SALISBURY — On Sunday, May 15, members of Concordia Lutheran Church will celebrate the 140^th anniversary of the church. The event will include a special worship service at 11 a.m. conducted by church pastor Rev. Kenneth Reed Jr. Vinnie Duncan will present a historical remembrance with several church members. Concordia choirs will provide music and sing favorite hymns. A covered dish lunch will follow the service.

In the summer of 1881, the Rev. William Alonzo Lutz, a missionary minded young pastor of St. Enoch Lutheran Church in Enochville, began a preaching-teaching mission in a grove of trees across the road from the present church. Interested people built a “brush arbor” and from this Concordia Lutheran Church was organized. Members of the church secured a building site, cut logs, sawed lumber and built the church themselves.  On April 29, 1882, they laid the cornerstone on a 50-by-70-foot wood frame church building. There were 81 charter members.

On Sunday morning, March 1, 1942, the church building was destroyed by fire. The members met under the trees and immediately began plans to rebuild the church. On May 9, 1943, a dedication service of the new church was held. Concordia’s ministries continued to grow and during the next 80 years, three buildings were added to accommodate Sunday school classes and youth activities, and a new family life center was added in 2003.

Concordia serves the community with numerous out reach programs and community events including the “Love Thy Neighbor” event, “Feed the Hunger” meal pack-a-thon, health and wellness programs, community worship services, youth programs and a host of other faith based family activities.

Concordia Lutheran Church is located at 185 Concordia Church Road, just off Highway 152 in the Atwell Fire Department Community.