Bering Memorial United Methodist Church
Houston, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Originally known as the First German Methodist Church of Houston, this congregation was organized in 1848 by the Rev. Charles Goldberg. Most of the charter members were German immigrants, including August and Conrad Bering, two brothers who had come to Texas in 1846 with their parents. The name of the church was changed in 1911 to honor this founding family. About the same time, English was introduced into the worship services. The congregation met at Milam and McKinney streets from 1858 until 1924, when it moved to this location.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Organized in 1848 by the Rev. Charles Goldberg as the First German Methodist Church of Houston, this congregation gathered the city's German immigrants, including brothers August and Conrad Bering, who had arrived in Texas in 1846. The church took the Bering name in 1911, around the same time English joined German in its services. From 1858 the congregation worshipped at Milam and McKinney streets before moving to this location in 1924.
Why it matters
Bering Memorial preserves the story of Texas's large German immigrant community and how such congregations gradually blended their old-world roots into American life.
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Related people
- · Charles Goldberg
- · August Bering
- · Conrad Bering
Themes & tags
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