Mission Statement

This Mission of Friedens is to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through worship and service, extending the gracious, redeeming love of our Savior, that all may know and follow the Lord.
We strive to be a community of faith that is open to all, bonded in covenant to support one another as we grow in faith and share the love of Christ.
In this faith we abide; in this service we labor; in this hope we pray.

Purpose

Our purpose is to worship God, to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the sacrament of baptism and Holy Communion; to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the church universal; to render loving service toward mankind, and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace.

 

Friedens Church of Washington is a vigorous prosperous rural church of 325 + members. Of our total membership about 32% are between the ages of 25 and 49. We have 32+ children and young people participating in the educational and special services of the church on a regular basis with the purpose of promoting Christian education within the church and community. The church council, its committees and program organizations are all self starting and conduct the affairs of the church in a timely fashion. Programs of the church include: two very active organizations of women, a newly organized and very informative men’s group, and a full Christian education system serving infants through adults along with many special worship and fellowship programs throughout the year.

Outreach programs include denominational benevolences where we seek to serve our community, nation and the world in the total mission program of our church - a program through which people of the community can join with fellow Christians in united religious and civic programs also, sharing and caring for local programs that are carried out on a regular basis.

At Friedens, the emphasis is on the unconditional love and acceptance of each member of the congregation and for members of community. Visit us and discover the boundless opportunities for personal and spiritual growth, along with meaningful ways to make a real difference in the community. You’ll be greeted with genuine warmth and embraced by a supportive extended family.

Church History

Friedens Church had its beginning in the late 1800’s among the German immigrants that began settling in the area called Brown’s Prairie, one and one-half miles southwest of the Old Washington Village, site of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. Realizing that they had no spiritual guidance and no church they contacted Rev. Klindworht, a Lutheran minister in a near by community to come and hold services in an old abandoned Baptist Church. It was under his leadership that these families established a house of worship and started looking for a resident minister. On October 12, 1890 Friedens Evangelical Church was formally and officially organized with Rev. Buckmueller serving as their pastor. Rev. Buckmueller not only served as pastor to the small thriving congregation, but also as the local school teacher until 1904 when a school teacher was hired.

The first members of the church decided on the name of Friedens which means “peace”.
Throughout the years, the little congregation has enjoyed prosperity as well as they have survived devastation when on March 18, 1972 a fire totally destroyed their little beloved country church. The members of this church prevailed and constructed a new beautiful sanctuary and church hall facility in 1974. In 1970 the members of Friedens purchased the old Washington schoolhouse, which is located directly across the road from the church, and has since completely restored it.

Friedens Church is a “united and uniting church” as signified by its name changes: Friedens Evangelical Church, 1890-1934; Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1934-1957; Friedens United Church of Christ, 1957-1995 and now as Friedens Church of Washington, UCC.