About Our Church

In the late 1700's Bishop Spangenburg of the Moravian Church, on expedition, recorded in his journal that he found and stayed with a German speaking Lutheran group called Friendship Church in a place called Valle Crucis, NC. 

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Early worship was held on a sporadic basis in various homes, then in an old log schoolhouse located near Mast store. Later the congregation moved to Clark's Creek road to the home of Soloman Townsend. Records indicate the church would rely on pastors from Lincoln, Gaston, Rowan, and Catawba counties to make a trip up the mountain about once a month, sometimes longer, to preach, hold weddings, baptisms, bible school and conformations  

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In 1884, land at the present site was given by Eli Townsend and a timber framed structure was erected by the members themselves.  This is also when the name was changed from Friendship Lutheran to Holy Communion Lutheran Church.

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in 1939, the present day stone sanctuary replaced the frame building, again built by the members of Holy Communion.  Mrs. Cora Pearl Jeffcoat, a parish worker for the Watauga Lutheran Congregations and Women of the United Lutheran Church in America, contributed liberally towards the construction.  

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In 1962, Holy Communion became a single call congregation and in 1963, Pastor Dr. Larry Campbell became the first full time pastor.  A parsonage was built on land donated by Poly Townsend.  Chancel furniture was also donated by Pastor Campbell's home congregation, Bethany Lutheran of Hickory.  A complete upper level renovation was made in 1966 with the addition of a new organ.  The Morgan Retreat Center, named for the grandson of Dr. Karl Z. Morgan, was constructed in 1973.  In 1983, thanks to a generous bequest, the downstairs Sunday School rooms were renovated and our sanctuary level stained glass windows installed.  

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