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History of HTLC
What other church in Statesville can claim to have worshiped in a store, had Pastors named Quakenboss, Varvaris, and Ruschke. Have a Pastor named Dovenmuehle (don't worry...we can't prounounce them either!), and worship facing backwards?
Keep reading to learn more about HTLC and our history!
Pastors Who Have Served HTLC
1929 to 1936 - Pastor R.E. Mennen
1936 to 1938 - Pastor Robert Lail
1938 to 1946 - Pastor C.O. Smith
1946 to 1954 - Pastor Carl Koerber
1954 to 1954 - Pastor Duane Brunette
1954 to 1954 - Pastor Charles Lowe
1955 to 1956 - Pastor Donald Miller
1956 to 1960 - Pastor Palmer Ruschke
1961 to 1965 - Pastor Roger H. Grummer (first full-time pastor)
1966 to 1967 - Pastor J. Robert Cunningham
1967 to 1969 - Pastor Ralph Shuler
1969 to 1977 - Pastor David J. Betzner
1977 to 1990 - Pastor Dennis Quakenboss
1990 to 1991 - Pastor Edward F. Meyer (vacancy)
1991 to 1996 - Pastor G. David Bluhm
1996 to 1997 - Pastor Gustav S. Sittman (vacancy)
1997 to 2009 - Pastor Peter W. Varvaris
2009 to 2010 - Pastor Bob Eble (vacancy)
current - Pastor Robert Dovenmuehle
1929 to 1936 - Pastor R.E. Mennen
1936 to 1938 - Pastor Robert Lail
1938 to 1946 - Pastor C.O. Smith
1946 to 1954 - Pastor Carl Koerber
1954 to 1954 - Pastor Duane Brunette
1954 to 1954 - Pastor Charles Lowe
1955 to 1956 - Pastor Donald Miller
1956 to 1960 - Pastor Palmer Ruschke
1961 to 1965 - Pastor Roger H. Grummer (first full-time pastor)
1966 to 1967 - Pastor J. Robert Cunningham
1967 to 1969 - Pastor Ralph Shuler
1969 to 1977 - Pastor David J. Betzner
1977 to 1990 - Pastor Dennis Quakenboss
1990 to 1991 - Pastor Edward F. Meyer (vacancy)
1991 to 1996 - Pastor G. David Bluhm
1996 to 1997 - Pastor Gustav S. Sittman (vacancy)
1997 to 2009 - Pastor Peter W. Varvaris
2009 to 2010 - Pastor Bob Eble (vacancy)
current - Pastor Robert Dovenmuehle
Timeline
1929
In the spring of 1929, a number of families began to meet for worship in a small corner store in Statesville, NC
Two pastors, Summers and Smith, partner together to support and guide the group as they grow. (Click here for a list of pastors who have served HTLC)
In the same year, the people move their worship from the store front to the home of Mr. Guy.
On October 13, 1929, the church is officially organized with only eight charter members!
1930
Early in 1930 construction of the first church building starts on land donated by Mr. Guy.
On April 6, 1930, the new church was opened and dedicated. Eventually, a small hall was also built for Bible study, fellowship, and Sunday school classes.
1956
In 1956, the decision is made to relocate the church to the current location on Hartness Rd.
1958
Ground is broken on the new building in February of 1958.
Nine months later, construction is completed and worship begins in the new center on November 2. (Click here for delightful and frightful descriptions of the then modern building).
1982
Three classrooms and a pastor's office were added.
1995
A house on Coolidge Ave, directly behind the church, was purchased, adding more classrooms and office space to the facilities.
2001
HTLC begins offering two worship services: contemporary and traditional styles.
2004
With the help of Laborers for Christ, the congregation of Htlc begins their largest and most extensive expansion and renovation project to date more than doubling the square footage of the original building.
2005
First worship service is held back in the new Fellowship Hall on January 9, after worshipping in the NC Armory down the street for five months while the old Sanctuary is renovated.
Offical dedication service held April 24 in the new Sanctuary (facing 'backwards').
First part-time director of children's ministry, Erin Hinrichs, is hired.
2006
HTLC welcomes new director of music Joanne Goertz who also serves as choir director, organist, and (eventually) church secretary.
2008
Members of HTLC begin looking into planting a daughter church in Mooresville, NC.
2009
Htlc sends Pastor Pete Varvaris to Mooresville to be the mission developer of "New Hope Missions Church". His wife, Cathy, director of contemporary worship, also steps down to help planting the new church.
God blesses HTLC as retired Pastor Bob Eble moves to North Carolina, unexpectantly walks through the doors, and steps in to serve as vacancy pastor.
HTLC welcomes their first vicar Robert Dovenmuehle.
2010
Robert Dovenmuehle is ordained as Pastor of HTLC.
1929
In the spring of 1929, a number of families began to meet for worship in a small corner store in Statesville, NC
Two pastors, Summers and Smith, partner together to support and guide the group as they grow. (Click here for a list of pastors who have served HTLC)
In the same year, the people move their worship from the store front to the home of Mr. Guy.
On October 13, 1929, the church is officially organized with only eight charter members!
1930
Early in 1930 construction of the first church building starts on land donated by Mr. Guy.
On April 6, 1930, the new church was opened and dedicated. Eventually, a small hall was also built for Bible study, fellowship, and Sunday school classes.
1956
In 1956, the decision is made to relocate the church to the current location on Hartness Rd.
1958
Ground is broken on the new building in February of 1958.
Nine months later, construction is completed and worship begins in the new center on November 2. (Click here for delightful and frightful descriptions of the then modern building).
1982
Three classrooms and a pastor's office were added.
1995
A house on Coolidge Ave, directly behind the church, was purchased, adding more classrooms and office space to the facilities.
2001
HTLC begins offering two worship services: contemporary and traditional styles.
2004
With the help of Laborers for Christ, the congregation of Htlc begins their largest and most extensive expansion and renovation project to date more than doubling the square footage of the original building.
2005
First worship service is held back in the new Fellowship Hall on January 9, after worshipping in the NC Armory down the street for five months while the old Sanctuary is renovated.
Offical dedication service held April 24 in the new Sanctuary (facing 'backwards').
First part-time director of children's ministry, Erin Hinrichs, is hired.
2006
HTLC welcomes new director of music Joanne Goertz who also serves as choir director, organist, and (eventually) church secretary.
2008
Members of HTLC begin looking into planting a daughter church in Mooresville, NC.
2009
Htlc sends Pastor Pete Varvaris to Mooresville to be the mission developer of "New Hope Missions Church". His wife, Cathy, director of contemporary worship, also steps down to help planting the new church.
God blesses HTLC as retired Pastor Bob Eble moves to North Carolina, unexpectantly walks through the doors, and steps in to serve as vacancy pastor.
HTLC welcomes their first vicar Robert Dovenmuehle.
2010
Robert Dovenmuehle is ordained as Pastor of HTLC.
Descriptions of the 1958 Building
Read these descriptions from the dedication booklet for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in 1958.
Some of the descriptions are delightful and others are a little frightful (pink and green together, folding doors, paneling, abestos tiles, and black velvet!).
My how time has changed the building!
Click here for more pictures
Some of the descriptions are delightful and others are a little frightful (pink and green together, folding doors, paneling, abestos tiles, and black velvet!).
My how time has changed the building!
Click here for more pictures
Delightful: "As we approach the building our attention is caught by the open A-shaped bell tower which soars toward the heavens pointing our eyes to Him Whom we worship and praise. The outside of the tower is covered with handsplit cedar shakes. It is crowned with the Trinity cross with three arms, one for each person of the Trinity, and a circle which symbolizes eternity or endlessness of our God."
Frightful: "The nave isles and chancel floors are covered with marbalized red vinyl-asbestos tile
Delightful: "On each side of the altar are two high windows running from the floor to the roof. A strip of brillant colors, alternating deep reds and blues, runs through the center of each window with imported antique glass on each side of the colored stripe."
Frightful: "The roof decing is covered on the outside with white asbestor shingles. The inside of the decking is finished natural."
Delightful: "As we look to the chancel we see the furniture following the modern lines of the building. The chancel and choir screens utilize opaque glass and wrought iron crosses for panels and supports giving the effect of lightness and openess."
Frightful: "As we enter the building through rose-colored doors which add color and life to the quiet grays in the brick and the cool greens used on the exterior wood."
Delightful: "By keeping the roof lines high, it is possible to have adequate and generous amounts of nature lighting in all areas of this hall. The end windows are glazed with antique glass and will form the background for the Sunday School worship center."
Frightful: "We step into the narthex which is finished with natural tenex paneling. There is a convientent coat closest behind a folding door."
Delightful: "Off the parish hall are the kitchen, the bathrooms, the pasto's study and the sacristy. The kitchedn has a serving window which opens into the parish hall for conveinent serving. The cabinets are finished in natureal birtch."
Frightful: "The modern pews catch our attention with their wrought iron legs instead of the usual heavy wooden legs. A small shield attached to the end of the pew serves as an armrest."
Delightful: "A unique feature of the alter is its free-standing style which permits the officiant to step behind it for various parts of the service."
Frightful: "Separated from the nave by a folding door is the parish hall..."
Delightful: "The serprent and the fruit represent the sin from which we are made free. This freedom is ours through the cross which is the last symbol on the window."
Frightful: "The kneeling cushions in font of the communion rail are covered with rich black velvet."
Delightful: "The new site is large enough to allow for ample parking area and future expansion. It is located in the fastest growing section of our city. The beautiful homes in the area and the natural beauty of the wooded lot enhance the setting. Its proximit to the corner of Hartness Road and Radio Road places it near one of the most commonly known intersections of our town."
Frightful: "The nave isles and chancel floors are covered with marbalized red vinyl-asbestos tile
Delightful: "On each side of the altar are two high windows running from the floor to the roof. A strip of brillant colors, alternating deep reds and blues, runs through the center of each window with imported antique glass on each side of the colored stripe."
Frightful: "The roof decing is covered on the outside with white asbestor shingles. The inside of the decking is finished natural."
Delightful: "As we look to the chancel we see the furniture following the modern lines of the building. The chancel and choir screens utilize opaque glass and wrought iron crosses for panels and supports giving the effect of lightness and openess."
Frightful: "As we enter the building through rose-colored doors which add color and life to the quiet grays in the brick and the cool greens used on the exterior wood."
Delightful: "By keeping the roof lines high, it is possible to have adequate and generous amounts of nature lighting in all areas of this hall. The end windows are glazed with antique glass and will form the background for the Sunday School worship center."
Frightful: "We step into the narthex which is finished with natural tenex paneling. There is a convientent coat closest behind a folding door."
Delightful: "Off the parish hall are the kitchen, the bathrooms, the pasto's study and the sacristy. The kitchedn has a serving window which opens into the parish hall for conveinent serving. The cabinets are finished in natureal birtch."
Frightful: "The modern pews catch our attention with their wrought iron legs instead of the usual heavy wooden legs. A small shield attached to the end of the pew serves as an armrest."
Delightful: "A unique feature of the alter is its free-standing style which permits the officiant to step behind it for various parts of the service."
Frightful: "Separated from the nave by a folding door is the parish hall..."
Delightful: "The serprent and the fruit represent the sin from which we are made free. This freedom is ours through the cross which is the last symbol on the window."
Frightful: "The kneeling cushions in font of the communion rail are covered with rich black velvet."
Delightful: "The new site is large enough to allow for ample parking area and future expansion. It is located in the fastest growing section of our city. The beautiful homes in the area and the natural beauty of the wooded lot enhance the setting. Its proximit to the corner of Hartness Road and Radio Road places it near one of the most commonly known intersections of our town."
Just for Fun - 1958
The average cost of a gallon of gas in 1958 was 25¢.
Fashion continued to move from formal to more casual as the 50s progressed. Women began to wear "peddle pushers" in place of dresses around the home. Teen girls could be seen wearing poodle skirts, tight sweaters, and scarves. Boys may have worn bowling shirts, leather jackets, and styles reflecting popular icons like Elvis Presley.
During the 1950s, cars continued to get bigger and boxier. The most well known 50s car...the pink Cadillac.
Voices rocking the airwaves in 1958: Elvis Presley, Billie Holiday, Ricky Nelson, Frank Sinatra, The Everly Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Wham-O introduced the Hula-Hoop in 1958; over 100 million are sold.
In 1958, you would have been able to see the movies; The Bridge and the River Kwai, Gigi, or South Pacific.
Popular tv shows from 1958: "Candid Camera", "The Ed Sullivan Show", "The Jack Benny Show", and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents".