This article appeared in the Austin American Statesman.



SERBIN, Lee County, July 12 (SNS)—Descendants of the 500 founders of this Lutheran community south of Giddings Monday had returned to their homes after observing the centennial of the founding of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, the first Wendish church to be established on Texas soil.

More than 3,000 persons attended the centennial religions observance here Sunday as services were held in three languages - English. German and Wendish.

The services were a thanksgiving for the successful development of the Wendish settlement and an anticipation of the start of the second century of existence.

German and English services held during the morning were followed by afternoon services in Wendish at which the Rev. Theodore Schmidt of LaGrange told his people that "small was the beginning but great the blessing which God has rested upon your labors."

A mixed choir, composed of members and visitors still remembering the native tongue sang the Wends" traditional closing hymn "Abide 0 Dearest Jesus." Then followed the reading in Wendish of the 145th Psalm by the Rev. P. H. Fritsche of Denver, Colo.

Some of the 100-year-old history of Wendish settlement was related by the Rev. F. H. Stelzer of Thorndale, who in German, used the text of God's call to Abraham to show the people how the Lord had blessed them, and how they had become a blessing to others. He cited 2,334 baptisms, 2,336 confirmations, 611 weddings and 1,065 funerals as the statistics of the community's history.

Dr. Oliver Harms of Houston, member of the board of directors of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, compared the work of the founding fathers with that of the Saxon immigrants who landed in Missouri in 1839.

"Even as the Saxon fathers established the first Lutheran Church in America, the Wendish colonists established here in Serbin the first Lutheran Church in Texas," he said.

Preaching for one of the afternoon services, the Rev. G. A. Zoch of Taylor, pointed out to his "English" audience at the church's picnic grounds contributions of their fathers to the state and the nation. In this connection, he recounted in detail their activities since their early landing.

Addressing a congregation of more than l,000 in German services at the church was the Rev. L. A. Werner of Marlin, who encouraged the remaining faithful to "thank the Lord," who for 100 years has kept you in the way to heaven."

Congratulatory messages read by the Rev. A. Arndt, present pastor of St. Paul Lutheran church, were from Mrs. Henry Werner, 96-year-old widow of a past teacher in the church’s day-school; Dr. John W. Behnken, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod; and many Texas congregations who trace their religious ancestry to the Serbin church.