Zion Lutheran Church (Fredericksburg, Texas)
Zion Lutheran Church is located in Fredericksburg, in Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the oldest Lutheran Church in the Texas Hill Country and one of the oldest in Texas. The church was built by six families in 1852. On January 13, 1853, twelve founders signed its articles of organization. The cornerstones for the church were set on March 6, 1854. Designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964, Marker number 10132.[1]
| Zion Lutheran Church | |
|---|---|
 | |
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| Location | 424 W. Main Street Fredericksburg, Texas |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Lutheran |
| Website | Zion Lutheran Church Fredericksburg Texas |
| History | |
| Founded | 1852 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Native Limestone |
Architecture
Members of the young congregation provided most of the building materials as well as the labor. In 1884, improvements were made to the building.[2] On June 12, 1908, an enlarged sanctuary was dedicated. Additions to the original 1853 structure included the bell tower and a new chancel. The cruciform and the baptistry were designed by Adolph Wehmeyer. The church contains a Thorwaldsen statue of Jesus Christ, which dominates the chancel, having also been unveiled in 1908. In 1953, under pastor G.W. Sager, an annex for Sunday school and a fellowship hall were constructed adjacent to the sanctuary. The church was most recently renovated in 1959,[2] with the adding of air conditioning, lowering and enlarging the balcony, the installation of new pews, the replacement of the stained glass windows, and the rebuilding and enlargement of the pipe organ. In 1963, the church installed three bronze bells to call people to worship, having replaced the previous single cast iron bell.[3][4]
Windows
The nave windows of Zion Lutheran Church have special meanings:
- The Advent Window commemorates the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
- The Christmas Window marks the humanity of Christ and his humble birth on earth.
- The Holy Week Window portrays the institution of communion.
- The Easter Window reveals new life through the resurrection of Christ.
- The Pentecost Window connotes the spread of the Gospel.
- The Trinity Window marks the concept of God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
- The Protestant Reformation Window depicts Castle Church at Wittenberg, Germany, where on October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses challenging certain Catholic practices.[5]
Notes
- "RTHL Zion Lutheran FBG". Texas Historical Commission. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
- Hafertepe 2015, pp. 107–109
- Kohout, Martin Donell. "Fredericksburg, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
- Brochure, Zion Lutheran Church, 426 West Main St.l, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
- Brochure on church symbols, Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, Texas
References
- Hafertepe, Kenneth (2015). A Guide to the Historic Buildings of Fredericksburg and Gillespie County. ISBN 978-1-62349-272-4 – via Project MUSE.