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Reconstruction & Gilded Age

St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery

Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, Texas

Marker Inscription

In November 1883, residents of the North Grape Creek community, later known as Cave Creek, formed a German Lutheran congregation, which they named St. Paulus Evangelische Gemeinde an Nord Grape Creek. Conrad Herbort gave land for a sanctuary, cemetery and parsonage. The first burial in the cemetery dates to March 1884, and grave markers feature German inscriptions and ornate ironwork. Church members continue to use the cemetery, which remains a link to the many individuals and families who have contributed over the years to the church and community. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2004

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

In 1883 the German settlers of the North Grape Creek community near Fredericksburg organized a Lutheran congregation with the resounding name St. Paulus Evangelische Gemeinde an Nord Grape Creek. Conrad Herbort gave land for a church, parsonage, and cemetery, where the first burial took place in 1884. The old graves still speak German through their inscriptions and ornate ironwork crosses.

Why it matters

This cemetery is a living record of the German immigrants who made the Texas Hill Country their own, preserving their language and craft in iron and stone.

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Related people

  • · Conrad Herbort

Themes & tags

ImmigrationMemorial

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