A 164 Year History Timeline

1844	Fifty ships bring 7,380 German immigrants to Texas landing at Galveston and Indianola.
1846	One hundred twenty men, women and children arrive at the site soon to be Fredericksburg; the first Protestant minister, Henry S. W. Basse, arrives at the settlement; the first congregation known as "Evangelische Kirchengemeinde" is organized.
1847	John O. Meusebach secures a treaty with local Indians and plans for a house of worship begin; "Vereins Kirche" is built to serve as a Church for all denominations, a school, a town meeting house, and a fort, if necessary.

1849	The first pastor of "Vereins Kirche" arrives.
1869	The Church accepts a new constitution and the words "Holy Ghost" are added.
1886	The congregation splits and church property is awarded to Holy Ghost; members remaining become the "Evangelical Protestant Church of the Holy Ghost."
1887-1893	Plans for a new church to be built on donated land began. The cornerstone is laid in 1888, and the church is finished in 1893 at a cost of $10,540; the original bell is in the new tower and is later to reside in the renovated Vereins Kirche.

1896	The first Sunday School is organized.
1901	The mixed choir is organized.
1903	The church steeple is finished.
1911	The Ladies Aid Society is formed.
1913	The Pipe Organ is installed and additional improvements are made to the church.
1919-1922	Additional stained glass windows are installed, as well as a new pulpit, pews, and the high altar.
1922	The 75th Anniversary is celebrated; a two story parsonage is constructed; a frame house on the church property is built to serve as a meeting hall, Sunday School space, and room for quilters.

1930	During this decade, old traditions continue to be practiced: the men are separated from the women during worship; Holy Communion is offered only on special days; family church dues are $5.00 annually (later, increased to $12.50 per confirmed member); all services are still held in German.
1931	First Sunday School class is held in English.
1937	The church roof is replaced; more stained glass windows are added; the Luther League is formed.

1941	The Jordan Property, the lot west of the church, is purchased.
1942	The first services are held in English.
1943	A new constitution is accepted using doctrines of the Lutheran Church and also Luther’s Small Catechism.
1947	The 100th Anniversary is celebrated.
1949	The congregation joins the American Lutheran Church and changes its name to "Holy Ghost Lutheran Church"; the sanctuary is enlarged with the addition constructed in the form of a cross; the communion rail, oak lectern, and baptismal altar are added at a total cost of $80,000.
1953	The first full-time secretary is hired.

1955	The property facing Creek Street was bequeathed to the church by Mrs. Otto Kolmeier.
1957	The McFarland property is donated to the church.
1960	The Henry Duecker house is purchased by the church.
1961	Construction begins on the Education Building which is finished in 1963; the statue of "Jesus Blessing the Children" is donated in memory of Pastor Lindenberg.
1965	The Striegler property on the corner of San Antonio and Llano Streets is purchased.

1971	The Maier property is purchased.
1974	For the first time, two full-time pastors are called.
1978	The church begins using the Lutheran Book of Worship; women are elected to serve on the Church Council for the first time.
1980	The first church van is purchased.
1981	The 135th Anniversary is celebrated; a beautification project is begun at a cost of $165,000; the first woman pastor is called.
1987	A beautification campaign is begun at a cost of $100,000; shepherding and small group ministries are renewed; a music director is hired.
1988	Kindernest Preschool begins; the congregation becomes part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
1993	Saturday evening services are begun during the months of May through October.

1995	With funds from the Kammlah estate bequest, improvements to the Education Building are made and the church offices are moved into the Maier house; Miracle Sunday raises $48,867 to help with the 150th Anniversary Fund.
1996	The 150th Anniversary celebration is held in October; a new church roof is installed.
1997	Partial funds from the Biermann estate bequest allow for expansion of Parsonage 2.
1999	Property on the corner of Adams and San Antonio Streets is purchased from the Klinksiek Family for 1.47 million dollars.
2000	Holy Ghost Pastor, Ray Tiemann, is elected Bishop of the Southwestern Texas Synod.
2003	A 32-passenger bus is purchased.
2005	The first Youth and Family Minister is hired; new enlarged office space located in the Duecker House is dedicated.
2007	The front entrance ramp is added to the church building.

2008	The building on the Klinksiek property is refurbished to house the Holy Ghost Fellowship Hall and Youth Center; dedicated on November 15th.