Bethel Lutheran Church
Avoca, Jones County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Situated on ranch land of family of S. M. Swenson, banker who in 1850s underwrote Swedish migration to Texas. Church forms center for Ericksdahl community, founded 1905 by Swedes formerly living near Austin. Visiting pastors L. J. Sundquist and J. A. Stamline held first church service in the N. M. Segerstrom home in February 1905; congregation organized January 25, 1906. Charter members: Elias Bjorn, the J. P. Hokanson Family, Algot Johnson, John Lunn family, Oscar Magnuson, Theodore Pearson, John Peterson, the Segerstrom family, C. G. Seth family, Eric Seth, A. J. Swenson family, Mr. and Mrs. Bud Swenson. The first sanctuary was built in 1907. First resident pastors: the Rev. Theodore Seashore (1908-12), the Rev. Eric Swanson (1912-13), the Rev. Carl Henderson (1914-19). Dr. Hugo B. Haterius (pastor 1919-68) served 27 years as president of the Texas Conference of the Augustana Lutheran Church of America. As focus for community, church has recorded such lay events as opening of first school and formation of brass band, 1908; organization of local telephone company, 1917; construction of "Swede" dam, 1922-24; the first cotton gin, 1924; opening of local oil field (with 3 producing wells, 1938-65, on church property). Pastor since 1968: the Rev. Stanley D. Jurgenson. (1971)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Bethel Lutheran Church stands at the heart of Ericksdahl, a community founded in 1905 by Swedes who had earlier settled near Austin, on ranch land tied to banker S. M. Swenson, who underwrote Swedish migration to Texas in the 1850s. Visiting pastors held the first services in settlers' homes, the congregation organized in 1906, and its first sanctuary rose in 1907. The church chronicled the community's milestones — its first school, brass band, telephone company, dam, and cotton gin.
Why it matters
Ericksdahl shows how immigrant faith communities transplanted whole cultures onto the Texas plains and held them together for generations.
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Related people
- · S. M. Swenson
- · Hugo B. Haterius
Themes & tags
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