Immanuel Baptist Church
Kyle, Hays County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Christian Siebenhausen and Karl Wiegand migrated to Kyle from germany in 1883. Other German families soon joined them. In 1886, sixteen of these settlers met at the George Wiegand home to form the first German Baptist Church of Kyle. Services were originally held in homes and Sunday School at the community schoolhouse. A church building and parsonage were erected in 1893 on land acquired from Frank Marstellar. Fire destroyed the first church in 1940. The present rock structure was dedicated in 1941, when the fellowship became Immanuel Baptist Church.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Christian Siebenhausen and Karl Wiegand reached Kyle from Germany in 1883, other German families soon followed, and in 1886 sixteen of these settlers gathered at the George Wiegand home to found the first German Baptist Church of Kyle. Worship began in homes and Sunday school in the community schoolhouse before a church and parsonage rose in 1893. After fire destroyed the original building in 1940, the congregation dedicated the present rock church in 1941 as Immanuel Baptist Church.
Why it matters
The congregation reflects the German immigrant wave that shaped Central Texas, carrying its language and faith into a new prairie home.
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Related people
- · Christian Siebenhausen
- · Karl Wiegand
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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