Near Castell in Mason County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Known Religious Services in Mason County

Photographed By James Hulse, June 21, 2020

1. First Known Religious Services in Mason County Marker

Inscription.

Early settlers in this area were German immigrants who arrived about 1850. Their first worship services were held about twenty feet north of this site, under a large oak tree on the property of August H. Leifeste, Sr. (1812-1884). During the early 1850s, Conrad Pluenneke (1819-1897), a local preacher, held Methodist services. In 1852, the Rev. Charles A. Grote (1819-1887), a Methodist, and the Rev. Philip F. Zizelmann (1824-1902), a Lutheran, traveled from Fredericksburg to hold services once a month. Although the oak tree no longer stands, the site remains important to the religious heritage of Mason County.

Erected 1985 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11274.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 30° 42.431′ N, 98° 57.922′ W. Marker is near Castell, Texas, in Mason County. Marker is on Bauerville Road (County Highway 104) ¼ mile west of Farm to Market Road 2768, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5969 Bauerville Rd, Art TX 76820, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. German Settlements (approx. 0.4 miles away); Castell School (approx.

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0.7 miles away); Texas Ranger Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Castell Community 1847 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Castell Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); St. John Lutheran Church (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castell.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 21, 2020

2. First Known Religious Services in Mason County Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.