Marker Inscription
German farmers began settling in this region in the late 1880s. For many years, they worshiped in the schoolhouse. Gerald post office was opened in 1888. The town had a blacksmith shop, general store, drugstore, and cotton gin by 1900. In that year 16 men organized St. Paul's Evangelical Congregation. Chris Schuetz provided two acres in 1903 for a church that stood on this site until 1937, when the present structure was built. As the International & Great Northern Railroad bypassed Gerald in 1901, a decline soon began. This church still serves a large rural area and marks the former townsite.
About this site
Saint Paul's Church of Gerald is a historical marker in Gerald, McLennan County, dedicated in 1979. It is one of 198 historical markers documented in McLennan County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 224 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 31.7175, -97.0388 near Gerald. The nearest cataloged historic site is Saint Mary's Cemetery (historical marker), about 1.9 miles away. Others within a short drive include St. Martin's Cemetery, Tours Community, and Janes, W.H., Home.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5309004481. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
