Wends of Texas

[2] Resisting the merger of Lutheranism and Calvinism being forced by the national church, this group, comprising members of many congregations and villages, met at Dauban[3] on March 23, 1854, to make decisions on what was to be done.

After setting sail, they were forced to drop anchor at Queenstown, Ireland, to have the ship quarantined and the disease complete its cycle.

Finding the largest city of Texas (at that time) beset by yellow fever, they hurriedly continued on to Houston (then about half the size of Galveston).

Ultimately arriving in present-day Lee County, they founded the Low Pin Oak Settlement (now Serbin, Texas).

The Wendish valued strong work ethic and having emigrated seeking liberty, did not feel it necessary to participate in slave ownership.

[6] Several Wendish men fought in 1st Battalion Infantry, Waul's Texas Legion, having been recruited by a Captain Robert Voigt, Company C. The unit was eventually captured and sent to detainment by federal troops in 1863 at Yazoo City.

[7] Expanding land and economic opportunities enticed many to start new Wendish communities and churches throughout Texas and gradually throughout the United States.

[10] The towns and surrounding areas of Serbin, Warda, and Giddings are still composed largely of descendants of the original Lusatian pioneers; though without many Wendish speaking pastors, the culture largely exists today in the Texas Wendish Heritage Museum, which continues to publish a newsletter, hosts the annual Wendish Festival,[11] organizes trips for Wends to visit the Domowina, and is open throughout the year with special events, in Serbin, celebrating the traditions and history of the Wends.

The 3000+ artifacts, documents, and original log buildings of Johann Killian and his congregation serve as the chief voice of this bygone era.

The festival has grown to be a premiere celebration of Wendish culture, with attendants from all over the world gathering to share their stories, eat Wendish noodles and streusel coffee cake,[15] participate in cross-cut saw and other traditional competitions, and keep alive the way of life brought from Lusatia.