The United Methodist Church of Hope
Yoakum, Lavaca County, Texas
Marker Inscription
German pioneers founded this church before 1845. It met in a log hut on Scarborough's Branch, had 23 members in 1850s, used German language in worship, and was in German missions circuit. Christoph and Christina Hornburg gave a 2-acre site on Clark's Creek in 1855, and the second log meeting house was erected. The present church was built in 1889 on newly-purchased site in hope. By 1890, the membership reached about 100. The Sunday School was organized in 1892, and remains active. Up to 1894 this was the only church in hope community.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
German pioneers founded this Lavaca County congregation before 1845, meeting first in a log hut on Scarborough's Branch and worshiping in their native language as part of a German missions circuit. In 1855 Christoph and Christina Hornburg donated a two-acre site on Clark's Creek for a second log meeting house, and by 1889 a permanent church rose on new ground in the community aptly named Hope. Its membership reached about 100, and the Sunday School organized in 1892 has remained active ever since.
Why it matters
The church records the German immigrant settlement of south-central Texas, where newcomers preserved their language and faith while putting down roots in a new land.
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Related people
- · Christoph Hornburg
- · Christina Hornburg
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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