The Lutheran Witness. The Texas Messenger. Vol LXXII, St Louis, MO., August 31, 1954, No. 18.



On the Feast of Pentecost, June 6, Zion Congregation, Dallas, Rev. Carl A. Gaertner, pastor, observed its diamond jubilee in two services that crowded the capacity of the Dallas church at 2621 Swiss Avenue. Dr. John W. Behnken, President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, was guest speaker on the historic occasion

Approximately a month later, on July 11, the mother congregation of the Texas District, St. Paul’s, Serbin, Rev. Arthur W. Arndt, pastor, paused to thank God for a hundred years of grace at a centennial celebration that attracted 3,000 people. MESSENGER readers will be interested in the details of both of these historic occasions.



Five separate services highlighted the centennial celebration of St. Paul’s congregation at Serbin. Services were held simultaneously in German and English. A special service in the Wendish dialect was conducted by the Rev. Theodore Schmidt, a “son” of the congregation, formerly missionary in South America and now pastor of Trinity Congregation, LaGrange. Other speakers were Pastors F. H. Stelzer, Thorndale, O. R. Harms, Houston, L. H. Werner, Marlin, and G. A. Zoch, Taylor, the latter two being “sons” of the Texas mother church. Rev. Arthur W. Arndt, pastor of the centennial congregation, read the many congratulatory messages.

Choirs from Serbin and Giddings sang at the regular services. For the special service conducted in the Wendish language a choir composed of members of the various Lee County congregations sang selections in Wendish. Teachers of the area who assisted in directing the choirs and accompanying the singing were Messrs. A. O. Weiser, Winchester, and Carl Dunk, San Antonio. Mr Clarence Schkade directed the mixed choir of Giddings, of Immanuel Church.

A host of committees and sub committees was at work long before the dawn of the centennial day, July 11. By no means of least importance was the work of the steering committee composed of Messrs. Delbert Gersch, Walter Fischer, Otto Kappler, Emil Miertschin, and Mrs. Herman Weiser.



A historical marker on the church premises, placed there by the State of Texas, is indicative of the importance of St. Paul’s Congregation in the annals of Texas history. Even more si9gnificant is the place which this congregation occupies on the pages of Missouri Synod history. The following brief account by one of our veteran historians, Rev. W. H. Bewie, tells the colorful story of the congregation that has left it deep-dyed influence on scores of Texas District congregations:

“In September, 1854, a number of Wends, together with a smaller number of Germans, left Prussia, Germany, for the wilds of Texas rather than submit any longer to the unionistic efforts of the Prussian State Church. they wanted to remain Lutherans. After having lost a number of people through the dreaded cholera, they docked at Galveston on December 16, 1854. From Galveston they trekked to what was then Bastrop County. Rev. John Kilian was the leader of the colony. In 1855 Pastor Kilian (Kilian Hall, first unit of Lutheran Concordia College, was named in his memory) joined the Missouri Synod, and for thirteen years he was the only representative of our Synod in Texas.

“Originally Pastor Kilian’s group called itself the Wendish-German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation U. A. C. of the Colony at Serbin, Bastrop County, Tex.

“These people were Lutherans, but on arriving in this country they found that they had several things still to learn as to what was really Lutheran. They learned I the hard way -- by much strife. But they learned. In 1870 there was a split on the language question. The greater part remained with Pastor Kilian and called themselves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The smaller group withdrew and called itself St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. The breach was later healed, and in 1920 the two congregations again united.

“St. Paul’s Congregatgion has had only four pastors in the hundred years of its history: John Kilian (1855-1883); Herman Kilian, son of the original pastor (1883-1920); Herman Schmidt (1923-1947); Arthur W. Arndt (1948- ). The Christian day school during this same period was served by Teachers Leubner, Gerhardt Kilian, H. Werner, E. W. Traugott, L.O. Kasper, and Herbert Weiser.

“During his entire ministry in Germany and in America Rev. John Kilian preached a double header in German and in Wendish every Sunday and every holiday - certainly a record. When Rev. Herman Schmidt was buried, Wendish was buried. Hardly any Wend today is able to read, much less write, Wendish.

“In 1870 St. Paul’s finished its third church building, constructed on sold rock. With reasonable care this building should outlast several more centennials.

“One can hardly go anywhere in our churches in Texas today without finding someone who traces his lineage to the founders of the Wendish Lutheran Church of Serbin.

…To both St. Paul’s, Serbin and Zion, Dallas, the TEXAS MESSENGER says: “Congratulations!” The eyes of Texas Lutheranism are upon you as they thank God for the inspiration and leadership He has given His church in Texas through you! May He continue to make you a blessing to many!

Picture captions:
St. Paul’s Church, Serbin
Left: Rev Theodore Schmidt, preaching in Wendish at centennial celebration. right: Interior of St. Paul’s Church showing famous high pulpit and balcony.