LINCOLN COUNTY, NC - BIOGRAPHIES - Johann Gottfried Arends
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 Johann Gottfried Arends  Pioneer Of Lincoln County
 
 Johann Gottfried ARENDS(ARNDT) is one of the most important figures
 in the history of the Lutheran Church in the North Carolina Synod, 
the first Lutheran ordained in the state and the "father of the 
Lutheran Church beyond the Catawba River".  
 His journal entry states, "A.D.1740, December 11, I, Johann 
Gottfried Arends, was born into the world". His home was in the 
German territory of Hanover. 
 On Sept. 13,1772, Arends departed from Gottingen "on command of the 
king, to be teacher of Lutherans in North Carolina".
 In August 1775 on the eleventh Sunday after Trinty, Arends was 
examined in the presence of several deacons and ordained at the Second
Creek (Organ) Church as pastor. Arends' marriage record 
begins within a week of his ordination and he administered the first 
communion to a confirmation group in November. There is not a record 
of services or funerals or baptisms or other activities. One year 
for which marriage records exist, he performed 41 marriages.

 
 Arends' ministry included the congregations of the Rowan home 
parish, the present day Lexington area, the Lutheran settlements 
near the Moravians at Salem, the Guilford-Orange-Alamance Co. area 
and the Catawba-Lincoln-Gaston area.

 He conducted the first communion service in Lincoln County, N.C.
 On October 24, 1776,  Hannah Rudisill(d/o pioneer Michael Rudisill) 
of eastern Lincoln County and Johann Arends were married.
 For 9 years his pastorate was based in Rowan County and he traveled 
60 miles west and northeast, staying in the homes of locals. After 
the American revolution, Arends accepted the call to the Catawba 
County Congregations as resident pastor and moved to Lincoln County, 
N.C. He acquired a plantation about one mile from Michael Rudisill 
on Leeper's Creek.

 He Conducted confirmation classes, worship services, wedding 
ceremonies, baptisms and funerals. He also was a practicing 
physician, Common to many ministers in those days. His
 records include directions for administering German medication and 
diet instructions. Arends also acted as an informal banker. His 
journal ends 1791.

 Being he was rather particular in the way that he dressed and his 
manner, Arends acquired a reputation of being a Chesterfieldian. He 
always wore gloves.     

 Pioneering Arends died 9 Jul 1807 and is buried at Emmanuel Church 
in Lincoln County, N.C.


 Churches served:
 Organ-Rowan County
 St.John's-Salisbury,
 Union-Rowan County, 
 Low's-Guilford County,
 Beck's-Davidson County,
 Pilgrim-Davidson County,
 Shiloh-Forsyth County,
 Friedens-Guilford County,
 St'Paul's-Alamance County,
 Lutheran Chapel-China Grove,
 Philadelphia-Gaston County,
 Daniel's-Lincoln County,
 Emmanuel-Lincoln County,
 Grace-Catawba County,
 Nazareth-Rural Hall,
 St. Luke's-Lincoln County,
 St.Paul's-Catawba County,
 St.John's-Catawba County,
 Salem-Lincoln County,
 Bethel-Gaston County,
 St.Mark's-Gaston County,
 Zion-Gaston County.
 
 
 His story can be found in "LIFE SKETCHES OF LUTHERAN MINISTERS
 NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE SYNODS, 1773-1965".
 
 Children:
 John Arends, Catherine, Hannah, Elizabeth, Susan, Jacob, 
Frederick,and Mary.
 
 John Arends and Susan Bisaner had:
 Elizabeth, Mary, Daniel, and Henry.
 
 Daniel Arends had John, Christina,
 George-Gravelton,MO., David -MO., Jacob   -MO., Mary- -MO., and 
 Henry -MISSOURI