La Villita in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

St. John's Lutheran Church

"The Rooster Church"

Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022

1. St. John's Lutheran Church Marker

Inscription. The 64 charter members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church included families who migrated to Texas from Germany in the 1840s. Organized on Dec. 26, 1857, by the Rev. Philipp F. Zizelmann (1824-1902), a native of Wurttemberg, Germany, this was the first Lutheran congregation in the San Antonio area. Worship services were originally held in a schoolhouse.

Pastor Zizelmann, who also founded a day school, served the congregation until 1860 and participated on March 5, 1860, in laying the cornerstone for the first church building. The Civil War (1861-1865) delayed completion of the structure, but in 1871 a pulpit and an altar were acquired. A tower was added in 1875 and topped by a gilded rooster weather vane. Which inspired the affectionate nickname "The Rooster Church". In 1886, when a new edifice was built around the existing structure, the tower was extended and the rooster, which had earned more amusement than respect, was replaced by a cross.

Because of street widening in 1927, the old church building was razed and a larger one erected. It was completed in 1932 to coincide with the congregation's 75th anniversary.

Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5045.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion

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. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1860.

Location. 29° 25.249′ N, 98° 29.369′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in La Villita. Marker is at the intersection of East Nueva Street and South Presa Street, on the right when traveling east on East Nueva Street. The marker is located on the right side of the front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 East Nueva Street, San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Shafer House (within shouting distance of this marker); New York Star Cleaning and Dye Works (within shouting distance of this marker); Dosch-Rische House (within shouting distance of this marker); 101 King Philip V Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Dolores Alderete House (within shouting distance of this marker); Esquida-Downs-Dietrich House (within shouting distance of this marker); Hessler House (within shouting distance of this marker); John W. Smith (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

The St. John's Lutheran Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022

2. The St. John's Lutheran Church and Marker

The view of the St. John's Lutheran Church from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022

3. The view of the St. John's Lutheran Church from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.