Saxon Lutheran Memorial

An outdoor history museum and log cabin village
Home     About Us     Contact Us     Site Map     What's New & Who's Who     SLM Fall Festival     Bergt Family      

Take a look around.......and you'll see the May storm hit us pretty hard. 

 

We were blessed and spared any harsh damages.  As you can see the damage is mostly trees and a few scattered concrete tiles. 

Still in all it is pretty impressive to see the fury of the storm and the protection of God side by side.

Almost all of it is cleaned up, the area still being worked on is the park which took a huge hit with about 1/3 of it gone.

Bob and  Janet Schuessler have been warriors in working diligently to get it cleaned up.  What would we do without them?

THANK YOU, BOB & JANET, SO VERY MUCH!!!

                                                                     

 

                               

                                                                                                                              ..... and then there's Doyle's poor truck.

                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                     Oh, well, like he said - 

                                                                                                                                  "Happy Birthday, Doyle!"    

   

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 residential 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.
         Easter Morning Sunrise 2009

 
Now it's time to Praise and thank God.
He has risen!  He has risen, indeed, Alleluia!
 
"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 what will work.
                             
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.  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 one of the finest wineries in the area: 
 
*Hemman Winery - 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.  Dorothy Hemman and their sons are the owners of this fine establishment.  Our sincere condolences to their families for the recent loss of Al who recently left this earthly life for his eternal and glorious life in heaven .
 
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.
 
Now Open!  Now Open!  Now Open!
A new Bed & Breakfast is open for business!  It is located a few miles(7) up the road from the Saxon Memorial in Farrar, MO.  The Eggers & Co General Store Bed & Breakfast is owned and operated by Steve & Ellen Frye.  The store, which was Ellen's grandfather's, has been beautifully restored and renovated.  It has tidbits of local history scattered around along with a story or two.  It has 3 rooms available all with private baths.  Great home cooking will get your morning started right with local delicacies to tempt your tastebuds.  It will be available for reservations on Friday and Saturday nights.  The phone number is: 573-824-5271.
 
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 President, Bill Bock at home at: 573-824-5875.  Monthly meetings are held at the SLM on the first Wednesday of the month at 9am.  The public is welcome to attend.
 
*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)