Historical Marker

St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery

Historical marker location:
Thorndale, Texas
( 3 mi. north of Thorndale on CR 437)
Marker installed: 1991

The small agricultural community of Detmold was settled near the turn of the century by German immigrants. In 1900, local residents Carl Fick, August Boening, and Ernst Richter deeded land at this site for the establishment of a Lutheran church and cemetery. The oldest recorded grave, that of Gottfried Eschberger, dates to 1903. Over 175 graves are located here, many with tombstones bearing German surnames and inscriptions. In 1963, the church congregation relocated to Thorndale, but the cemetery remains as a tangible reminder of the small community.