The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 104, No. 67, Ed. 1 Friday, August 20, 1999 Page: 53 of 88
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THE CUFTON RECORD
BOSQUE COUNTY, U.S.A., FRIDAY, AUG. 20, 1999 - 41
Zion United Church is In the heart of the Womack region of Bosque County
German Heritage Traced Back
To Just After The Civil War
CLIFTON - While the Norwegian
influence in Bosque County has been
at the forefront lately with the desig-
nation of Clifton as the Norwegian
Capital of Texas, the heritage and tra
ditions of the German immigrants who
settled in Bosque County is alive and
well.
Next to the Norwegians, the Ger-
mans probably represent the single
largest ethnic group in the county.
Flipping through the phone books in
Bosque County, names like Zuehlke,
Wiederaenders, Rueter, Hampe, and
Thiele point to the still-strong local in-
fluence.
Most of the early German settlers in
the county came shortly after the Civil
War. Many settled in the flatland
around Childress creek, farming the
land. A church with predominantly
German influence was built in Wom-
ack, as well as one in Clifton.
As late as the 1930s, Germans ac
counted for about one-third of the
county’s population. Many more ar-
rived in the next few years, settling at
Cayote, Mosheim, Walnut Springs,
Iredell, Cranfills Gap, and elsewhere.
In Womack, the Sons of Hermann, a
German-Ameftcan fraternal organiza
tion, built Womack Hall, which is still
in constant use today.
John A. Lomax, the son of a German
emigrant, was fascinated by the songs
he heard as a boy in Bosque County,
This popular sign points to a popular destination in
Womack country Womack Hall, where numerous
gatherings are held throughout the year
and began compiling them for prosper
ity and for entertainment The habit
became a lifelong one, and his compi
lations now reside in the University of
Texas library and the United States
Library of Congress.
Zion United Church in Womack is
the result of the merger of two congre
gations. The German Evangeiical
Zions Church was organized in 1891
St. John’s Church was established in
1906 near Cayote. In 1948, the two con-
gregations were merged, and in 1955,
the buff-colored brick church with the
copper steeple was built in Womack.
In Clifton, many Germans of the
Lutheran faith decided in 1890 to build
a church. On Oct. 12, 1890, Immanuel
Lutheran was dedicated. The church
congregation continued using the Ger-
man language in worship services un
til 1918.
In 1906, the church was moved to 3rd
Street in Clifton and en-
larged. In 1930, a new
church was built. That
structure served as wor-
ship, fellowship, and Sun-
day School facilities until
the early 1990s, when a new
church was constructed.
The old church structure
was remodeled, with the
upstairs now serving as a
fellowship hall and adult
Bible study class area,
while the downstairs
houses the children’s Sun-
day School rooms.
Both Zion and Immanuel
still reflect a strong Ger-
manic heritage, as do many
other churches in Bosque
County
The annual Womack Sauaage Supper la part of
a German tradition that la everpreaent In
Baoque County.
BROOKSHIRE'S
Serving The Needs Of The
Community Since 1928
In Louisiana, Arkansas & Texas
Rick Griffith Henry Kapavik Lucio Balderas
Store Manager Asst. Store Manager Asst. Store Manager
We Carry Hy-Top And All Major Brands
All Major Credit Cards Accepted
406 W 5th St. • Clifton. Texas • 675-3111
ISTOKES AUTOMOTIVE
Car & Truck Repair
A Full Service Shop
•A/C and Heaters • Parts
• Oil Changes • Batteries
•Brakes -Cooper Tires
•Computer Analysis
George & Sue Stokes, Owners
254-932-6218
409 Hwy. 6, Valley Mills, TX 76689
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Smith, W. Leon. The Clifton Record (Clifton, Tex.), Vol. 104, No. 67, Ed. 1 Friday, August 20, 1999, newspaper, August 20, 1999; Clifton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth791182/m1/53/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Nellie Pederson Civic Library.