Not sure of the source of this material - was in a collection of typed histories
It appears to have been written about 1934
Picture of Evangelical United Brethern Church at 15th and Broad
This building was built in 1941 and burned down in 1996
The First Evangelical Church (Fifteenth & Broad) was
organized in the early spring of 1911 under the pastorate of
Rev. C. Bunse, who, however was only pastor for a few months.
Rev. Bunse organized the Church with sixteen charter members as
follows: John Laukhaf (still living), Mrs. John Laukhaf, (still
Living) Mrs. Frieda Laukhaf Krebs, (still living) Maria Eissler,
Minnie Eissler, Mrs. F. J. Schaefer, Walter Schaefer, Mrs.
Walter Schaefer, (still living), George Wiest, Mrs. Geor. Wiest,
John Christman, F. J. Maier, (still living). Mrs. F. J. Maier,
(still living,) Christian F. Maier, Andrew T. Maier, and Edward
Maier. Rev. J. Wellner was the District Superintendent of the
Texas Conference of the Evangelical Church at the time of the
organization of this Church.
Rev. C. F. Mayer took charge of the congregation March 15,
1911.
In February, 1911, while Rev. C. Bunse was pastor, two lots
with a dwelling house on the north lot, on Fifteenth and Broad,
were purchased at a cost of $3,000.00. The congregation met in
this dwelling place for their worship services, which also
served as the parsonage.
In May, 1911, the parsonage was moved on the south lot, so
as to make room for a church edifice. In April, 1911, a large
tent was put up on the north lot and used by the congregation
for all services.
In July, 1911, work was begun on the new Church. The corner
stone was laid on July 16, 1911, by Rev. J. Wellner, District
Superintendent, assisted by Rev. C. Bunse, Rev. F. J. Schaefer,
and Rev. C. F. Mayer, the pastor.
The Church was dedicated on November 16, 1911 by Bishop Wm.
Horn, D. D. of Cleveland, Ohio. The total cost of the Church was
$2200.00.
On the 9th of April, 1911, a Sunday School, was organized
with twenty-four scholars. On the 27th of April, 1911, a Woman's
Missionary Society was organized. During the year 1911 a Junior
League was organized with twenty-three charter members.
A few years later a Sunday School class room was added, so
as to give more room for the fast growing Sunday School. In the
year 1925, during the pastorate of Rev. F. Doege, a small Sunday
School building, (annex) was built on the east end of the north
lot, at a cost of $1800.00.
During the three years pastorate of Rev. H. C. Hoesch, the
present pastor, many souls were saved, every organization grew,
and two small congregations, Yale Avenue Evangelical and Bowman
Evangelical Church, were merged with the First Church. Yale was
merged in the fall of 1931 and Bowman during the year of 1932.
Forty-five members came from Yale and twenty-six from the Bowman
Church.
The present membership of the First Evangelical Church is
273, and the Sunday School enrollment is 340.
The following ministers have served the First Evangelical
Church;
Rev. C. Bunse, two months; Rev. C. F. Mayer, three years:
Rev. George Trabant, four years; Rev. A. Alstadt, two years;
Rev. C. Ermel, four years; Rev. F. Doege, 7 1/2 years, and Rev.
H. C. Hoesch, the present pastor, three and one-half years.
There is one other Evangelical Church in Wichita Falls, located
at North Sixth and Broadway, and called the Scotland Evangelical Church.
This Church was organized in the year 1922 with twelve charter members.
The congregation first met in a tabernacle for three years. The
present brick Church was built in 1923 at a cost
of $5,000.00.
The following ministers served Scotland Evengelical Church;
Rev. R. C. McIver, four years; Rev. H. Hoover, two years;
Rev. H. Holley, two years; Rev. Harry Huscher, three years;
Rev. F. Everel Wines, (Present pastor) one year.
Signed: H. C. Hoesch.