Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Minister Denies Unlawful Relations with Church Organist, July 30, 1924

Minister Under Bond of $22,500 at Statesville

Statesville, July 23—E.E. Schafer, local jeweler, had papers issued this morning against Rev. O.W. Aderholdt, former pastor of St. Johns Lutheran congregation here, stating action for damages in the sum of $30,000 for the alienation of his wife’s affections, the plaintiff alleging unlawful relations between the defendant and the plaintiff’s wife. Mrs. Schafer was organist of the church of which the defendant was pastor until his unexpected resignation a few weeks ago.

Sheriff M.P. Alexander served the warrant this morning about 10 o’clock on the minister while he was engaged in conversation with Mrs. Schafer in her home on Bell street. In the preliminary hearing before J.A. Hartness, clerk of superior court of Iredell county, the appearance bond of Mr. Aderholdt was placed at $22,500.

“I emphatically deny the whole thing,” said Rev. Mr. Alderholdt to a newspaper late this afternoon.

Rev. Aderholdt became pastor of St. Johns Lutheran church here about six years ago. At that time the congregation was small. During the last year of his pastorate the old church was discarded, and a handsome new house of worship was erected at a cost of about $45,000, exclusive of the pipe organ, which was the gift of a friend.

Since his resignation about three weeks ago, he has been attending a Bible school in New York City. He explains that he came back today to look after some business matters connected with the parsonage and the church.

From the front page of the North Wilkesboro Hustler, July 30, 1924

newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92072938/1924-07-30/ed-1/seq-1/#words=July+30%2C+1924

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