In early 1855 the Wends arrived on the scene in the southwestern part of what is now Lee County. They named the community where they settled “Serbin” (“Wendish land” in English) and quickly erected a modest log cabin to serve as a home for their church and parochial school. Over years, they gradually began spread …
It is said that this beautiful church northeast of Austin is the most photographed church in Texas, and I’ve certainly been doing my part to keep it that way. Folks started settling in the area in 1873 and for the first few years it was called Knight’s Ranch. It quickly became known as New Sweden …
New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church – New Sweden, Texas Read More »
Earlier this year my daughter (who will turn twelve in a few days) asked me if there are any ghost towns in Texas. “Yes,” I replied, “and we’ve even been to a few. Dubina, Serbin, Northrup, Washington on the Brazos, Manda…” My response surprised her. I can’t say I blame her; when I was her …
As far as I know, my father’s father (“Papa” to all us grandchildren) only went to Texas once. That was when he went to Galveston to attend a reunion of the crew of the USS Tonkawa, the seagoing tug that he served on during World War II. He gave me a magnet that he picked …
It’s 1891. You just graduated from seminary, and have been assigned to four small mission congregations in the heart of Texas. A distance of about forty-five miles separates the two furthest-flung missions. There aren’t many churches associated with your denomination in Texas; in fact, the first one that was established in the whole state is …
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Winchester, Texas received its name because it was organized on September 29, 1887 on the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels. The lovely building they now occupy was completed in 1906. I really love the color of the stained glass windows as well as the intricate carvings on the …
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church – Winchester, Texas Read More »
I don’t normally post many photos of newer churches, but this one is the work of Wendish architect (and photographer!) Eugene Wukasch, who operated an office at 2000 Guadalupe in Austin for a number of years. Wukasch drew up plans for a number of churches throughout Texas during his career. He was confirmed at my …