Our Church History

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of La Grange, Texas had its origin as a result of a merger of Trinity Lutheran Church, which was located approximately three miles west of La Grange, and Zion Lutheran Church, which was located at 800 North Franklin Street in La Grange. 

December 11, 1892 was the date when Trinity Lutheran Church was organized. Thirteen months earlier, Pastor G.W. Buchschacher of Warda, Texas began conducting services in La Grange.  In the summer of 1892, the new mission church received its first resident pastor, the Rev. Traugott Zoch, who had just graduated from the seminary in Springfield, Illinois.  It was he who decided that greater opportunity for a congregation lay west of La Grange, and so it was that Trinity was established in the area later known as Trinity Hill.

Thereafter another effort was made to conduct services in the city of La Grange, without success. However, the Mission Board of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod continued efforts to expand mission work in La Grange.  Once again, services were begun in the city.  Some of the services were conducted in the St. James Episcopal Church.  Under the leadership of Pastor A.E. Moebus, who at the time was pastor of Trinity, Zion Lutheran Church was organized on March 27, 1928. The bulk of the membership of Zion was composed of members who transferred from Trinity, and were largely those that resided in the city of La Grange. 

In the year 1935 the Church building at Trinity was enlarged by an addition on the east side.  Even so, there were no amenities at or in the building.  There was no plumbing; heating was accomplished by a wood heater.  There was no cooling system, or running water.  One of the customs of the congregation was that the women would be seated on one side and the men on the other.  German services were conducted until 1957 when Pastor T. H. Graalmann, who had accepted the call to Zion, became the vacancy pastor.

Both congregations were served by Pastor Moebus until 1939, when each congregation called its own pastor.  This arrangement continued until 1957, when Trinity was unsuccessful in obtaining a new pastor, primarily because membership had dropped radically at Trinity, and so, as mentioned, Pastor Graalmann agreed to serve as vacancy pastor.

The prospects of obtaining a pastor for Trinity were not promising, and if Zion's pastor would not serve as vacancy pastor, all indications were that Trinity would probably be forced to disband.  Furthermore, the facilities at Zion were inadequate because of the growth of the congregation, and so a new or enlarged structure was required.  Therefore it was decided by both congregations to explore the possibility of a merger of Trinity and Zion.  As a result, in the early part of 1961 members of each congregation were selected by the respective Voters' Assemblies to look into the matter.  Baker Davis, Clarence Peters, and Edgar Roitsch from Zion, and Wilbert Diers, Walter Schneider, and Walter Oeltjen were selected from Trinity.  This committee, under the leadership of Pastor Graalmann, began its work in April of 1961. After four months, a written report was formulated dated August 20, 1961. This report was unanimously agreed upon by the committee from both congregations, and presented to the communicant membership of both congregations on August 27 and 28, 1961. 

Voters' Meetings to decide whether to accept the report were scheduled for each congregation on September 10, 1961.  However, meetings were not held on that date, but approximately a week later, because Hurricane Carla hit the Texas coast on that date.  Both congregations accepted the report of the committee, and on December 17, 1961 and on a subsequent date joint meetings of the Voters' Assemblies were held at Camp Lone Star to approve a Constitution and By-laws.  Thereafter, on January 28, 1962, the Voters' Assemblies met at Zion to formally adopt the Constitution and By-laws, which included the new name, Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church of La Grange; to elect officers; to transfer all properties to Mt. Calvary; to dissolve the corporations of Trinity and Zion; to incorporate Mt. Calvary; and to select a vacancy pastor. Pastor Graalmann agreed to serve as the vacancy pastor, and was subsequently extended a call, which he accepted, thus becoming also the first pastor of Mt. Calvary. 

The next step was to construct a house of worship sufficient to meet the needs of the new congregation. This new Church building was dedicated in May 1965. In the years following a new Educational Building, new Parsonage, and eventually a new Church Addition were also constructed on the property which previously belonged to Zion. The Zion Church building was sold to Peaceful Rest Baptist Church, and is now located in the 800 block of East Fannin Street in La Grange. The Zion Teacherage, and the land it was located on, was sold. The Zion Parsonage was sold and moved. The Zion Parish Hall was torn down. The Trinity Parsonage, and the land it was located on, was sold. The Trinity Church building was sold for the material. The cemetery which was located at Trinity Church continues intact, and now operates under the name of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Cemetery. 

Pastor Graalmann continued as pastor of Mt. Calvary until 1969. The pastors that served since then are as follows: Rev. Alvin Walter, 1969-1976; Rev. Herbert Wottrich, 1977-1979; Rev. Walter Harding, 1979-1987; and the present Pastor, Rev. Dennis Bragdon, who has served since 1988.

Today the mission of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church and Preschool, as it is now known, is "to live and share the exciting news of salvation through Jesus Christ to all people".  Toward this goal the members of Mt. Calvary provide for the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at Mt. Calvary and, by their support of the mission work of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, throughout the world.  Through its various organizations the congregation offers opportunities for worship, education, fellowship, and service.

Worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m., and Sunday School and Bible Classes for all ages follow at 10:15 a.m.  Vacation Bible School is also conducted each year for one week in the summer for the children of the congregation and the community.  Mt. Calvary  Preschool has programs for 2-, 3-, and 4-year olds.  Classes are conducted in a loving, nurturing atmosphere by teachers who are experienced and certified professionals.  The program is licensed by the Texas Department of Human Services. The good news of Jesus Christ is shared daily with the children, as they are led in their spiritual, academic, social, and emotional growth.

The Helping Hands Circle and Mary Martha Guild are auxiliary organizations open to all women of the congregation.  The Helping Hands Circle's mission is to minister to the elderly and shut-ins of the congregation.  The Mary Martha Guild is a member organization of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), and supports the work of the LWML through mite giving, Bible study, and prayer.  Members serve on the Altar Committee, Bereavement Committee, and Hospice Committee.  The congregation, under the leadership of the Mary Martha Guild, supports the work of Lutheran World Relief by making quilts, assembling health kits, and collecting clothing, all of which are distributed among the world's needy.

Membership in the Men's Club is open to all men of the congregation.  The Men's Club is organized for Christian fellowship, and for service to the congregation and the Int'l. Lutheran Laymen's League/Lutheran Hour Ministries.  The Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF) is an organization of youth of high school age.  Their service projects include varied activities such as teaching Vacation Bible School in Mexico and visiting the residents of local nursing homes.  Dedicated sponsors provide opportunities for the youth to engage in Bible study, service, fellowship, and recreation.

Members of Mt. Calvary serve La Grange and Fayette County through their involvement in the work of A.M.E.N. (Area Ministry for Emergency Needs) and with the Second Chance Emporium.  Mt. Calvary also provides a tape ministry.  Sermon tapes and videos are distributed to the congregation's shut-ins and area nursing home residents.

Armed with the Word, and bound together by the love of Christ, the members of Mt. Calvary press on toward their mission:  "Committed to reaching out with the love of Jesus.".