|
Grace Lutheran Church 2411 Woodlake Road Denison, Texas In
the early 1880s, traveling Lutheran missionaries held services at
various locations in Grayson County, Texas including Sherman, Denison,
Whitesboro, Pottsboro. The St. James congregation served the
area
until 1912. A enduring congregation was not established due to an
irregular service schedule which depended upon the requests of the
Lutherans scattered across the county. Services were held
primarily for baptisms, weddings, celebration of the Lord's Supper, and
funerals.
Lutheran services were again held in 1939 by Rev. W. E. Meyer of Denton. In 1940, the Mission Board sent a pastoral candidate to this area in an effort to establish a congregation. Mitchell J. Prifogle was sent in February, 1940. For thirteen weeks, services were held in the Short-Murray Funeral Chapel. After that, services were held in an upstairs lodge hall at 931 W. Main. This property was eventually purchased and changed into a chapel and parsonage. The building was originally a meat market and residence. The purchase of the property was made by Mr. D. Nelson for $7,000. Rev. Prifogle was succeeded by Rev. Martin Ramming. Under his leadership, a congregation was organized and became a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Property was bought in 1942 from Denison and Sudie C. Nelson, and dedicated in 1943. The building that once housed the Nelson's Meat Market was converted into the church building. The first constitution was drafted in May 1942 and, at this time, the name Grace Lutheran Evangelical Lutheran Church was chosen. Stones from the first free high school in Texas were used for the chapel and parsonage. The building cost $7,000 with an additional $4,000 used for remodeling and furnishing for the structure. The chapel remained open at all times for prayer and meditation. From 1944 to 1947, Grace Lutheran opened a Bible Kindergarten. Land for the present location at Texoma Parkway and Woodlake Rd. was purchased in 1956. Approximately seven acres were purchased for $12,500. Later, a portion of the land was sold to Kemper Western Store. The present sanctuary and fellowship were built in 1956. The first part of the educational wing was added and dedicated in 1972. With the closing of Perrin Air Base in 1972, the membership steadily declined. In 1990, the education wing expansion was completed. A Preschool was opened in 1991 and was still in operation in 1993. Grace Lutheran Church History source: www.glcdenison.org Churches Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |