Cypress in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
St. John Lutheran Church
The Rev. Andreas Schmidt became the congregation's first minister in 1872. During that time, church members began a register, listing baptisms, confirmations and weddings, as well as burials in the church cemetery. In 1877, the congregation, then known as "Little Cypress," called the Rev. August Hofius, its first pastor from the Missouri Synod.
The congregation wrote, in German script, its first known constitution in 1893 as the "German Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Congregation of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession at Little Cypress and Surrounding Areas." The membership continued to grow, and a new sanctuary was built in 1908. In its tall steeple hung a bell with two clangors, one large and one small. The larger, louder one rang at the beginning and ending of each service. The smaller one was used during services and to communicate to area residents the Sabbath, local events and deaths. The bell and cornerstone from the 1908 church remain with the congregation.
During the 1940s, St. John Lutheran Church underwent change and expansion, including the formation of a Ladies Society and the construction of a new schoolhouse. It also discontinued use of the German language in services and, in 1942, joined the Missouri Synod. During the next several decades, the congregation continued to grow; members worked and served together in butcher clubs, quilting bees, barn raisings, picnics, mission festivals and other activities.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12852.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 29° 58.995′ N, 95° 39.477′ W. Marker is in Cypress, Texas, in Harris County. Marker is at the intersection of Spring Cypress Road and Hoffmeister Road on Spring Cypress Road. The marker is located at the southwest entrance to the church near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15235 Spring Cypress Road, Cypress TX 77429, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Matthew Burnett Homesite (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cypress (approx. 2.6 miles away); St. John Lutheran Cemetery (approx. 3.9 miles away); Amos Cemetery (approx. 4.8 miles away); Perry Cemetery (approx. 5 miles away); Heritage Presbyterian Church (approx. 6.3 miles away); Pillot Cemetery (approx. 6˝ miles away); Rose Hill United Methodist Church (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cypress.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 6, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.