Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Luther Hall

Photographed by Steph Matthews, September 26, 2026

1. Luther Hall Marker

Inscription.
In 1934, Gethsemane Lutheran Church pastor J.E. Chester called for a new Sunday School and Luther League facility. Dedicated on July 28, 1940, the design of contractor and church member Anton Edburg has a stepped parapet and rooflines, polychromatic brick, polished Cordova limestone and a cast stone Luther Rose. The second floor held classrooms while a large open area on the first floor hosted WWII servicemen gatherings, rehearsals, concerts, dinners and other events. When the congregation moved in 1961, the State of Texas acquired the church and hall for state agency offices.

Erected 2023 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23947.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is July 28, 1940.

Location. 30° 16.678′ N, 97° 44.389′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. It is on West 16th Street east of Colorado Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 W 16th St, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Central Texas.

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 walking distance of this marker: Gethsemane Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art / Waterloo Greenway Conservancy (within shouting distance of this marker); Diocese of Austin (within shouting distance of this marker); Carrington-Covert House (within shouting distance of this marker); French Legation State Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Swedish Evangelical Free Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); State Bar of Texas (about 600 feet away); Moses Austin (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.

Luther Hall and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steph Matthews, September 26, 2026

2. Luther Hall and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 27, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.