There are only two churches in what is now Lincoln County that pre-date the American Revolution or were established during the war: Unity Presbyterian Church in modern day Denver and Daniel’s Lutheran Church in modern day Vale.

·       Unity Presbyterian Church was originally established as Beattie’s Meeting House in 1764, founded by Scotch‑Irish settlers. It served as the primary Presbyterian worship site for the area during the Revolutionary War, with members navigating divided loyalties. Many “oldest church” lists focus on central/western Lincoln County and overlook Unity because of its early association with the Beattie settlement and its proximity to the Catawba River. The church remained active continuously, replacing its early log structure with later buildings (1808, 1833, 1931).  The cemetery at the site includes burials of early settlers and Revolutionary‑era families. Unity sits in present‑day Denver, which was part of eastern Lincoln County but historically close to the Mecklenburg–Lincoln boundary. If fact, some documents which pre-date the building of Lake Norman site the location of the church in Davidson which is in Mecklenburg County. For example, this Historical Records Survey, Cemetery Inscription Card Index for Thomas Bell, lists the church’s location as both Davidson and Lincoln County:

·       Daniel’s Lutheran Church was established in 1774. A group of six men conveyed land for a united Lutheran–Reformed congregation in 1774, two years before independence. The congregation likely met in a schoolhouse on the property as early as 1768. The first log church stood until 1845; later buildings replaced it, with the 1889 brick church still in use today. Ministers J.G. Arndt (Lutheran) and Andrew Loretz (Reformed) served the congregation during and after the war. This cemetery also serves as the final resting place for several Revolutionary War soldiers and their families. Photos courtesy of the Catawba Valley Sons of the American Revolution at the 250th Anniversary of the church in 2024

When the footprint of the former Tryon County is applied, the list grows significantly because it includes at least in part Gaston, Catawba, Rutherford, Polk and Cleveland Counties:

Gaston County

·       Olney Presbyterian Church was founded in the 1770s when the area was still Tryon County. This church was also founded by Scotch‑Irish settlers and its early meeting house used during the Revolution. This cemetery also serves as the final resting place for several Revolutionary War soldiers and their families. Early worship was held in a log structure, typical of backcountry Presbyterian congregations. The church stood near the old Indian trading path and early wagon roads connecting the Catawba settlements to the Broad River region. Olney’s early members included families who served in the Tryon County militia, and several fought at Kings Mountain (1780). Olney later helped seed additional Presbyterian congregations in what became Gaston County after 1846.

·       Long Creek Presbyterian Church was founded in 1780, the year the Battle of Kings Mountain was fought. The earliest marked grave in the cemetery here is that of Joseph Blackwood, dated October 22, 1780. Tradition says that he was wounded in that battle of October 7 and died a few days later. Land for the church was given by Benjamin Ormand, whose Grandfather, James had received a land grant from King George II in 1754. The church sat near the Revolutionary-era road network connecting Beattie’s Ford, Tuckaseege Ford, and the Broad River settlements — a corridor of militia movement and Patriot organizing.

Cleveland County

§  Shiloh Presbyterian Church was also founded in the 1770s when the area was still Tryon County. This church was also founded by Scotch‑Irish settlers. The church stood near the old Cherokee trading path, placing it in a zone of frontier conflict during the 1770s. Members of Shiloh’s early congregation were involved in local militia companies that later fought at Kings Mountain in 1780.

§  Sandy Run Baptist Church was founded in 1772 and is one of the oldest Baptist churches in western NC. It was founded by Elder Shubal Stearns’ Separate Baptist movement, which spread rapidly through the Piedmont and foothills in the 1760s–1770s. The church became a key meeting point for Baptists in the Broad River Association, one of the earliest Baptist associations in western North Carolina. During the Revolution, Sandy Run members were known for their strong Patriot sympathies, despite Baptists elsewhere sometimes being neutral or pacifist. The church’s early cemetery includes graves of Revolutionary War veterans, frontier settlers, and early Baptist leaders.

Rutherford County

§  Brittain Presbyterian Church was established in 1768 which had a major Revolutionary‑era congregation which was home to many Patriot families. The church was named for Rev. Daniel Brittain, an influential early minister who served multiple frontier congregations. Brittain’s membership included many prominent Patriot families, including McFarlands, McBrayers, Grahams, and Hamricks. The church was located near the Second Broad River, an area heavily involved in militia activity during the Revolution. Several Brittain members fought at Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Ninety Six. The church’s early session records (where they survive) show a congregation deeply involved in frontier governance, discipline, and community leadership. Brittain became a mother church for later Presbyterian congregations in Rutherford and Cleveland counties.

§  Duncan’s Creek Presbyterian Church was established ca. 1765–1770. One of the earliest churches in the region, its cemetery includes Revolutionary soldiers and their families. The church’s cemetery contains numerous Revolutionary War soldiers, including members of the local militia companies that fought at Kings Mountain. The site served as a community gathering point during the Revolution, including militia musters and meetings. Duncan’s Creek was part of the early Presbytery of South Carolina, reflecting how frontier churches often aligned across state lines before county boundaries stabilized. The church’s early building was likely a simple log meeting house, replaced in the 19th century by more permanent structures.

Burke County

·       Salem Presbyterian Church was another church established in the 1770s within the western edge of old Tryon County’s sphere. This early Scotch‑Irish congregation was active during the Revolution but is currently Inactive as a congregation, however the historic church building and cemetery remain. This site is sometimes confused with the active Salem Presbyterian Church. It is maintained as a historic property, not an operating congregation.

Catawba County

·       Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church was established between 1765 and 1771 and was the oldest Lutheran congregation west of the Catawba River. The original log church stood on the site and the 1818 building survives. The active congregation moved and became St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, now located in the Startown area. Today, it is maintained as a historic church and cemetery, with occasional services. This is the one with the famous stone church, Revolutionary‑era burials, and deep colonial roots.