Immanuel Lutheran Church - La Vernia, TX
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member Raven
N 29° 21.452 W 098° 06.619
14R E 586356 N 3247926
Located on the Western end of La Vernia, TX, the Immanuel Lutheran Church was built in 1901 by German immigrants and is still in use today.
Waymark Code: WMGDBP
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 02/17/2013
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member lumbricus
Views: 11

German immigrants settled in the nearby New Berlin community on Elm Creek in the 1870s and founded a congregation known as Christ Lutheran Church. After the arrival of the San Antonio and Gulf Railroad in 1893, many church members moved to La Vernia, and for a time they made the weekly journey back to New Berlin for worship services. In the winter of 1901, however, 20 families gathered to form a local congregation to serve German Lutherans in La Vernia, and they called the Rev. H. W. Schmidt as their first pastor.

Immanuel Lutheran Church members worshiped at the Presbyterian church until their own building was completed on this site on Cibolo Creek in October 1901. An associated cemetery (2.1 mi. NW) began on donated land the following year. After Pastor Schmidt left in 1903, the church issued a joint call for a new pastor with Christ Lutheran Church, and this shared pastorate continued for many years. The congregation grew steadily under the leadership of the Rev. Nic Frueh, who served as pastor from 1911 until 1943. In 1932, due to deterioration and a violent storm, a new church building was erected to replace the original. During pastor Frueh's tenure, English language services were added and one member was ordained into the Lutheran ministry.

Although damaging floods in 1913, 1973 and 1998 have proved challenging for the congregation, the members have sustained their various ministries and programs, including education and outreach. Immanuel Lutheran Church remains an important part of the ethnic and religious heritage of Wilson County.
Active Church: Yes

School on property: No

Date Built: 10/01/1901

Service Times: Sundays, 8:00 and 10:30 a.m.

Website: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the Church. A waymarker and/or GPSr is not required to be in the photo. Please tell us about your experience.
Search for...
Geocaching.com Google Map
Google Maps
MapQuest
Bing Maps
Nearest Waymarks
Nearest Lutheran Churches
Nearest Geocaches
Create a scavenger hunt using this waymark as the center point
Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
WayBetterFinder visited Immanuel Lutheran Church - La Vernia, TX 09/18/2023 WayBetterFinder visited it
Nacho Mama visited Immanuel Lutheran Church - La Vernia, TX 04/05/2015 Nacho Mama visited it
Raven visited Immanuel Lutheran Church - La Vernia, TX 02/16/2013 Raven visited it

View all visits/logs