Bethlehem Lutheran Seeks Help to Restore Historic Windows
Bethlehem Lutheran Church is one of Round Top’s most historical and precious buildings. It’s been a part of the community for the past 160 years. It is one of the oldest stone churches in Texas and has been holding services continually since 1866 and holds national and Texas designations as a historic landmark. The church is always open to the public for viewing of its’ German architectural style and historic design. Sunday morning church services, weddings, funerals, and baptisms are all still held inside the church. The church narthex also serves as a collection hub for the community as a place where food items can always be dropped off for the AMEN Food Pantry of Fayette County.
Unfortunately, the beautiful stained-glass windows in the church are showing disturbing signs of aging, separation, cracking, damage, and structural failings. These issues will eventually lead to broken glass and safety concerns. Members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church feel obligated to protect and preserve the integrity of this historic building and the heritage with which they have been entrusted.
Foster Stained Glass Studio from Bryan has been enlisted to help. They are a family-owned business specializing in custom religious stained-glass windows and historic restoration. They have proposed three phases, starting with the windows in the worst condition. Each window will be removed, photographed, and restored (including cleaning and waterproofing). There are 16 windows to be restored. Each individual window will run $5,000.
Church and community members are seeking financial support to help with this project by asking if anyone would like to sponsor a window or contribute a donation towards the repairs. Each family’s generous support will be recognized with a permanent plaque on the frame. This is a wonderful way to have your family name honored and remembered as a key participant in the preservation of this beautiful historic church. Some grant assistance is also being sought.
For more information, to donate, or to sponsor a window, please contact the Bethlehem Lutheran Church office at 979) 249-3686 or email blc@cvctx.com.
Volunteers, Docents Needed
The Round Top Festival Institute is now accepting applications for its Volunteer and Docent Program beginning Tuesday, Sept. 15, on the historic Festival Hill campus in Round Top. The program features a six-week course covering the history of the Institute and the distinctive features of the Festival Concert Hall and campus buildings. Designed to be engaging and welcoming, the course offers a great opportunity to meet others in the community. Library and Museum Collections Curator, Lamar Lentz, will lead the classes. Course dates will be Sept. 15 and 20, Oct. 13, Nov. 3 and 17, and Dec. 8. Classes are from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. with lunch provided. For more information and application details, please contact the Round Top Festival Institute at (979) 249-3129 or email stephaniev@ festivalhill.org.
Round Top DYD Club
The Do Your Duty Club will hold their annual Membership Appreciation Dinner, formerly referred to as Christmas in July Dinner, at Busted Oak Cellars on Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. Members only will have a short business meeting at 6 p.m. and then afterwards, enjoy an evening of fellowship. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Booster Club Fundraiser
The 3rd Annual Round Top-Carmine Booster Club Shrimp Boil Fundraiser is just around the corner, and they only have a limited number of tables and individual tickets left. If you’ve been planning to attend, now is the time to reserve your spot. A table for eight is $700 and individual tickets are $90 each. This fun event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Round Top Rifle Hall. There will be a happy hour at 5 p.m. with the meal being served at 6 p.m. There will also be a live and silent auction, a DJ, and entertainment following the auction. All profits help support all the Round Top-Carmine ISD Athletics. To reserve your table or buy tickets, call or text (979) 203-4343 or email amy@bluebonnetabstract. com.
St. Paul Lutheran Church St. Paul Lutheran Church in Shelby invites all to join them for their annual service in their Historic Church, which is located across from their main sanctuary at 6814 Skull Creek Road in Shelby. This special service will take place on Sept. 27 at 8 a.m. They remind us that it is a historic country church with no air conditioning, but the windows will be open, and you are encouraged to bring a fan. After the service, there will be fellowship and bingo in the main education building. Hamburgers will be served after bingo. If you plan to stay for lunch, RSVP to Verlyne Aschenbeck at (979) 250-1442 before Sept. 20.
Round Top Family Library There are still a few spots available in fall classes at Round Top Family Library. Classes include chess, Taekwondo, art, guitar, ballet, Shakespeare, creative writing, fiber arts, ukulele, sign language and gardening. Visit the Library’s website for program details and registration information.
Round Top Family Library will host a free Security and Self-Defense Seminar on Aug. 29 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. led by instructor David McCall. Participants will learn essential safety tips and techniques covering home security, travel security and self-defense. Participants must be age 16 or older and registration is required. Call (979) 249-2700 to register.
Looking to stay active? Round Top Family Library offers free fitness classes five days a week for all fitness levels. The weekly schedule includes yoga on Mondays at 5 p.m. and Wednesdays at 9 a.m., muscle/core training on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., and chair yoga on Thursdays at 9 a.m. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to maintain your fitness routine, everyone is welcome. Bring a towel and water bottle and come ready to move. All classes are free and open to the public.
The library is always looking for individuals to join its energetic and enthusiastic volunteer team. From helping in children’s programs, gardening, event planning and more, there are opportunities for every interest level. For more information, visit the library’s website at http://www. ilovetoread.org and click on the “Help the Library” tab, or call (979) 249-2700 for more information.
Locals Travel
Scott and Lori Schultz recently took a trip from Aug. 18-24 to celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary. They flew into Calgary and stayed in Canmore, Lake Louise, Jasper, and Banff. They especially enjoyed the cooler temperatures and seeing the beautiful turquoise mountain lakes on their hikes.
Round Top Travel Company traveled to Scotland from Aug. 7-17. Highlights of the trip were the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Orkney Island, Dunrobin Castle, Glasgow, Inverness, and watching a sheepdog demonstration. The favorite experience of all was attending The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which takes place every August on the open-air Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. The event is an annual series of military music, dance, and grand performances. It features international armed forces, massed bagpipes, precision marching, and light shows. Locals on the trip were Dennis and Sandy Crum, and Terry and Yvonne Jackson.
Round Top American Legion On Thursday, Sept. 3, the next meeting of the American Legion Quade-Werchan Post #338 and Auxiliary will be held at their facilities located at 1503 N. St. Hwy. 237 in Round Top.
There will be a 5 p.m. social hour, 5:45 p.m. catered meal, and a 6:30 p.m. meeting. All post and auxiliary members are requested to bring a dessert of their choice to share. Reservations are required for the meal and can be made through an email to bockhorn7402@hotmail.com, or by calling (979) 451-0624.
Post members are reminded that their 2027 annual dues of $40 are now due. Upon submitting payment, they will be receiving their membership cards.
Auxiliary members are reminded that their 2027 annual dues of $31 are now due. Members are also requested to bring supplies for the care packages that will be sent to members of our armed forces.
Round Top Rifle Hall
The 2026 Schutzenfest will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20. It will be an evening of traditional German fun at the Round Top Rifle Hall.
Sunday Church Services Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Round Top, at 9:30 a.m.; Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Round Top, at 10:30 a.m.; Round Top Church Christian Fellowship, Round Top, at 10 a.m.; St. Cecilia’s Episcopal Church, Round Top, at 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Warrenton, at 8:30 a.m.; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shelby, at 8 a.m.
Celebrations
Happy birthday wishes to Wendy Beaver, Sophie Moore-Aug. 27; Bradley Smith, Cindy Weidemann, Brenda Ahlschlager, Roy Pieper-28; Macie Boyd, Andrew Faske, Carl Schobel-29; Bradley Wunderlich-30; Chad Tiemann, Ed Gage-31; Jeanette Schoenst, Terry Huebner-Sept. 1; Thomas Fricke-2; Happy anniversary wishes to Joe and Tina Morrow-Aug. 27, Happy 49th Anniversary to Charles and Peggy Marburger-Aug. 27.
Have News?
Round Top area, please send any news you wish to share to SherryPen@icloud. com by Monday morning for the following Friday’s paper.
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