The church’s origins date back to the earliest days of organized worship in Lincolnton when the combined Lutheran and Reformed congregations met in the Old White Church until it burned in 1893. The Lutherans built a new church on the site, but the Reformed congregation, reorganized in 1910, was without it’s own building until 1913. The Gothic Revival style Emanuel Reformed Church was designed by Wilmington architect Henry E. Bonitz.
On April 20, 1991, lightning struck the church building. Fire destroyed most of the roof and damaged the northeast wall and part of the interior woodwork. Rather than abandon the site of the first and only Reformed church erected in Lincolnton, the congregation determined to restore the church and remain at this site. Cherryville architect James L. Beam, Jr. prepared the drawings for the restoration, and the construction work was completed by Howard Construction Company of Lincolnton.
The pews that were damaged or burned when the roof collapsed inward were repaired, refinished, and returned to use.
The first services in the newly restored church were held on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1992.
