Grace Lutheran Church traces its roots back over one hundred years to the work of the Reverend David James Koontz. Rev. Koontz, a Black Lutheran pastor, worked under the supervision of the North Carolina Synod of the Lutheran Church. In 1876, he had been licensed to preach. On May 1, 1880, the Rev. Koontz was ordained to the ministry but limited to work exclusively among Blacks. He began holding services for a small number of people in Concord. Grace congregation was started with his efforts in 1883. Rev. Koontz and his congregation first worshiped in the court house and then later in a small frame building on East Corban Street. This building had once been the post office of Concord and then served as a hat shop. The pastor and children lived in an apartment in the rear. Services and Sunday School were held in the front.
The Rev. Melvin J. Holsten was called to Grace and ordained on September 16, 1923. During Rev. Holsten's pastorate the property on East Corban Street was sold and the present site was purchased. Construction of a new church and school was delayed for several years because of the "Great Depression." Finally, in 1938 the present church and two large school rooms were built at a cost of $11,900. The building was dedicated on the Second Sunday of November in 1938. Pastor Holsten accepted a call to St. Johns Lutheran Church, East St. Louis, Illinois, but returned to Grace in May, 1962. He served Grace until his retirement in 1968.
During his pastorate the congregation grew to over 300 members. The Rev. Raymond Neely served Grace from 1954 to 1961. Following Rev. Holsten, Rev. John Poole and Rev. Duane Geary served the congregation. The Rev. Frederick T. Hedt was installed on July 7th 1974. The construction of the Melvin Holsten Education Building began in 1975. While the educational wing was being constructed two lots adjacent to the church purchased. During Pastor Hedt's pastorate the church's ministry continued to grow with the creation of a Gospel Choir, expansion into the community, emphasis on youth activities, the formation of several sports leagues and greater ownership of the overall ministry of the church. It was during this pastorate that Grace became a self-supporting congregation.
Our current pastor, the Rev. Donald E. Anthony was installed on December 14, 1997 after relocating to Charlotte in 1996. We are thankful at Grace this year that we have seen God's hand involved in the ministry of our church. We rejoice at the creation of a "Men's Choir, a Teen Choir, the addition of Rev. Eddie Ford, the development of our Dance Ministry, and the ongoing commitment of our congregation to grow in the study and application of God's word, an effort to eliminate a longstanding building debt and the forward thinking of our members for a Community Fellowship Hall. Copyright © 2019GraceLutheranChurchConcord, NC
The Rev. Melvin J. Holsten was called to Grace and ordained on September 16, 1923. During Rev. Holsten's pastorate the property on East Corban Street was sold and the present site was purchased. Construction of a new church and school was delayed for several years because of the "Great Depression." Finally, in 1938 the present church and two large school rooms were built at a cost of $11,900. The building was dedicated on the Second Sunday of November in 1938. Pastor Holsten accepted a call to St. Johns Lutheran Church, East St. Louis, Illinois, but returned to Grace in May, 1962. He served Grace until his retirement in 1968.
During his pastorate the congregation grew to over 300 members. The Rev. Raymond Neely served Grace from 1954 to 1961. Following Rev. Holsten, Rev. John Poole and Rev. Duane Geary served the congregation. The Rev. Frederick T. Hedt was installed on July 7th 1974. The construction of the Melvin Holsten Education Building began in 1975. While the educational wing was being constructed two lots adjacent to the church purchased. During Pastor Hedt's pastorate the church's ministry continued to grow with the creation of a Gospel Choir, expansion into the community, emphasis on youth activities, the formation of several sports leagues and greater ownership of the overall ministry of the church. It was during this pastorate that Grace became a self-supporting congregation.
Our current pastor, the Rev. Donald E. Anthony was installed on December 14, 1997 after relocating to Charlotte in 1996. We are thankful at Grace this year that we have seen God's hand involved in the ministry of our church. We rejoice at the creation of a "Men's Choir, a Teen Choir, the addition of Rev. Eddie Ford, the development of our Dance Ministry, and the ongoing commitment of our congregation to grow in the study and application of God's word, an effort to eliminate a longstanding building debt and the forward thinking of our members for a Community Fellowship Hall. Copyright © 2019GraceLutheranChurchConcord, NC