Early New Fountain Community

Early New Fountain Community. . , Ebenezer Methodist Church of New Fountain , Immigrants from Germany and Alsace Lorraine settled New Fountain and vicinity, during the late 1840's. New Fountain was located somewhat centrally on the Verde Creek about 2 miles west of Quihi in an area known as Soldaten Kemp (Soldiers Camp). In 1858, Reverend F.A. Schaper organized a Methodist Society known as the Ebenezer of New Fountain. There were 15 charter members that began this organization at the home of John and Aaike Wiemers. Frequently, meetings were held under the famed "Wiemers Oak" in their backyard. The first sanctuary built was a small, pole style building approximately 16 x 20 feet with a crude adjacent shelter for the parsonage. It was located a short distance southwest of the present sanctuary, 0.35 miles south of FM 2676 on CR 451. The building was 100 feet west of the road facing toward the east. Approximately 150 feet south of present day 1733 CR 451. The building also served as the area school with the pastor as the school teacher. When heavy rains flooded the area sloughs and creeks; water damaged the building and washed away part of the nearby cemetery. Time and weather destroyed all remains of this first sanctuary., Muennink Cotton Gin , The Muennink Cotton Gin was constructed in the late 1800's. About one hundred yards south of the first sanctuary for the Ebenezer Methodist Church of New Fountain towards the Verde Creek, 0.04 miles south of FM 2676 on CR 451. The gin was one of the first in the county, adding greatly to the progress of agriculture and prosperity of farmers in the area. Prior to construction, the cotton had to be hauled to Cibolo for baling. The farmers agreed to plant 200 acres of cotton if Fredrich Muennink would build a gin. The gin became a reality and in 1870 more than a bale of cotton per acre was produced. The gin is said to have been the first building with a tin roof, electricity and telephone. The lumber of the building was hauled from San Antonio. The story goes that during the construction C.V. Neumann and two other men were being watched by Indians. The Indians surrounded the building and shot arrows at it. The sound of the arrows hitting the tin roof scared the indians off. The building had been remodeled in 1891. The advent of the boll weevil halted the production of cotton in the area during the early 1900's. The historic building was destroyed in 1983 by a windstorm.