User:LisaRudisill/sandbox

John Anderson Rudisill

Reverend John Anderson Rudisill (1856 – 1895) was an Evangelical “Builder of Churches” in the central western area of North Carolina establishing some of the earliest Lutheran Churches in America in that region and following in the footsteps of a relative, Rev. Gottfried Arendt (wife, Susannah Rudisill), known as the first ordained minister in America.

Early Life

John A. Rudisill was born May 28, 1856, the second eldest child of a Southern Confederate Civil War Veteran, Absalom Rudisill, and wife, Louisa Speagle of western Lincoln County. When he was just eight years old, his father was “conscripted” (drafted) to serve in the trenches at Petersburg on the frontlines of the war; he was wounded, then captured and sent to Point Lookout, Maryland, then released to return home. John's older brother, Caleb, was also drafted in the last year of the war with 5,000 North Carolina Junior Reserves who bravely fought at Fort Fisher (the taking of the last Confederate seaport). Caleb died there Christmas 1864, age 16, while the remaining reserves and thousands of regulars from across the South faced General William Tecumseh Sherman at the last major battle of the war—Bentonville, North Carolina. After the surrender, there were few men left to hold positions across the South. John Anderson Rudisill, always devout, was assisted in completing a seminary education at Concordia Seminary, Newton, North Carolina, then began an incredibly full ministry which, though short, was very impactful. In only 17 years, he filled numerous empty roles as pastor in communities where God's hope and love was desperately sought across his region. John A. Rudisill married Alice Gilbert in 1878, daughter of a Civil War physician, Dr. William W. Gilbert of Mooresboro and Nebo, N.C. and wife, Margaret Maria Holler; Gilbert became a NC Legislator after the Civil War. He was also a prominent Methodist leader in western North Carolina. After their marriage, Alice Gilbert played organ in churches, supervised at Wood Ridge, a private school academy they began and later taught music privately. She was raise four children after his early death (age 39): Evan Leon, Loy Alvin, "Winnie" Ethel, and John Arthur.

Ministry Years

After John Rudisill's father was released as prisoner of war and returned home at war's end, John began his studies to become a minister. A classmate, R. A. Yoder, became first president of Lenoir Rhyne College in 1891 (now University) in Hickory, N.C. John's calling was to lead and build churches, and needs were great. He quickly began to fill a circuit that would eventually extend his name across a wide area in a large region north and west of Charlotte (now the largest city in North Carolina)--an area whose pioneer roots were deep in American spirit and faith, despite—or perhaps because of—the hardships of the war. As the Civil War had stripped the South of so many men, churches were in desperate need of pastors. Rev. Rudisill received so many “calls to churches” that he could not hope to fill all requests. By this time, he had married his true love, Alice Gilbert, and began a family which would eventually number four children. A great amount of his time was spent “on the road.” Rev. John A. Rudisill's Circuit

While he spent some time as student pastor under the guiding hand of Rev. A. J. Fox, Pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Vale, N.C.--a church whose sanctuary construction he would be heavily involved in--, his earliest assignment as full ELCA Pastor was his home church, Sardis Evangelical Lutheran Church south of Hickory, N.C. This is the church where he would also marry the love of his life, Alice Gilbert in 1876, barely ten years after the war had ended. Soon, a number of churches were added onto his growing circuit. These included Daniels Lutheran ELCA, begun by pioneer emigrants from German and Switzerland. This church was begun by his Great Uncle Rev. Gottfried Arendt, first ordained pastor in North Carolina whose wife was Susannah Rudisill. Rev. Rudisill served here for 12 years and oversaw the building of the main church sanctuary still in use today as the Lutherans split off a new congregation from the Swiss/German Reformed congregation. Rev. Arendt and his wife had also helped begin one of the oldest area churches: St. Luke's ELCA at Pumpkin Center, the most easterly of the churches that Rev. Rudisill would come to serve as pastor. The church had been begun in 1767, even before the birth of the new America. The congregation remains active 257 years later. Bethphage Evangelical Lutheran and St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran churches on Rev. John A. Rudisill's circuit both have long histories. St. Mark's ELCA began in 1791, shortly after the founding of America, now celebrating over 230 years in existence. Both are located close to where the original German (including Rudisill) pioneer ancestors were given Land Grants from King George III of England to settle America. He oversaw the building of their sanctuaries still in use today. Rev. Rudisill was originating pastor in two churches added to his circuit west of the town of Lincolnton. These were David's Chapel and Cedar Grove ELCA. Each continues to have a strong congregation after being established in 1892. Begun by Rev. David Williams (though without sanctuary), David's Chapel, though small, is highly historic, its small sanctuary containing the graves of three Civil War veterans killed in the war as well as that of the Rev. David Williams, who was born and lived during the time of John Wesley in England. It currently serves as a United Methodist Church. Cedar Grove has a growing congregation and modern sanctuary now. Three other churches on Rev. Rudisill's circuit were Antioch Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dallas, N.C., Old St. Paul's Church, Newton, N.C. And Lutheran Chapel, Gastonia, N.C. A small congregation, Antioch remains very active today located not far from a larger town. Not too far away on the outskirts of that smaller city is Lutheran Chapel, whose long-term pastor had been tragically killed in a horrible train wreck near Salisbury, N.C., the largest state train wreck in its history. Old St. Paul's Church was of the old, white board type. A more modern sanctuary was built nearby but the old church was kept. Congregations annually hold a special service in this historic building which boasts a “slave balcony,” a pump organ, (no electricity in building), “sounding board” above the pastor's raised podium, straight wood benches, small wood stove, and is surrounded by a very historic cemetery. Rev. Rudisill is also credited with planting Calvary Lutheran Church, Granite Falls, N.C.--now moved to Morganton, N.C. As Lutheran Chapel there, and made visits to Holy Communion church, Valle Crucis (edge of western mountains of Blue Ridge) and the mission to the Cherokee Indians in far western North Carolina. In addition to his duties pastoring the circuit and overseeing the building of four sanctuaries, Rev. Rudisill served as Secretary of the Tennessee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the 1890's, travelling to meetings held in various locations like Lexington, South Carolina. He also recorded the Baptism of 695 new children and members to his congregations. He attended to funerals and weddings, as well as other important church events.

Rev. John A. Rudisill's Death

Rev. Rudisill travelled across a circuit spanning around 175 miles, excluding special trips to far places such as Synod gatherings and the mission field in Cherokee and western North Carolina. Though young, his health suffered over time through his ministry demands and, while fathering four children (three boys and one girl), he was stretched for time. In addition, when available during the week, he assisted with Alice in supervising and running Wood Ridge Academy. Ministering to the sick in his congregation was also draining. In 1895, while visiting with a member of his new congregation at Lutheran Chapel Church, Gastonia (his farthest south parish), he became ill with typhus, a disease common in the post-war impoverished South then where the mortality rate of infants ran as high as 50%. While being treated by his father-in-law, Dr. W. W. Gilbert, he grew steadily more ill and frail, finally passing away on July 22, 1895—less than three weeks after the birth of his last child. A widespread membership in his churches brought out over 1,100 to his funeral conducted at Daniels Lutheran Church north of the town of Lincolnton. Preaching the sermon was his classmate Dr. R. A. Yoder, by now first President of Lenoir Rhyne College. The attendees came by buggies and horseback to show, honor and memorialize their beloved Pastor Rudisill—termed by then “The Builder of Churches.” He was only 39 years of age at death but left behind an amazing legacy.

List of Church Rudisill Pastored (simultaneously, on his circuit)

Sardis ELCA, Startown, NC Trinity ELCA, Vale, NC (buried) St. Luke's ELCA, Pumpkin Center Daniels ELCA, Reepsville, NC Bethphage ELCA, Crouse, NC Antioch ELCA, Dallas, NC Lutheran Chapel, Gastonia, NC David's Chapel, Lincoln County	(plant) Cedar Grove, Lincoln County	(plant) St. Luke's ELCA, Granite Falls, NC (plant)--moved to Calvary ELCA, Morganton

(Mission Visits:) Holy Communion Lutheran, Valle Crucis, NC Cherokee Mission, Cherokee, NC

'REFERENCES:

1. Robinson, Evelyn. Rev. John Anderson and Alice Gilbert Rudisill History, Vol 1. Greensboro, NC. 1996

2. Morgan, Jacob L, Brown, Bachman S., Hall, John. History of the Lutheran Church in North Carolina (1803 – 1953). 164 & 176-349.

3. “Funeral of Rev. John Anderson Rudisill.” The Lutheran Observer, Aug. 1895.