Fridens Evangelical Lutheran Church

Friedens Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 6001 NC 61 in Gibsonville,  was organized in 1745, thirty one years before America was a country. The church was rebuilt in 1939 after a fire destroyed the original building. However, this church community is 278 years old this year. To put this into perspective, Luther began the Protestant movement in 1517 and Frieden Church was built in 1745, 228 years after the Protestant movement began. So, it is closer in years to the beginning of the Protestant movement than it is to the year 2023. This historic church is recorded as one of the oldest of its denomination in the south. The church, founded by German Lutheran immigrants heading west, even maintained church records in German until 1830.*

We stumbled on Friedens Lutheran while riding around the urban loop I-840 this weekend, getting off on Huffine Mill Road, and driving the backroads through Guilford County to Gibsonville. The  church is at the crossroads of NC-61 and Frieden Church Road. Frieden is derived from a German word that means peace and tranquility. Walking around the property of the church, the cemetery, and the small replica of the original church located across the street, indeed, brings a sense of peace and tranquility. While the eastern end of Guilford is changing,  this little slice of county make it feel like time is standing still. 

You can tell from the photo that the white columns at the entrance are a dominant feature. However, the stained glass windows are also very special. Have a great Sunday!

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Comments

[William Kendall]

I like the simplicity.