Riesel in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Friedens Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ

Photographed By James Hulse, October 26, 2022

1. Friedens Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ Marker

Inscription. German immigrants helped settle Riesel in the late 19th century. In July 1903, eight families organized the Friedens (Peace) Church. After meeting in a schoolhouse, the congregation built its own sanctuary two miles east of Riesel (present Friedens Cemetery). Pastors H.J. Leemhuis and H.S. Schulz officiated a dedication service in April 1904. Four years later, the church house was put on skids and moved by mules to the current site. Rev. D.A. Jud became the first resident pastor in 1929. Services continued in German until the 1940s, and in 1952 the congregation built a new sanctuary. More than a century after its founding, Friedens Church continues to impact the community.

Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14781.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Immigration. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1904.

Location. 31° 28.467′ N, 96° 55.422′ W. Marker is in Riesel, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker is at the intersection of South Wiebusch Street and East Alexander Street, on the right when traveling north on South Wiebusch Street. The marker is located in front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 South Wiebusch Street, Riesel TX 76682, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Riesel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Friedens Cemetery (approx. 1.9 miles away); Judge Albert G. and Harriet Elizabeth Grimes Perry (approx. 5.3 miles away); Indian Battlefield (approx. 5.3 miles away); Torrey's Trading Post No. 2 (approx. 5½ miles away); Santa Cruz Cemetery (approx. 6.4 miles away); Site of St. Paul School (approx. 6½ miles away); St. Paul United Church of Christ (approx. 6.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Riesel.

Also see . . . Riesel, TX. Texas State Historical Association

Riesel is at the intersection of Farm Road 1860 and State Highway 6, on the Missouri Pacific Railroad fourteen miles southeast of Waco in southeastern McLennan County. The Houston and Texas Central Railway built a sectionhouse called Roddy on the site about 1880. A number of German families settled in the community, and in 1890 W. H. Riesel built a gin there. A post office called Prospect was opened in the community in 1890, and the following year the name of the post office and community was changed to Riesel, after the gin owner. According to some sources, Baron Bertman von Hollweg, an early settler in the community, built two large buildings to be used as orphanages, but both were destroyed by fire.

The Friedens Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 26, 2022

2. The Friedens Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ and Marker

(Submitted on October 29, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Friedens Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 26, 2022

3. The view of the Friedens Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.