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About First Lutheran Church of Albemarle, NC
In 1879, the Rev. Whitson Kimball was authorized by the Synod to determine the advisability of establishing a Lutheran church in Albemarle. The congregation was organized on September 19, 1880, with five charter members. The church was added to the charge of the Rev. Kimball, and he became the first pastor.

That same year, a lot on South First Street was donated by one of the members and the cornerstone of "Albemarle Evangelical Lutheran Church" laid on December 19. The congregation was received into the Synod in 1881, and the white frame house of worship was dedicated on the third Sunday in August, 1881. Descendents of Pastor Kimball and of other charter members are still members of First Lutheran Church.

The congregation became self-supporting as to pastor's salary in 1905, and by 1907 it had grown to need a larger building. The cornerstone was laid on July 2, 1908, and the name changed to First Lutheran Church of Albemarle. This building at the corner of Second and South Streets is the one in use today. The gift of a lot adjoining the church provided for the building of a three-story Educational Building in 1931. In 1951 the main church building was completely renovated and redecorated and a three-manual pipe organ was installed. The church sponsored and housed a pre-school for handicapped children during 1972, this evolving into the Greenwood Center. Over the years the congregation had maintained parsonages, but discontinued this in 1975. A major property change occurred in 1976 with the construction of a new Parish Building on the site of the old Educational Building. At this time the sanctuary was redecorated and the basement of the church building renovated to include a sacristy, and the two buildings were connected by a foyer. By 1997, major repair and renovation to the almost ninety-year-old edifice was essential, and, as the result of a major capital campaign, this was accomplished within a year. Renovation of the Parish Building and the Efird Building are currently in progress.

Dedication of members is continually evident, not only in contributions of land, money, and worship appointments for the sanctuary, but also by the fact that First Lutheran Church consistently has been able to meet the challenge of apportionment, participate actively in Synodical, Churchwide, Lenoir Rhyne College, and Seminary fund-raising campaigns and still be able to expand and renew facilities to meet the needs of a growing congregation.

Resettlement of Asian and Polish families during the 80's and continuing support of these
families focus on some of the changing needs of the church in the world. Co-operative effort of members of the congregation in these endeavors has been strong.

Addition of a second worship service on Sundays in 1996 and the calling of an associate pastor-a woman-in 1997 attest to the fact that this congregation of about 700 members is not only growing, but changing. Increased employment mobility and proximity to the Uwharrie lakes have brought new families of various ages and backgrounds to the area. New residents are accustomed to different worship practices. A growing number of young families expect more emphasis on the needs of children. First Lutheran Church is meeting these changing needs without compromising its liturgical and theological identity. Positive programmatic endeavors bring together new and long-time members. Pastor John Futterer, a pastor firmly dedicated in the faith, leads in worship and study.

Membership: 705 Baptized, 574 Confirmed.

About this website
The purpose of this virtual portal is to serve as a positive evangelism tool and an effective channel of communication to the congregation and community at large. For comments, suggestions, questions about the website, please direct your e-mails to the webgroup.