About Us

Take a look around.......

......there's something new about to bloom on the horizon.

In the spring of 2008 when you visit you will see a full patch of color begin to fill the hillside as you drive up the lane where we will begin our new project area - The Wildflower Patch. This will eventually have a "pick-your-own" garden, as well. We have to start small and slow, but soon the flowers will be planted and ready to grow.

In conjunction with this new project, we also have a new giving program that will allow you to contribute specifically to this project, if you so desire. We realize some people would rather see their contributions go to specific areas of ministry, and this is one way that you can do just that. So if you love flowers and want to see the Saxon Lutheran Memorial beautified in such a way, please consider sending your donation to our address marked, "The Wildflower Patch" and your seeds of generosity will help grow a hillside of beautiful flowers to God's glory.

A Brief History of the Saxon Lutheran Memorial.

In 1839 the Perry County area was settled by Saxon Lutheran immigrants from Germany. They were looking for religious freedoms and through faith and trust in God left their homeland and sailed across the ocean. A total of 660 passengers filled 5 boats. They came through New Orleans, continued on to St. Louis briefly and then came back to this area to settle and make it their new home.

The property at the site of the Saxon Lutheran Memorial was owned originally by the Bergt family and then the Gruenwald family. In 1961 Concordia Historical Institute of St. Louis wanted to make sure that the beginnings of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod was preserved and promoted and so they purchased the property and began to work very hard and diligently to make it presentable for sharing with the public.

Currently, the property is cared for by a full-time staffed person as the curator. There is also an eight member appointed advisory council that is very dedicated to maintaining the history of their German ancestry through the site at the Saxon Lutheran Memorial. They are all volunteers and contribute many, many hours of time, effort and skills to maintaing the buildings and artifacts that are available for our visitors to see and enjoy.

For more detailed information about the history of the Saxon Lutheran immigrants, there are two books highly reccommended for your reading pleasure and education. The first one is called, Zion on the Mississippi by Forester. It is a complete historical account of their voyage even before they left Germany and through the first years of establishing the Perry County settlements.

The second book is called, Except the Corn Die, by Koenig. This is a fictional story based on actual facts, so it is an easier read with lots of educational information about the area.

We also have a DVD/VHS documentary called "From Faith to Faith" that is available for purchase or can be ordered. This piece was filmed in Frohna, Altenburg and Wittenburg as the cast portrayed the prominent church leaders and local towns people to tell the story of the arrival, settlement and struggles of the Saxon immigrants to the area. It also shares the important message of unwavering faith in God that provided the Saxons with all the confidence and strength they needed to persevere and survive. All the cast members are local residents of East Perry County and did an excellent job of bringing this history to life.

Both books and DVD/VHS can be ordered through our gift shop by calling 573-824-5404.

Just a quick view from my window.

Now it's time to get back to work.

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven;...a time to embrace and a time to refrain.....a time to search and a time to give up......Whatever has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account." Ecc. 3:1, 5, 6, 15

God bless you with time to appreciate the past and admire where He has brought you to this day, filled with the abundance of His blessings

of joy & peace through His Son, Jesus Christ.

We graciously accept your prayers for God's continued guidance on how best to manage His property through the church and over the people who come to visit and see His fingerprints through history as He has blessed the sites and families of the Saxons for the last seven generations.

Q: What does a Stay-cation and the Saxon Lutheran Memorial have in common?

A: They both can happen right in your own backyard.

A stay-cation means being a tourist in your own town. Explore the sites like you have never seen them before - especially if you haven't. It's an engergizing, energy saving way to enjoy time with your family and be home in time for supper.

The Saxon Lutheran Memorial has many things to offer if you are looking for a way to take a one-tank trip. You can plan to:

*go tent camping in our newly upgraded park

*go fishing in our pond

*explore the grounds through the eye of your camera

*pack a picnic and enjoy eating outdoors

*bring the kids over - there's lots of room to run & play,

we'll even provide the old-fashioned toys

*learn something new by scheduling a tour

*learn something new by participating in a work day or

creating your own project

*have fun by planning an evening out around the

campfire - marshmellows & sticks provided

*bring your youth or adult church group for a one-day

retreat

*buy a souvenier from our gift shop

*go on a hike, see what nature has to offer each season

*bring the ingredients over for supper and cook in the

brick oven instead of yours - call ahead to schedule

*plant a flower bed, some vegetables or herbs, come pick

them at harvest time

*You decide - call ahead and see if it's acceptable

Visitors from around the world take time to visit the East Perry County area.

East Perry County welcomes visitors every day, both local and from all over the United states as they travel on vacation or bring tour groups here for a visit. We often will get individuals from other countries, too, who are interested in visiting a German settlement and leaning about the pioneer lifestyle that the Saxons lived upon their arrival.

In additon to the SLM historical site in Frohna, there are several other sites that complete the history of the area that guests will want to include on their travels.

*A "must-see" museum is the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum. This is the site of the first log cabin seminary built west of the Mississippi and where the famous Altenburg Debate took place to decide the fate of the new settlements. Across the street is the newly built modern museum and gift shop with numerous displays sharing rich history and amazing artifacts of the surrounding towns.

The museum in Altenburg is located just 2 miles east of the Saxon Lutheran Memorial on Highway A. They are open every day from 10am - 4pm. Please check their website for more details and special winter hours. www.altenburgmuseum.com

*One other historical stop to make is at the "Die Kleine Schule" (The Little School), just south of Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna on the same parking lot. Please call the SLM to make arrangements to have it opened for viewing.

East Perry County also is proud of the two wineries that are bookends of the area.

*Just past the Altenburg Heritage Center and Museum is the Tower Rock Winery as you continue toward Wittenburg on Highway A. It is located on the right side of the road just 1.5 miles past the museum. The owners Bob & Cheryl Breuer are the owners and will greet you with friendly smiles and lots of delicious choices. Dry wine is their specialty.

*When you leave the Saxon Lutheran Memorial and head north (turn right) onto Highway C you will travel 3 miles and come to the little town of Brazeau. You will soon see the quaint wine store called Hemman Winery on the left. They have a wonderful family story to share about the history of their wine making buisness. Their specialty is sweet wines and they make over 25 different varieties of fruit wines. Al and Dorothy Hemman are the owners of this fine establishment.

Just down the road from the winery is a quaint little house called Aunt Carrie's Tea House. It is available for lodging. It is NOT a bed and breakfast, but can graciously accomodate you for a quiet night's rest (or more) when you are in the area. There are 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, a fully stocked kitchen with utencils and appliances. All the linens are provided, the only thing you have to bring is food. Payment is accepted in the form of a free-will donation. Reservations are required to avoid double bookings. Please call Bonnie to make arrangements for your stay at

573-824-5394 or 573-824-6040 on the weekends.

Everyone listed here is a member of the organziation called, The East Pery County Community Alliance (EPPCA). Our mission and goal is to help prom0te each other in order to promote the entire area for tourism. Membership is open to businesses, historical sites, and individuals. If you find this of interest and would like to participate, please call the museum in Altenburg (573-824-6070) and ask for either Carla Jordan or Bob Schmidt.

*Our area is also dotted with very historic country churches that will take your breath away while filling you with inspiration and humbling your spirit as you step foot into God's house. As you experience a moment of awe and reverence, you can feel His presence in the same way the Saxons did knowing He was there to guide every step they took in order to worship Him how they desired; as the One True and Holy Triune God.

Concordia, Frohna 824-5435*

Trinity, Altenburg 824-5287*

Immanuel, Altenburg 824-5636

Salem, Farrar 824-5728

Zion, Crosstown 824-5728

Grace, Uniontown 788-2342*

Zion, Longtown 788-2342

Please call ahead to make arrangements to see each of the churches listed above, you are more than welcome to visit them all while you are in the area. (*indicates it is one of the churches of the original settlements)

Have you been to the gift shop lately?

Looking for a gift for the summer weddings,

showers, graduations and other

gift-giving ocassions?

You don't need to make an extra trip if you live in the area, just come on over and take a look.

Or if you are planning a visit, keep in mind those upcoming events and maybe we can help you take care of two things at once while you are here. Our shop features many hand-made items by our local artist and crafters such as these beautiful wooden bowls made by Charles Berry of Perryville. He and his wife were nominated

Artist of the Year for 2007.

And, of course, we always have our famous kettle cooked apple butter and molasses in stock.

We carry a number of books pertaining to the history of this area and about the immigration. Challenge yourself to read a book this summer and learn more about your family's heritage. Or take a cooking challenge and find a recipe just like Grandmas. My favorite is the Quick Coffeecake found on page G-9, and now it's also our family's favorite.

We even have items for the kids: t-shirts, pencils, jewelry and art books. New items will be here this fall such as:

old-fashioned toys and learning kits.

Saxon Lutheran Memorial

An outdoor history museum and log cabin village