On July 1, 1851, a group of Lutherans under Pastor Caspar Messon Braun (1822–1880) founded Erste Deutsche Evangelische Lutherische Kirche (First German Evangelical Lutheran Church), with the state of Texas issuing a charter in September of that year.

The first church, a wood frame building, was built at the southeast corner of Texas Avenue and Milam Street.

[3] In 1901, the congregation, led by Pastor William L. Blasberg (1862–1935), built a new red brick and sandstone church at the northwest corner of Texas Avenue and Caroline Street.

[3] In 1926, the congregation, under Pastor Detlev Baltzer (1889–1962), hired architect Joseph W. Northrop Jr to design a new sanctuary and campus in the 1300 block of Homan Street.

The general contractor was James West, with J. C. Nolan and Star Electric and Engineering company being subcontracts.