventual pastor both now had a home.
That Mission Developer and eventual Pastor, Sam Goins, had been very busy between March and April of 1963 making 1500 “house calls” in the expanding neighborhood. He found that there was serious interest in establishing a Lutheran Church in this area. There was one other Lutheran Church in this section of the county—Redeemer Lutheran-which was on Ashley Road . It would become a sister congregation for A Mighty Fortress as it came into existence. Now the issue was where to meet? That was answered by acquiring use of the Cafetorium of Coulwood Jr. High School for 2 hours on Sundays for $15.00. Reverend Sam Goins—who by now knew or was known by many people of the community—was to be the first Pastor. As a validation of the interest in a Lutheran congregation in our area, 89 people attended the May 19th meeting and contributed an offering of $91.56. Eventually, September 8th was selected as Charter Sunday. At that Sunday’s meeting it was voted on and formally decided that the name would be boldly announced as A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). As work had to be done and the mission of the church carried out, a Church Council of 12 members was voted on and elected. That Charter is on display in our narthex. Copies of it are available. If you look carefully you will see signatures of familiar names: James McGee, Gus Kretschmer and Jean Lyerly --signers of that Charter who are either current members or have an association with AMF. With the signing of this Charter it was then time for this church to begin God’s Work with Our Hands throughout the community.
As members of A Mighty Fortress we use the name frequently without much thought about how we came to be a congregation bearing that name. The name wasn’t assigned to those early members or chosen from a list of possible “ catchy” names. Here’s a short description of how 63 years ago on April 28th a Planning committee representing faith-filled Lutherans boldly chose the Provisional name of A Mighty Fortress for a new congregation. Mecklenburg County had been expanding and the Lutheran Church in America was looking for a site for establishing a Mission Church to serve the county’s growth. After a short time of surveying possible locations, they found their site: 4.44 acres of prime land in a commanding location which was ideal for a “fortress”. The land was purchased for $20,700 and an additional purchase was made for a parsonage on 948 Coulwood Drive for $19,500. The Mission Church and the eventual pastor both now had a home.
That Mission Developer and eventual Pastor, Sam Goins, had been very busy between March and April of 1963 making 1500 “house calls” in the expanding neighborhood. He found that there was serious interest in establishing a Lutheran Church in this area. There was one other Lutheran Church in this section of the county—Redeemer Lutheran-which was on Ashley Road . It would become a sister congregation for A Mighty Fortress as it came into existence. Now the issue was where to meet? That was answered by acquiring use of the Cafetorium of Coulwood Jr. High School for 2 hours on Sundays for $15.00. Reverend Sam Goins—who by now knew or was known by many people of the community—was to be the first Pastor. As a validation of the interest in a Lutheran congregation in our area, 89 people attended the May 19th meeting and contributed an offering of $91.56. Eventually, September 8th was selected as Charter Sunday. At that Sunday’s meeting it was voted on and formally decided that the name would be boldly announced as A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church of the Lutheran Church in America (LCA). As work had to be done and the mission of the church carried out, a Church Council of 12 members was voted on and elected. That Charter is on display in our narthex. Copies of it are available. If you look carefully you will see signatures of familiar names: James McGee, Gus Kretschmer and Jean Lyerly --signers of that Charter who are either current members or have an association with AMF. With the signing of this Charter it was then time for this church to begin God’s Work with Our Hands throughout the community.
Part 2- INFANT CONGREGATION …NOW WHAT WILL WE CALL HOME?
Hello once again. Already the first steps of the journey to become a viable congregation which would become God's Hands to do God's Work had been completed: a Charter was signed, a Council was elected and property for establishing a new Lutheran church in northwest Mecklenburg county had been purchased by the Board of American Missions. For this congregation, meeting in Coulwood Junior High Cafetorium was a necessity in order to be established; now it was essential to have a permanent home in the community. About one mile away from the Cafetorium was the 4.44 acres of property purchased for just that purpose. The cost had been $20,700 for the property as well as $19,500 for a parsonage for the soon-to-be Pastor of A Mighty Fortress.
Even while the 4.44 acres were still held by the Bd. Of American Missions, the work and planning to become a vital and enthusiastic congregation was underway. The newly organized congregation was moving forward and established a budget of $9,538. Visitation in the community was underway and this active Council set aside $1,000 to create a building fund. For the present, there was a house already on the property. Just as God provided what Abraham needed in a critical time, the existing building on the property would become the "house chapel" for the A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church of the LCA (Lutheran Church of America). We know it now, of course, as our Fellowship Bldg. But to make a house into a chapel remodeling had to be done. A sketch of the remodeling shows it would have seating in pews for 66 worshippers who would face an altar flanked by a pulpit and lectern as we have now. The "house chapel" would eventually be moved from a location close to the site of our current building to its present location as the Fellowship Building. A smaller building-a well house-was left for a short time as a nursery/classroom. There now would be a temporary home for the congregation to focus on doing God's Work-remember --a building fund had been created.
As members moved ahead into 1964, worship continued in the "house chapel" with the first Ash Wednesday service taking place 62 years ago. As I read over events taking place in that time, I'm left with the conviction that this was God's Work taking place. Much was happening-quickly. In March of that year an organ was donated to the church; a 7 ½ ton air conditioner came from anonymous donors; AMF became recognized members of the LCA; women of the church (who else?) took responsibility for cleaning the church. Most importantly, the members and Council already had envisioned a permanent structure-leading to a Capital Funds drive in June of 1964. By November of '64 an architect had been hired; Thanksgiving was indeed joyous. Building plans were drawn, revised, studied. All of this continued anxiously and prayerfully until early in 1966 when the plans received a final approval. Move the "house chapel" and let the grading begin! Time was here for a permanent House of God and home for A Mighty Fortress Church to fulfill the vision first made in Spring of 1963-a Lutheran congregation and church in northwestern Mecklenburg County.
Hello once again. Already the first steps of the journey to become a viable congregation which would become God's Hands to do God's Work had been completed: a Charter was signed, a Council was elected and property for establishing a new Lutheran church in northwest Mecklenburg county had been purchased by the Board of American Missions. For this congregation, meeting in Coulwood Junior High Cafetorium was a necessity in order to be established; now it was essential to have a permanent home in the community. About one mile away from the Cafetorium was the 4.44 acres of property purchased for just that purpose. The cost had been $20,700 for the property as well as $19,500 for a parsonage for the soon-to-be Pastor of A Mighty Fortress.
Even while the 4.44 acres were still held by the Bd. Of American Missions, the work and planning to become a vital and enthusiastic congregation was underway. The newly organized congregation was moving forward and established a budget of $9,538. Visitation in the community was underway and this active Council set aside $1,000 to create a building fund. For the present, there was a house already on the property. Just as God provided what Abraham needed in a critical time, the existing building on the property would become the "house chapel" for the A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church of the LCA (Lutheran Church of America). We know it now, of course, as our Fellowship Bldg. But to make a house into a chapel remodeling had to be done. A sketch of the remodeling shows it would have seating in pews for 66 worshippers who would face an altar flanked by a pulpit and lectern as we have now. The "house chapel" would eventually be moved from a location close to the site of our current building to its present location as the Fellowship Building. A smaller building-a well house-was left for a short time as a nursery/classroom. There now would be a temporary home for the congregation to focus on doing God's Work-remember --a building fund had been created.
As members moved ahead into 1964, worship continued in the "house chapel" with the first Ash Wednesday service taking place 62 years ago. As I read over events taking place in that time, I'm left with the conviction that this was God's Work taking place. Much was happening-quickly. In March of that year an organ was donated to the church; a 7 ½ ton air conditioner came from anonymous donors; AMF became recognized members of the LCA; women of the church (who else?) took responsibility for cleaning the church. Most importantly, the members and Council already had envisioned a permanent structure-leading to a Capital Funds drive in June of 1964. By November of '64 an architect had been hired; Thanksgiving was indeed joyous. Building plans were drawn, revised, studied. All of this continued anxiously and prayerfully until early in 1966 when the plans received a final approval. Move the "house chapel" and let the grading begin! Time was here for a permanent House of God and home for A Mighty Fortress Church to fulfill the vision first made in Spring of 1963-a Lutheran congregation and church in northwestern Mecklenburg County.
