ST. JAMES HISTORY

St. James Lutheran Church's story began over two hundred years ago when German immigrants from Pennsylvania, seeking land similar to their beloved Rhine valley, settled in what are now Rowan and Cabarrus counties. They built homes, schools, and churches, including St. James in Concord.

The church's roots trace back to the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther sparked the Lutheran movement. Amidst European turmoil, Germans sought refuge in America, bringing their Protestant faith with them. In 1743, St. John's Lutheran Church was founded near Mt. Pleasant, and by 1843, a group from Coldwater Lutheran established St. James.

The original church was built on land donated by Alfred Brown in Concord on present day Corban Avenue. It was a simple structure, soon followed by a small schoolhouse and cemetery. The cemetery is still located there today. In 1880, the church moved to Union and Corban streets, where it stood until 1927. A new limestone church was built in 1928, with a three-story sanctuary and chapel. In 1943, the congregation paid off its mortgage, and in 1967, an educational wing was added.

In 2019, St. James celebrated its 175th anniversary with events that honored its history. These included a picnic, cemetery beautification, a special worship service, and volunteer projects. Throughout its history, St. James has thrived, embracing both change and continuity with gratitude for its Lutheran roots. The church's foundation remains in Christ, the steadfast pillar of faith.