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Updated 07/27/2010

St. Peter's celebrated forty-five years of ministry in the year 2005.

Lutherans have worshiped and witnessed in the Marble Falls area since 1913. Through the dedicated effort of Rev. Calvin O. Goerdel of St. James Lutheran Church, Llano, Texas, and twenty-eight charter members, the congregation was formed, chartered and accepted as a member of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) in September of 1960. The new congregation received gifts and loans from the Hill Country Mission Society, an organization of Lutheran Churches in the Hill Country, to make possible construction of a new parsonage and the sanctuary. St. Peter's called its first pastor, Rev. Lawrence R. Juull in 1961.

The first service was held in the new sanctuary, constructed from locally quarried granite, on August 5, 1962. Dr. Vernon A. Mohr, President of the Southern District, The American Lutheran Church, delivered the sermon at the Dedication Service on September 16. St. Peter's also received financial support from the ALC Department of Missions until 1976. The following pastors continued the ministry of St. Peter's from 1964 to 1979: Rev. Edward G. Miller, Rev. Wayne Jarvis, Rev. John A. Pietsch, Rev. Charles DeHaven, Rev. David L. Lilley, Rev. Gary Haaland.

ADVENTURE IN FAITH ... BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Rev. E. David Henry became pastor of St. Peter's in 1980. In 1982, formal planning began for new facilities to meet the needs of a growing community of faith. The congregation approved the Building and the Finance Committees' recommendations in May 1984 and "Adventure in Faith ... Building for the Future" was realized. Members of the congregation pledged $365,000 to the building fund. The Service of Dedication for the new granite sanctuary was conducted May 18, 1986. Dr. Arthur E. Rode, American Lutheran Church Staff, delivered the sermon. The original building was renovated to be used for the church nursery, Sunday School Classrooms, and Fellowship Hall.

In 1988 the American Lutheran Church and two other national Lutheran churches merged to become the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). St. Peter's is a member of the ELCA, the Southwestern Texas Synod, and the Hill Country Conference. The congregation supports special mission and helping programs at home and abroad.

CELEBRATING GOD'S GRACE - BUILDING IN FAITH

An additional Sunday morning worship service was added when attendance exceeded 200 per Sunday in 1996. Rev. Rachel S. Larson served as second pastor from 1997 - 2001.

In 1998, the congregation began planning for additional facilities for the day school, fellowship hall, and classrooms. A worship service and supper on April 18, 1999 marked the retirement of debt on the new sanctuary. New construction of an education and administration facility started in December 2001, and Dedication Day was in November 2001.

During the next two years,  First Grade and Second Grade classes were added to the Preschool and Kindergarten at St. Peter's Lutheran School.

St. Peter's Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten began operation in September, 1982. Jan Starkey has served as director of the school since its organization. Each year, around 70 children participate in this excellent early childhood Christian education program.

St. Peter's served as an intern site for students at the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest from 2002 through 2004.

In 2004, Pastor Danielle M. Casey joined the staff as Associate Pastor.

In 2006, the Kids of the Kingdom Preschool was added to St. Peter's Lutheran Church; it serves preschool children ages 2 1/2 to 4.

In the Summer of 2006 the clergy of St. Peter’s met with members of the Southwestern Texas Synod staff and Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Austin to discuss the possibility of supporting a new mission start in the Spicewood and Bee Cave area.  After much research and planning, Spirit in the Hills Lutheran Mission held its first worship service on April 6, 2008.  Pastor Casey and Pastor Heidi Schwerdtfeger-Jones of Shepherd of the Hills served as lead pastors for the following year. In April of 2010 Spirit in the Hills celebrated its second anniversary and honored St. Peter’s for their support. 

On May 23, 2010 the congregation had a retirement celebration for Pastor E. David Henry. He retired after serving St. Peter's for 30 years.

On September 26, 2010 St. Peter's will have a 50th anniversary celebration with Bishop Mark S. Hanson presiding over both services, followed by a luncheon at Lakeside Pavillion.

St. Peter's has a number of active groups functioning within the congregation, including the Altar Guild, Lutheran Youth Organization, Superkids, Women of the ELCA, Parent's Morning Out, and various study, fellowship, and volunteer service groups.   

The approximately 700 members of St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Marble Falls continue to make up a friendly, caring, worshiping community - a source of spiritual growth and Christian fellowship for the Highland Lakes Area.  

Dedication Day - November 20, 2002

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