Copyright © 2007- First Lutheran Church - Temple Texas - All Rights Reserved
The History of First Lutheran Church goes back to 1884, when a traveling missionary. Pastor  H. Mertz, then President of the Texas Synod and located at Welcome in Austin county, visited Temple in his travels, looking for possible sites for a Lutheran Congregation.  In his report to the synod, he said Temple was an interesting place, but his effort was "fruitless."

In 1885, Pastor Karl Kreuzenstein succeeded Pastor Mertz as a traveling missionary.  He moved northward, serving areas around Temple, including Buckholtz, Cameron, Killeen, Belton and Clifton.  Temple was the central location.  At that time Temple , a small railroad town, was only 4 years old.  Pastor Kreuzenstein saw the progress that the railroad would bring to Temple. In his report to the Texas Synod, he said, "Through this station in Temple, the way that leads into the real Northwest section of our State is open to us."

Pastor Kreusenstein was given the opportunity of organizing a Lutheran Congregation in Temple to be known as Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church.

There were 13 charter members: Mr. & Mrs. Christian Schmidt, Mr & Mrs. Fred Paulus, Mrs. Ida Schultz, Mrs. Ottielie Koch, Mrs. Matt Bosl, Mr. & Mrs. August Jahnke, Mr. & Mrs. John Rhein and Mr.

& Mrs. August Haedge.  Services were held in their homes and at times in the Grace Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoons.

Our First Church and Parsonage
Construction of the first house of worship was begun in the summer of 1886 on the corner of Avenue F and South Fourth Street.  It was dedicated on the second Sunday in November 1886.  Pastor Kreuzenstein served the congregation until 1900.

Pastor Kreutzenstein was followed by Pastors J. Doefler, H.Weiser, Wm Blasberg, G. Sieveking, E. Steck, H. Daude, and J. Holm who led the church into the 20th Century.

Our Second Church and Parsonage
Rev. R. C. Albert became pastor in 1910; and by 1913,  the congregation had grown to the extent that a new building was needed. A house and corner lot on Avenue G and South First Street was purchased and a new church was completed and dedicated in 1914 at a cost of $8,000. The building was rebuilt and enlarged in 1929, incurring a debt of $14,000, which was retired in 1945. R.C. Albert remained the pastor until 1925.

Pastor I. J. Haag

Pastor Haag served the congregation from 1925 to 1948.  When he arrived, the custom was to have two services each Sunday, A German service in the morning and an English service in the evening.  

 It was during his pastorate in the 1930's that the church bulleton and duplex envelope system of giving was introduced.  He inaugurated the Brotherhood and set up the first church council.

In 1929, the church Sanctuary waws dismantled after a wall collapsed during the Christmas pageant in December.  At that time, it was made larger as well as the tower was strengthened and a new steeple was built.  During the time of repair, church services were held on the roof garden of the Doering Hotel. (Later known as the Hawn Hotel and is still standing at the corner of Ventral and Second Street)  The remodeled edifice was rededicated on Sunday, August 25th, 1929.

On Palm Sunday 1929, Pastor Haag had the privilege of confirming a class of 23 young people, which is the largest class ever confirmed in this congregation.  The record still stands today.

In the 1930's, Pastor Haag suggested that the name Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church be changed to First Lutheran Church.  The name was used until it became legal and official in 1946 when the charter was renewed with the Secretary of the State of Texas.

After the beginning of World War II, the congregation broke an old tradition by eliminating all German Services.

Pastor Haag served as Chairman of the Austin Conference for 18 years.  He also served 5 years as a member of the Home Mission Board, 5 years as Chairman of the Austin Federation Luther League Bible Camp which he organized.  He brought the Luther Service Center to Temple, served 8 years as a memeber of the Standing Committee of Stewardship and Finance of the Texas District and more than 10 years as President of the Board of Directors of Texas Lutheran Welfare.  Locally, Pastor Haag held every office in the Temple Pastor's Association, was a member of the Executive Board of Temple Family Welfare and an honorary member of the Temple Kiwanis Club.

Pastor Haag left the congregation on October 1, 1948.

Pastor Raymond Schliesser

On October 20, 1948, Pastor Raymond Schliesser was installed as the new pastor.  In 1949 a revised constitutuion was adopted and became effective January 1, 1950.

In the early 1950's, plans were begun for construction of another new church building.  A preliminary design for the new church was accepted by the congregation in January, 1956. Final plans were completed and accepted June 5, 1957, with the understanding that 75% of a Broadway Plan Bond Issue of $180,000 would be sold before October, 1957. A ground breaking service was held Sunday, October 27, 1957 and the cornerstone was laid June 9, 1958. The old church property was sold to Humble Oil Company for $25,000.

Our Present Church

On Sunday, September 14, 1958, a dedecation service was held with over 2000 people participating in the service.  It was then that the slogan, "First Lutheran Church; Set on a Hill; Built on a Rock; Beckons to the people in this Community to Come and to Worship" was developed.

Rev. Schliesser served the congregation for 14 years, leaving on June 27, 1962.

Pastor James B. Essinger

Pastor James B. Essinger ministered at First Lutheran Church from 1962 to 1969.  During this time, much attention was given to the youth program both spiritually and musically.  Our Luther League provided much leadership in conference activities.  The Central Conference Singers were organized during a Luther League convention at FLC in the spring of 1967.  It was active for many years with two major singing tours.

Pastor Rudy A. Kelling  1970-1980                                Pastor Dennis Dirks 1971-1981

During the decade of the 70's, music continued to play a big part in the worship services at First Lutheran.  In 1977, a pipe organ was custom built for our acoustics and architecture.  It was completed in June 1980.  In 1979, 800 persons claimed membership in the congregation.  in 1980, during the 85th Anniversary celebration, the building note for the new church was burned signifying that the building had been paid in full.

Pastor Douglas Stolleis 1980-1993                                  Pastor Tim Scheffel 1986-1990

During the 80's many  improvements and modernizations were made to First Lutheran.  The Steeple was refurbished and polished.  This caused quite a spectacle, with many people watching the progress, many times stopping traffic in order to observe the workers on the steeple.

The church interior was also updated with new lighting, painting and new floor tile.  The 6 foot gold cross above the alter was installed in honor of the Centennial.  The church office was also updated with new furniture and equipment. 

Much of the work was done in preparation of the Church's Centennial Anniversary, which was celebrated on November 9, 1986.
A historical marker was placed in front of the church commemorating 100 years of worship.

Pastor Ardene Wuthrich

Pastor Ardene Wuthrich served the congregation from 1992 until his retirement in 2002.  During his time of service, Pastor Wuthrich began the annual Polka Worship service.  He adapted hymns to popular polka tunes.  Each year an area polka band plats for the church.

During Pastor Wuthrich's ministry, the windows of the Sanctuary were replaced with stained glass windows depicting the life of Christ.  The church acquired the Schulemerich Digital Carillion which can be heard throughout the area.  Increased parking was needed, so the church acquired the adjoining lot.  The house was

moved, the lot was leveled and paved, which gave First Lutheran an additional 108 parking spaces.  The Children's playground was also formulated.

Pastor Patricia Dietrich

In the future the vision of First Lutheran Church is to continue the Ministry which was begun over 120  years ago, moving positively into the future.  Each passing generation continues the legacy of holding dear to those who made First Lutheran the great place it is today, praising God through service, worship and fellowship.   

Under her direction, First Lutheran has extended it's ministry into the community.  A weekly Alzheimer care group was established.  Along with other area churches, First Lutheran participates in Family Promise for the Temple Area.  Pastor Pat also began taking the confirmation youth to Briarwood for a week of learning and recreation.  In 2006, a part time youth director was hired and the Children's playground was completed.  Also in 2006, a revised and updated constitution was approved by the congregation.  Pastor Pat also took a mission trip to minister to our sister Church, Calvary Lutheran in Sierra Leone.

In January 2003, First Lutheran Church was blessed with the ministry of Pastor Pat Dietrich. 

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