Avalon Moravian Church
On Easter Sunday, April 7, 1901 two church services were held at Avalon. At the time a proper church building did not exist in the village. Details of the event were written up in the April 1901 edition of The Wachovia Moravian. The article paints such interesting visuals that I couldn't fathom altering a single word. The following is the original article in its entirety.1
Easter Sunday afforded the opportunity of holding two preaching services in Avalon. For this purpose the dilapidated commissary shack used for lodging during the construction of the dam was utilized. It is a unique place of worship. Very high planks nailed from wall to wall and very low boxes serve for seats. Two dozen broken window panes afford more ventilation than would be necessary did not the rusty stove, whose pipe projects through the window, smoke so atrociously that the preacher was compelled to stop from time to time during the sermon, and move to another part of the room to obtain fresh air, the meanwhile wiping a copious flow of smoke tears from his streaming eyes.
Morning and night the room was crowded, the congregation having been summoned by the prolonged and vigorous ringing of a large dinner bell by the preacher.
In fact, at night every inch of sitting space was taken, and twenty leaned outside against the open door, or stood beside the minister as he spoke. It is a happy inspiration to preach under such circumstances. One of the hearers had not attended divine service in two years, another had been inside a church but once in four years.
An after-meeting of deep interest was held.
In June of 1901 a movement to build a church at Avalon was initiated. William E. Spaugh, the pastor at the Mayodan Moravian Church, had on occasion preached at Avalon since its early beginnings. Since the founders of The Avalon Mills and its superintendent Edgar Hege had strong ties with the Moravian Church, it was no surprise that the church at Avalon would be Moravian. The plan to build the church was backed by pledges totaling over $100.002 from Avalon villagers. Mayodan pledged about the same amount. Including other donations from various sources the total accumulated to over $550.002 which was considered enough to build a "Modest building that could be expanded upon if the need arose."2 Reverend Howard K. Rondthaler of Salem stated in an article, "There is every reason to believe that this community [Avalon] will stand by us in our work. The interest according to our services by many who heretofore were entirely unacquainted with the Moravian Church has been most encouraging."2 He also added that an additional $150.002 would be needed for the church.
Three months later the cornerstone for the church was set to be placed. The church, when completed, would represent about a $1000.003 investment. The structure would cost $725.00 to build and $600 of that amount had already been raised3. It was decided the church would be built on a stone foundation and located on a slight knoll overlooking the village3.
Due to rain delays the cornerstone wasn't placed until the afternoon of Sunday, October 13, 19014. The event was accompanied by a sizable gathering from both Avalon and Mayodan. "Both the railroad and country road from Mayodan to Avalon, were thronged with people, young and old, from the former town on their way to the corner-stone laying."4 At five o'clock p.m. the service began. There was singing led by a brass quartette from the Mayodan Sunday School who were directed by Mr. Thomas Lehman4. Afterward, the pastor preached a brief sermon and Mr. Sides of Avalon took charge of sealing the copper box. Among those present were Charles Smith, listed as the builder, and Bro. W.T. Poindexter, listed as the stone mason4.
Fig. 19. The Avalon Moravian Church 1906-1911.
The church building was completed in December 1901. The only thing left to do was install seating. A donation from someone who chose to remain anonymous was to provide the seating and $13 had been raised towards the purchase of a bell for the church. The first service wasn't to be held until after the new year. However, a Christmas celebration was planned for the church.5
On Sunday, January 12, 1902 the Avalon Moravian Church held its first service6. It was an introductory service given and arranged by Brother Rondthaler. There was an address of welcome by Edgar Hege, superintendent of the Avalon Mill. There was a welcome from the village by Mr. Poindexter, Brother P. Tesh spoke on how to help the minister, and Charles Smith talked on the advantages of having a resident pastor6. Later that afternoon, at 3:30 P.M., a meeting was held to organize the Avalon Sunday school. Edgar Hege was placed in charge of the school. During the meeting sixty-five people enrolled pledging to be regular attendants. The school's schedule was set for 3:00 P.M. to be followed by the sermon at 4:00 p.m.6.
Fig. 20. Sunday school and church members at the Avalon Moravian Church.
The March 1902 edition of The Wachovia Moravian reported that February attendance was good at the Avalon church7. Apparently, the reporter visited the church, and had the following to say concerning his experience. "Better streets and sidewalks are needed. The soil is spongy and sticky. It gets muddy directly, and the mud is of a disagreeable kind. One must wade through it, and if you lose an overshoe occasionally, keep your temper."7 According to the reporter, a drawback to church work in both Avalon and Mayodan was that the populations in the villages were unstable. At least half of the church's members were non-resident and inaccessible to the church; however, new members to the churches were loyal and enthusiastic7. During this time, the Avalon church received a pulpit desk donated by the Fogle Brothers, a building company from Winston-Salem7.
In May of 1902 an organ had been acquired for the church and the efforts to raise money for a church bell continued. Some of the women of Avalon were making and selling candies to help raise funds8. The funds were slow in coming and it wasn't until about four years later in April of 1906 that their goal had been met. "Our hustling pastor in a very short time received from our liberal hearted people [of Avalon] about $200.00 towards building a bell tower for Avalon and painting the church, both in and out side; and fixing up fence around the church."9 During the same year other denominations were utilizing the church in addition to the Moravians. Reverend Sikes of the Presbyterian church held services there one Sunday each month9. Reverend Alfred Berkeley, priest in charge of Episcopal missions in Mayodan, Avalon, Stoneville, and Madison also held monthly services in Avalon. Reverend Berkeley was based out of the Mayodan Church of the Messiah10.
- 1. Rondthaler, Howard K. "The Church at Home: Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) April 1901.
- 2. Rondthaler, Howard K. "The Church at Home: Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) June 1901.
- 3. "Our Newest Church at Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) September 1901.
- 4. Rondthaler, Howard K. "The Church at Home: Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) October 1901.
- 5. Rondthaler, Howard K. "The Church at Home: Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) December 1901.
- 6. Rondthaler, Howard K. "The Church at Home: Mayodan and Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) January 1902.
- 7. Crouch, Charles D. "The Church at Home: Mayodan-Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) March 1902.
- 8. Crouch, Charles D. "The Church at Home: Mayodan-Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Salem, NC) May 1902.
- 9. "The Month in Wachovia: Avalon," The Wachovia Moravian (Winston-Salem, NC) April 1906.
- 10. Berkeley, Alfred R. "Establishing the Church in a Southern Mill Town," In The Spirit of Missions: An Illustrated Monthly Review of Christian Missions, vol. LXXIV (New York: Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church, 1909),132-36.
- Fig 19 - Unknown, Avalon Moravian Church (1906-1911), Location, Avalon, NC, Image [from Avalon: A North Carolina Town of Joy and Tragedy (Chapel Hill, NC: Books, 1977), 63].
- Fig 20 - Unknown, Sunday School, Avalon Moravian Church (1900-1911) Location, Avalon, NC, Image [from Avalon: A North Carolina Town of Joy and Tragedy (Chapel Hill, NC: Books, 1977), 65].