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Among the German immigrants who poured into this country by the thousands in the 1800s were some who settled in the wide open spaces of Texas and in the coast land which later was to be known as the Texas Gulf Coast. Among the few thousand inhabitants of Bay City in its early stages, there were a few of Lutheran origin who brought with them their "faith of the fathers" as a very real and vital part of their lives. As these folks became known to each other, the desire for public worship, or worshipping together, was expressed and so they began meeting in each other's homes for that purpose. Because of the small number of Lutherans, they were only able to receive the service of a minister from the neighboring towns and these services usually were held once a month. Means of travel and road conditions made even these services hard to maintain, but still the membership continued to grow. It was not until 1929 that they were able to have a pastor served them in any semblance of regular dates. At this time services were held on Sunday afternoons in the First Christian Church, and later in the Herman Sons Hall on Sunday mornings. Many interruptions of the regularity of services were felt once again because of the change of pastors, but this small nucleus continued to meet in the Christian church on Sunday afternoons with the different supply pastors from the neighboring towns. In 1949, through the efforts of about 10 to 12 dedicated and faithful members, the congregation was able to obtain some small assistance from the Missionary Board to purchase two lots on the corner of Ninth and Peach Streets and the old wooden church from El Campo. December 1, 1949, was the day the charter was obtained from the State of Texas incorporating the congregation, and St. Peter Lutheran Church was born in Bay City. On April 16, 1950, the first service was held in the re-built church and the congregation extended its first call for a full-time pastor. On March 15, 1951, a new parsonage was dedicated adjacent to the church. The property was expanded by the purchase of an adjoining lot and a small house. This house was used for Sunday School. It was during these years that St. Peter continued to grow, both in numbers and deeds of love. John Kaack gave to the church the two adjoining lots, thereby doubling the church property. With the growth came a lack of space for study and worship, and plans were drawn for a new structure. The groundbreaking service for the new sanctuary was held on Sunday, June 21, 1959, and construction began the next day. Dedication of the new St. Peter Lutheran Church was held on December 6, 1959, the 10th anniversary of the organization. One month after the dedication of this new sanctuary, the congregation received word that one of its faithful members, Mrs. Otilli Raching, had bequeathed the larger portion of her estate to St. Peter Lutheran Church. With the previous generous donation of land by John Kaack, this amount was sufficient to provide the building which is now the fellowship and educational building. This part of the building was dedicated on Sunday, March 26, 1961. The new parsonage was dedicated March 27, 1966. About 1947 the communicant members numbered members and 347 baptized members. Full-time pastors serving St. Peter Lutheran Church in its organization from 1949 to the present were: F. C. H. Scholz, Vernon Rabel, Calvin Frisch, Douglas H. McBride, L. G. Wehman, Gus Riggert, Alvin L. Epperson, Jr. and Charles F. Sheppard.
Historic Matagorda County, Volume I, pages
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