Rev. David Albert Heidtke

David Albert Heidtke was born on October 5 in Jackson, Washington, Wisconsin, to Rudolf August Franz Heidtke (b. May 15, 1896) and Erma Bertha (Melita) Groth (b. October 31, 1894).

👉 Census April 29, 1830 - David lived with his parents and brothers (Frederick, age 8 and Robert, age 4) in Jackson, Wisconsin. Mr. Rudolf A Heidtke had a farm (1).

Young David received his primary education at St. John Lutheran Parish School in Jackson. Later, he attended Cedarburg High School.

👉 In 1949, 20-year-old David A Heidtke started his studies at the Wartburg College in Waverly.  
👉 In 1950, during the census he was recorded as a lodger in the North Hall Men's Dormitory, in Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa. At that time, David also worked at a restaurant, engaged in the past time food service. He graduated the Wartburg College with a B A degree (with a major in music).

Subsequently, the man continued his education at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He received a B. D. degree and was ordained on 🕇 June 6, 1954.
Rev. Heidtke's first call took him to Calvary Lutheran Church in San Angelo, Texas.

👉 In June 1957, the Pastor married Miss Mary Frances Wright.

 

Clipping source: The Cuero Record (Cuero, Tex.), Vol. 69, No. 142, Ed. 1 Sunday, June 16, 1957, newspaper, June 16, 1957; Cuero, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth696129/: accessed August 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Cuero Public Library.

⛪ On 1 September 1959, Rev. Heidtke, his wife and baby boy moved in to the parsonage/started his pastoral service at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. 

➜ December 1959 - Christmas Eve candlelight service was introduced,

➜ 1960 - total renovation of the church was completed - the dedication Service took place on October 16, 1963 - Zion received three new bells (sponsored by the Family of Robert Klingelhoefer, Mrs. Albert Sagebiel, Mrs. and Mr. Lon Simon, and Mrs. and Mr. Felix Saenger. The old bell was placed on display outside the church.
➜ 1963 - the youth choir received a processional cross donated by Mr. Werner Weber.

 

👉 Rev. David A. Heidtke worked at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, TX until October 1963. During his service at the church, the Parson officiated 41 baptisms, 37 confirmations, 14 weddings, and 31 funerals. 

Clipping source: Dietel, Norman J. The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 44, No. 47, Ed. 1 Friday, November 20, 1959, newspaper, November 20, 1959; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1062299/: accessed August 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

👉 Next, the Pastor received a call to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor, Texas. He later continued his pastoral work at the following churches in Texas:
⛪ Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church n Amarillo,
⛪  Kinsman Lutheran Church in Houston, and
⛪  St. Paul Lutheran Church in Yorktown.
Rev. Heidtke retired  on December 1931, 1990. Later, he moved back to Fredericksburg and since December 19, 1995, served as a Visitation Pastor at Zion.
Rev. David Albert Heidtke was also a Supply Pastor at other Texas churches, including
⛪  Immanuel Lutheran Church in Comfort, St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Doss, and ⛪  Christ Lutheran Church in Cherry Spring.

Pastor Heidtke passed on ♦ March 23, 2006. His body was interred at the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

---

They Lived in Texas

Sources:
"150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX.

1. "United States Census, 1930", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X93C-Y6T : Fri Mar 08 03:40:15 UTC 2024), Entry for Rudolph A Heidtke and Melita Heidtke, 1930.
2. "United States Census, 1950", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6FQZ-PDJD : Tue Mar 19 05:15:04 UTC 2024), Entry for Melvin L Kramer and Carl S Wengler, 4 May 1950.
3. https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Heidtke%2C%20David%20Albert

Rev. Gustav William Sager

 Gustav William Sager was born in Arneckeville, Texas, on 31 July 1898. His parents were Heinrich Christof Sager and Alma Emilie Stahl. In 1900, little Gustav lived with his parents and siblings in Justice Precinct #8, DeWitt, TX. Mr. Heinrich C Sager was a farmer (1). When Gus was growing up, he helped his father with farming (2).

👉 The 1918 Military Registration Draft found Gustav Sager in Seguin, TX, where he was a student at Texas Lutheran College (3). Later, the man continued his studies at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

Gustav William Sager was 🕆 ordained on 26 July 1925. He started his ministerial service at ⛪ St. John's Lutheran Church in Southton, Texas (he worked there until 1932).

On  ⚭ 23 July 1926, Rev. Sager married Miss Estell Ida Szillat (born on February 26, 1905, in Brenham, Washington, TX). She was the daughter of Rev. Gustav Ferdinand Szillat and Ms. Ida Schmidt. 

 

 

Clipping source:  Sunday American-Statesman (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 52, Ed. 1 Sunday, August 1, 1926, newspaper, August 1, 1926; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1445319/: accessed March 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

 

Clipping source:  Robertson, Ruby. Brenham Banner-Press (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 106, Ed. 1 Monday, August 2, 1926, newspaper, August 2, 1926; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1173949/: accessed March 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library.

Rev. Gus Sager and his wife Estella had 3 children.

Before Pastor Sager came to Fredericksburg, he worked at  ✝ St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus, Texas, then at ✝ St. John's Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas (from 1929 to 1939), and at ✝ St. John's Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Texas (from 1939 to 1951).

 

WW2 Military Draft Registration found Rev. Sager in Bartlet, Bell, TX (4). 

 

👉 November 1951 was the month when the parson started his ministry at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg.

👉 7 September 1952 - Zion's centennial celebrations started (lasted for a month).

 

👉 26 September - a special pageant "Steadfast in Faith", written by Alfred Crenwelge, was presented at the Fair Grounds.

 

👉 28 September - a special church service took place (with guest speaker Dean A. C. Streng of Texas Lutheran College, assisting speakers: Rev. F A Bracher, Rev. L G Hannemann, Rev. Raymond W Durst, Rev. R J Weber, Rev. Kurt Hartmann, Rev. O Lindenberg; Robert Klingelhoefer - Congregation president, and Herman Ochs - Grace Lutheran Sanitorium Superintendent).

 

👉 For Zion's centennial celebrations, Pastor Sager translated into English the booklet written earlier in German by Pastor Bracher. Besides that, he also updated the history notes on Zion LC.

 

During Rev. Sager's years in Zion:

- the educational annex was completed and dedicated on 20 December 1953,
- additional Bible classes and a youth choir were organized,
- Christian kindergarten worked in the Annex for 2 years,
- the educational courses for church workers were promoted.
- Rev. Gus Sager officiated 105 baptisms, 80 confirmations, 44 weddings, and 74 funerals.

👉 The parson finished his service at Zion in April 1959, when he accepted an appointment for the position of the Superintendent of the Round Rock Trinity Lutheran Homes.

Following that, the man worked as a Visitation Pastor at ✝Faith Lutheran Church in Austin and also supplied ✝ Faith Lutheran Church in McDade, TX, and ✝ St. John Lutheran Church in Jourdanton, TX.

Rev. Gustav William Sager passed on ♦ 28 January 1984, in Tarrant, TX (5). His wife Estella preceded him in death. She died on ♦ 2 August 1984. They were both buried in Bartlett, Bell County, TX.

 

Clipping source: Tribune-Progress (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 97, No. 1, Ed. 1, Thursday, August 12, 1982, newspaper, August 12, 1982; Taylor, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth81550/: accessed March 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

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👉 Quite a few family members of Pastor Sager's became ministers as well. Including (among others) his two sons Allan and Wilfred, brother Felix, and his great-uncle Michael.

As for other family members who passed when Rev. G. W. Sager was still alive

♦ 18 Jun 1953  - his father, Henry C. Sager, died in Arneckeville,

♦ 10 Oct 1963 - his mother, Alma Emilie Stahl Sager, passed away, 

♦ 5 January 1968 - his sister, Alma L. Sager (born on 15 December 1901), left this world,

Clipping source: The Cuero Record (Cuero, Tex.), Vol. 74, No. 5, Ed. 1 Sunday, January 7, 1968, newspaper, January 7, 1968; Cuero, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth703401/: accessed March 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Cuero Public Library.

 ♦ 23 March 1974 - another sister, Frieda Charlotte (born on 20 May 1891), died,

♦ 29 October 1977 - Otto Henry Sager (born on 25 August 1892), Gus's brother passed,

♦ 24 December 1977 - sister, Olga Christine Dorothea (Sager) Nagel (born on 6 November 1894), departed,

♦ 12 May 1978 - brother, Reuben Otto (born on 18 July 1912), passed away.

Sources:

• https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com,
• "150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX,
• findagrave.com.
  

1. "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3L5-S7T : Wed Mar 06 15:34:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Henry Sager and Alma Sager, 1900.

 

2. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MQ-QVH : Sun Mar 10 13:42:36 UTC 2024), Entry for H C Sager and Alma Sager, 1910.

 

3. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:78D3-DYZM : 25 December 2021), Gus William Sager, 1917-1918.

 

4. "Texas, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL3D-RX8T : Sat Mar 16 03:58:49 UTC 2024), Entry for Gustav William Sager and Gus W Sager, 16 February 1942.

  5. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JYTT-G3Y : 10 January 2021), Gus Sager, Jan 1984; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

Friedrick Luther Bracher

Frederich Luther Bracher was born in Fredericksburg, TX, on 28 December 1917. His parents were Frederick Albert Bracher and his wife, Emma Hardt. Rev. F. A. Bracher started his ministerial service at Zion Lutheran church in the town in the very same year.

Frederick Luther grew up in Fredericksburg.  In 1920, the boy lived with his parents and five siblings in Justice Precinct #1, Gillespie, TX (1). Having completed his education in Fredericksburg, F. L. Bracher studied at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas, Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa as well.

The man's WWII Military Draft Registration inform about his whereabouts at that time (2).

 

 

On June 4, 1942, young Mr. Frederick married Miss Gladys Bauer. The ceremony took place in Iowa. 

 

 

 Clippings source: The Harper Herald (Harper, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 25, Ed. 1 Friday, June 19, 1942, newspaper, June 19, 1942; Harper, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth896910/: accessed June 14, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Harper Library.

 

A few weeks later, on June 21, Frederick Luther Bauer was ordained by his father, Rev. F. A. Bracher, in Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg.

 

 

Rev. F. L. Bracher's first call place was  St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Sagerton, Texas. Subsequently, the Pastor worked at the following churches:

• Trinity Lutheran Church in Haskell, Texas,
• St. Peter Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington,
• First Lutheran Church in Avoca, Nebraska,
• St. Paul Lutheran Church in (Shive) Hamilton, Texas,
• Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville, Texas,
• St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Texas, and
• Salem Lutheran Church in Welcome, Texas.

 

The minister passed on August 28, 1987, in Gillespie, TX (2). His body was laid for eternal rest at the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

 

 

Sources:

1. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC9C-8B2 : 3 February 2021), Frederick L Bracher in entry for Fred A Bracher, 1920.
2. "Iowa, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9Q-SK3K : Sat Feb 10 07:17:40 UTC 2024), Entry for Frederick Luther Bracher and Theological Student, 16 Oct 1940.

  3. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVTN-KPG : 5 December 2014), Frederick Luther Bracher, Gillespie, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

SWT Synod

Photos included in the posts - from our walk on 12 August 2010.

Friedrich Albert Bracher & Family

Friedrich Albert Bracher was born on 8 October 1877 in Lagenthal, Bern, Switzerland, to Albert Bracher and Rosette Meister.

🛳 In 1883, 6-year-old Friedrich came to America with his parents and 2 younger siblings: Maximilian Gotthard (born in 1880) and Gustav Adolf (born in 1882).

More children were born to Albert's parents in Brenham, TX

• Ida Bertha (born on 8 June 1877 ),
• William Paul (on 8 December 1888),
• Carl Benjamin Quintus (on 28 August 1895).

 

 

Fritz studied at the Lutheran College in Brenham, TX, and the Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.

✟ He was ordained on 15 July 1900 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Brenham, Texas. In the following year, Rev. F A Brochard participated in the First German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas.
30 December 1902 - the man married Miss Olga Johanna Manske (born on 1 October 1880 in Pommern, Prussia). The ceremony took place in Washington, TX (1). Olga was the daughter of Louis Manske and Antonia Kypke.

 

 

 

Clipping source:  Rankin, John G. Brenham Daily Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 244, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 21, 1902, newspaper, December 21, 1902; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth484076/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.
 

At that time, Pastor Bracher was the minister of St. John Lutheran Church in Coryell City. In later years, he continued his ministerial call in various churches in Texas. While working as a traveling missionary in Northwest Texas, Pastor Bracher established and organized numerous Lutheran congregations (among others in Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana).
 

♦ 19 April 1908 - Rev. Friedrich's father Albert passed in Brenham, Washington, TX.

 

 

 

Clipping source: Rankin, John G. Brenham Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1908, newspaper, April 23, 1908; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth486644/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.
 

 

👉 Census 1910 found Pastor Bracher, his wife Olga, and their children in Justice Precinct #2, Jones, TX (2). The children mentioned in the record were Anna Margarete (born on 8 September 1903), Flora Agnes (born on 12 March 1905 in Fayette, TX), Antonia C (born on 4 June 1906), and Rosalie Ida (born on 28 October 1907, Stamford, Jones, TX).

♦ Mrs. Olga Bracher passed on 19 August 1911 (3).

Four years later, Rev. A F Bracher remarried on 5 May 1915 (4). His second wife was Emma Hardt born on 2 December 1876 in Meyersville, DeWitt, TX. Emma was the daughter of Valentine William Hardt and Anna Rumah Brandt.

 

 

 

 

 

Clipping source:  The Houston Post. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 30, No. 36, Ed. 1 Sunday, May 9, 1915, newspaper, May 9, 1915; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth607248/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

 

Clipping source:  Brenham Daily Banner-Press (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 32, No. 34, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 6, 1915, newspaper, May 6, 1915; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth489649/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

👉 1916 - Pastor Bracher participated in the Lutheran Synod which took place in Brenham, TX.

Two children were born to the minister and his wife Emma in Fredericksburg:

• Esther Elizabeth (on 24 May 1916) and 
• Friedrich Luther (on 28 December 1917).

⛪ Rev. F A Bracher started his service at Zion Lutheran Church in May 1917. It was the year of the Quadricentennial Reformation anniversary.

👉 October 31, 1917 - 5000 people gathered at the fairgrounds to celebrate the observance of Thanksgiving and Reformation Day led by Pastor Bracher.

 

The parson led the congregation through the hardships of the 1918 influenza epidemic, the years of depression, crop failure, and the 1st and 2nd World Wars.

Other monumental stone miles of his pastoral time in the church were:

⭢ 1927 - Diamond Jubilee of Zion. For this occasion, Pastor Bracher wrote the history of Zion Lutheran Church (from 1852 to 1927) and printed the form of a booklet. The man was also the author of the history of Lutheranism in Texas.

⭢ In the same year, Zion hosted the Texas Synod (for the sixth time) which also celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Clipping source: Cates, R. F. The Bartlett Tribune and News (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 41, No. 44, Ed. 1, Friday, May 13, 1927, newspaper, May 13, 1927; Bartlett, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth76187/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

 

Clipping source:  Cates, R. F. The Bartlett Tribune and News (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 37, No. 38, Ed. 1, Friday, April 27, 1923, newspaper, April 27, 1923; Bartlett, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth75979/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

 

 

Clipping source: Cates, R. F. The Bartlett Tribune and News (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 41, No. 44, Ed. 1, Friday, May 13, 1927, newspaper, May 13, 1927; Bartlett, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth76187/: accessed January 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

 

⭢ Deeply dedicated to Luther's doctrine, the minister managed to offset the Divine Healing movement.

⭢ 1929 - 400th anniversary of Luther's Small Catechism,
⭢ 1930 - 400th anniversary of the reading of Augsburg Confession.
⭢ 1934 -  400 years of Luther's translation of the Bible,
⭢ 1936 - organizing a Lutheran display for the Texas centennial - Dallas,
⭢ 1939 - Zion participated in the liquidation of the American Lutheran Church debt,
⭢ 1942 - Zion's 90th anniversary, 200th Anniversary of Henry M Muhlenberg's arrival in America (he is regarded as the Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America).

 

Other accomplishments and improvements that took place at Zion during Rev. Bracher's pastoral ministry were:

⭢ English was introduced into the services, Sunday School classes, and confirmation instructions
Zion's constitution was revised and translated into English,
⭢ 1922 - purchase of the pipe organ by subscriptions and donations (cost $3000+),
⭢ 1923 - a new parsonage was built,
⭢ 1930 - a new bell (dedicated to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Kuennemann) was installed,
⭢ 1939 - the church building was renovated and rededicated; curbing and sidewalks were made; the school house was renovated,
⭢ 1949 - the Lutheran Standard/ "Kirchenblatt" (parish magazine) was delivered to Zion parishioners' homes,
⭢ 1950 - the Finance Council was created/the use of the Lord's Treasury box was introduced.

👉 May 1951 - Pastor F A Bracher retired.

During his service in Zion, the minister officiated 577 baptisms, 495 confirmations, 244 weddings, and 269 funeral ceremonies. Besides his regular pastoral work, the man was also a treasurer for the Texas District (1918 - 1948) and served on the Board of Regents of Texas Lutheran College.

📃 In 1963, for his outstanding support of the Lutheran Church., the Pastor was awarded an honorary DD degree by Texas Lutheran College.

In later years, Rev. Bracher served at ⛪ St. John Lutheran Church in Wallis, Texas, and worked as a Supply Pastor to Trinity Lutheran Church in Junction, Texas (5).

Rev. Friedrich Albert Bracher died in the Fredericksburg Hospital and Clinic (206 E Center St.) on ♦ 8 May 1970 (6). He was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Fredericksburg.

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This post is part of our series

 

Sources:
"150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX.
1. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV1C-S5RH : Mon Oct 23 14:27:25 UTC 2023), Entry for Frederick A Bracher and Olga Manske, 30 Dec 1902.
2. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M23G-LF9: Tue Oct 03 15:44:37 UTC 2023), Entry for Fredrich A Bracher and Olga J Bracher, 1910.
3. "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKN-381M : 20 May 2020), Olga Johanna Manske Bracher, 1911; Burial, citing record ID, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
4. "Texas, County Marriage Records, 1837-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2ZY-VB1X : 22 July 2021), Fred A Bracher Or Brocher and Emma Hardt, 05 May 1915; citing Marriage, citing DeWitt, Texas, United States, Texas State Library, Archives Division, and various Texas county clerks; FHL microfilm 5,860,369.
5 https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com/byperson?keyword=Bracher%2C%20Frederick%20Albert
6. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3DL-25Q : Tue Nov 28 01:35:17 UTC 2023), Entry for Frederick Albert Bracher and Albert Bracher, 8 May 1970.

Photos: August 2010

Pastor Heinrich Merz

 Pastor Henry Merz was the sixth minister of Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, TX.

According to some records, Heinrich Merz was born in Switzerland on  🔸 September 25, 1842 (1). The christening record of Heinrich Marz, the son of Hans Conrad Marz and Anna Stenz, says the boy was born on September 20, 1842. The christening ceremony took place on September 24, 1842, in Neffenbach, Zürich, Switzerland (2). Was Heinrich Marz and Heinrich Merz the same person? Possibly, but we do not know for sure.

Heinrich Merz received his ministerial training at St. Chrischona Pilgermission Institute in Bassel, Switzerland (1864-1866). The man came to Galveston as a missionary on November 26, 1866.

Rev. Merz was ordained in 1869. 

⛪ His first parish was Zion Lutheran Church in Castroville.

👉 In 1871, Pastor Merz came to Fredericksburg and started his service in Zion Lutheran Church. In the same year, the Texas Synod convention took place in Fredericksburg/was hosted by Zion.
Rev. Merz served at Zion until 1872. During that time, he officiated 52 baptisms, 35 confirmations, 4 weddings, and 2 funerals.

In 1872, the Synod called Rev. Merz to Ruttersville, where he took the position of house father at the German-American Lutheran College. The man also helped to organize St. John Lutheran Church in Warrenton, TX.

His next call place was Salem Lutheran Church in Welcome, TX. Afterward, Heinrich Merz worked as a missionary in the Temple and Austin area, where he founded quite a few churches.

The folloeing place of Rev. Merz's ministerial work was St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas, and later, St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Texas.

 

Pastor Heinrich Merz was also the president of the Synod and worked as an itinerary pastor of the congregations at Rockdale, New Baden, Bushdale, Greenvine, Ulmen Creek, Richland, and High Prairie.

His further mission took him to Illinois, where he was the administrator of a hospital in Chicago, and worked at the Mission in Lake View (Chicago).
 ⚭ On 24 September 1891, in Chicago, Henry Merz married Miss Auguste Falkenthal, born in 1861 in Brandenburg (3).

 

Rev. Merz helped build a congregation, a chapel, and a home on the grounds that became the Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in Chicago, where he served as one of its directors.

Next, the parson worked at the Evangelical Lutheran Orphanage, St. John, in Buffalo, New York.
Thereafter, Rev. Merz was in charge of a mission for the homeless and jobless in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Later, the Pastor started a mission for the homeless and jobless in Chicago, Illinois.

 

 

He was then (for ten years) the superintendent and house father for an orphanage in Addison, Illinois.

1910, the census found Rev. Henry (age 58), his wife Auguste Falkenthal (house mother, age 48), their two sons (Walter - age 17, and Paul, age 15), 11 staff members, and 104 orphans, kids from the age 1 to 17 at the said orphanage in Addison, DuPage, Illinois (4).

After his retirement, H Merz lived as Pastor Emeritus at Melrose Park in Chicago.

 

🏡 1920 census record - the family members who lived in the household of Henry Merz (age 77), besides him, were his wife Augusta (age 58), their sons Walter (age 25), and Paul, their daughter-in-law Theresa (age 19), grandson Harold (age 3 months), and two adopted sons Walter Weber (age 17), and Harry Giesecking (age 15). The family was recorded in Melrose Park, Cook, Illinois (5).

♦ Rev. Henry Merz passed eight years later, on November 19. He was buried at Concordia Cemetery in Forest Park, Cook, Illinois.

 

Sources:

1. findagrave.com
2. "Schweiz, Katholische und Reformiert Kirchenbücher, 1418-1996", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6F8X-RG83 : 5 April 2023), Heinrich Marz, 1842.
3. "Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7XR-4LZ : 25 January 2023), Henry Merz and Augusta Falkenthal, 1891.
4. "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK8T-XPQ : accessed 23 May 2023), Henry Merz, Addison, DuPage, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1, sheet 15A, family 176, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 285; FHL microfilm 1,374,298.
5. "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJWF-SXZ : 1 February 2021), Henry Marz, 1920. 

• "150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX
  
• ELCA Region 4, South Archives

Photos taken on 5 August 2020. 

Rev. Immanuel Josef Glatzle

Immanuel Josef Glatzle was born in Warmbrunnen, Wuerttemberg, Germany on 6 July 1854. His parents were Johannes Glatzle and Margaretha Spingler (1).
The man started his studies at St. Chrischona Pilgermission Institute in Basel, Switzerland in 1879. Four years later, after graduation in 1883, Immanuel Glatzle came to Texas. In November of the same year, Im. Glatzle started conducting religious services in Bartlett, TX, where he organized the congregation of Peace Lutheran Church in Bushdale (not far from Rockdale), TX on 24 June 1883 (2) and St. John Lutheran Church in Bartlet, in December 1883 (3)

Immanuel Joseph Glatzle was ordained in Victoria, TX, on 3 July 1884 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

27 October 1885, the man married Miss Sophie Ruckenbrod in Bell, TX (4). The lady was born on 2 September 1851. She was also a graduate of the Mission Institute in Basel.

Rev. I. J. Glatzle was called to the church of New Baden. Besides, he helped to organize one of the first Lutheran congregations in Williamson County (5), TX (West Taylor - Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1888) and worked at Clifton, TX.

In September 1890, Pastor Glatzle came to Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, Texas. Under his supervision, the church progressed and grew in various areas. 

Holy Communion wafers were introduced.

• 1890 - Ladies' Aid was organized.
• 1896 - Synod Convention was celebrated at Zion.
• 10/15/1902 - Mixed Choir came into being - originally, it consisted of a group of newly confirmed parishioners and a few other church members.
• 01/05/1903 - Golden Jubilee of Zion celebrations and, in the same year, the 25th anniversary of Rev. Glatzle's pastoral service.
• 1907 - tower and transepts were added to the church structure.
  
• 1907 - Men's Chorus was founded on the 1st Sunday in December.
• 1908 - the third church building renovation took place.
• 1911 - Synod Convention again.
• 07/29/1912 - Luther League was created.

Pastor Glatzle helped at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mason, Texas as well. Under his guidance, sister congregations were organized in Kerrville, Herper, Cherry Spring, Doss, and Albert.

Rev. Glatzle and his wife Sophie

Mrs. Glatzle supported her spouse in the church service and was engaged in the works of Sunday School, Mixed Choir, and Ladies Aid.

Clipping source: San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 152, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 31, 1916, newspaper, May 31, 1916; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth433772/: accessed November 4, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

From September 1890 until his retirement in February 1917, Pastor Glatzle officiated 619 baptisms, 394 confirmations, 143 weddings, and 175 funerals. The man retired from the ministerial service in February 1917.

In April 1921, Rev. Glatzle contracted pneumonia. Despite his wife's efforts and her tender care, the man succumbed to the illness and passed away on 12 April (6).

Clipping source: Dietel, William. Fredericksburg Standard (Fredericksburg, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 30, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 16, 1921, newspaper, April 16, 1921; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1418388/: accessed November 4, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

Three days later, Sophie Glatzle died of pneumonia as well. The couple were buried at the City Cemetery in Fredericksburg, TX.

 Clipping source: Dietel, William. Fredericksburg Standard (Fredericksburg, Tex.), Vol. 14, No. 31, Ed. 1 Saturday, April 23, 1921, newspaper, April 23, 1921; Fredericksburg, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1418389/: accessed November 4, 2023), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .

Sources:

1. "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K347-8VM : Thu Oct 12 16:06:15 UTC 2023), Entry for Immanuel Glatzle and Johannes Glatzle, 12 Apr 1921.
2. https://peacelutheranrockdale.org/about/
3. http://www.stjohnbartlett.org/history.html
4. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK8T-LQSQ : 10 March 2021), Immanuel Glatzle and Sophie Ruckenbrod, 27 Oct 1885; citing Bell, Texas, United States, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 981,036.
5. https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMW3NW_Immanuel_Lutheran_Church_Williamson_County_TX
6.  "Texas Deaths, 1890-1976", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K347-8VM : Thu Oct 12 16:06:15 UTC 2023), Entry for Immanuel Glatzle and Johannes Glatzle, 12 Apr 1921.

• https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com  
• "150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX.

Karl Richard Weiss

Pastor Weiss was mentioned in the previous post. Here is a bit more about the man.

Karl Richard Weiss was born on May 10, 1840, in Bavaria, Germany. His parents were Karl Weiss and Philippina Ertel.
Karl was christened a day later in the Evangelical church in Wörth on Rhein, Erding, Bavaria, Germany (1). 

 

Not much is known about his early years.

From 1868 to 1872, Karl R Weiss studied at St. Chrischona Pilgermission Institute in Basel, Switzerland.
After that, in 1872, the man arrived in Texas.

In January 1873, Rev. Karl Weiss started his service at Zion. Since then, due to his strong Lutheran beliefs and Christian leadership, the congregation grew. The construction of the second parsonage was completed. The plans for the church building reconstruction were created. 

Pastor Weiss preached also at the churches in North Grape Creek and Crabapple. Subsequently, he transformed those two branches of Zion into separate, filial congregations. 

Crabapple Church

During his work at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg, which lasted until Nov. 1883, Rev. Weiss performed 325 baptisms, 152 confirmations, and 10 wedding ceremonies.

Later, he was called to Martin Luther Evangelical Lutheran Church in Coletoville, Victoria, TX, and then to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Victoria. 

Luther's translation of the Bible, 1756

 

1896 - Rev. Weiss was the first president of The Old German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas.

Pastor Carl Richard Weiss passed in Victoria on July 12, 1917 (2).

 Sources:

"German pioneers in Texas: a brief history of their hardships, struggles and achievements" compiled for the Fredericksburger wochenblatt and Fredericksburg standard by Don H. Biggers, Fredericksburg, TX, Press of the Fredericksburg Publishing Co., 1925;
ELCA Region 4 South Archives: https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com;
"150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX.
1. "Deutschland, ausgewählte evangelische Kirchenbücher 1500-1971," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPKF-HHK5 : 25 March 2023), Karl Richard Weiß, 11 May 1840; images digitized and records extracted by Ancestry; citing Baptism, Wörth (Ba. Germersheim), Bayern, Deutschland, , German Lutheran Collection, various parishes, Germany.
2. "Texas Death Index, 1903-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZN5-BYC: 24 May 2014), Karl Wiess, 12 Jul 1917; from "Texas, Death Index, 1903-2000," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: 2006); citing certificate number 20636, Victoria, Texas, Texas Department of Health, State Vital Statistics Unit, Austin.