Immanuel Lutheran Church
Copperas Cove, Coryell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This congregation traces its origin to the emigration of Wends from the Saxony Region of Germany to nearby Lee, Robertson, and Fayette counties. They resettled in this area, then known as the Twin Mountain Community, in 1891. Led by the Rev. A. W. Kramer, the Wends began Lutheran worship in 1892 at the home of Christian Jacob, located approximately one mile southwest of this site. The congregation was officially organized under the direction of the Rev. John Paul Ridel in 1894. A church building, constructed in 1895 became the site of parochial school classes the following year. In 1899 the church properties and cemetery grounds were deeded to the congregation by A. E. Falke. A new church structure was completed at this site in 1914. A youth society, organized in 1915 and later affiliated with the International Walther League, was instrumental in the completion, in 1939, of the 60-foot native stone cross located near the church structure. The congregation's membership increased as military personnel from Fort Hood began to attend services soon after it was established as Camp Hood in 1942. Regional missionary work by this congregation was successful in spreading the Lutheran faith and was responsible for the establishment of four Lutheran churches in Central Texas by 1965.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In 1891, Wendish immigrants from the Saxony region of Germany—by way of Lee, Robertson, and Fayette counties—resettled in the Twin Mountain Community and began Lutheran worship in a member's home. Formally organized in 1894 under Rev. John Paul Ridel, the congregation built its first church in 1895 and soon added a parochial school. The nearby arrival of Camp (later Fort) Hood in 1942 swelled its membership, and its missionary work helped plant four more Lutheran churches across Central Texas by 1965.
Why it matters
Immanuel Lutheran preserves the story of the Wends, a small Slavic-German people who carried their faith and language to Texas, showing how immigrant congregations anchored community life on the frontier.
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Related people
- · Rev. A. W. Kramer
- · Rev. John Paul Ridel
- · Christian Jacob
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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