Williamson County
Historical Commission

contact Wayne Ware (512) 863-2202


The Taylor Brethren Church Historical Marker Dedication



                               

Taylor Brethren Church Historical Marker Inscription Text

During the 1880s, many Czech Protestant immigrants who settled in the Taylor area were members of the Unity of the Brethren, founded in 1457 by followers of the Czech reformer and martyr Jan Hus. These local Brethren found it difficult to worship in area Protestant churches because of the language barrier most conducted services in German or English. As a result, the Czech immigrants joined together to revive practices of the Unity of the Brethren and worship in their native language.          —

The Rev. Henry Juren of Fayetteville held Taylor's first Czech Protestant service in 1892. As more Czech Protestant immigrants arrived in Central Texas, more Brethren groups formed. Served by traveling ministers, among those was the Taylor Brethren Church, formally organized in 1895. The Rev. Antonin Motycka became the church's first pastor. Three years later, the Brethren Church began using space in the West Taylor Lutheran Church building at this site. In June 1902, the Brethren congregation purchased the property.

The church continued holding worship services in the Czech language until 1967. Today, the congregation recognizes its rich ethnic history, but it is now a diverse body whose members reflect many backgrounds and traditions.

Taylor Brethren Church has played a vital role in the cultural heritage of the community it serves. Throughout the congregation's long history members have continued to worship at this site and to follow the Protestant emphasis and doctrines established by its founders, who came to Texas seeking religious freedom and independence.

(2005

 


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TAYLOR BRETHREN CHURCH

Historical Marker Dedication

Taylor Brethren Church               October 29, 2006

Taylor, Texas                                    2:30 p.m.

 PRELUDE                               Debbie Grimm

OPENING WORDS AND INVOCATION     
           Pastor James HejI

Good afternoon!

Come, let us mingle our memories and our hopes together, for today is a special day.

Today we celebrate what God has done through the Taylor Brethren Church for 111 years.

Today we remember lives touched by God: hearts united in a common mission and hands joined in a partnership of ministry.

  We remember and honor people of vision and purpose, our predecessors in the priesthood of all believers, whose legacy is love and commitment.

Though our memories may dim with the passage of time, God renews the faith of generation upon generation.
 

We are inspired by God's indwelling Spirit, touched by the witness of the saints, and prepared to follow the Head of the Church, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, wherever he may lead in all the years to come.

Let us pray... Amen.

HYMN 292                                        "God of Grace and God of Glory"

WELCOME                     Chris Kelarek
 President, Taylor Brethren Church Board of Elders

RECOGNITION OF SPECIAL GUESTS                      Pastor HejI

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                "Come, Let Us Sing"

INTRODUCTION OF THE HISTORICAL COMMITTEE Comments by the Historical Committee

WE READ GOD'S WORD                                1 Chronicles 17:16:24-27

'6 Then King David went into the Tent of the Lord's presence, sat down, and prayed, "I am not worthy of what you have already done for me, Lord God, nor is my family. 24 Your fame will be great, and people will forever say, 'The Lord Almighty is God over Israel.' And you will preserve my dynasty for all time. 25 I have the courage to pray this prayer to you, my God, because you have revealed all this to me, your servant, and have told me that you will make my descendants kings. 26 You, Lord, are God, and you have made this wonderful promise to me. 27 I ask you to bless my descendants so that they will continue to enjoy your favor. You, Lord, have blessed them, and your blessing will rest on them forever." (Today's English Version) PRAYER

CHORAL ANTHEM             "Pojd' k Spasiteli!" ("Come to the Savior!")

(The congregation leaves the sanctuary to gather at the marker outside.)

READING THE MARKER INSCRIPTION  

UNVEILING THE MARKER

DEDICATION PRAYER

BENEDICTION

Everyone is invited to the fellowship hall
for refreshments.

TAYLOR BRETHREN CHURCH

        Pastor                                          Church Secretary

James D. HejI                                        Mary Kokes

Board of Elders

Chris Kelarek, Pres.                                    Leroy Kubala

Ted Hejl, V. Pres.                                Conrad DeLeon

Kimberly Stewart, Sec.                              Stanley Zamorsky

Sidney Srnensky, Treas.                             Buddy Michna

Eugene Kokes                                       John Raesz

Arnold Cuba, Jr.                                       Darwin Labaj

Historical Committee

Bill & Deane Hodon                               John & Bennie Stasny

Marie Ann Ripple                                       Mary Kokes

Shirley Mazac                                         Sandra Ging

Karen Peschke                               Pastor HejI (ex officio)Tayor