St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church

German immigrants began settling in Washington County in the 1840s. The first German Lutheran congregation began in 1855 in the community of Berlin. The growing German Lutheran community in Brenham organized this congregation, first known as the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, in 1890 and called The Rev. Gottlieb Langner to serve as pastor. Worship services were held in the local Presbyterian church until a Lutheran sanctuary was built in 1891. It was destroyed in the September 1900 storm which also devastated Galveston and the Texas Gulf Coast. By the end of the year, however, the cornerstone was laid for a new structure. Worship services were conducted exclusively in the German language until 1902. The name of the congregation officially was changed to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1915. Continued growth led to the need for larger facilities, and the membership hired Houston architect Alfred C. Finn to design a new sanctuary which was dedicated at this site in 1925. It later was enlarged and remodeled. Throughout its history, this church has been involved in civic activities and charitable endeavors. It remains an integral part of the community.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is a historical marker in Brenham, Washington County, dedicated in 1990. It is one of 156 historical markers documented in Washington County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 368 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.1617, -96.3996 near Brenham. The nearest cataloged historic site is Wood-Hughes House (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Site of Rees Sanitarium, Reichardt--Low House, and Brockschmidt--Miller House.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5477008387. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.