History

Founding

Friedens Church had its beginning in the late 1800s 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. Klindworth, 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”.

Legacy

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 has gone through some name changes over the years: 

• Friedens Evangelical Church, 1890-1934

• Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church, 1934-1957

• Friedens United Church of Christ, 1957-1995

and now, Friedens Church of Washington.