On July 1, 1851, a group led by the Rev. Caspar Messon Braun (1822-1880) founded the Erste Deutsche Evangelelische Lutherische Kirche, or First German Evangelical Lutheran Church. The State Of Texas issued the church's charter on September 21 of that year.

The first sanctuary was a wooden building on the southeast corner of Texas Avenue at Milam Street. In 1901, under the Rev. William L. Blasberg (1862-1935), the congregation moved to the northwest corner of Texas at Caroline, to a new red brick and sandstone sanctuary. After selling the second structure in 1926, The First Evangelical Church, as it became known, purchased this site. Under the leadership of the Rev. Detlev Baltzer (1889-1962), the congregation hired architect Joseph W. Northrop, Jr., who had moved to Houston to oversee construction of the original Rice Institute, now Rice University. James West was general contractor for the new church campus, and J. C. Nolan and the Star Electric and Engineering Company held sub-contracts.

Northrop's North Italian Romanesque styling features terra cotta roof tiles on the sanctuary, education building and parsonage, as well as a campanile, or bell tower. The buildings were constructed of interlocking concrete tiles covered with buff-face brick and white sandstone trim. The campanile's bell was forged in 1880 and has rung at each of the congregation's places of worship. The tower connects the sanctuary to the seven-bay arched portalis of the education building, which houses a stage, sports facilities, auditoriums and classrooms. The sanctuary's details include pulpit and altar made by master woodcarvers from Oberammergau, Germany. Pews and chancel furnishings, designed by Northrop, are by the American Seating Company. The choir loft houses a 1903 Kilgen and Son pipe organ, and the stained glass windows are from the Browne Window Company.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2002

The History of our stained glass windows.

In 1968 the triad, of 3 Lombard Romanesque arched opalescent glass windows above and behind the choir loft facing the congregation were replaced with a picture window. Texas Art Glass of Houston was commissioned, by our stained glass window committee to execute an original creation of two panels 3 feet wide and 13 feet tall, flanking a singular panel 4 feet wide and 18 tall. The $4,600 needed to finance the project was contributed by Mrs. Robert I. (Gussie) Stansbury. Rev. Richard Campbell and his wife Betty conceived the basic design elements. J. F. Renfro executed the piece.

The three windows represent the three expressions of God's love, symbolized as the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The left window represents God the Father expressed by two symbols. Upper panel consists of the out-stretched hand of God representing creation: all things are made by Him. This symbol also represents the redemptive nature of God as the saving and guiding hand.

For those who believe, Jesus taught that the creative power of life is like a good and loving Father in Heaven. We address our creator not impersonally or mechanically but as 'Our Father who art in Heaven...'.

The lower panel consists of an open Bible representing the Word of the Father. The Word is a faithful word, true and lasting. It not only instructs but also confronts and stains. 'The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth,' John 1:14.

Jesus is the living word. In Him, the printed and spoken word came alive, active and dynamic. The central window panel represents God and Son.

The upper panel contains a crown and cross, representing the theme of Christ the King.

The creed of Christians was simply 'Jesus is Lord': no Caesar no King but Christ. It is He who choose to rule our lives.

The lower panel is a copy of a painting by Holman Hunt, 'Light of the World,' circa 1854, inspired by the biblical story found in Revelations 3:20. Jesus is standing outside the door of the human heart. He knocks. There is no handle on the outside. It can only be opened from the inside. Picture depicted Jesus dressed in white with a red robe and sandals, holding a staff in his left hand while knocking on a door with his right hand. Jesus appears under an olive tree in a palatial garden.

The hymn 'O Jesus Thou Art Standing' (No. 211) in The Hymnal by William W. Howe (1867) is frequently associated with this picture.

Right window represents God the Holy Spirit. The upper panel is a white dove with olive branch descending from heaven. The dove is used many times in the Bible: as the spirit of salvation Noah and baptism Jesus Mathew 3:13. The Holy Spirit of Life descends from heaven to earth. The human spirit is lifted up by God's Spirit.

Lower panel contains an image of grapes, chalice, and wheat. These are symbols of the Holy Spirit represented by the fellow-ship that we celebrate as Communion. The bread and wine were given at the Lord's Table to emphasize that when Jesus leaves, He will leave behind the Holy Spirit as our Counselor, Greek Paraclete. John 14:26. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in the Upper Room, on the day we call Pentecost Acts 2.