Tours in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
St. Martin Cemetery
Photographed by James Hulse, November 21, 2020
1. St. Martin Cemetery Marker
A wagon train of German Catholic Settlers from Teutopolis, Illinois arrived in this area on November 11, 1874, the Feast Day of St. Martin of Tours. That year, they built and dedicated a log cabin Church to St. Martin. The John Deiterman family donated five acres for the Church and two for a Cemetery. Other German, Czech and Moravian families soon joined the farming community.
In 1887, County Surveyors discovered an error in the Cemetery's location. It was actually sited on Anton Halbrooks property. He sold 10 acres across the road, and the graves were moved to the new site.
Although several unmarked graves exist, the Cemetery's first marked grave is that of Clement Uptmore (1831-1876). Represented at the cemetery are generations of the Deiterman, Jupe, Pfeiler, Seith and Willenborg families. Among the numerous decorative gravestones are metal crosses and granite and marble markers. A large crucifix marks the graves of two Parish Priests. An association maintains the burial ground, a significant reminder of the German and Czech history of Tours. Members hold a memorial service each November celebrating all souls day.
Historic Texas Cemetery - 2004
Erected 2004 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13283.)
Topics. This historical marker
this page online
Location. 31° 45.391′ N, 97° 2.708′ W. Marker is in Tours, Texas, in McLennan County. It is on Heritage Parkway (Farm to Market Road 2311) 0.2 miles west of St. Martins Church Road, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located just to the left of the East front gate along the fence. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West TX 76691, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. It is also in the American South. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Tours Community (approx. half a mile away); Groppe Barn (approx. 2 miles away); Former Site of St. Peter's Church (approx. 2½ miles away); St. Paul's Church of Gerald (approx. 2.7 miles away); St. Mary's Cemetery (approx. 2.8 miles away); Groppe Building (approx. 4.2 miles away); Best Theatre Building (approx. 4.2 miles away); West (approx. 4.3 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Crash at Crush (was approx. 3½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . .
1. Tours Texas. TSHA Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on December 4, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, November 21, 2020
2. St. Martin Cemetery Marker
2. Catholic Church. TSHA Texas State Historical Association (Submitted on December 4, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
3. St. Martin's Day. Wikipedia (Submitted on December 4, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, November 21, 2020
3. St. Martin Cemetery Marker near the entrance to the Cemetery.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 604 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2020, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
