This article first appeared in the La Grange Journal on July 15, 1954.




St. Paul Lutheran church, Serbin, observed its centennial last Sunday, July 11, with appropriate services in the German, English and Wendish languages.

In the morning Dr. Oliver Harms, member of the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, of Houston, addressed the audience in the English language, stating that “what the Saxon Immigration at Altenburg, Missouri, in 1839, meant to Lutheranism in the North the Wendish immigration in 1854 meant to Lutheranism in the South.”

The Rev. F. H. Stelzer of Thorndale, delivered the German sermon in the church, recounting the many blessings that this congregation had experienced during its existence of 100 years of sound Lutheranism.

During these years there, were 2,334 baptisms, 2,335 confirmations, 611 weddings and 1,065 funerals.

In the afternoon the Rev. Gustave Zoch of Taylor, delivered the English sermon, pointing out the many contributions the congregation has rendered to the state and to the nation. The Rev. L Werner of Marlin, Texas, delivered the German sermon, urging the younger generation to continue in the work of Him, who is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

At the end of the German service in the afternoon a short but unique service was held in the Wendish language, at which time the Rev. Theo. Schmidt of Trinity Hill delivered the principal address, reminding the congregation of the many blessings received and urging them to continue steadfastly in the faith of their fathers. The Rev. B. H. Fritsche of Denver, Colorado, read the 145 Psalm in the Wendish language and closed the service with the benediction. A group of 60 voices sang various songs in Wendish.

During these 100 years of their existence, St. Paul's has had the following pastors: The Revs. John Kilian, 1854-1884; Herman Kilian, 1883-1920; Herman Schmidt, 1922-1947; Arthur Arndt, 1948, the present pastor.

The following teachers served in the Christian Day school: Gerhard Kilian, 1868-1916; P. Zieschang, 1915-1917; E. W. Traugott, 1916-1920; Herman Schroeder, 1917-1926; L. O. Kasper, 1920-1948; Student Walter Gersch, 1926-27; H. E. Weiser, 1927-1954; Miss Ruth Schmidt, 1927-1942; Mrs. H. E. Weiser, 1950-1954.

It was in 1854 that a group of some 550 Wends, had left Prussia in Germany for Texas because of religious oppression and tyranny. They landed at Galveston, on Dec. 16, 1854, after encountering many hardships on their voyage across the Atlantic. Some 70 persons died of cholera.

From Galveston they continued their journey westward, till they finally settled at Rabb's Creek, near Warda. Here they immediately erected a church and school.

The present stone church was built in 1871. The present school was built in 1916, with an additional room added in 1926. St. Paul Lutheran Church has thus become the mother congregation of most of the congregations in Lee and Fayette counties, as well as of various others throughout the state.

The present membership is 485 baptized souls and 385 communicant members. The Christian Day School has an enrollment of 56 pupils, taught by a regular called teacher, assisted by a lady teacher. The Sunday School has an enrollment of 242.