San Marcos
Texas
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Grace Lutheran Church
History
Grace Lutheran Church was founded by the Rev. Paul Gieger, with the first services held on December 9, 1956. He had purchased the property at 1250 Belvin Street in 1955 for the purpose of building a Lutheran elementary school.
Our present church building was erected during 1957 and early 1958. There were about 25 families who were charter members of the congregation.
Grace became affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod denomination in April, 1957. At that time the congregation purchased the property at 1250 Belvin with the help of the Synod.
Planned and designed by Pastor Geiger, the present church structure was built mostly by church members who worked tirelessly and gave sacrificially. It was dedicated in June, 1958.
The original altar, baptismal font, and other furniture were built by Fred Meierant. An organ was given to the church by Mr. Otto Beck, Dorothy Geiger's uncle, in memory of his sister Elsie Frueh (a charter member of the congregation).
Pastor Geiger served faithfully for over 20 years as the Pastor of Grace Lutheran until he retired on May 1, 1977.
The Rev. Jim Jensen was called to be the Pastor at Grace in 1978 and served until May, 1984, when he resigned in order to pursue a career in teaching.
The Rev. David Loeffler was called to Grace and was ordained and installed as Pastor in August, 1984. He served the congregation until March 31, 1986, when he accepted a call to Cross Lutheran in New Braunfels, Texas.
Pastor Evrett Gerdes served the congregation as a Vacany Pastor from April 1, 1986 to July, 1989. During this time, the congregation grew and worked together to improve the church facilities. A new altar, pulpit, and lectern replaced the originals, and the communion rail was moved forward to accomodate more communicants.
In the Spring of 1989, the congregation entered a dual-parish agreement with Evangelists' Lutheran Church in Kingsbury. On July 16, 1989, Pastor William F. Shupe was installed as Pastor for both congregations.
In the meantime, the congregation continued to renovate and expand on the church facilities with the addition of a larger entry and balcony, a cry room, and larger restrooms. These renovations were constructed by the members of Grace with the help of many generous donations.
In 1989, first plans were made to expand the Christian Education facilities of Grace. These plans were finalized in July, 1991 and construction was started on the Christian Education Building in the Fall of 1992. A Lutheran volunteer organization of builders called the "Laborers for Christ" arrived to oversee and help the members build the new Christian Education Building. The beautiful stained glass windows in the Christian Education Building and the Sanctuary were made by Norman and Millie McAllister, fellow Laborers for Christ.
Grace Lutheran Church was founded by the Rev. Paul Gieger, with the first services held on December 9, 1956. He had purchased the property at 1250 Belvin Street in 1955 for the purpose of building a Lutheran elementary school.
Our present church building was erected during 1957 and early 1958. There were about 25 families who were charter members of the congregation.
Grace became affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod denomination in April, 1957. At that time the congregation purchased the property at 1250 Belvin with the help of the Synod.
Planned and designed by Pastor Geiger, the present church structure was built mostly by church members who worked tirelessly and gave sacrificially. It was dedicated in June, 1958.
The original altar, baptismal font, and other furniture were built by Fred Meierant. An organ was given to the church by Mr. Otto Beck, Dorothy Geiger's uncle, in memory of his sister Elsie Frueh (a charter member of the congregation).
Pastor Geiger served faithfully for over 20 years as the Pastor of Grace Lutheran until he retired on May 1, 1977.
The Rev. Jim Jensen was called to be the Pastor at Grace in 1978 and served until May, 1984, when he resigned in order to pursue a career in teaching.
The Rev. David Loeffler was called to Grace and was ordained and installed as Pastor in August, 1984. He served the congregation until March 31, 1986, when he accepted a call to Cross Lutheran in New Braunfels, Texas.
Pastor Evrett Gerdes served the congregation as a Vacany Pastor from April 1, 1986 to July, 1989. During this time, the congregation grew and worked together to improve the church facilities. A new altar, pulpit, and lectern replaced the originals, and the communion rail was moved forward to accomodate more communicants.
In the Spring of 1989, the congregation entered a dual-parish agreement with Evangelists' Lutheran Church in Kingsbury. On July 16, 1989, Pastor William F. Shupe was installed as Pastor for both congregations.
In the meantime, the congregation continued to renovate and expand on the church facilities with the addition of a larger entry and balcony, a cry room, and larger restrooms. These renovations were constructed by the members of Grace with the help of many generous donations.
In 1989, first plans were made to expand the Christian Education facilities of Grace. These plans were finalized in July, 1991 and construction was started on the Christian Education Building in the Fall of 1992. A Lutheran volunteer organization of builders called the "Laborers for Christ" arrived to oversee and help the members build the new Christian Education Building. The beautiful stained glass windows in the Christian Education Building and the Sanctuary were made by Norman and Millie McAllister, fellow Laborers for Christ.