St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Brenham, Washington County, Texas
Marker Inscription
German immigrants began settling in Washington County in the 1840s. The first German Lutheran congregation began in 1855 in the community of Berlin. The growing German Lutheran community in Brenham organized this congregation, first known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, in 1890 and called The Rev. Gottlieb Langner to serve as pastor. Worship services were held in the local Presbyterian church until a Lutheran sanctuary was built in 1891. It was destroyed in the September 1900 storm which also devastated Galveston and the Texas Gulf Coast. By the end of the year, however, the cornerstone was laid for a new structure. Worship services were conducted exclusively in the German language until 1902. The name of the congregation officially was changed to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1915. Continued growth led to the need for larger facilities, and the membership hired Houston architect Alfred C. Finn to design a new sanctuary which was dedicated at this site in 1925. It later was enlarged and remodeled. Throughout its history, this church has been involved in civic activities and charitable endeavors. It remains an integral part of the community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
German immigrants who began settling Washington County in the 1840s organized this Brenham congregation in 1890, worshipping in the Presbyterian church until their own sanctuary rose in 1891 — only for the great storm of 1900 to destroy it. Undaunted, they laid a new cornerstone by year's end and preached exclusively in German until 1902. Renamed St. Paul's in 1915, the congregation later hired Houston architect Alfred C. Finn to design the sanctuary dedicated here in 1925.
Why it matters
The congregation embodies the enduring German cultural presence in Central Texas and the persistence of immigrant communities through disaster and Americanization.
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Related people
- · Gottlieb Langner
- · Alfred C. Finn
Related events
- · Galveston hurricane of 1900
Themes & tags
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