1862 - Centennial - 1962
Forward
It is quite impossible with the limited
information on hand to write a history of this church that is complete. The
records are mostly those of the Quarterly Conferences that were held, and
the ones that are available do not go back to the beginning. we shall
however do the best we can with what information we have.
This effort is dedicated in loving memory to our forefathers and mothers who first settled this area and laid the foundation for a Christian community on which we may continue to build.
We would like to thank all of those who have helped in compiling this history of our church, especially F. H. Loeffler, L. C. Pluenneke, and Clinton Schulze.
This effort is dedicated in loving memory to our forefathers and mothers who first settled this area and laid the foundation for a Christian community on which we may continue to build.
We would like to thank all of those who have helped in compiling this history of our church, especially F. H. Loeffler, L. C. Pluenneke, and Clinton Schulze.
H. O. Schulze, Chairman of the Historic Committe
History of the Hilda (Bethel) Methodist Church
1862 - Centennial - 1962
History of the Hilda (Bethel) Methodist Church
1862 - Centennial - 1962
The Hilda Methodist Church is teeped
with a rich historical heritage. Upon the occasion of the Centennial
Celebration in this, the year 1962, it seems natural and appropriate that
we reminisce and recall the chronicle of this church which has served both
God and man so well.
The establishment of this church and others in the area was a part of the development of the frontiers of that day. The first inhabitants of the area comprised an overflow of the German settlements at New Braunfels and Fredericksburg, both founded by the famous German Emigration Company under the auspices of the "Verein zum Schutze deutscher Einwanderer in Texas" formed by a group of German noblemen in Mainz, Germany. The settlement of the area first served by the Hilda Church was made possible when in 1847 John O. Meusebach in his own words " . . . started with 20 men and three wagons from Fredericksburg . . . crossed the Llano Rever at the mouth of Beaver Creek, was met by the Comanche Chief Katemoczy and held the first council." As agreed, at the next full moon a treaty was effected with the Comanche Chiefs to allow settlement.
In 1851 Fort Mason was established for the protection of the settlers and only five years later, on March 8, 1856 the Rev. C. A. Grote organized the first congregation of Methodists in the area then known as the Llano River Valley in communities later known as Castell, Art, Mason, Simonsville, and Squaw Creek.
Sixty-three members comprised the first roll which is here reproduced:
The establishment of this church and others in the area was a part of the development of the frontiers of that day. The first inhabitants of the area comprised an overflow of the German settlements at New Braunfels and Fredericksburg, both founded by the famous German Emigration Company under the auspices of the "Verein zum Schutze deutscher Einwanderer in Texas" formed by a group of German noblemen in Mainz, Germany. The settlement of the area first served by the Hilda Church was made possible when in 1847 John O. Meusebach in his own words " . . . started with 20 men and three wagons from Fredericksburg . . . crossed the Llano Rever at the mouth of Beaver Creek, was met by the Comanche Chief Katemoczy and held the first council." As agreed, at the next full moon a treaty was effected with the Comanche Chiefs to allow settlement.
In 1851 Fort Mason was established for the protection of the settlers and only five years later, on March 8, 1856 the Rev. C. A. Grote organized the first congregation of Methodists in the area then known as the Llano River Valley in communities later known as Castell, Art, Mason, Simonsville, and Squaw Creek.
Sixty-three members comprised the first roll which is here reproduced:
| Paul Bast |
Catharina Burgdorf |
Fritz Lorenz |
| Margarethe Bast |
Oscar Keylich |
Wilhamine Grote |
| Michael Thomas |
John Klein |
H. Hoerster |
| August Leifeste |
Louis Klein |
Christine Hoerster |
| Elisabeth Leifeste |
Fritz Kneese |
Heinrich Kothmann |
| Conrad Pluenneke |
Dorothea Kneese |
Catharine Kothmann |
| Sophie Pluenneke |
Gottlieb Brandenberger |
Sophie Kothmann |
| H. Leifeste |
Maria Brandenberger |
Dietrich Kothmann |
| Margarethe Leifeste |
Christian Winkel |
Dorothea Kothmann |
| Fritz Leifeste |
Daniel Bickenbach |
E. Dannheim |
| Sabine Leifeste |
Sophie Bickenbach |
Julianne Dannheim |
| Christ. Leifeste |
Wm. Bickenbach |
Wm. Dannheim |
| Johanna Leifeste |
Ernest Jordan |
Christine Bader |
| Christine Leifeste |
Elizabeth Jordan |
H. Keiser |
| Elizabeth Leifeste |
Peter Bickenbach |
Catherine Keiser |
| Henrietta Lehmberg |
Katharina Bickenbach |
Heinrich Hasse |
| Carl Lehmberg |
C. Lehmann |
Sophie Hasse |
| Fritz Lehmberg |
Moritz Lehmann |
Fred Honig |
| Sophie Lehmberg |
Christine Lehmann |
Mathias Bast |
| Julius Lehmberg |
Auguste Lehmann |
H. Hasse, Jr. |
| Leopold Burgdorf |
Friedrich Hasse |
Others were added in 1858 and 1859,
including among others such well known names as Durst, Kensing, Brockmann,
Brandenberger and Donop.
This congregation pastored by Reb. C. A. Grote. A. M. W. DeVilbiss of the Rio Grande District was the presiding elder. Rev. Grote resided at Castell and alteranted church services in the various communities.
This congregation pastored by Reb. C. A. Grote. A. M. W. DeVilbiss of the Rio Grande District was the presiding elder. Rev. Grote resided at Castell and alteranted church services in the various communities.
The work at the time was all carried
on under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. It appointed
Conrad Pluenneke to serve the circuit from 1858 to 1859 and then from 1859
to 1861 it was served by August Engel.
From 1861 to 1865 J. A. Schaper served as pastor and it was under his leadership in 1862 that the residents of the Beaver Creek Community decided to erect a church building. It is this event that is being commemorated in 1962 rather than the organization of the first congregation by the sixty-three brave souls already named.
A parsonage was also erected just north of the present one. It consisted of a two room rock building with a lean-to used as a kitchen. Within the building the floors consisted of rough wide boards placed directly upon the ground. This house served not only as a residence for the parsonage family, but also as a boarding place for children receiving religious instruction, for distances were great and travel slow.
Any contact with the outside world was an event to be anticipated and the visit of the presiding elder (now called the District Superintendent) was mp exception. Quarterly conferences began on Friday night and lasted through Sunday. Sometimes the Presiding Elder would bring his family, and with the limited space in the parsonage, children had to sleep on boards laid across the ceiling joists in the loft of the church.
In 1865 the Rev. Conrad Pluenneke was again appointed to the Llano River Valley Circuit and the records indicate the charge had grown to a membership of 102. The Sunday School enrollment at this time was about sixty children. These were divided into three classes and each Sunday the children received their so-called "tickets" consisting of a choice Bible verse, often embellished with related art, printed on a small card. These were to be memorized and recited on the following Sunday. To meet the expenses of the Sunday School there was organized what was then called a "Sonntag schul Verein." It is noteworthy that there were no adult classes in the Sunday School organization of the early church.
It is interesting to note that even in that day and age there was concern about the "children going to the dogs." In an early pastor's Quarterly Conference report he complained about "Auserliche Kirchlichkeit" (outward churchliness), with special mention of the youth. It appears that some of the concerns we have today appeared in the early history of the churches of this area.
From 1861 to 1865 J. A. Schaper served as pastor and it was under his leadership in 1862 that the residents of the Beaver Creek Community decided to erect a church building. It is this event that is being commemorated in 1962 rather than the organization of the first congregation by the sixty-three brave souls already named.
The edifice erected in 1862 was built
of stone just north of the present structure. The foundation outlines
of this old building can still be traced. In the light of the
historical background of this period, it must be conceded this was an ambitious
undertaking. These were difficult and uncertain times. Texas
had seceded from the Union only a year earlier and the Country was in the
midst of the bitter Civil War. Young men were being conscripted for
service in the Confederate army and money was scarce. Even though most
labor was volunteered and many of the materials were near at hand, the purchase
of some of the building needs must have called for sacrifice. Undeniably
this was more than just a church building---it was also a monument to the
great faith in God possessed by these pioneers. Since there
was no school building in the community the church building was used for
a dual purpose.
A parsonage was also erected just north of the present one. It consisted of a two room rock building with a lean-to used as a kitchen. Within the building the floors consisted of rough wide boards placed directly upon the ground. This house served not only as a residence for the parsonage family, but also as a boarding place for children receiving religious instruction, for distances were great and travel slow.
Any contact with the outside world was an event to be anticipated and the visit of the presiding elder (now called the District Superintendent) was mp exception. Quarterly conferences began on Friday night and lasted through Sunday. Sometimes the Presiding Elder would bring his family, and with the limited space in the parsonage, children had to sleep on boards laid across the ceiling joists in the loft of the church.
In 1865 the Rev. Conrad Pluenneke was again appointed to the Llano River Valley Circuit and the records indicate the charge had grown to a membership of 102. The Sunday School enrollment at this time was about sixty children. These were divided into three classes and each Sunday the children received their so-called "tickets" consisting of a choice Bible verse, often embellished with related art, printed on a small card. These were to be memorized and recited on the following Sunday. To meet the expenses of the Sunday School there was organized what was then called a "Sonntag schul Verein." It is noteworthy that there were no adult classes in the Sunday School organization of the early church.
It is interesting to note that even in that day and age there was concern about the "children going to the dogs." In an early pastor's Quarterly Conference report he complained about "Auserliche Kirchlichkeit" (outward churchliness), with special mention of the youth. It appears that some of the concerns we have today appeared in the early history of the churches of this area.
The first available list of church
trustees appears in 1867 and includes the names of H. Hoerster, Henry Haase,
Julius Lehmberg, Henry Leifeste and Wm. Dannheim. The church
evidently prospered and grew, for in 1868 the pastor reported a total membership
of 138. Financially, however, there was still a struggle, for
at this time the records show a debt of $112.73 against the parsonage and
also a debt of $171.00 on the church building. Both of these were on
notes held by the pastor, Rev. Conrad Pleunneke.
The year 1869 brought important, if not tragic, changes in the Llano River Valley Circuit. Although the seperation of the Methodist church into the northern and southern factions occurred in 1844, the churches in this area did not split until after the Civil War had ended. At a meeting at Lower Willow Creek on april 21 1869 the congregation came to a parting of the way. Out of the total membershiip of 138, 85 went over to the M. E. Church. These for the most part were the members of the Beaver Creek Church which was formally organized on February 7, 1870 in the home of Rev. Pluenneke. It may be stated here parenthetically that this man who played such an important role in the church history of the area, served not only as a pastor, but as a doctor and financier as well. In later years after he no longer held an appointment he served several pastorates as an assistant.
The first elected stewards of the newly organized M. E. Church at Beaver Creek were Fritz Brandenberger, M. Bast, A. Leifeste, and H. Hasse, Jr. Trustees were F. Vordenbaum, H. Leifeste, and A. Brockmann. G. Elley was the Presiding Elder at this Quarterly Conference. It is reported that the total amount of money raised by the time of the first quarterly conference was $97.65 with the following disbursements: Pastor's salary $89.00, Presiding Elder $6.00, and lights $1.65. The amount raised for benevolences the first year was $63.00.
The sessions of the quarterly conference alternated between Beaver Creek and Lower Willow Creek. The character of each steward was passed upon each year.
In 1872 Anton Ullrich became the pastor of the charge and served for three years. He was the first man to preach for the M. E. Church in Mason. It is of interest to note that during this pastorate the first camp meeting was held at the mouth of Willow Creek in 1874. This would be a good point to dwell briefly upon the significance of the camp meeting in the spiritual development of this area. One must marvel at the sacrifice people were willing to make. They would literally move to the campground. Often two or more families teamed up to erect willow arbors and tents. All teamed up to put up a large tent for worship services.
The year 1869 brought important, if not tragic, changes in the Llano River Valley Circuit. Although the seperation of the Methodist church into the northern and southern factions occurred in 1844, the churches in this area did not split until after the Civil War had ended. At a meeting at Lower Willow Creek on april 21 1869 the congregation came to a parting of the way. Out of the total membershiip of 138, 85 went over to the M. E. Church. These for the most part were the members of the Beaver Creek Church which was formally organized on February 7, 1870 in the home of Rev. Pluenneke. It may be stated here parenthetically that this man who played such an important role in the church history of the area, served not only as a pastor, but as a doctor and financier as well. In later years after he no longer held an appointment he served several pastorates as an assistant.
The first elected stewards of the newly organized M. E. Church at Beaver Creek were Fritz Brandenberger, M. Bast, A. Leifeste, and H. Hasse, Jr. Trustees were F. Vordenbaum, H. Leifeste, and A. Brockmann. G. Elley was the Presiding Elder at this Quarterly Conference. It is reported that the total amount of money raised by the time of the first quarterly conference was $97.65 with the following disbursements: Pastor's salary $89.00, Presiding Elder $6.00, and lights $1.65. The amount raised for benevolences the first year was $63.00.
The sessions of the quarterly conference alternated between Beaver Creek and Lower Willow Creek. The character of each steward was passed upon each year.
In 1872 Anton Ullrich became the pastor of the charge and served for three years. He was the first man to preach for the M. E. Church in Mason. It is of interest to note that during this pastorate the first camp meeting was held at the mouth of Willow Creek in 1874. This would be a good point to dwell briefly upon the significance of the camp meeting in the spiritual development of this area. One must marvel at the sacrifice people were willing to make. They would literally move to the campground. Often two or more families teamed up to erect willow arbors and tents. All teamed up to put up a large tent for worship services.
Camp meeting services usually began
on Wednesday and ran through Sundays, closing after the Sunday night service
with a ritual of singing and handshaking, ending in a large circle around
the meeting tent. Many a sinner came to see the light of salvation
at these meetings. The writer's fathers, a young cowboy in this area,
first came in contact with religion at one of these gatherings. One
cannot overestimate the great influence this had on his life and the lives
on many others. The camp meeting served another important role;
the settlement of family and neighborhood feuds. There were earlier
camp meetings on Beaver Creek before the first church was erected.
In 1875 Rev. Conrad Pluenneke was called to serve as pastor of the charge for a third time. He was followed from 1878 to 1880 by J. C. Albrecht and from 1880 to 1883 Herman Homburg was in charge. By 1883 the salary was set at $500.00 for the pastor and $50.00 for the Presiding Elder.
In 1884 Julius Urbantke was appointed to the charge and in the fall of the year it is recorded the Quarterly Conference voted to build a church on the banks of the Llano River at a point called Hoesterville, three miles west of Castell. This building was completed in 1885 at a cost of $1,972.00. All the buildings erected during this time were joint projects of the people all over the Llano River Valley. Another project begun in 1884 was the renovation of the parsonage at Beaver Creek and the cost of this effort came to the then vast sum of $351.66. These undertakings evidently put a strain on the church treasury, for in 1885 the Quarterly Conference voted to collect the pastor's salary quarterly with voluntary subscriptions.
In 1887 H. Pape moved into the parsonage as pastor, and in 1891 he was followed by Rev. George Koch who served the charge as pastor until 1895 with the assistance of G. C. Doerr. Under this pastorate the M. E. Church at Art (then called Plehweville) was erected in 1892 and about a year later the one in Mason.
In 1895 Jacob Ott came to the appointment and he stayed on till 1898. He was assisted in 1892 and 1893 by John Hierholzer and by George Schreiber in 1895 and 1896.
By 1898 it appeared the circuit was getting too large. It was decided Beaver Creek and Hoersterville were to become one circuit, and Mason and Art were to comprise another circuit. The Beaver Creek and Hoersterville churches at this time had a combined membership of 103. Jacob Ott was assigned to Beaver Creek and Hoersterville and Gustav Schulze to Mason and Art.
In 1875 Rev. Conrad Pluenneke was called to serve as pastor of the charge for a third time. He was followed from 1878 to 1880 by J. C. Albrecht and from 1880 to 1883 Herman Homburg was in charge. By 1883 the salary was set at $500.00 for the pastor and $50.00 for the Presiding Elder.
In 1884 Julius Urbantke was appointed to the charge and in the fall of the year it is recorded the Quarterly Conference voted to build a church on the banks of the Llano River at a point called Hoesterville, three miles west of Castell. This building was completed in 1885 at a cost of $1,972.00. All the buildings erected during this time were joint projects of the people all over the Llano River Valley. Another project begun in 1884 was the renovation of the parsonage at Beaver Creek and the cost of this effort came to the then vast sum of $351.66. These undertakings evidently put a strain on the church treasury, for in 1885 the Quarterly Conference voted to collect the pastor's salary quarterly with voluntary subscriptions.
In 1887 H. Pape moved into the parsonage as pastor, and in 1891 he was followed by Rev. George Koch who served the charge as pastor until 1895 with the assistance of G. C. Doerr. Under this pastorate the M. E. Church at Art (then called Plehweville) was erected in 1892 and about a year later the one in Mason.
In 1895 Jacob Ott came to the appointment and he stayed on till 1898. He was assisted in 1892 and 1893 by John Hierholzer and by George Schreiber in 1895 and 1896.
By 1898 it appeared the circuit was getting too large. It was decided Beaver Creek and Hoersterville were to become one circuit, and Mason and Art were to comprise another circuit. The Beaver Creek and Hoersterville churches at this time had a combined membership of 103. Jacob Ott was assigned to Beaver Creek and Hoersterville and Gustav Schulze to Mason and Art.
In 1899 Wm. Buehrer was sent to Beaver
Creek and it was under his pastoral administration that the present sanctuary
and parsonage were built. This church was erected in the year 1902.
It was quite fortunate for the church that Bro. Buchrer was a craftman. He had emigrated to this country from Switzerland and was quite efficient as a carpenter. He and Richard Grosse of Mason served at the architects, and not only did they design the building, but the furnishings as well. The pulpit and altar railing were built by the pastor himself as the communion table at a later date. The pews were built at the site by R. Grosse and Henry Hofmann. Mr. Hofmann recalled this shortly before his death last year. He related the lumber was green and it was feared this would keep the varnish from drying sufficiently so that worshippers would become stuck to the benches.
It was quite fortunate for the church that Bro. Buchrer was a craftman. He had emigrated to this country from Switzerland and was quite efficient as a carpenter. He and Richard Grosse of Mason served at the architects, and not only did they design the building, but the furnishings as well. The pulpit and altar railing were built by the pastor himself as the communion table at a later date. The pews were built at the site by R. Grosse and Henry Hofmann. Mr. Hofmann recalled this shortly before his death last year. He related the lumber was green and it was feared this would keep the varnish from drying sufficiently so that worshippers would become stuck to the benches.