Waldeck in Fayette County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church
Photographed By James Hulse, April 5, 2023
1. Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church Marker
Inscription.
Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church. . Before 1900, the German families of Waldeck, once called Long Prairie, were served by German-speaking Methodist missionaries; by 1885, a congregation had organized. In December 1899, the Rev. August Wenzel led local Lutherans in starting a new congregation, which organized as Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Zion. Pastor Carl Baer became the church's first salaried minister. The congregation met in the Waldeck schoolhouse until 1926, when it bought the Methodist Episcopal sanctuary from the declining neighbor congregation at this site. By that time, the Lutheran church offered Sunday school classes. Within a few decades, it also celebrated with church picnics, programs and community services, all of which continue today.
Before 1900, the German families of Waldeck, once called Long Prairie, were served by German-speaking Methodist missionaries; by 1885, a congregation had organized. In December 1899, the Rev. August Wenzel led local Lutherans in starting a new congregation, which organized as Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Zion. Pastor Carl Baer became the church's first salaried minister. The congregation met in the Waldeck schoolhouse until 1926, when it bought the Methodist Episcopal sanctuary from the declining neighbor congregation at this site. By that time, the Lutheran church offered Sunday school classes. Within a few decades, it also celebrated with church picnics, programs and community services, all of which continue today.
Erected 2003 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 13187.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1899.
Location. 30° 3.446′ N, 96° 48.213′ W. Marker is in Waldeck, Texas, in Fayette County. Marker is at the intersection of Waldeck Church Lane and Farm to Market Road 2145, on the right when traveling south on Waldeck Church Lane. The marker is located at the front of the church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6915 Waldeck Church Lane, Ledbetter TX 78946, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Waldeck, TX. Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
Waldeck is at the junction of Farm roads 1291 and 2145, thirteen miles north of La Grange in northern Fayette County. The community is predominantly German and is named for and located on lands originally purchased in 1843 by Count Ludwig Joseph von Boos-Waldeck as an agent for the Adelsverein, an association of German noblemen who planned for emigration to the Republic of Texas.
(Submitted on April 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed By James Hulse, April 5, 2023
2. The Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church and Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, April 5, 2023
3. The view of the Waldeck Evangelical Lutheran Church and Marker from the street
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 10, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
