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.