Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Decker Swedish Evangelical Free Church and Cemetery
Among the Swedish immigrants who settled in Decker in the 1880s were many seeking freedom from the Swedish State Church. The immigrants held meetings in homes and schoolhouses, and organized the Decker Swedish Evangelical Free Church. Joseph Ek Johnson and his wife Charlotta (Mork) deeded land in 1892 on which a church building was erected and this cemetery was established. Charles Smith served as first Pastor of the church. As the congregation grew, a Sunday School and Ladies Society were added, and a parsonage built. Services were conducted in Swedish.
Drought and crop failure forced many members to leave the area and the churches in Decker and Elroy disbanded. The church building located here was later torn down. In 1923 the Swedish Evangelical Free Church was formed in Austin; it was renamed the First Evangelical Free Church of Austin in 1952.
The first recorded burial in the cemetery was that of Carl Oscar Swening in 1891. Many of the charter members of the church and their descendants are among those buried here. The church retains ownership of the site and maintains the cemetery, which continues to serve the area.
Erected 1997 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12241.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 30° 19.819′ N, 97° 36.208′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. Marker is on Decker Lane north of Harris Branch Parkway, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10309 Decker Ln, Austin TX 78724, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Decker United Methodist Church and Community (approx. 1.6 miles away); Clayton Vocational Institute (approx. 2˝ miles away); City of Manor (approx. 2.9 miles away); Bloor House (approx. 3 miles away); Barr Mansion (approx. 3 miles away); Manor Cemetery (approx. 3.2 miles away); Boyce Family Cemetery (approx. 3.7 miles away); Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Salem Cemetery (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,595 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 2. submitted on November 13, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. 3. submitted on January 8, 2023, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 4. submitted on December 21, 2009, by Keith Peterson of Cedar Park, Texas. 5. submitted on January 8, 2023, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.