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

Zion Lutheran Church

Photographed by James Hulse, March 2, 2023

1. Zion Lutheran Church Marker

Inscription. Many of the people responsible for the establishment of this Lutheran congregation were German immigrants who entered Texas primarily through the port of Galveston and migrated to the rich farmland of central Texas. As early as 1890, families began meeting informally in homes for worship services conducted in the German language.

In 1892, the growing congregation built and dedicated the Evangelical Lutheran Zions Church southeast of McGregor. By 1921, the congregation had outgrown the facility and hired a San Antonio architect to design a larger church building at this site. The new Gothic-influenced church was completed and dedicated in 1922.

By 1946, the congregation discontinued German language worship services. In 1947, the church's name was changed to Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church, though it is commonly known as Zion Lutheran Church. Zion Lutheran Church has served as a place of cultural as well as spiritual renewal for the community throughout its history, and has focused its efforts on helping to establish mission congregations.

Erected 1992 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5958.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 31°

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26.007′ N, 97° 24.76′ W. Marker is in McGregor, Texas, in McLennan County. It is at the intersection of West 6th Street and South Tyler Street, on the right when traveling west on West 6th Street. The marker is located at the front entrance to the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 503 West 6th Street, McGregor TX 76657, 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Baptist Church of McGregor (approx. ¼ mile away); American Legion Memorial (approx. half a mile away); McGregor (approx. half a mile away); First Christian Church of McGregor (approx. half a mile away); McGregor Mirror (approx. 0.6 miles away); First Methodist Church of Oglesby (approx. 5.8 miles away); First Baptist Church of Oglesby (approx. 5.9 miles away); Crawford (approx. 7.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McGregor.

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

McGregor, first known as McGregor Springs, is an incorporated town sixteen miles southwest of Waco on U.S. Highway 84 in western McLennan County. It was established in 1882 at the intersection of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe and the Texas and St. Louis railways. The new town was named McGregor Springs in honor of Gregor Carmichael McGregor, a doctor who gave the railroad
Photographed by James Hulse, March 2, 2023

2. The Zion Lutheran Church and Marker
right-of-way to cross his land.

(Submitted on March 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Zion Lutheran Church and Marker from the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, March 2, 2023

3. The view of the Zion Lutheran Church and Marker from the street

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 424 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.