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

Lutheran Sunday School Building

Photographed by James Hulse, December 4, 2023

1. Lutheran Sunday School Building Marker

Inscription. St. Paul Lutheran Church's first Sunday school building, constructed of Basse block made in Fredericksburg, was completed near the end of 1916. It opened in 1917, shortly before the U.S. entered World War I. Although the congregation decided early in 1918 to keep teaching Sunday school in German, it voted to switch to English on October 6, 1918, and that practice continued after the war. Once a larger Sunday school hall was completed in 1937, the original building was used for church meetings. The left-facing swastika above the door, a popular decorative element that symbolized good luck, was later removed because of its similarity to the Nazi emblem. In 1929, Betty Barnhart conducted Mason's first kindergarten in this building, followed by Dorothy (Tootsie) Brannies in 1959, for 18 years.

The building is currently used as a community thrift shop.

Erected 2017 by Mason County Historical Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is October 6, 1918.

Location. 30° 44.895′ N, 99° 13.631′ W.

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Marker is in Mason, Texas, in Mason County. It is on Austin Street (State Highway 29) 0.1 miles east of Postoak Street. The marker is located on the front wall of the building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mason TX 76856, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country.

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Paul Lutheran Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Christian Church (about 800 feet away); R. Grosse and Sons (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mason House Hotel & Stage Station (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fort Mason & Camp Llano C.S.A. (approx. ¼ mile away); Mason National Bank (approx. ¼ mile away); Mason County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mason County Jail (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

The view of the Lutheran Sunday School Building and Marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, December 4, 2023

2. The view of the Lutheran Sunday School Building and Marker from across the street

in Mason.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 281 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.