Worship
The religious denominations in Burke County reflect the earliest patterns of settlement in the area. German settlers brought their Lutheran faith with them as the Scotch-Irish brought the Presbyterian faith. Methodism arrived after the Revolution, followed shortly by the Baptist Church. Episcopal missionaries were active in the county prior to the Civil War. According to Burke County historian Dr. Edward Phifer, Jr., the first black church was active in Morganton around 1872.
Historically, Burke County is famous for its Waldensian community, Italian Protestants who came to Valdese in the late nineteenth century. Their faith was interwoven into the fabric of their daily lives. Worship in a religious community is no less a priority in the Burke County of today. In an effort to promote unity among local denominations, Pastor George Logan of the New Day Christian Church joined with six other churches to meet under one roof as “The Church”; every fifth Sunday of the year they gather for worship in the city auditorium. Now, their new center is under construction with completion due in spring of 2007. Service to the elderly and infirm as well as a prison ministry are among the activities of Burke’s faith community.
Denominations listing and contact information for nearly 200 houses of worship can be found at the Chamber of Commerce website www.burkecounty.org.
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