The Little Church on the Lane sits at 522 Moravian Lane in Charlotte's east side, a non-denominational congregation that has grown into something larger than its name suggests. While members gather each Sunday at 11:00 am for a casual, jeans-friendly worship service, the church's reach extends across the Atlantic to a network of five churches and two nationally recognized schools in Sierra Leone that the congregation itself founded and continues to support.
Sunday Mornings at 11:00 on Moravian Lane
Visitors are welcomed into a relaxed atmosphere where most people wear jeans and the goal is to focus on the heart of worship rather than the formality of dress. Music blends acoustic worship with modern hymns, simple and reflective rather than performance-driven. Each service includes a 25- to 30-minute message rooted in the Bible and aimed at applying faith to everyday life. For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on YouTube, so anyone can join the community from home.
The church's stated mission is to unite and serve together so the world grows closer to Christ, to share his love through spiritual and physical nourishment, and to disciple others so that the love of Christ is handed on from one generation to the next. The vision is more concise: "Transforming communities, near and far, through the love of Jesus Christ."
Digging Deeper: Bible Studies, Prayer, and Small Groups for Adults
Adults who want to grow beyond Sunday mornings have several regular opportunities during the week. A Men's Bible Study meets every Thursday at 7:00 am in the Fellowship Hall, gathering around scripture, fellowship, and coffee before the workday begins. Once a month, a Men's Group meets on Saturdays at 8:30 am for breakfast followed by a service project somewhere in the Charlotte area.
Women gather on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30 am in the Church Parlor for the Women's Circle, a long-standing tradition of prayer, study, and support for global missions. Every Sunday morning at 10:00 am, the Prayer Group meets in the Sanctuary to intercede for the church family, neighbors, and the world, lifting up needs just before the service begins.
Children, Youth, and the Weekday School Next Door
Children and students have a clear place at Little Church on the Lane. The Youth Ministry runs regular youth nights and welcomes visiting teams such as the "Story of God" crew, who spend extra time with the youth digging into the Bible and sharing testimonies. Vacation Bible School is a regular highlight, drawing children together around themes drawn from God's creation, with the older youth helping lead activities for the Weekday School children as well.
Sharing the property is the Weekday School, a preschool program serving children from 12 months through age 5. The Toddler Program nurtures social interaction and motor skills through gentle play. The Three Year Old Program introduces creative learning through storytelling, arts, and faith-based values. The Four Year Old Program focuses on kindergarten readiness, with pre-literacy, math concepts, and social-emotional growth. Families can schedule a visit and complete enrollment through the school's contact page.
Five Churches and Two Schools in Sierra Leone
Perhaps the most distinctive chapter in the Little Church on the Lane story is its mission partnership in Sierra Leone. The congregation founded and continues to support a thriving Moravian ministry there that has grown to five churches and two nationally recognized schools. The Sierra Leone Ministry is one of the calling cards of the church and has been formally recognized: the Board of World Mission selected the congregation as the recipient of its Herrnhut Award for faithful work in and through the Sierra Leone mission.
Pastor Rusty Rushing oversees this partnership and serves as the point of contact for anyone who would like to support the work or learn more about it. The church's wider vision of transforming communities "near and far" comes to life in this long-standing relationship across the ocean.
Weddings in the Historic Sanctuary and Chapel
Couples who choose to marry at the church can hold their ceremony in either the historic sanctuary or the smaller, serene chapel. Weddings are treated as sacred celebrations, and the church requires three counseling sessions with the pastor to prepare couples for a lifelong union. The standard offering includes use of the historic sanctuary and its preparation, pastoral services and counseling, standard wedding coordination, and an organist and music consultation. An additional $25 director fee is required for rehearsals. Couples can request full fee schedules and book by emailing admin@littlechurchonthelane.com.
Clothing Closets, Church Lunches, and Service Sundays
Outreach rhythms run through the year. The Clothing Closet is a recurring community fixture, with volunteers setting up Friday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm and neighbors invited to shop Saturday mornings from 9 am to noon. After Sunday worship, Church Lunch gathers the congregation in the hall for a meal and a chance to meet new friends. Periodic Service Sundays pair brief worship with a hands-on service project. The church also welcomes new ideas, encouraging anyone with a passion for a charity to reach out and share their vision.
The Little Church on the Lane keeps its doors open to everyone, whether visiting Charlotte, looking for a church home, or seeking a community that takes both Sunday worship and far-reaching mission seriously.