St. Louis German Organizations

Overview

St. Louis has a large and active German-American community with a long and rich history.  Through the latter half of the nineteenth century many people from Germany settled in this area, and here they built a prosperous settlement in that part of the city that is known as the Soulard District. In this new settlement,  the people continued to speak German, founded German businesses, built German churches, established a German newspaper, and constructed monuments that recalled their German heritage.  The people also formed organizations that helped them preserve their culture and customs.

Many of the organizations that were created in those early days of the St. Louis German settlement remain in existence today.  Over time, these founding groups have been supplemented by other, newer associations, like St. Louis - Stuttgart Sister Cities.   Together, in cooperation, all of these continue to this day to act as a powerful cultural force, uniting the many, varied members of the St. Louis German-American community.

Apart from St. Louis - Stuttgart Sister Cities, here are some of the other main German-American organizations that can be found in St. Louis.

If you are interested in any of these or other St. Louis German-American organizations, check out the Missouri section of the German Corner's Clubs and Organizations listing. Here you will find contact names and phone numbers.

St. Louis German/American Committee

The St. Louis German/American Committee is an umbrella organization that serves to unify the various German/American associations in St. Louis.  Its stated goals are ...

Back to Top

St. Louis Bayern Verein

One of the oldest of all of the St. Louis German/American associations, the St. Louis Bayern Verein was founded on September 9, 1883 to offer sociable entertainment and assistance to fellow Bavarians.  It is still going strong today.

Back to Top

St. Louis Badischer Unterstützungs Verein

Another of  the very old St. Louis German/American associations, the St. Louis Badischer Unterstützungs Verein was founded on December 20, 1885 to provide sociability and support for immigrants from Baden who were in need.  It continues to look to offer ongoing support to the members' survivors.

Back to Top

Deutsche Kulturverein

The Deutsche Kulturverein can trace its roots back to 1945, when it was first organized as the American Aid Society of St. Louis.  Today, the Kulturverein is made up of many groups that promote and preserve the German culture, customs and German language through music, songs, crafts and dances in original costumes.  These groups include a German Kindergarten, a Ladies Choir, various folk dance groups, and the Deutschmeister Blaskapelle, an authentic German Brass Band.

Back to Top

Schuetzenverein St. Louis

Established in 1961, the mission of the Schutzenverein St. Louis (St. Louis Shooting Club) has been to enhance German and American relationships by providing fellowship and education through mutual social interest in German Schuetzenverein traditions and competitions.   The organization has regular meetings, and air rifle competitions are held on the fourth Thursday of every month.

Back to Top

G.T.E.V. D'Froehliche Schuhplattler

The G.T.E.V. D'Froehliche Schuhplatter was founded on February 10, 1976, and is one of the 76 clubs in the Gauverband Nordamerika, an international group of Schuhplattler clubs from all over the United States and Canada.  G.T.E.V. D'Froehliche Schuhplatter strives to preserve the German culture through traditional folk dancing, music and German singing.  The group participates in many events, including private, civic, local and out-of-town.

Back to Top

German-American Heritage Society

The German-American Heritage Society is dedicated to the preservation of the history and culture of our German forebears and to the promulgation of cooperation and understanding between Germany and the United States.  An objective of the organization is the establishment of archives at the St. Louis Public Library documenting the history of German-oriented families settling in St. Louis and surrounding areas.

Back to Top

German Special Interest Group (G-SIG)

G-Sig is a group of individuals promoting educational, historical and genealogical information with fresh insights and ideas to help members in their research and enjoyment of German traditions and ancestry.