Historical Marker
Gethsemane Church
Historical marker location:
1510 N. Congress Ave., Austin, Texas
( Texas Historical Commission offices)
Marker installed: 1962
The first Lutheran church in Travis County. Organized Dec. 12, 1868, by Swedish pioneers under leadership of Swante Palm. Site of first church building was 11 blocks SW; this structure was erected in 1883. It contains stone hauled in wheelbarrows from Texas Capitol that burned 1881. The present ornate, paneled doors came (1934) from Old Main building at University of Texas. Architecture is typical of many rural Swedish churches. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1962.