By Kevin D. Sloop

For the Salisbury Post

The family of 18th century early Rowan County German settlers Conrad and Mary Sloop will hold its biennial reunion this Saturday, July 27, at Lutheran Chapel Church in China Grove.

The reunion will begin at 10 a.m. with registration in the church fellowship hall. At 11 a.m. the family will move to the nave of the church for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist during which time a 260-year-old German Lutheran Bible will be read from. Lunch will follow in the fellowship hall with a business meeting after lunch.

Most, if not all, Sloops in Piedmont North Carolina descend from Conrad and Mary. They had 10 children who lived to reach adulthood: Elizabeth Sloop Beaver, Mary Sloop Winecoff, Susannah Sloop Miller, Catherine Sloop Leazer, John Sloop, Peter Sloop, Henry Sloop, Barbara Sloop, George Sloop and Jacob Sloop.

Conrad and Mary were married in Rowan County in July 1778. Conrad had earlier served in the American Revolution with the German Fusiliers of Charleston, S.C. Mary, whose maiden name was Albright, traveled with her family from Pennsylvania to Rowan County via the Great Wagon Road in 1775.

The couple were ardent Lutherans and helped to found Lutheran Chapel Church in 1789.

Conrad served as lay pastor of this congregation on the many Sundays an ordained preacher was not available. His name also appears as one of four trustees on the deed of the congregation’s first property. In 1803, Conrad represented Lutheran Chapel at the founding meeting of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod. Late in life, Conrad and Mary helped to found Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church outside China Grove.

Conrad and Mary cultivated a 200 acre plantation approximately two miles west of Lutheran Chapel Church. Census records reveal no slave labor was used on this plantation. A portion of Conrad’s and Mary’s land is still owned by their descendants today.

All family members are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and beverage and come celebrate their German heritage at this fun-filled reunion.