The History of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg

The community of Rehburg, named after Rehburg, Hannover in Germany, is one of the oldest in this area. Most of the early settlers left their native country because their lives had been a struggle under conditions of economic hopelessness. The first body of immigrants arrived in this locality in 1847. Itinerant pastors of the Methodist faith, better known as circuit riders, were the first to concern themselves with the spiritual needs of the early settlers, conducting occasional services, visiting the sick and baptizing the children of the community.

Twelve years later, in 1859, work by Lutheran pastors began among these settlers. Pastor Johann G. Ebinger of the Berlin community provided the incentive for the settlers to use certain homes for meeting places where interested persons could gather regularly for worship. This work was continued by his successor, Pastor C. F. Springer.

In 1861 Pastor Springer traveled to Galveston to meet Pastor Jacob Graul, who had sailed there from Germany, to persuade him to assume the full responsibility for the Lutherans in this area. Definite steps toward formation of a congregation were undertaken with Pastor Graul’s assistance.

The homes of Ludwig Heine, Dietrich Bremer, and other dedicated laymen who have descendants living in Rehburg today served as the centers of spiritual life. These men provided the leadership needed during this era. In addition to the regular monthly services conducted by Pastor Graul, Ludwig Heine held bi-weekly services and devoted much of his time to the instruction of the young people in preparation for their confirmation. Records show that he also officiated at 36 burials and administered a number of emergency baptisms.

During a short time prior to the erection of the first church, services were held in the Hool’s Baptist Church which was then located on what is now known as Hool’s or McNelly’s Cemetery two miles from the present site of the Rehburg church.

The decision to build a house of worship was made in 1869 and the building was completed the following year under the supervision of Dietrich Bremer. Thus was the beginning of the St Paul’s congregation organized as Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische St Paulus Gemeinde. In addition, a Sunday School was organized as part of the congregation at that time. Pastor Rudolf Jaeggli, President of the First Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas, assisted by Pastors J. Graul and H. Pfenniger, conducted the organizational-dedication services on November 6, 1870.

Original members of the congregation were the following: Messrs. Christian Boessling, Dietrich Bremer, Friedrich Broesche, Heinrich A. Broesche, Wilhelm C. Broesche, William H. Broesche, Heinrich Dallmeyer, Heinrich Eberhardt, August Eldagsen, Ludwig Goerdel, Ernst Heine, Friedrich Heine, Ludwig Heine, Heinrich Homeyer, Johann Kersten, Heinrich Kiel, Wilhelm Kiel, Dietrich Korthauer, Heinrich Korthauer, Wilhelm Meyer, Christoph Neinast, Friedrich Nienstedt, Friedrich Rust, Johann Schoppe, Heinrich Turnau, Heinrich Wilkening, Wilhelm Wilkening, and widow Mrs. Caroline Broesche.

Ludwig Heine continued to conduct bi -weekly services until October of 1871 when the first pastor, Rev. Friedrich Ernst arrived. According to available records, Ludwig Heine, Heinrich Turnau, Heinrich Kiel, and Dietrich Bremer were the first church council members.

In 1874, charter members Ernst Heine and Heinrich Turnau, in recognition of their 25th wedding anniversaries, presented the church with its first bell. That bell is still in use today.

The second minister of St Paul’s congregation was Pastor Ernst Huber, who also served as school teacher for the old St. Paul School from February 1875 until March 1883. In 1878 the members of the congregation collected funds to buy six more acres of land and accomplished that on January 13, 1879. During that time the congregation increased to over forty families. In January of 1880 they acquired their first organ with free will offerings given by members of the congregation and the surrounding communities.

A Texas Synodical convention was held at Rehburg from April 28th to May 4th in the year 1887. Serving the congregation at that time was Pastor Freidrich Grueber.

St Paul’s congregation continued to prosper and on November 2, 1889 purchased fourteen more acres of land. On November 30th of that same year they had special Thanksgiving services commemorating the purchase of a second organ by members of the congregation.

The Ladies’ Aid, which served the purpose of fellowship and assistance, was organized on July 3, 1892. A building committee composed of Dietrich Bremer, Christian Boessling, Wilhelm Wilkeining, Wilhelm Turnau, Heinrich Broesche and Leopold Maas, with the supervision of general contractor Wilhelm Nienstedt, was responsible for building the second church at Rehburg. Dedication services for this new stately rural frame structure that served as the House of Worship for 70 years were held on November 7, 1892. Church council members were Pastor J. J. Roesch, Dietrich Bremer, Wilhelm Turnau, Christian Boessling and Wilhelm Wilkening.

A severe hurricane moved inland from the Gulf of Mexico on September 8 and 9, 1900, and damaged the church, moving it ten to twelve feet off its foundation. Members of the congregation and community, with ox-teams, pulled the building upright onto the foundation blocks so that the church’s 30th anniversary in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of Pastor A. Falkenberg’s ordination could be held on November 7.

A special Synodical convention was held in Rehburg on March 13 and 14, 1901. This was the first of two special conventions to be held by the Synod. Pastor August Falkenberg was serving the congregation at that time.

The Young People’s Society was organized on June 27, 1909, became affiliated with the Luther League on August 30, 1914, and now carries on activities and services for the congregation under the name of Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO).

The membership of St. Paul’s had increased to over ninety-five families in 1920. In preparation for the 50th anniversary services that same year, the house of worship was remodeled and the interior redecorated. Pastor Herman Weber provided his leadership and talent along with Henry Nienstedt, August Quebe and Henry Heine in beautifying the interior. Some of the decorative appointments were placed in the new building in 1962, and still provide charm and dignity for all to admire. The late Pastor Weber referred to these ornamental accessories as “true works of art.”

On January 2, 1928, the congregation decided to undertake another major rebuilding project. The parsonage, with Henry Boessling in charge of reconstruction, was rebuilt at a new location during that year.

The St. Paul School building, a gift from the Burton School District in 1947, became the church’s first educational building and was used as the Sunday School center for fifteen years. It was also used as a fellowship hall for the Brotherhood, Ladies’ Aid, and Luther League. The Rehburg Brotherhood, with Pastor Arthur Wolber as president, was organized on September 5th and has taken part in many projects of service for the congregation. In 1947 church membership consisted of 300 confirmed members, 140 Sunday School participants, a Ladies’ Aid group of 70, a Brotherhood of 35 and a Luther League of 15.

On October 3rd of 1948, Pastor and Mrs. A. H. Falkenberg presented a Hammond electronic organ to the congregation.

The first annual Vacation Church School for the children of Rehburg and the surrounding area was held in the summer of 1958. The program, started when Pastor R. Lynn Zimmermann was here, has been an annual summer affair since that time.

On August 28, 1960, by overwhelming majority vote, the congregation decided to begin making plans for the construction of all new facilities for worship and education. The members of the building committee elected were: A. C. Bredthauer, chairman; Mrs. Ora Nell Heine, secretary; Mrs. Mae Dell Christinek, Henry Fischer, Edwi Harmel, Alex KeIm, Herbert Korthauer, Will Schulenberg and Pastor R. Lynn Zimmermann.

In December of 1960, Travis Broesche and Associates, A. I. A. of Houston, were engaged as the architects.

A finance committee was appointed early in 1961 and included the following: Edwin KeIm, chairman; Mrs. Adeline Landua, secretary; Joe Christinek, treasurer, Leon Dallmeyer and Oliver Fischer.

In February 1962, the M & M Construction Company of Giddings, Texas was awarded the contract for construction of the new building.

When the old building was moved to allow space for the new building, the original cornerstone was opened, revealing a number of old German news letters, the church’s original constitution, and a short poem in memory of Robert E. Graul. The damage done by the wind and water of the 1900 storm made it practically impossible to read the 1892 papers; however, enough of the heavily damaged paper on which the poem was written was put together to read as follows:

Burton, Texas

August 9, 1892

This ninth day of August

Eighteen hundred and Ninety-two (1892)

I address this for the Rehburg Church Treasure, for future opening when the church is taken down again. Whoever may open it will please send it to the writer or wife, otherwise to any of my brothers or relations.

So I render the verse for same on the other side for this purpose.

Other side:

Many years may come and go

Many faces greet the sight

But among them none can show

One like this Lutheran Church to me so bright.

In Sweet Memory of

Robert E. Graul

Burton

Washington Co., Texas

Pastor August Falkenberg, using German script, placed several papers showing the cost of various shovels for cemetery use, the cost of a chalice for communion and statements pertaining to the 1900 storm with the badly damaged papers when the church was placed back onto its foundation and the cornerstone was again sealed after the storm had taken its toll.

After pausing to reflect upon events that had happened in the early days of the recently-moved old building plans for the future were continued.

The congregation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas as the St Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg, a non-profit organization. Original trustees of the incorporation were: Pastor R. Lynn Zimmermann, Armond Eberhardt, Brian Fischer, Hugo Harmel, Elmer Hohlt, Arthur Kochwelp, Roy Neinast, James W. Nicholas, Robert Nienstedt, Jr., and Lavern Reuter.

Ground-breaking ceremonies for construction of the new facilities were held on Sunday, March 18, 1962.

In September of 1962, the St Paul’s American Lutheran Church Women Organization was established after a year of Bible Study of a series edited by the ALCW.

On November 25, 1962, cornerstone laying services were held. The new cornerstone contains several photos of the old building, the congregation’s list of members, a brief history of the congregation, the old constitution, the proposed constitution for the congregations of the A. L. C., the Article of Incorporation, a copy of the Brenham Banner Press, and copy of the Southern Lutheran.

The new building was dedicated on December 9, 1962. It is centrally heated and air-conditioned and includes some of the finest features to be desired in church facilities of that day. The nave provides seating for more than 240 worshippers, and other areas of the building can accommodate at least that many more. There were teaching areas for ten separate class groups, a pastor’s study, church office, roomy narthex, and a beautiful kitchen.

The worship area of the building features chancel appointments from the old building. The altar, pulpit, lectern, font and organ were removed from the original structure and installed in the nave. The nave ceiling is of southern yellow pine, finished in a light clay tone, supported by laminated arches. The walls feature Philippine mahogany paneling, with striking Blenco glass windows to enhance the worshipful atmosphere. A gold chancel carpet and floor-to-ceiling chancel screen draw the worshipers’ attention immediately to the altar and pulpit. This emphasizes the Lutheran’s traditional central interest in the Proclamation of the Word of God and the Administration of the Sacraments.

One common entrance admits all people to the worship area, with immediate access to the educational area. This arrangement encourages the equal importance of worshiping God and learning to do His Will. The main narthex doors feature a striking orange color, symbolizing the life-blood of the saints and martyrs who gave themselves for Christ in the spreading of His Kingdom. The comfortable “earthy” colors of wood and brick promote the idea of complete communion between Man, the created universe, and God, the Creator and Father of all. The free-standing bell tower reaching up to the base of the tower cross indicated man’s aspiration for eternity and God’s call to the Holy Fellowship in token of our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Our congregation, by the grace of God, continued to prosper under the guidance of Rev. John D. Kueker, who arrived in July of 1965.

One of the goals set late in 1968 for the 1970 Centennial was to retire the church note. That happy occasion, however, became a reality on Sunday, November 30, 1969 with a note burning service. the note was scheduled to run until November 1977.

A new parsonage was built and dedicated on November 12, 1972. this parsonage is still in use today.

On February 2, 1992 the newly remodeled sanctuary and educational building were dedicated. Through the years our church has changed in size and shape.

Our Former Pastors