History of Palm Valley Lutheran Church
Our Pioneer Heritage 1838-1905 
In 1838, a 22 year-old immigrant from the province of Smaland in Sweden, Swen Magnus Swenson, arrived in Galveston, Texas. Making his home in Austin, he became a wealthy land owner and cotton producer. He would go on to develop an empire of mercantile, banking, and ranching enterprises. In 1847, Mr. Swenson returned to Sweden to try to persuade his relatives and friends to come to Texas. In exchange for one year's labor for Mr. Swenson, he would provide financing for their immigration to Texas. The following year, a group of 25 Swedish immigrants arrived in Texas -- among them the families of Anders Palm and Gustav Palm.
The Palm families first settled on S. M. Swenson's plantation in Richmond, Fort Bend County, near Houston. Anders Palm, one of S. M. Swenson's uncles, had died due to unwholesome climate the year after their arrival. His wife, Anna, was left alone with six sons -- Johannes, Carl, Andrew, August, William, and Henning -- for whom to provide. Anna Palm and five of her sons moved in 1853 to what is now Palm Valley, north of Brushy Creek. Upon arriving, the family lived in tents as it was impossible to rent or buy a house. After the first winter the family bought 400 acres of land north of Round Rock and built themselves a blockhouse. Anna Palm was a resolute and enterprising woman who was like a mother to the young Swedish newcomers who soon followed the first group of Swedes to Texas.
The Arvid Nelson family was the second family to have an important roll in the history of Palm Valley. After a four month sailing journey from Sweden, Arvid Nelson and his family landed in Port Lavaca in 1854. The Nelsons spent the first winter on the coast, but found the place unsuitable for farming. Among the few possessions the family had brought with them were a handloom and a wagon. Mr. Nelson bought a yoke of oxen, and the family traveled in their wagon to Williamson County, where they settled between Palm Valley and Georgetown. Arvid Nelson and his wife, Anna Lena, had two sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Andrew, built several wagons, bought oxen, and started hauling freight to the Gulf ports. During the later years of the Civil War, Andrew and August were both in the transport service of the army. Andrew received his pay in gold, which he hid in nail kegs and sent to his home, where the kegs were buried. When the war was over in 1865, the brothers returned home and took up farming and cattle ranching.
During the years following the Civil War, S. M. Swenson, Andrew Nelson, and other pioneers were instrumental in providing passage for other friends and relatives in Sweden who wanted to come to America. Swenson literally set up a travel agency with his brother, Johannes, as an agent in Barkeyds Parish in Sweden, through which work contracts were made. In exchange for one year of work, their travel expenses were paid.
"I worked off my passage at the Palm's (or the Swenson's or the Nelson's)," was a phrase often heard in Swedish. This growing group of Swedish immigrants first worshipped in a log cabin erected in 1861 by Andrew John Nelson and three of his hired men, Carl Klint, Gottfried Anderson, and C. J. Swahn. The log cabin was also used as a school. The first church at Palm Valley was organized November 27, 1870, and was called Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Brushy Congregation. A Finnish pastor, the Rev. D. N. Tillman, was the first pastor of the congregation of 62 men, 33 women, and 61 children. Records indicate Rev. Tillman delivered his farewell sermon on April 21, 1872, after a sometimes colorful and controversial ministry.
All of Anna Palm's sons were sent to join the Confederate Army except the youngest, Henning, who died in 1863. When asked where her son should be buried, Anna responded, "Under the tallest oak tree there." Thus began the Palm Valley Lutheran Cemetery. After the war, Anna Palm wrote S. M. Swenson and requested that the land where Henning was buried be designated as a cemetery. Also, she wrote that she wished he would donate enough acreage for a church and school. In June, 1871, just over 21 acres were donated by S. M. Swenson to the Swedish Lutheran Church Association. The first trustees for the association were Arvid Nelson, Daniel Hurd, Andrew J. Palm and C. A. Engstrand.
In 1872, a second church was built to replace the little log church during the ministry of Norwegian pastor, Rev. O. O. Estrem. Plans were drawn by Andrew John Nelson, and lumber was hauled by oxen from Austin. In 1875, the church became affiliated with the Augustana Lutheran Synod. The mission Board sent Pastor J. O. Cavallin to serve the congregation for an interim period. In 1876, Pastor Martin Noyd was called to Palm Valley, as the first resident pastor. In March, 1876, ten students comprised the first class to be confirmed in the church. The first parsonage was built that same year. In 1882, the frame church was enlarged and a bell tower added.
 The white frame church was also used as a school until the consolidation of Palm Valley school and Stoney Point school which was located a few miles east. In 1883, an additional five acres of land north of the cemetery were donated by Hedda Sandahl.
The cornerstone of the present church was laid June 19, 1894, during the pastorate of the Rev. Gustaf Berglund. The church was dedicated April 12, 1896, as Brushy Lutheran Church. The church, of red compressed brick, was built by the Belford Lumber Company of Georgetown, Texas, at a cost of $10,000, and was fully paid for upon completion. Gothic in style, it is 70 feet long and 40 feet wide. Quoting from the original Swedish minutes, "it was to have a steeple to be seen far and wide." This specification was truly carried out and the original iron cross still stands atop the steeple. The primary woods used in the construction of the church are native oak and yellow pine. The interior wainscoating and vaulted beaded ceiling are made of yellow pine and are beautifully preserved. The original stained glass windows were of predominately blue and yellow colors (not coincidentally, the colors of the Swedish flag!) Upon completion of the red brick sanctuary, the old church was moved near the new structure to be used as a parish hall.
Pastor Berglund continued to serve until his death in 1899, and is one of two Palm Valley pastors buried in the church cemetery. R. P. Axsell served as pastor form 1899 to 1905.
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In 1905, a young man, O. M. Bloom, served the congregation during the summer and at Christmas. After his ordination as a pastor, he arrived at Palm Valley and preached his first sermon the first Sunday of July, 1906. This was to begin the longest pastorate of any minister thus far at Palm Valley -- from July 1906 to August 1921, when he left to serve a church in Minnesota, and returned in August, 1936, to serve until April 1, 1957 --a total of nearly 36 years. A second parsonage was completed just after Pastor Bloom arrived in 1906. In 1907, a plot of 27 acres was given to the church by Gustav Nelson. This plot of land was located south of Highway 79.
Pastor Bloom served the church during World War 1, and also acted as chaplain of the Eight Infantry Regiment of the Texas National Guard. The church's service flag has forty-six blue stars representing those in the various military branches, plus two red crosses for nurses and Chaplain's cross for Pastor Bloom. Three of the blue stars were replaced by gold ones for the three sons of the church who died in the war.
Pastor Oscar Nelson came to Palm Valley in 1922 from Osage City, Kansas. In 1926, the minutes of the annual congregational meeting were written in English rather than Swedish. In this report, Pastor Nelson spoke of the two hard years the congregation had just passed -- 1925 had brought a crop failure and 1926 a slump in cotton prices. Even so, the parish hall was rebuilt and a kitchen and rest room added in 1928. Two services, one in English and one in Swedish, had been held every Sunday morning during 1927, but had proven unsatisfactory. From 1928 to 1938, services where held in Swedish and in English, alternating each Sunday. On February 22, 1929, Pastor Nelson organized what has become an annual tradition -- the first Brotherhood Banquet -- prepared and served by the women of the church. The men in surrounding towns as well as those of our community and of all denominations attend this yearly banquet.
In 1931, Pastor C. E. Carlstrom was called to be Palm Valley's pastor. The effects of the Great Depression were felt at Palm Valley as well as the rest of the country. Pastor Carlstrom, in January 1932, asked that his yearly salary be reduced from $1,800 to $1,500. This was gratefully accepted by the congregation. Today, a quilt made by the women of the church for Pastor and Mrs. Carlstrom hangs in the parish hall -- a gift to the congregation from the Carlstrom family. Pastor Carlstrom served the congregation until 1935, when Dr. A. L. Scott was called to serve as vice pastor until a permanent pastor could arrive. In 1936, at the annual congregational meeting it was voted "to produce the incorporation of this congregation under the laws of the State of Texas under the name of Palm Valley Evangelical Lutheran Church ..." Other changes were in store for the congregation, as 1936 was also the year electricity arrived at Palm Valley.
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In April 1936, Pastor O. M. Bloom was called a second time to be Palm Valley's pastor. During 1939, Swedish services were held only the first Sunday of the month. Pastor Bloom reported that the service was not very well attended as it only reached those who understood the language. In 1941, all services were conducted in English. In suggesting this, Pastor Bloom stated, "Let us therefore cut the apron strings which tie us to a foreign country and worship God in the language of the country in which we are loyal citizens."
This loyalty was soon to be proven by the members of our congregation along with those of the whole nation, as this was the beginning of World War II. In 1942, another service flag was dedicated, and by the end of the war, one red cross, one gold star and ninety blue stars covered this flag, representing those from this congregation in the service. In 1945, the congregation celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of the organization of the church, as well as the end of the war. There has been a special anniversary observance every five years since then.
In 1948, natural gas was installed in the church, parish hall, and parsonage, replacing the coal and wood burning stoves. On April 22, 1951, the new Wicks organ was played at a worship service for the first time. The organ purchase had been sponsored by the Luther League (youth group) at a cost of $8,280. The chimes, given by the Martha Society, cost $498.96. The front of the church (chancel area) was renovated and the church was re-wired during this time.
In January, 1954, at the annual business meeting, it was voted to begin raising funds for a new parish hall. Estimated cost of the building was $30,000. Construction began in January 1955, and through donations of labor, materials, and work done by the men of the congregation, was completed at a cost of $17,000. The new parish hall was dedicated at the eighty-fifth anniversary observance. At this observance, the stained-glass chancel window given by Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Nelson in memory of his parents, Hedvig and Andrew John Nelson, also was dedicated.
Pastor Bloom retired from his pastorate at Palm Valley on April 1, 1957, after nearly 36 years of service. Pastor Bloom had lead this congregation through two World Wars, from Swedish services to English, through droughts and crop failures and good years of farming, and presided at numerous baptisms, weddings, funerals, and worship services.
Mrs. Bloom had served as organist, and had translated early Swedish records and minutes of the church to English, adding much to the history of our church. Along with other women in the community, Mrs. Bloom helped to organize the community World Day of Prayer. In honor of Pastor and Mrs. Bloom, the congregation gave the "Easter Window," a beautiful stained-glass window depicting the resurrection story. Pastor Bloom was the second pastor to be buried in the church cemetery.
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Over a period from early 1950's through the early 1980's eleven more leaded art glass windows were designed and are gifts given by families and bequests. Black Art Glass Company of San Antonio constructed all thirteen windows. Every worshiper at Palm Valley is indebted to the donors of these windows for their beauty and the thousand sermons which they contain. The fourteenth window, the "Pioneer Window," is preserved in its original state as a tribute to the faithful pioneers of Palm Valley's early history.
Following the retirement of Pastor Bloom, the old two story parsonage was torn down, and a new red brick, ranch style parsonage was built in 1957.
In September, 1957, Pastor Emerson Urelius came to Palm Valley from Minnesota. The Junior League, an organization for 6th through 8th graders, was formed shortly after the Urelius's arrival. In March, 1959, Palm Valley was host to the Texas Conference of the Augustana Church. Our congregation began using the red Service Book and Hymnal this same year. The church celebrated its 90th anniversary November 27, 1960. In 1963, the Augustana Lutheran Church merged with three other Lutheran bodies to form the new Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran body in the nation. The Parish Hall had been air conditioned in 1962, and in 1968 air conditioning was added to the church building. Pastor Urelius continued to serve Palm Valley during this time of change until 1969. Total baptized membership of 532 was recorded in January 1969.
Palm Valley's next pastor, the Rev. Oliver M. Berglund, arrived on August 1, 1969, from a pastorate in San Antonio. The grandson of former Palm Valley pastor, Gustaf Berglund, Pastor "B," as he was affectionately called, served the congregation for 23 years during a period of significant growth and change for our church and the Round Rock community. In 1970, the centennial year of our congregation, an addition to the parish hall was completed and appropriately named the "Centennial Hall." That same year the church building qualified for and was awarded the official State of Texas Historical Medallion. The bell from Trinity Lutheran College in Round Rock was Moved to Palm Valley in 1970, and is now situated at the entry to the church.
 The church cemetery was expanded in 1974 to include the area east of the road which encircles the "Old Cemetery," and is once again being enlarged in 1995. A major restoration project on the church was completed in 1980, with repairs to the steeple and re-pointing of every brick on the building. Improvements to the beautiful "Oak Grove" area included lighting, picnic area, sport court, and softball field.
In 1977, Pastor Alfred Toerne became Palm Valley's first Associate Pastor, serving until 1980. A small office complex was constructed next to the Parish Hall in 1980 to accommodate the growing staff. Following the addition to the church in 1986, this building was then moved to the Oak Grove area and is currently the "Youth Hut."
The Palm Valley congregation became active in the resettlement of people from Southeast Asia following the Viet Nam war, sponsoring two families. One of these families continue to be active members of our congregation and community.
Palm Valley Lutheran Cooperative Preschool was organized in September 1982, and, though it is a separate entity from Palm Valley Lutheran Church, is housed in the church facilities. The pre school meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and our pastors provide "chapel" services for the children. The Preschool has built a playscape in the Oak Grove for the use of all children at Palm Valley.
A second worship service was added in January 1979, at 8:00 Sunday mornings due to over crowding at the 10:45 a.m. service.
Radio broadcasts of the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service began in February 1972, over station KGTN of Georgetown. When this station went off the air, the 8:00 a.m. service was aired by radio station KTAE of Taylor. This broadcast continues today with an audience of faithful listeners.
In 1979, a bequest of 41% undvided interest in 427.956 acres of the Palm Estate located about a mile northeast of the church was made to Palm Valley Lutheran Church. This land was sold to the City of Round Rock and the Williamson County Old Settlers Association in 1986. These two entities purchased additional acreage from the Palm family to create The Old Settlers park at Palm Valley.
From the proceeds of this sale, the Palm Valley Endowment Fund of $3,183,816.68 was established in 1986. Through the income of this Endowment, Palm Valley Lutheran Church has been able to assist in funding many projects of the Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Round Rock community at large. One of the policies of this Endowment stipulates that "Both principal and income are to be administered in such a way that they do not diminish the joy and responsibility of the current support and involvement of the congregation .... that a certain percent of the income from the gift be used for local causes and outreach and a certain percent be used for denominational and/or ecumenical causes as agreed upon..." The Palm family continues their history of giving to the church and community in ways which Anna Palm and her sons could only have dreamed!
In 1982, the Engstrand Estate gave to the church a 4.5 acre tract of land just south of the parsonage extending to the Highway 79 right-of-way. The Xenia Voight and Kathleen Payne Endowments were established in December 1984, in the amount of $20,000 each. The interest from these endowments has been used to purchase computer systems. In 1990, the Voight and Payne Gift Account was established with gifts of $10,000 from each. These monies have funded a variety of improvements to the church, including a trumpet stop for the organ, a Risograph for the office in 1993, and an upgraded sound system in 1994.
The Berkman Scholarship Fund was established in December 1972, by Anton Berkman in memory of his parents. Only the interest may be used and must go toward a scholarship for someone preparing for a church related vocation. If Palm Valley doesn't have such a person, the interest goes to the Synod with the same stipulation.
Pastor Clarence Hagens joined the Palm Valley staff as Associate Pastor in 1983, serving through 1988. Continuing to plan for future growth of the church, Palm Valley purchased in 1984 approximately three acres of land to the west of the road leading to the church, and transacted a land "swap" which added almost 11 acres adjacent to land already owned by the church located south of Highway 79.
Beginning in 1985, plans were made for the largest building expansion since the construction of the red brick sanctuary in 1896. This addition to the church included an expanded narthex area joining the church building to the existing parish hall, the second wing of educational classrooms, an office complex, and the "Palm Room" for a multitude of activities including choir practices, large meetings, and an area for the Palm Valley Quilters to work. Through careful planning with the architect and builder, similar architectural styles were incorporated and red brick closely matching that on the church building was used. The total cost of the 11,540 square foot project was $511,000.00. The note for this project was paid off in June 1988, and the congregation is now debt free. Additional paved parking was added for the growing congregation which in 1986 numbered 1009 baptized members.
In 1987, the Lutheran Church in America merged with the American Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to which Palm Valley now belongs.
Pastor Elroy Haverlah was called in 1989 to serve as Associate Pastor at Palm Valley. Also, in 1989, Palm Valley began internship program with the Lutheran Seminary of the Southwest which would continue for the next four years. Those who interned at Palm Valley included Lucinda Zesch, Kim Little-Brooks, Walter (Wally) Schievelbein, and Rudy Espinosa. These interns not only furthered their own education careers, but were an important part of the ministry to the people of Palm Valley. In April 1992, the congregation gave approval for the purchase of 8.2 acres of land immediately west of the Palm Valley property.
Pastor Berglund led this growing congregation through development of new programs and formation of new groups to address the various needs of the people. Not only were his leadership abilities appreciated at Palm Valley, but by the entire community of Round Rock, as he was named Citizen of the Year in 1990. His record of community service included the United Way, the Williamson County YMCA, the Round Rock Museum Association, The Kiwanis Club, the Round Rock ISD, and the Round Rock Community Hospital. In July 1992, Pastor Berglund decided to pursue the ministry at a more "relaxed" pace by choosing to retire after 23 years of ministry at Palm Valley. His ministerial record included officiating at 501 baptisms, 501 funerals, 358 weddings and countless sermons, committee meetings and counseling sessions. Membership had grown to 1,201 baptized and 838 confirmed in 1992.
Pastor Elroy Haverlah was called as the Administrative Pastor in August 1992. Pastor Walter Wiklund came to Palm Valley as Interim Pastor at this same time, and in June 1993 was called to serve as the fourth Associate Pastor to serve this congregation. A new staff position was created in July 1993, when Marc Hander became Palm Valley's Youth Director. A 15 passenger van was purchased in 1993 for use by the various groups "on-the-go" at Palm Valley. A new sign with brick matching the sanctuary was erected at the entrance to the church property at Highway 79 in 1994.
As Palm Valley Lutheran Church continues its ministry to a growing community of varied ethnic backgrounds, "serving" takes on new and varied definitions. Palm Valley is a pilot church for the Stephen Ministries Christ Care Small Group Ministries program, and continues to be active in Lutheran World Relief and the Round Rock Serving Center. Members are also active in a new outreach to the elderly in our community through Round Rock CareGivers, as well as a continuing ministry to residents of Trinity Lutheran Home. A third Sunday morning worship service, the contemporary "Rejoice" service at 9:30 a.m., began in April 1995. Our youth, along with adult sponsors, have made several mission trips to Mexico to share God's love and their labor at various churches and orphanages there. A Long Range Planning Committee has been appointed to study Palm Valley's current programs, facilities and needs, and make recommendations for the future growth and ministry of the congregation into the 21st century. Presently there are 1,218 baptized and 826 confirmed members of Palm Valley.
Over the years, Palm Valley has had the special joy of seeing five sons of the congregation be ordained in the ministry. They are: J. Alfred Anderson, Carl Linder, Emory Pokrant, Terrance Michael, and Jimmy Madsen.
Palm Valley celebrated it's 125th anniversary in November 1995. They gave thanks for God's continuing blessings to the congregation through an Anniversary Offering which was given to a new Lutheran mission congregation, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, in the Wells Branch area. We recognize the faith and stewardship of our early members and our members today and God's infinite grace and mercy as we strive to share His Word with others. Our Anniversary theme was "God -- our help in ages past, our hope for years to come."
Palm Valley history from 1995 thru 2010
Rev. Elroy Haverlah was called to Palm Valley in 1989 as Associate Pastor to serve with Pastor Berglund. Upon Pastor Berglund's retirement in 1992, Pastor Haverlah was called as Senior Pastor. He served this congregation for 20 years.
Other pastors serving since then are the following:
Walter Wiklund Aug. 1993 – Oct. 1996
Merrill Carlson Feb. 1997 – Jan. 1998 (interim pastor)
Mary Kaiser Feb. 1998 – July 2000
Merle Franke Nov. 2000 – June 2002 (interim pastor)
Gary Morgan-Gohlke June 2002 – June 2005
Peggy Adams March 2006 – (contract)
Joaquin Figueroa April 2006 - (contract)
A third worship service was added to the Sunday morning schedule on Easter Sunday, 1995. The aim of this service was to reach out to those who enjoyed a more contemporary and informal setting. The “Rejoice” service was held at 9:30 a.m. in the sanctuary and later in the Christian Life Center.
In 2000 the Council felt that Palm Valley needed a professional Church Administrator to handle the business of the church freeing the Sr. Pastor’s time to focus on the ministry of the church. The role of the Administrator was to handle Business Management of the church including; Finances, Property, Personnel, Cemetery, and to serve as liaison between governing authorities on behalf of the congregation. In February 2001, Mollie (Coggin) DeVries was hired as the first Executive Administrator.
In January of 2003, the Christian Life Center, along with renovation and additional offices, was dedicated after many months of planning and construction. This enabled the contemporary worship service to be held in that space, while the two traditional worship services continued to be held in the sanctuary.
On Easter Sunday, April 8, 2006, the first Spanish-speaking worship service was held under the leadership of Pastor Joaquin Figueroa.
Following the retirement of Pastor Haverlah in August 2008, Pastor Mark Gruebmeyer came to serve the congregation as Interim Sr. Pastor. Pastor Gruebmeyer led the congregation thru the process of identifying our needs for a new Senior Pastor and served us well during that year’s process.
In July 2009, the Rev. Dr. David Koppel was called to serve as the new Sr. Pastor and began his ministry on September 1, 2010. His vitality and warm personality has quickly endeared him to the congregation. The vision he brings to the church will help to grow the congregation as we move forward into the future.
Over the years, Palm Valley has had the special joy of seeing six sons of the congregation be ordained into the ministry: J. Alfred Anderson, Carl Linder, Emory Operant, Terrance Michael, Jimmy Madsen, and Stephen Haverlah.
A beautiful oak grove is part of the land complex of about 50 acres that includes a tennis court, playscape and baseball field. A cooperative preschool was organized in 1982 and continues to provide an important service to the community.
Palm Valley Lutheran Church is rich in history and tradition, yet recognizes its mission in the future, not only in our community but into the world. The steeple reaches to the sky holding high the cross of Christ as a beacon for miles around proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. Our Mission Statement, adopted in 1996, serves as a reminder of our purpose for existence as His church:
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called
to invite people to know Christ,
to build a community of faith, and
to serve all in love to the glory of God!
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Acknowledgments
In compiling this history of Palm Valley Lutheran Church, excerpts of previous histories of the church written by Marcia Lindahl, Margaret Peterson, and Teddy Behrens were used. Additional information was gained through information recorded by Grace Telander and Pastor Oliver Berglund, as well as the minutes and records of Palm Valley Lutheran Church. A special "Thank You!" to Debbie Seawell and Katherine Wallin for their assistance in gathering more recent data.
The 1995 History Book Committee:
Jan Behrens
Howard Widmer
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