Telling the stories of Texas with photographs (and words too...)
It must be Ray Spitzenberger’s “It Must Be the Noodles” book…
When I gave my Wendish Heritage presentation at St. Paul Thorndale’s LWML banquet a few weeks back we won a bag of Wendish noodles in the raffle. I’d been waiting for a good reason to make some (do you really Read More …
“It is not permitted to comb or arrange the hair during the worship.”
Pastor Killian often had his hands full with conflicts within his congregation over theology, language (German vs. Wendish), and of course, personal matters. Besides those, it seems that the English-speaking Texans in the area didn’t know what to make of Read More …
“It Must Be the Noodles” by Ray Spitzenberger
On Saturday, while Margie and I were out at the Texas Wendish Heritage Museum in Serbin I picked up a copy of Ray Spitzenberger’s book, It Must Be the Noodles. Next weekend I’m flying out to South Carolina and I Read More …
How Pastor Proft Got His Gun
One hundred and fifty years ago, transportation in what is now Lee County, Texas (the county was established in 1874) was a bit more of a challenge than it is today. A number of Wendish folks had begun to settle Read More …
Rev. Birkmann’s Secret
The Rev. Gotthilf Birkmann had a secret that he kept from his parishioners at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Fedor. No, it wasn’t anything scandalous. Birkmann was born in rural Illinois on June 4, 1854. His father was a Lutheran Read More …
“Behold, a sower went forth to sow…”
When you see the name “Suess” what’s the first thing you think of? I’m betting it’s green eggs and ham, the Grinch, or the Cat in the Hat. Take a look at that name again, though. The fellow you’re taking Read More …
Zion Lutheran Church – Sandoval, Texas
Earlier this week I wrote about the history of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at Wuthrich Hill, which was formed when St. James’ Lutheran Church at Wuthrich Hill and St. John’s Lutheran Church of New Bern merged in 1947. St. Read More …
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little…”
If you’re driving along FM 112 east of Taylor, if you blink at the wrong time you might miss the tiny community of Noack. The little town did have a post office for a time starting in 1902 (at that Read More …
“Lord, let at last Thine angels come…”
On February 13, 1855, Pastor Johann (or John or Jan) Kilian must have felt as if things were looking up. The long voyage from Lusatia to Texas that claimed the lives of many of his fellow immigrants was not yet Read More …
Moving Day: 1949
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is situated on top of Wuthrich Hill just a few miles east of Taylor, Texas (and a few miles north of US 79). It can be seen for some distance from any approach. It looks Read More …