COUPLAND NEWS | Susan Garry
COUPLAND — The city has approval from Williamson County officials to acquire the historic depot, caboose and grounds from the Coupland Civic Organization, said Mayor Russell Schmidt.
“The depot property will be held and maintained by the city in perpetuity. The city intends to move the city offices into the depot,” Schmidt recently said.
In addition, the city newsletter — The Coupland Herald — will continue to be published, he added.
Other details are in the works for the city, Schmidt said.
“The city is also in discussions with the Coupland Water Supply Corp. in order to take over ownership and management of the sewer system. Several public meetings will be held, co-sponsored by the city and the CWSC, for the public’s response,” he said.
Dates will be announced at a future time. City Council meetings are open to the public and are held at 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at the Emergency Services District No. 10 station, 410 FM 1466.
Coupland ISD
Construction continues on the new middle school for the Coupland Independent School District, which will eventually include Coupland High School. The new building will open in August 2026 for grades seven to nine, with each year after that a grade being added until it is a campus for grades through the 12th.
“Things are progressing, and the district is planning to celebrate the completion of the steel and foundation work with a beam signing event,” Superintendent Earl Parcell said. “Students, parents, community members, teachers and staff will be invited to celebrate this construction milestone.”
The school held Cowboy Corral for sixth through eighth graders on Aug. 1.
“Students picked their lockers, had pizza for lunch and met their teachers. Each middle school student received a free T-shirt,” Assistant Principal Kate Knapek said.
School started Aug. 12.
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, 108 Wathen St., hosts free Community Senior Luncheons for Coupland-area senior citizens on the third Tuesday of every other month. Following the home-cooked meal, guests play bingo and dominoes.
The next luncheon is Sept. 16. On July 16-18, St. Peter’s hosted a free Summer Splash Children’s Program with 28 kids attending. The program included story time, art, music and outdoor play, featuring a large water slide on the last day.
On Sunday, July 20, 13 of the attendees presented a music program during worship service. Church officials have issued a thanks to Cynthia Wittliff, Charlotte Albert and the Ladies’ Circle who provided lunches. Rebecca Muery Michele Dupy, Martha Poldrack and Prissy Rumel led activities, helped by Mick Lemp, Ari Jaramillo Arce, Krista Poldrack, Emma Davis and Kaydence Epperson.
The first community ice cream social on July 20 was deemed a success by church members with about 85 attendees. Planners offered thanks to Doreen Streit, Charlotte Albert, Lisa Townsend, Dupy, Prissy Rumel, JoAnn Ging, Astrid Muery and Wittliff for the toppings.
Gratitude is also extended by church officials to those who helped set up, serve and clean up, including Heather Shuttles, Janet Doss, Aubrey Shuttles, Krista Poldrack, Charlotte Albert, Cindy and Jim Alexander, Ryan Strider, Adam Muery and Lemp and his family.
Rumel organized the event.
The potluck lunch after services was on July 27. Men’s Brotherhood met Aug. 13 at Casa Garcia’s in Manor.
Rumel said a new youth group for high schoolers started Aug. 17.
The second event is Sept. 14, with a suite at a Dell Diamond baseball game in Round Rock. Rumel said all high school students are welcome and invited to bring a friend.
Another new activity is Dance Fitness 7 p.m. Mondays. The free class is open to the community. At the church playground on Aug. 23 is Back-to-School Playday, 9-10:30 a.m. with free ice treats and pencils.
The bimonthly Lunch Out with food and fellowship will be after worship on Aug. 31. Each Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., St. Peter’s hosts Community Connections with coffee and conversation in the conference
room. St. Peter’s sermons and special music are on the St. Peter’s Facebook page, facebook. com/stpeterscoupland. The church’s monthly newsletter is at StPetersCoupand.org.
Email is [email protected]; the office phone is 512-8562433. The Rev. Dr. Burt Burleson may be reached at 254-6440944 or email at couplandpastor@ gmail.com
New Sweden Lutheran Church
Officials with the New Sweden Lutheran Church, 12809 New Sweden Church Road in Manor, said thanks to Terry and David Ramm for hosting the annual church picnic on July 27 at their cabin. Attendees enjoyed food, games and fellowship.
New Sweden’s Ladies Bible Study is 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. The Rev. Hans Lillejord holds Bible Study at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday.
The Adult Bible Class is 9:30 a.m. Sundays continues the study of the 12 disciples. All are welcome at Game Days at New Sweden – the second, third and fourth Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.
Every fall, New Sweden provides backpacks and school supplies to needy children in three area elementary schools in Coupland, McDade and Thrall. Supplies were delivered the week before school started.
Yvonne Carroll organized the project.
The 150th anniversary of the church is April 26, 2026. Planning meetings for the anniversary celebration will be held on the second Sunday of each month after the church service.
Homesteading and Everyday Living is a project of New Sweden which offers monthly classes for church members and friends. Classes are listed on the website, newswedenchurch. org and announced each Sunday.
For information, call the Evangelism Team’s Gayle Anderson at 512670-6945. Upcoming classes include a CPR class taught by Manor Fire Department, raising animals and pet care, dogs with Jack Atterstrom and coin collecting with Lillejord.
The church website is newswedenchurch.org.
ESD No. 10
Emergency Services District No. 10 board meetings are held at the Coupland Fire Station, 410 FM 1466, the second Tuesday of the month. The website is wcesd10.org.
“The ESD is excited to announce the hiring of 13 new firefighters,” said Maranda Cummings, the ESD 10 administrative support. “These firefighters have been added to the current day crews, which consist of three certified part-time firefighters working 12-hour daytime shifts Monday through Friday (and weekends when needed). The ESD is proud to offer even better service with this addition.”
Cummings also noted the department served as escorts to the Thrall High School baseball team during their state semifinal and state championship games last spring.
“The ESD was honored to escort the Thrall High School varsity baseball team on their way to the state semifinals and finals in late May,” she said. “Unfortunately, the baseball team lost the state championship game to the Wall Hawks. However, the ESD is very proud of the Thrall Tigers and their hard work this year.”
ESD 10 also gave a presentation on drones at Coupland ISD’s summer camp in June, she added. Assistant Chief Jared Cummings and Firefighter Andrew Lopez showed the students how the ESD uses the drones to locate concealed fires and aid in search and rescues.
Those interested in volunteering can reach out District 1 Fire Chief John Roulston-Bates at [email protected] or District 2 Fire Chief Zach Hall at [email protected].
Coupland Bank Open House and Art Display
To mark the 125th anniversary of Citizens National Bank, 102 Hoxie St., the financial institution will host an open house 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 18.
Light refreshments will be served, and artwork by Coupland artists Letitia Eldredge, Jim Huntington, Peter Julian and Wells Mason will be on display.
“Please come celebrate with us. You do not need to be a bank customer. Come along with your friends,” Eldredge said.
