Up On the Hill

Crossnore Presbyterian Church

100-Year-Old Church with a Storied History

A Church Is Living Its Legacy On A Hill Not So Far Away

Story by Sherrie Norris

Photography by Tara Diamond C rossnore Presbyterian Church has stood as a beacon for more than a century, overlooking the quiet historic community that shares its name.

As it towers upon the hillside in all its peaceful grandeur, the church has provided a sanctuary of sorts during its 100-plus years, somewhat of a regal structure reaching heavenward — and nothing like one would expect to find in such a quaint Western North Carolina neighborhood.

Those of us who grew up in the shadows of the unique edifice recall much of our childhood spent walking from the heart of town onto the narrow winding road that led us to the footbridge that once stood as a connector to the massive stone structure.

Even of the high ceilings and pulpit, builder Franklin had his own ideas of how they should be built — regardless of what the people or the preacher preferred.

While the bridge was dearly loved and fought for, it was removed several years ago, leaving the majority of townsfolk dismayed, but still with easy access for visitors and parishioners along the main entrance just around the curve.

Oh, the memories that were made through the years of that grand stone church that has meant so much to so many.

Most of us natives, as youngsters, just assumed the church had always been there — and only as adolescents, perhaps, did we begin to really comprehend the magnitude of it all as we read the accounts of its formation and construction chronicled in Dr. Mary Martin Sloop’s “Miracle in the Hills,” written with Legette Blythe. Yes, the pioneering medical duo, Dr. Mary Martin Sloop and her husband, Dr. Eustace Sloop, not only brought modernday medicine to the area, but they also encouraged a better way of life through improving opportunities for education, honing skills and talents of both men and women, nurturing home life for the family unit, which primarily discouraged marriages of child brides and domestic abuse – and yes, the need for God to reign supremely. It was quite the battle, especially for Mrs. Sloop, who as a force with which to be reckoned, did not back down easily from even the fiercest of the mountain men, and fought for what she believed to be right. It didn’t help that making moonshine was one of, if not the area’s main “industries” and, as she saw it, resulted in most of the problems therein. The craftsmanship of the talented Will Franklin has remained a gift to the Crossnore community for over 100 years. From the time they rode horseback into the area in 1909, the Sloops were determined to make life better for the mountain people, and commandeering the Presbyterian Church construction was right up there on the list of their many accomplishments.

From the time they rode horseback into the area in 1909, the Sloops were determined to make life better for the mountain people, and commandeering the Presbyterian Church construction was right up there on the list of their many accomplishments.

We read in Sloop’s book how, in the mid 20s, they, along with a sup- portive group of townsfolk, undertook the church project, something she de- scribed as “another heavy task — one that was burdensome to us, though it was also greatly rewarding.”

Quite the story, in itself, Mrs. Sloop wrote about the church “a structure of which we are especially proud, and admired greatly by all, and especially by visitors who said that nowhere have they seen a more interesting and unique sanctuary.”

Breaking ground on July 27, 2008 for construction of the new fellowship hall were: (Back Row L-R) Ted Kidder, Douglas Franklin, Rev. McCoy Franklin, Archie McMannen, Bruce Dyak, Bill Bagby and Bob

Taylor. (Front Row) Will Jordan, Cordelia Dellinger Kidder, Tommie Tennant, Madeline Broome and Mike Gragg. Cordelia Dellinger Kidder was at the first ground breaking as a young toddler in 1924.

“Uncle Will” Franklin was responsible for the building of the church, managing all of the rock work from the foundation up, plus framing in the vaulted ceiling - a project that began in 1924.

Sloop penned, in detail, how “Uncle Will Franklin built it.”

Franklin and Sloop had had their rounds earlier, but they eventually came to a place of understanding, and most likely, respected each other, when all was said and done.

“He was a carpenter and stonemason, operated a sawmill and tannery, and was quite a character,” she wrote. “I shall never forget Uncle Will.”

A husband and father of 13, who could neither read nor write, Franklin was skilled beyond the average.

And while Sloop wrote that, years before, the Baptists had built a church with free lumber and free labor — “and it had done a world of good in the community”— the local Presbyterians wanted a Presbyterian Church.

They had been meeting in private homes up to that point. “And after using a little three-hundred-dollar chapel for a while, and then selling it in 1926 to be made into a residence, we actually began the big rock church which now stands at

Crossnore — and will stand for many years,” she wrote. “And, the story of the church is also the story of Uncle Will.”

Sloop further described Franklin as a wonderful builder and was the man chosen from the start to take on the project. “But, when we asked him to do it, he shook his head. ‘No,’ he said, ‘I’ll not do it.’”

But, Sloop and her followers would not take “no” for an answer.

“He was especially good in rock building, and we wanted a church made of rock, hauled out of the river.”

Sloop, herself, approached Franklin and asked him to build the church. He still refused. But, they didn’t give up.

“Finally, one day as he passed by my house, I called to him and I said, ‘Uncle Will, if you don’t do like I ask you, something’s going to happen to you. You’ve got a chance now to build a church, and that’s a good thing for a man to do; and you’re refusing to do it.”

Franklin reminded Sloop that he was 70 years of age at the time and that if he started building a church, his children would expect him to build homes for them. For a time, no amount of fear she tried to instill in the stubborn mountain man — or any foreboding with which she threatened him — seemed to matter.

Or, so it Seemed

Eventually, Franklin started attending services in the little chapel, and the persuasion for him to build the church continued. Soon, the desires and prayers of the people paid off.

“It’s just amazing how a man will change his mind, sometimes,” Sloop wrote.

Rock was hauled daily from the river by horse and wagon, “up a steep hill a mile or more to the site of the church,” until there was enough for the walls of the church. “And they were thick, solid walls. There is no framework for it,” she wrote.

Franklin, Sloop said, would have no more than four workmen at a time, adding that he had his own peculiar way of keeping books, and generally hired boys whom he could boss. “But, no boys were able to do the rock laying for that beautiful church, and so he hired an older

As a gift to her home church and community, in 2018 beloved author/ historian and minister, Margaret “Maggie” Palmer Lauterer compiled a compelling publication in honor of the church’s centennial celebration: “Crossnore Presbyterian Church Ministry and Mission: The First 100 Years.” On June 18, 1948 as Sunday worship services had ended, a low flying plane flew over the church.

Its pilot, Wimpy Holloway and a member of the church suddenly lost control of the plane and crashed landed in the parking lot flattening a 12-cylindar Lincoln. The pilot climbed out of the plane unhurt and began apologizing to the congregation.

man to help him to lay rock while the boys did the rest.”

And as for his bookkeeping, she said, he kept precise records of each worker’s time and tasks, suggesting that each be paid on his own merit:

“This boy don’t need but twelve and a half cents an hour this week; he loafed a good deal . . . This one made fifteen cents this week, he’s a smart boy.” And on it went.

There were many challenges along the way, as Franklin often saw things differently than others, and sometimes his vision for the church was in disagreement to the blueprints that had been drawn. Eventually, each challenge was met, and when the church was completed, Sloop wrote, “It is a beautiful one. And it was built according to Uncle Will’s ideas, for none of the rest of us could conceive of the beauty of that structure.”

Even of the high ceilings and pulpit, she penned, Franklin had his own ideas of how they should be built — regardless of what the people or the preacher preferred. Franklin often walked off the job in defiance.

And, that is just a small glimpse into the intricate and unique design and construction found within the church still today.

Through the years, Sloop said, and others have since concurred, time after time, many have considered the church to be ‘a piece of real art.’

“In fact,” she wrote, ‘we think the entire building, inside and out, is distinctive. The handsome rockwork always draws the compliments of visitors, and the highvaulted interior, with the cross beams of huge pine timbers, gives our little mountain church almost the appearance of a cathedral. The church is more Episcopalian in design and general feeling, particularly on the inside, that it is Presbyterian.” 100 Years Later

Having stood the test of time, just as Sloop predicted, Crossnore Presbyterian Church remains a symbol of hope in its community, high on its hill, overlooking the peaceful valley that holds fast to a long-held tradition of caring — including the school, chapel, weaving room, the former hospital, the old dam and other sites for which the Sloops were responsible.

In 2018, as a gift to her church and hometown, beloved author/historian and minister, Margaret “Maggie” Palmer Lauterer compiled a compelling publication in honor of the church’s centennial celebration.

“Crossnore Presbyterian Church Ministry and Mission: The First 100 Years,” is described as an informal history, but is a captivating read in and of itself.

Lauterer captures “the big picture” from the church’s early documented history, through personal memories and those of some of the church’s longest serving members and others who have made the church their home base.

She chronicles the Sloop family story and how the couple came to the mountains on a mission — and that even before there was a church, there was a community. She shares how other families in the area contributed greatly to the success of the church, not only in those early years, but also up to the centennial celebration.

She paints a vivid picture of life in Crossnore, with the church, the school, the dam, and so many of the Sloops’ accomplishments, as well as those of other pioneering families, serving as the backdrop to her story.

She allows us, as The distinctive rockwork of the church and the high-vaulted interior, with the cross beams of huge pine timbers, gives the mountain church almost the appearance of a cathedral. Will Franklin had never seen a vaulted ceiling before when it came time to install the roof, but once he was shown one, he went to work felling trees for the ceiling and roof framing. He used bark from chestnut trees for the space between the rafters

readers, to share the journey from those early days, to learn so much about the historic church and its journey through time, and to enjoy a glimpse into more recent events, regarding church growth, expansions and additions, leadership, programs, profiles and memorials. The fact that Crossnore Presbyterian Church was approved for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places is of great importance, and well noted therein.

Lauterer is to be commended for sharing her talent and the extensive research and countless hours she dedicated to this book, a keepsake for those of us who love Crossnore — and for those whose lives and families have been such vital parts of Crossnore Presbyterian Church.

In her author’s note, Lauterer shared, “Setting out to write a history of the first 100 years of the Crossnore Presbyterian Church seemed such a reasonable task – at first. My family has been a part of the church since its beginnings before 1918.”

She shares how even her efforts to compile the history were not without challenge, mainly due to vital records and other information lost in a home fire of a previous church clerk.

But, thankfully, Lauterer, along with the assistance of several others, was able to retrieve the information needed for the publication.

She acknowledges the help of her husband, Zack Allen, as well as the church’s centennial committee, church officers and members, and especially senior member, Rachel Deal, and Jessica Caudle, graduate of the Appalachian State University master’s program of history, for their assistance.

“It is this book’s goal to give the reader a glimpse of how a few people made a huge difference in a remote mountain community,” she said.

“This means more than just exploring remaining church records; it means researching the impact made by a small cloud of witnesses on the community and the world. It is our goal to put flesh and blood onto bare bones as we explore the lives and deeds of those servant hearts, some now gone and others who continue to witness and serve. Thanks be to God.”

Rachel Deal, at 90, is still actively involved in the church. She became a member at the age of 7, on the heels of her two “It is this book’s goal to give the reader a glimpse of how a few people made a huge difference in a remote mountain community”

Margaret “Maggie” Palmer Lauterer

In 1987 the windows from the church were removed and the frames were replaced. Then the window colors were restored by three members of the church, Emily Speer, Peggy Hardy Hufnagel and Ted Kidder. The re-coloration of the windows would take till the early 2000s to finish up.

older sisters who “helped turn the dirt” when ground was broken for its construction.

“This has always been my home church, even though I was gone for over 15 years and lived in Charlotte,” Deal said.

Since returning to Crossnore, Deal, a church elder for 50 years now, has actively played an integral role in the church, and especially in the women’s ministry and the choir. As an outreach, “ I am still doing my thing on Sunday afternoons,” she shared — singing to the residents at Life Care Center of Banner Elk and taking them cookies.

She has been visiting the nursing home for 38 years, and has also had her fingertip on the pulse of “almost everything that has been going on in Avery County.”

A strong advocate for her fellowman, as well as her furry friends, Deal still attends most church and community functions, including the Avery County Commissioners meetings. “And, I still speak up if I need to – and they hear what I have to say.”

Her love for her church and community goes “way back,” Deal said, recalling events of her childhood and how her “Aunt Mary,” (Sloop) impressed her, even then.

“I remember she would get up in front of the church with all those kids from the school and have them quote scripture.”

Deal’s parents, were a big part of the church, from its humble beginning, she said — becoming the 18th and 19th members of the church when it first started.

“My mother, Lena, had come from the piedmont to the mountains to help with Uncle Doctor’s children — Dr. Sloop was her brother,” she explained. “Mama had been married to a Presbyterian minister who died with pneumonia, leaving her with their little girl, my sister, Annie Laura, who was 7 when they moved up here. Mama met my daddy, Theron Dellinger, one summer, and married him the next.”

The memories are vivid, Deal recalled. “I remember hearing all the stories and I still love them to this day. My daddy was Sunday school superintendent for about 25 years at the church and led all the music.”

A lot of things have happened through time, Deal shared, “But it has stood strong through the years and we are taking care of it. Our pastor, Kathy Campbell, has been with us for almost 12 years now and is doing a great job. We have good elders and we’re all still working together. We are grateful for my niece, Margaret, (Maggie) for the book she wrote to commemorate our 100th anniversary. She did a real good job on that book. And, we still have some available to sell, if anyone is interested.” From the Church Pastor, Kathy Campbell

Kathy Campbell is honored, she said, to serve as pastor of the historic church — and, as the church’s first female pastor, at that.

The Rev. Campbell has served at Crossnore Presbyterian Church since 2009 and loves being pastor of a small church.

Before coming to Crossnore, she served in campus ministry at six colleges/universities in North Carolina and Virginia, including 12 years as the chaplain of Lees McRae College in Banner Elk.

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, she received her bachelors’ degree in history and political science from Warren Wilson College and her masters of divinity degree from the Divinity School of Duke University.

Rev. Campbell is married to Dr. Karl Campbell, Associ

Current Mission Projects of Crossnore Presbyterian Church • Helping to fund tutors for students at Crossnore Elementary School • Providing scholarships to keep Guatemalan students in school past the third grade through our Guatemala Presbyterian Partnership • Funding Military BibleSticks (MP3 players) for active duty service men and women • Providing funds for children’s clothing at Crossnore School • Volunteering weekly at Feeding Avery Families • Our Knitting Group knits beautiful hats and scarves for the Hospitality House in Boone • Providing a scholarship for the New Opportunity School for Women • Helping to fund the salary of the chaplain at the Avery Mitchell Correctional Institution • Providing Thanksgiving baskets and grocery cards to over 30 people in need in our county • Our Christmas Eve Offering goes to Volunteer Avery for emergency heating oil for the elderly • We collect monthly groceries for people and pets and support Volunteer Avery and Reaching Avery Ministry with monthly financial donations that are used for emergency needs. • Many of our members individually volunteer in organizations across the county Current Programs and Activities • Sunday School at 10:15 a.m., Worship at 11 a.m., Coffee Fellowship at 12 p.m. • Wednesday Bible Study, 3- 4:30 p.m. • Wednesday Choir Practice, 5- 6:30 p.m. • Friday Hands-On Service Project at Feeding Avery Families • Weekly Knitting Group meets in the summer and fall on Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. • Bi-Weekly Prayer Group • Monthly Women’s Group and Men’s Breakfast • Monthly Potluck Luncheon • Summer Docents who give church tours on Fridays and Saturdays • Special Summer Speaker and Music Series

Construction of the new fellowship hall on the west side of the church began in 2008 and was dedicated on June 14, 2009. The new addition could seat 125 people and is used in the wintertime for services. The addition also had room for a commercial size kitchen space.

ate Professor of History at Appalachian State University, where he has taught in the history department for 23 years.

Their daughter, Joanna Campbell, is a graduate student at Duke University, currently working on her doctorate in chemistry.

“I am honored to be the pastor of such a unique congregation in such a beautiful church,” said Campbell. “The Crossnore Presbyterian Church family consists of about 100 members and 100 friends.”

She explained that some of the folks who attend the church are “affiliate members,” meaning that they also belong to another church where they live for part of the year. “Some grew up in these mountains, while others are new arrivals; some live here all year, while others are only with us for a few months.

We are a year-round church with full-timers, weekenders and snowbirds.”

She described the church as “a Christian community where everyone is truly welcomed, which means we have a diverse congregation. Wherever you are from, whatever your background, you are invited to become part of the church family.”

She added: “We treat one another with respect and kindness and give ourselves permission ‘to agree to disagree’ with one another on issues that don’t need to divide us. Honestly, this is the kindest and most generous congregation that I have known. “

One of the unique aspects about Crossnore Presbyterian Church, Campbell points out, is that the church has two very distinct seasons of congregational life.

“When our summer/ fall congregation gathers, our church is full and our schedule is very busy,” she described. “We worship upstairs in our historic rock sanctuary every Sunday from Easter through Christmas. When the weather turns cold, and half our folks travel to the sunny South, our smaller winter/spring congregation gathers for worship downstairs in the church’s cozy fellowship hall.”

In addition to its national and international missions, Campbell said, this church really believes in supporting its local community.

“For example, a family in our church, the Berkleys, wanted to assist school children who were in need. They came up with the idea that our church could partner with other area churches — Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Fletcher Presbyterian Church, and the First Baptist Church of Crossnore — to sponsor a chili supper with the proceeds funding educational tutors for students at Crossnore Elementary School. Ten years later, we are still cooking up chili every fall, and filling a need created when the government cut the school’s funding.” This year, Campbell said, the joint effort raised over $3,700 to hire the tutors who supplement learning and change children’s lives.

“Our church also offers some great opportunities to the local community for enrichment and enjoyment,” she shared. “Our summer speakers and music programs are very popular, and bring between 60 to 100 people to each event. On some Tuesday evenings, Dr. Karl Campbell lectures on exciting topics of North Carolina History. Other nights, Rev. Margaret Lauterer might be telling stories about growing up in Crossnore or singing some old mountain tunes with her husband, Zack. Last summer, Bobby Taylor and his jazz band presented a night remembering the life and music of Johnny Mercer. We are beginning to make plans for another exciting series this summer.”

Campbell said, as the church goes forward into the future, “We believe we are called to be good stewards of the abundant resources God has given us. We want to welcome people into our church family and engage them in Christian ministry and service. We are committed to preserving our beautiful historic sanctuary so that generations to come can gather for worship and fellowship. And we want to partner with congregations and service organizations in our community to do more together than we can do alone.” Celebrating 100 Years

Nearly two years ago, Crossnore Presbyterian Church celebrated a huge milestone with Centennial Sunday on July 22, 2018, which Pastor Campbell described as “an amazing, inspiring, and affirming day!”

“God blessed us with a day that we will remember and relish for a long time to come,” she said. “For those who were not able to be with us physically, your spirit and your prayers were with us.”

She said that 119 people participated in the morning service, which featured Rev. Maggie Lauterer, KJV scripture readings and old-time mountain music. The afternoon service began with a packed sanctuary. “Over 200 people participated in the centennial worship service to the Glory of God. Music ranged from the bowed psaltery to an original choir anthem, composed and written by Michael Richardson, to a father-daughter duet of Henry and Cindy Smith singing his original hymn, ’Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart,’ to

Kathy Campbell is honored, she said, to serve as pastor of the historic church — and, as the church’s first female pastor, at that.

During the church’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2018, church quilters presented this beautiful handmade Centennial Quilt that now hangs in the sanctuary.

old-time gospel tunes to send us out. Four preachers shared scripture and a message, and our Presbyterian church partners and mission partners brought greetings and thanks for all the ways Crossnore Presbyterian Church shares in ministry and mission with them.The Quilters presented the beautiful handmade Centennial Quilt that now hangs in our sanctuary and some of the original members of the building committee ripped up the mortgage and offered a prayer of thanks to God for the gifts from so many that made it possible to pay off the mortgage in 10 years.”

Campbell continued, “We celebrated and affirmed our mission and outreach with 100 percent of the offering collection going to our Mission budget: $2,658.00.” After the inspiring worship, the crowd headed downstairs for a catered feast in the fellowship hall adorned with fresh flowers on every table. Maggie Lauterer signed and sold many copies of her book, “Crossnore Presbyterian Church Ministry and Mission: The First Hundred Years” and Centennial mugs.

“Thanks to the centennial committee for all the work that took place to honor and praise God in all the minutia of details to make this day possible,” Campbell shared. “Also thanks to the many volunteers who spent hours cleaning, practicing, planting, clearing, ordering, planning, mailing, setting up, and cleaning up for this great celebration of Christ’s ministry and mission through Crossnore Presbyterian Church. Praise be to God for the opportunity to celebrate our past, present, and future God has planned for us.” ◆ Crossnore Presbyterian Church is located at 200 Chapel Drive in Crossnore.

To learn more about the church, or how to purchase your copy of the centennial keepsake, call:828-733-1939, visit the

Website at www.crossnorepresbyterian.org, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cpcpcusa/ or Email cpcpcusa@gmail.com