St. John's Lutheran Church - HISTORY

Historical Sketch of St. John's Lutheran Church of Goliad, TX

As early as the year 1840, before Texas was annexed to the United States, German immigrants settled in this great state. They were no soldiers of fortune, but industrious pioneers who built their homes, schools and churches, and gave stability to their new homeland, making one of the greatest contributions to developing Texas. The first Lutheran pastors to minister to these new settlers were Theobald Kleis, Adam Sagar, and later, H. Pfenninger (all of whom were trained at the St. Chrischona Pilgermission Institute in Basel, Switzerland). Sager began his work in Victoria and also preached in Meyersville, Yorktown, and Goliad.

On the 28th of May, 1893, a congregation was organized in New Germania, about three miles south of Goliad. For a time, Pastor T.N. Ander of a settlement named Hannover, now known as Ander, conducted services, followed by Pastor H. Pfenninger. The following names were recorded on the roll of this early congregation: H. Koch, H. Sens, A. Henke, Ph. Stehle, M. Stehle, L. Drier, Metze F. Gohlke, P. Sattelmeier, G. Stehle, M. Walgner, Johann Mautz, J. Gaubatz, R. Heinman, K. Wurdel, George von Dohlen, A. Doebritz, F. Lenbing, H. Bitsch, Fried. Eichert, Ph. Heil, Fritz Bauch, Henry Heil, Andrew Henke, Hoh. Stehle and Martin Bolichnai. Unfortunately the community of New Germania failed to thrive due to poor crops. The congregation, which probably had been meeting in someone's home, discontinued.

About the year 1900, services began to be conducted in Goliad, in the building of the First Christian Church. On February 4, 1906, the congregation of Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische St. Johnan Kirsche was organized. The first constitution was signed by the following charter members: A. H. Fechner, L. J. Riemenschneider, Fritz Henke, Fritz Bauch, Christian Neese, Geo. Bauch, F. C. Galle, O. J. Staedtler, Otto Hausman, Sr., A. Henke, R. Bauch and J. P. Wever. Steps were soon taken to acquire land for a church, and H. Koch donated the land for that purpose. On the 19th of August, 1905, the new church was dedicated and Pastor H. Pfenninger preached the sermon of dedication. From then on, services were held without interruption. The first child baptized on that day of dedication was Gertrude Bauch, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Bauch.

Soon after the service of dedication, Pastor Ander resigned and was followed by Pastor G. Walter, who served until 1911, to be succeeded by Pastor E. Scheffel, who served until 1917. Pastors M. C. Hoermann and J. C. A. Pfenninger served for the next seven years, followed by supply pastors W. Wolfsdorf, E. Rowoldt, and theological student Oscar Carlson. Pastor P. C. Kuehner began his ministry here in September of 1925 and served 13 years, to be followed by Pastor Edwin Hirsch. During these years the congregation had been very active. From the 'Advance Guard' (newspaper) - services were held in German and English, In 1928, St. John's was the host for the Women Mission of Texas Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America for their third annual convention. Also noted in 1928 was a starting of Sunday School at 9:00 am each Sunday.

Pastor D. I. Dolton, who served two years, was the pastor when the church was relocated to the present site on the Baker property. The Rylander School building was purchased and moved to the property, and converted into a Parish Hall. Texas architect Raiford Stripling supervised the altering and enlarging of the structures. In the 1946 dedication service for the new Parish hall, St. Andrew's of Weesatche donated the Communion vessels and pulpit Bible, and furnished a brass band and a choir for the festival. (Goliad Advance Guard) The Rev. Frank Broesicke began his ministry here on February 1, 1947. The new larger church structure was begun in May, and as it was nearing completion, a service of placing the corner stone was held on October 3rd, and the Day of Dedication was set for December 12, 1948. The guiding hand of God has manifested itself in the life and progress of St. John's Lutheran Church and unto Him be all the praise.

It was during this time period that the top portion of the altar from the old church was given away to another church, and the current altar was purchased from an Episcopal church. Wood carving for the paneling behind the altar, and the communion rail was done by Pastor Broesicke. (Note: The above historical sketch was originally compiled by Pastor Kuehner, later brought up to date by Pastor Broesicke and printed in the dedication day program used on December 12, 1948. For the 100th Anniversary, 2006, some editing and additional information has been added.) On November 20, 1952, a special meeting of the congregation voted to divide the Goliad-Colettoville Parish, so that St. John's could become an independent congregation. Pastor Frank Broesicke resigned on February 1, 1953, to begin development of a new mission in Victoria. Pastor A. A. Hahn became the pastor in March, 1953, serving until his retirement in 1957. During his pastorate, a new Parish Hall was built, connecting with the church; it was dedicated in 1954. The old Parish Hall was converted into Sunday School class rooms and rest rooms, and was attached to the rear of the new structure.

Pastor Vernon Breitkreutz became the minister of the congregation on July 1, 1957. In May of 1961, the congregation, in compliance with the policy of the Texas-Louisiana Synod, was incorporated as a non-profit corporation (Charter N. 174422). In 1963, the congregation received an anonymous bequest of $2,000, which was used in the extensive redecoration and carpeting of the church. The old parsonage at 705 E. Pearl St. was sold in April of 1964. A new three bedroom brick veneer parsonage was built at 544 W. North St. It was dedicated in October 1964, and featured central heating and air conditioning.

The Rev. F. E. Eilers became the pastor of St. John's on February 1, 1970. During his pastorate, a new educational unit was built and dedicated May 1976.

In April 1976, Rev. Clarence J. Hagens became pastor of St. John's. A remodeling program of the sanctuary provided for additional seating for 40 persons. A building study committee under the leadership of Urban Pfenninger began their study for the future building plans for St. John's in 1977. On March 2, 1980, a contract was signed with De La Garza Construction to build a Narthex to the Sanctuary, redecorate the Sanctuary, and add 4 classrooms to the south of the existing Parish Hall for a cost of $106,700. Dedication of these buildings was set for February 8, 1981, the date for the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of St. John's.

April 1992 marked the Dedication of St. John's new Allen Digital Computer Organ MDS-35 with a recital on Palm Sunday which replaced an old Harmond organ from the early 1950's. Pastor Clarence J. Hagens resigned in 1983 and from 1983 until 2012 St. John’s was served by Pastors Merle E. Bolte (1983 – 1988), William C. McCord (1989 – 1992), Timothy W. Muehlbrad (1993 – 2001), Paul Zwarich (2002 – 2007) and Christi L. Pursey (2008 – 2009). Between 2009 and 2012, St. John’s was served by a variety of interim and substitute Pastors. In 2011, St. John’s congregation began the process to sever ties with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America over theological reasons and in 2012 voted to become a member of the North American Lutheran Church. St. John’s, in conjunction with St. Paul Lutheran Church of Runge, Texas voted to extend a call to Pastor Randy Bruno who was installed on May 1, 2012, and serves both congregations to this date. The decade since joining the NALC, St. John’s has grown in membership and in community outreach. In February 2013, the Men of St. John’s began hosting a fellowship breakfast open to all men in the community which has been very popular and well attended with between 17 – 30 men from the community in regular attendance.* In June of 2012, St. John’s hosted a Polka Service with St. Paul where Christian music was sung to a polka beat, complete with a polka band.* In August 2014, Pastor Bruno introduced St. John’s to the “Now the Feast and Celebration” liturgy which has become very popular on Sundays with communion services.* On Mother’s Day in 2014, St. John’s began, what has become an annual event, of preparing BBQ chicken plates for the community of Goliad, providing BBQ plates to go for over 200 families on Mother’s Day.* A Christmas Carol Festival was begun in December 2015 featuring Christmas music and choirs from the Goliad community enjoying Christmas music at St. John’s.* The complete remodel of the kitchen and classrooms for St. John’s was completed in 2016 followed by a significant update of the Sanctuary and Narthex in 2020. Disaster struck the Goliad community on August 25, 2017 when Hurricane Harvey (Cat 5) made landfall and devasted the Coast Plains region of Texas. St. John’s church was spared severe damage, but the beautiful pecan tree that graced the front of the church as blown down, narrowly missing the front of the church. However, out of every disaster, the members of St. John’s came together and supported each other, taking care of those most severely impacted. The pecan tree was removed and through the resourcefulness and talents of Tim Westphal and Pastor Bruno, some beautiful furniture has been made, to include the table that graces the alter of our church, the desk in the Pastor’s office and a table located in the Narthex. A venison fry was begun on December 30, 2018 and has been an annual event since that day. * Venison has been graciously harvested and prepared by Jeff and Paula Sellers. In March of 2020, disaster once again struck the community and the world with the COVID 19 pandemic. Upon the discovery of the virus, the world shut down, businesses were closed and church services were stopped. Adult Sunday school was moved to the homes of St. John’s members and after two weeks of no services, Pastor Bruno and the church council decided to begin services again. Only now, the services were conducted in the parking lot, with members tuning in by radio. Drive by communion was provided to all members who would show up for the sacrament. In the Summer of 2020, in spite of the government recommendations, St. John’s began having “in person” services. Accommodations were made to ensure that social distancing requirements were adhered to and for the next several months services with designated restrictions were conducted. The pandemic has continued to date and restrictions have gradually been lifted to the point that services at St. John’s Lutheran Church are back to normal operations. Passing of the collection plate, passing of the peace and communion at the alter are now back to normal. Sadly, out of the pandemic, St. John’s suffered the loss of one member directly due to COVID 19. * These events were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic.