Vereins Kirche (German Pioneer's Church), Fredericksburg, Texas
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| the historic Vereins Kirche, built by German pioneers in Fredericksburg, Texas |
Vereins Kirche, or the "Society Church" of the German Pioneers
Fredericksburg, Texas, USA
Built in the old German architectural style of a "Carolingian octagon", and modeled on the design of a portion of Emperor Charlemagne's Cathedral at Aachen, the current Vereins Kirche is a replica of the original 19th century ecumenical church and meeting house which was once the center of civic life in the German pioneer town of Fredericksburg, Texas.
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| exhibits about the lives of the German pioneers and the history of Fredericksburg, Texas inside the Vereins Kirche Museum |
Originally built by the area's early German settlers, the Vereins Kirche was home to the local Catholic, Lutheran, and Methodist congregations, as well as a public meeting house and school. Eventually, each congregation built their own church buildings, but the Vereins Kirche continued its function as the civic center until it was demolished in 1896.
The townsfolk almost immediately realized that they missed the Vereins Kirche and its central place in the town, and the building was faithfully reconstructed in 1935. Today, it houses a museum of the town's history.
When you are in Fredericksburg, don't miss the hike up the nearby Cross Mountain:
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| beautiful gardens surrounding Vereins Kirche, Fredericksburg, Texas |
One very notable piece of history from Fredericksburg is the Meusebach–Comanche Treaty, a treaty of peace and mutual defense between the Adelsverein (the company of German pioneers who settled the Texas Hill Country) and the local Comanche tribe in 1847. It is notable as the only treaty between settlers and Native Americans that was never broken.
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| a statue honoring the unbroken treaty between the German pioneers and the local Native American tribes in Fredericksburg, Texas |
The German culture of Texas is a fascinating - yet often overlooked - piece of the state's history. German culture may well have had a much stronger influence on the culture of Texas as a whole, had it not been for WWI, but there are still plenty of echoes and vestiges left if you know where to look.
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Visiting Vereins Kirche
Admission to the museum inside the old church is $2.50 for adults 18 and up; $1 for children ages 6-17 and age 5 & under are free. Visiting the gardens and public grounds around the Vereins Kirche is free.
The museum is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. Vereins Kirche Museum is closed on Sundays.
Traveler's Tips
Fredericksburg is the center of old German culture deep in the heart of Texas. Don't miss the nearby German Pioneer's Museum, where you can learn more about the lives of the early German pioneers who settled the central Texas Hill Country. The museum is complete with a fantastic collection of old homes and artifacts from the pioneers.
When you are in Fredericksburg, don't miss out on a wonderful German lunch! My favorite restaurant in town is the Old German Bakery & Cafe, which you can read about on my food blog, The World of Street Food (portions are HUGE, and the food is delicious).
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| the maypole in the center of Fredericksburg, Texas |
Location of Vereins Kirche, Fredericksburg
Vereins Kirche is located in the center of Fredericksburg's historic downtown area at:
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