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Kernersville Moravian Church
If it weren't for the Kerners, the Moravian Church may never have
come to Kernersville. Of course, the town itself may still have the
name Dobsons Crossroads.
The children of Joseph Kerner-John F., Philip (Körner), and Salome Harmon-were
members of Friedland, and by the 1840's they were having their
minister pay regular preaching visits at their crossroads seven
miles distant. After the Civil War the Kerners renewed their
interest, and on July 15, 1866, a meeting in Kernersville
"determined ... to establish a branch of the Brethren' Church at that
place." In response the Southern Province purchased a lot in town
from John F. Kerner, and a fine brick church was erected. Bishop
George Frederick Bahnson consecrated the church on November 10,
1867, in services attended by nearly all the ministers of the
Southern Province. Bishop Bahnson reported that "much interest was
manifested by the people in town and in the neighborhood."
The new congregation was still served by the Friedland minister until 1870 when Br. Isaac
Prince was called as first resident pastor. A parsonage, completed
in 1874, was home to Christian Lewis Rights, who was pastor from
1873 to 1891. In the early 20th century, Kernersville went for 11
years without an assigned minister, until in 1922 Walser H. Allen,
Sr., began his remarkable 25-year pastorate.
A Sunday school annex with
lovefeast kitchen was built in 1925. A new spire arose and the
church was extensively renovated in 1932. A Christian education
building, long planned but delayed by World War II, was completed in
1952, and Br. Allen came from Pennsylvania to attend its dedication
on November 18, 1956. The 1867 church received another renovation in
1962, in plenty of time for Kernersville to celebrate its centennial
with Br. Allen delivering the anniversary sermon on November 12,
1967. A new parsonage followed in 1970, and Br. Allen probably
appreciated that it was "fully electric" and air conditioned, since
he had lived in the 1874 parsonage.
On its 128th anniversary on November 8, 1992, Kernersville dedicated its new sanctuary. The 1867
church, meanwhile, has been designated a historic landmark as one of
the oldest structures in the town of Kernersville.
On Sunday, June 1, 2003, the new
J.F. Nordlie Tracker Organ was dedicated with a special dedication
service in the afternoon attended by over 300 people. The
installation took several months. A series of recitals were planned
through the year 2005.
Let Me Tell You About ...
...Kernersville
Moravian Church Today...
The Moravian Church, or
Unitas Fratrum (Unity of Brethren), as it has been officially known
since 1457, is recognized as the oldest Protestant denomination. We
are "regular" Protestants, in the mainline, moderate, committed to
keeping our focus on serving Christ in the World. The Bible, our
love for Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are seen as
essential to the life of a Christian. Moravians emphasize faith as
being more of a heart experience rather than a head experience, on
personal experience of God's love rather than on abstract doctrinal
arguments and theological foundations. The Moravian Church practices
a simple, yet meaningful, approach to faith and life that seeks to
emphasize Christian faith, hope, and love. Our faith identity is as
Christians, followers of Christ, who are affiliated with the
Moravian Church as a way of living and expressing our Christian
faith. We are Christian first. Then we are Moravians.
While the Moravian Church has its
own rich history, especially in the area of hymnody and chorale
worship, the Church accepts and uses creeds as The Apostles' Creed
and The Nicene Creed, as well as other statements of faith from
other denominations. The Moravian Church recognizes no distinction
between those who are one in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Men and women, young and old, who
are led by the Holy Spirit are invited to join our fellowship of
believers and to use their special gifts and talents to assist in
deepening one's own relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, to have
fellowship with other believers, and to seek to spread the Gospel of Christ's
salvation to others.
Welcome to what has often been called the Church of the Heart. |
