The Parable of the mustard seed applies in the fullest to St. Our beginning was small, but through the Water of the Word, we grew through the years
The church was founded by a group of immigrants from Posen, Germany. Their story forms the basis of St. Luke. In 1871, a 17-year old lad by the name of Henry D. Kunkel, the fourth oldest in a family of twelve, left Germany and landed in Galveston, Tex
as in October. From there Henry went to Brenham to find work as a stable boy. With his financial help, five other members of his family arrived in Galveston in 1873. They were his parents, William and Caroline Kunkel with two sons, Julius and Adolph, and one daughter, Emma, who also went to Brenham to make their home. In 1874, the rest of the family followed. This group was comprised of five other sons, Gustav and his family, Wilhelm, Leopold, Albert, and Emil, and one daughter, Emilie. All made their home in Brenham. Here they lived until 1881. While residing at Brenham they were not affiliated with any church. In 1881, the exodus began to North Texas. They came in two groups at different times. The first group included most of the family came and was led by Henry and his parents. The second group was comprised of Leopold's family and Emilie with her husband William Bernhardt and children. All settled at Salt Creek in Young County. There was no town at that time by the name of Olney. There were no schools, churches, or cemeteries. Here also they lived without church affiliation. In 1884, William Bernhardt recieved a visitor from Lee County, his cousin, William Meisner, a bachelor. He brought with a Bible, a prayer book, and a devotional book. With the aid of these books the Kunkel families resolved to assemble in their rock and log cabins for religious services. Henry conducted the reading services. Sunday school was also introduced. Henry instructed the seniors, and Leopold the juniors. Thus, the Kunkel Families regularly had their reading services and Sunday school.