One of the earliest ordained ministers in Saxe Gotha Township was Christian Theus. Theus, like many of his fellow Swiss immigrants, was of the Reformed faith. Despite that, he ministered to both Reformed and Lutheran congregations.

Theus is perhaps most famous for barely escaping with his life from members of the Weberite cult in the early 1760s and attempting to bring the Weberites to the attention of the colonial government.

Christian Theus was not the only remarkable member of his family as his brother Jeremiah was a well-known portraitist in Charleston. Christian Theus was buried at Sandy Run Lutheran Church. You can see his grave marker there.

JR Fennell is Lexington County Museum director.