June 9, 2024

About 15 miles northwest of Brenham, Texas, sits Somerville, a community of about 1300 people on Lake Somerville. held their first worship service June 8, 1924, 100 years ago yesterday. Today they celebrated their 100th anniversary. Pastor Skip Stutts, who has served them for nine years, presided. I preached.

These gentlemen made an offering from their hearts, a southern gospel medley, which I’m pretty sure is in the water here in Texas.

Reception and Lunch

A lovely gift from the congregation.
Lake Somerville
Somerville was named after Albert Somerville, the first president of the Santa Fe Railroad Company.
The high school stadium was built in 1930 as a part of the WPA program.
I am told, if you’d like turkey hunting, you don’t have to go far.

How it All Began: Anatomy of a Church Planting

A number of attempts were made by various pastors to start a Mission in Somerville, Texas. Among these were District President E. A. Sageliel, Rev. A.H. Falkenberg and Rev. H. Weber. In May 1924, at the suggestion of Rev. A. H. Falkenberg of Round Top, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Brenham began to look to Somerville, Texas for a new mission.

The Rev. Arthur E. Hartmann from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Brenham and his assistant Rev. Frederick Scholz together with a half a dozen families in Somerville established a worshiping community. The first service was held June 8, 1924, at the Majestic Theatre in Somerville. The service was led by Pastor Scholz with eleven people and their children attending. The first congregational meeting was held after the service with all agreeing services should be held regularly. During the meeting the church was named “The First Lutheran Church of Somerville.” A committee was appointed to frame the Constitution and By-Laws for the church. In October 1924, the constitution was approved and signed by the congregation.

Financial donations and pledges by Lutherans and non-church goers in and about Somerville were collected in the amount of $783 ($14,000 in 2024 dollars). services continued to be held downtown at the old Majestic Theater.

In October 1924, the Mission Board sent Rev. Heinrich (Henry) Schliesser as the first pastor. His salary was paid by the district/synod. In January 1925, they joined the Texas District of the Iowa Synod.

A two-lot building site was selected on Sixth Street and purchased for $400.00. Groundbreaking Services were held on May 6, 1925. Mr. H.G. Giesenschlag volunteered to build the church for $2,000.00. Many members volunteered their services.

In December 1925, The Rev. A.W. Weber was called as the first resident pastor. Under his able leadership the building was completed and dedicated on May 30, 1926. The church was off and running.

First Lutheran of Somerville Pastors

  • Organizers – June 1924 –Rev. Arthur E. Hartmann and Rev. Frederick Scholz
  • Mission Pastor – October 1924 to September 1925 – Rev. Heinrich S. Schliesser
  • Mission Pastor – September 1925 to December 1925 – Rev. Henry August Heineke
  • Pastor – December 1925 to April 1939 – Rev. Albert W. Weber
  • Pastor – August 13, 1939 to January 1942 – Rev. John Striepe
  • Pastor – December 1942 to July 1947 – Rev. Richard J. Weber
  • Pastor – July 1948 to September 1949 – Rev. Albert E. Flathmann
  • Pastor – December 1949 to March 1967 – Rev. Paul S. Fischer
  • Pastor – June 1967 to January 1975 – Rev. William S. Schrieber
  • Pastor – July 15, 1975 to April 2006 – Rev. Virgil Pecht
  • Pastor – August 16, 2007 to July 2014 – Rev. Alan D. Kethan
  • Pastor – September 15, 2015 to Present – Rev. Millard E. “Skip” Stutts
Then
Now