Grace Lutheran Church
Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation was organized formally in 1905 to serve the Swedish-American Lutheran community in Fort Worth. The Rev. Theo Seashore served as first pastor. In 1912, during the pastorate of Dr. Martin Noyd, the congregation built a sanctuary at the corner of Hemphill and Broadway. Services were conducted in Swedish until 1918, when the members agreed to suspend use of the language for the duration of World War I. They continued this practice after the close of the war. Known until 1928 as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, the congregation relocated to this site in 1957. (1984) supplemental: Congregation relocated to this site November 29, 1998 and dedicated to another 100 years of grace to the glory of God on November 6, 2005.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This congregation was formally organized in 1905 to serve Fort Worth's Swedish-American Lutheran community, with the Rev. Theo Seashore as its first pastor. Services were held in Swedish until 1918, when members agreed to set the language aside for the duration of World War I—and chose to keep worshiping in English afterward. Known as the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church until 1928, the congregation has relocated over the decades while continuing its work.
Why it matters
The church traces the immigrant experience of Swedish Americans and the wartime pressures that hastened their assimilation into English-speaking life.
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Related people
- · Theo Seashore
- · Martin Noyd
Themes & tags
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