Johann Kilian, Pastor

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His most recent study is of Johann Kilian the religious leader of the Texas Wends who generally has been identified as the symbol of that community. As a university graduate, Kilian was by far the most educated member of the group and many of his letters and documents have been preserved. He accepted the call of the Wendish leaders to become the pastor of the congregation which would provide the cohesion for the community in Texas. This study is the examination of his life which led up to the call and then to his life in Texas. In spite of his prominence, his will did not always prevail, and he was subject to the democratically arrived-at decisions of the congregational assembly. Nevertheless, his biography serves not only as the study of an important person, but it also parallels the history of the Wendish community in Texas.