Bethany Lutheran Church

Early settlers in Fredericksburg worshiped together in a community church, the Vereins Kirche. On March 27, 1887, the Rev. John Heinzelmann and about 80 families organized a separate congregation known as Die Evangelische Kirche (The Evangelical church). Early worship services were conducted in the Vereins Kirche and later in the Southern (First) Methodist Church. By 1889 the members were able to build their own sanctuary at 107 E. Austin Street. A cornerstone-laying ceremony took place on April 14, and the new structure was dedicated on September 15. In addition to its service in Fredericksburg, the church conducted missionary work in nearby communities. Its name was changed in 1932 to Evangelische Lutherische Bethanien Gemeinde, and in 1954 the congregation officially adopted the English translation, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran church. English-language services were first introduced in 1931, but German services continued into the 1940s. A new sanctuary was built here in 1954. The 1889 structure was sold to another local church. Throughout its history, Bethany Lutheran Church has maintained a variety of worship, educational, civic, and missionary activities.

Bethany Lutheran Church is a historical marker in Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, dedicated in 1990. It is one of 109 historical markers documented in Gillespie County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 195 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.2788, -98.8691 near Fredericksburg. The nearest cataloged historic site is Van Der Stucken, Felix (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Arhelger, Frederrick William, J. W. and Ruth Baines House, and Patton, Albert Lee.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5171010011. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.