New Fountain (Soldaten Kemp) Methodist Church

This region, known as Soldaten Kemp (soldiers' camp) for its history as a rendezvous point for frontier military patrols, freighters and others on the San Antonio Road, was home to many German immigrants by the mid-19th century. The Rev. John Schaper organized a Methodist congregation here in 1858 and a church building was erected by 1860. Church members John and Aalke Wiemers and Friedrich and Antje Muennink deeded land for a new church building in 1871. Using native stone, pastor and stonemason Jacob Bader built the new church with help from his parishioners. For many years it was the community's only meeting hall. It was enlarged in 1900-01 during the pastorate of the Rev. C. A. Lehmberg. (1975, 2000)

New Fountain (Soldaten Kemp) Methodist Church is a historical marker in Hondo, Medina County, dedicated in 1975. It is one of 56 historical markers documented in Medina County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 112 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.3891, -99.0560 near Hondo. The nearest cataloged historic site is New Fountain Cemetery (cemetery), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include The Wiemers Oak, Breiten Family Cemetery, and St. John's Cemetery.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5325003580. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.