St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
historical marker
St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is located in Austin, Travis County, Texas. The congregation was organized in 1883 by twenty German families. Their first services, led by Reverend Henry Merz, took place on March 4, 1883. The cornerstone for their first church building was laid on December 21, 1884, at 106 Peach Street. This brick structure was dedicated on April 26, 1885. In 1920, the congregation officially adopted the name St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Due to the expanding State Capitol complex, the church relocated twice. A new sanctuary was built in 1929 at 1400 Congress Avenue. Both this and the original building were later removed in 1959. St. Martin's then moved to its current facilities at 606 West 15th Street, dedicated on March 27, 1960. The Texas Historical Commission erected a historical marker for St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1979. This marker acknowledges the church's long history and its connection to Austin's urban development.