Synod and Department records
In the Lutheran church in Australia and New Zealand, a synod is the overarching church body to which congregations and pastors belong.
Synods are constituted entities which form based on a unity of teaching and practise, confessing a common theological doctrine and holding to common worship practises. Synods can be regional (eg United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland) or national (eg Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Australia). Historically, most Australian and New Zealand Lutheran congregations have belonged to a synod, although there are instances of independent congregations and pastors.
At synodical conventions, delegates gather to make decisions on the administrative, theological and mission directions of the synod.
Synods also establish departments to carry out the ministries of the church, such as education, welfare, and home mission. In addition, many church auxiliaries, such as women’s guilds and youth societies, form synod-wide associations or leagues, which generate records at the national level.
In the LCANZ, the geographical divisions of synods are called districts, which in turn produce their own district-level synodical records, departments, and auxiliaries.
UNDERSTANDING A COMPLEX HISTORY
With a multitude of Lutheran synods – including schisms, confederations, and unifications – the history of Lutheranism in Australia and New Zealand can be complex. Understanding the diverse origins of the Lutheran migrants, and the shaping influence of their international Lutheran connections, is the key to unravelling this complex synodical story.
The first Lutheran church communities in Australia were established in 1838. The early waves of Lutheran migrants came as religious refugees, fleeing persecution suffered in Prussia under King Friedrich Willhem III. This wave included the migration of Australia’s first two Lutheran congregations; Pastor August Kavel and his congregation arrived in South Australia in 1838, followed by Pastor G. D. Fritzsche in 1841. Over the same time period, Lutheran missionaries began arriving in Australia to undertake mission work with Australia’s Indigenous peoples; four missionaries were sent by the Dresden Mission Society to the Kaurna people of the Adelaide plains, while a group of Lutheran laypeople from the Gossner Mission Society arrived in Queensland. By 1850, religious persecution in Prussia had eased. Subsequent waves of migration from German-speaking and Scandinavian regions were motivated by economic incentives and other push-and-pull migration factors.
Wherever Lutherans settled, congregations and eventually synods were established as their communities and networks grew. However, these diverse origins meant that as Lutheran congregations multiplied, they did not always find themselves in theological agreement with each other.
In some cases, separate synods were simply a product of geographical factors. Where groups of migrants settled in separate colonies – eg South Australia and Queensland – they simply had no initial contact with each other. Regional, ethnic, and linguistic differences also came into play; for instance, Scandinavian migrants in Queensland and Danish migrants in New Zealand tended to establish congregations independently from their German counterparts.
Other synods formed as a result of schisms between – or even within – congregations. The earliest of these occurred between Australia’s first two Lutheran pastors, Kavel and Fritzsche, in 1846. Breakaway synods, such as the Immanuel Synod a. a. G (Immanuel Synod ‘on the old basis’), formed when differences between factions could not be satisfactorily resolved.
Each synod’s theological character was highly influenced by the international sources from which it drew its pastors. These included German seminaries and mission societies – such as those of Hermannsburg and Neuendettelsau – and also seminaries in the USA.
On the other hand, synods also sought to align themselves with others who shared their convictions, leading to the amalgamation of independent synods into larger regional and national synods over time. Mission to Indigenous peoples was a key driver of attempts at intersynodical cooperation, prompting the Confessional Union (1864-1874) to establish mission work at Lake Killalpaninna in SA, and the formation of the UELCA synod in 1921 to lead mission work in New Guinea.
These parallel forces of division and unification resulted in a constantly shifting landscape of synods and affiliations.
By 1921, this landscape had resolved into two major national synods of roughly equal size: the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (ELCA), and the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (UELCA), which formed in 1921. After lengthy negotiations, these two synods declared Altar and Pulpit Fellowship in 1965 and amalgamated in 1966, forming the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). The synod is referred to as the LCANZ to recognise the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ), which functions as a district of the LCA.
Read below for an overview of each synod (or federation) and an overview of the holdings. (Noting this is a work in progress!)
types of Records
SYNODICAL RECORDS
National level:
- General convention (minutes, book of reports etc)
- General pastors conference
- National president’s/bishop’s correspondence
- Governance records (constitutions, mission statements etc)
- Administrative and financial records (General Church Council, General Finance Council etc)
- Intersynodical records: preparation for the union of ELCA and UELCA
District level:
- District convention
- District pastors conference
- District president/bishop’s correspondence
- District governance records
- District administrative and financial records (District Church Council, District Finance Council)
MINISTRY DEPARTMENT RECORDS
The records of the various departments, boards and commissions which carry out the ministries of the church, including:
- Seminary training, teacher’s colleges
- Local and home mission, outreach, evangelism
- Welfare (aged care, child welfare, migrant and refugee welfare, army chaplaincy etc)
- Worship and congregational life (music, liturgy, arts)
- Education (primary, secondary, Sunday School)
- Indigenous mission – see First Nation and Mission Records
- International mission
- Communication and media (including publishing companies, radio, TV)
- Theology, interdenominational relations, social questions
- International and inter-synodical relations (international Lutheran organisations)
- Church archives, recordkeeping and research.
AUXILIARY RECORDS
National level:
- Women’s leagues
- Men’s leagues
- Youth leagues
- Lutheran Laypeople’s League
- Australian Lutheran World Service
District level:
- Women’s leagues (administration, conventions, publications)
- Men’s leagues (administration, conventions, publications)
- Youth leagues (administration, conventions, publications)
- Schools
- Aged care facilities
- Campgrounds
LUTHERAN SYNODS in our HOLDINGS
The following is a list and overview of the Lutheran synods - as well as federations or Confessional Unions - that have existed in Australia and New Zealand since 1838 to today, for which Lutheran Archives holds records. The majority of the records are not comprehensively listed but are still accessible for research. Records can be scoped on request for a small fee. Listings of the mission records can be searched on the First Nations and Mission Records page.
Bethany-Lobethal Synod (1846-1860) is the unofficial name used for the synod led by Pastor Fritzsche following the split of the Kavel-Fritzsche Synod at the synodical convention held at Bethany in 1846.
This synod is later officially named Evangelical Lutheran Synod in/Church of Australia (ELCA)
Includes the following changes of name:
- Bethany-Lobethal Synod (unofficial name) (1846-1860)
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Australia (ELSA) (1860-1876)
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Australia (ELSA) (1876-1944)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (ELCA) (1944-1966)
Other names commonly used:
- Fritzsche Synod (1846-1863)
- South Australian Synod (1860-1876)
- Australian Synod (1876-1944)
- Nickname by others: the Missouris (because of its relationship with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in America)
Please see Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (ELCA) for a full description.
Description coming soon!
Name: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (ELCA)
Includes the following changes of name:
- Bethany-Lobethal Synod (unofficial name) (1846-1860)
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Australia (ELSA) (1860-1876)
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Australia (ELSA) (1876-1944)
- Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (ELCA) (1944-1966)
Other names commonly used:
- Fritzsche Synod (1846-1863)
- South Australian Synod (1860-1876)
- Australian Synod (1876-1944)
- Nickname by others: the Missouris (because of its relationship with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in America)
Predecessor Synod:
Kavel-Fritzsche Synod (1839-1846)
Origin and Establishment:
At the Synodical Convention held at Bethany in 1846, disagreement between Pastors Kavel and Fritzsche caused a separation (schism). The congregations of Bethany, Lobethal and Hahndorf (St Michael’s) supported Pastor Fritzsche. As more congregations joined them in the following years, they have become commonly known as the Bethany-Lobethal Synod.
By 1860 the name Evangelical Lutheran Synod of South Australia (ELSA) was being used.
In 1876 they resolved to use the name: Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Australia (ELSA).
In 1944 the name was officially changed to Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia (ELCA).
Presidents:
- HAE Meyer (1851-1861)
- CA Hensel (1862-1873)
- PJ Oster (1873-1897)
- CFA Strempel (1897-1903)
- TAFW Nickel (1903-1923)
- JWC Janzow (1923-1941)
- CE Hoopmann (1941-1965)
- HD Koehne (1965-1966)
Church papers:
During the years 1865-1873 ELSA collaborated with the Immanuel Synod and shared the editorship of the church paper with Pastor JC Auricht. It had various names:
- Australisches Kirchen-Blatt (1865)
- Kirchen-Blatt (1866)
- Kirchen und Missions Blatt (1867-1869)
- Deutsche Kirchen und Missions Zeitung (abbreviated DKMZ) (1870-1873)
In 1873 ELSA announced it would issue its own paper.
- Der lutherische Kirchenbote (commonly known as Kirchenbote) (1873-1917, 1925-1940)
- Australian Lutheran (1913-1966)
Affiliations and attempts at Union:
Confessional Union (1864-1874)
After the deaths of Pastors Kavel (1860) and Fritzsche (1863), both synods (ELSA and Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod) wanted to begin an Aboriginal mission together in the interior. Their joint discussions led to a Confessional Union which lasted ten years. The two synods remained independent but agreed to work together in the mission to the Aboriginals.
However, in 1874 the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod united with the Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synod and took the name of Immanuel Synod. When later in 1874 the Immanuel Synod formed a Confessional Union with the Victoria Synod, ELSA withdrew from its earlier Confessional Union with Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod (Immanuel Synod).
Further attempts
Over the next 90 years, numerous intersynodical meetings between ELSA and Immanuel Synod (and later UELCA) attempted to bring about the union of the Lutheran Church in Australia. This was finally achieved in October 1966 when ELCA and UELCA united to form the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCANZ).
Schism/Breakaway Synods:
When ELSA sold the Finke River Mission to the Immanuel Synod in 1893, some ELSA members continued to support the mission financially. For years a debate continued in ELSA as to whether congregations and pastors should support a mission of another church with which it was not in fellowship.
Pastor GA Heidenreich and his son Pastor JHS Heidenreich, together with the congregations of their Bethany parish, continued this support of the Finke River Mission. In 1902 ELSA expelled them because of their refusal to stop supporting the mission. In 1904 these pastors and their congregations formed their own synod: the ELSA aaG synod.
International connections:
- Hermannsburg Mission Institute, Hanover (1866-1892)
At first it provided missionaries, later also pastors for congregations. When Hermannsburg made an agreement with the State Church of Hannover in 1890, it was interpreted by some Free Churches as establishing church fellowship and it led to new divisions. ELSA also considered this as if Hermannsburg had joined the State Church and thus in 1892 stopped its contact with them.
- Missouri Synod, USA (1880-1966)
From 1880 Missouri Synod supplied pastors to ELSA. Many Australians also studied at its Springfield or St Louis seminaries. Although not officially declared, ELSA and the Missouri Synod regarded themselves to be in church fellowship.
Missions:
- Cooper’s Creek Mission at Killalpaninna (later called Bethesda Mission) (1866-1874).
This was started jointly with Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod during the period of Confessional Union. When this union ceased in 1874, the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod (then called the Immanuel Synod) continued this mission itself.
- Finke River Mission at Hermannsburg, Central Australia (1877-1893).
This was started by ELSA with the Hermannsburg Mission Institute in 1877. When the relationship of ELSA with Hermannsburg ceased in 1892, ELSA ended its support of the Finke River Mission. In 1894 the Immanuel Synod bought the mission and continued the work.
- Koonibba Mission (1901-)
- Yalata Mission (1954-)
- New Guinea Mission (Siassi 1936- , and Menyamya 1951- ) This was known as the Australian Lutheran Mission.
End and Successor Synod:
In 1966 ELCA joined with UELCA to form the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCANZ).
Name: Die Evangelisch Lutherische Synode in Australien auf alter Grundlage
(Translation: ‘the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Australia on the old basis’)
Abbreviation: ELSA a.a.G., or ELSA aaG
Nickname: the Heidenreich Synod (because the leaders were the pastors Heidenreich)
Predecessor Synod: Breakaway synod from ELSA
Origin: In 1892-1894 ELSA withdrew from the Finke River Mission (FRM) at Hermannsburg in Central Australia and the mission was eventually sold to the Immanuel Synod. Pastor GA Heidenreich and his Bethany parish continued to support FRM financially and were criticised by some ELSA pastors for this.
At the ELSA Convention at Eudunda, SA (Sept 1902), Pastor GA Heidenreich and his son Pastor JHS Heidenreich were expelled for their refusal to end their support for FRM.
In October 1902 Bethany parish resolved to form a Synod of their own.
In February 1904 ELSA aaG was formed. Pastor GA Heidenreich was elected President.
Presidents:
- GA Heidenreich (1904-1910)
- JHS Heidenreich (1910-1926)
Other ELSA aaG Pastors:
- P Scherer (senior),
- PH Hass, HFW Roehrs, GH Schmidt (American graduates from Luther Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota),
- FJ Lehmann, WJG Schultz, FC Lienert (Australians who studied at Luther Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota)
Church papers:
- Lutheran Truth (1924)
- Der Lutherische Zeuge (1924-1926)
International connections:
In 1908 ELSA aaG affiliated with the Ohio Synod in America and became known as the 4th District (or the Australian District) of the Ohio Synod.
In 1926 the Ohio Synod and the Iowa Synod in America merged. ELSA aaG then ended its connection with Ohio and joined the UELCA.
End and successor Synod:
In 1926, ELSA aaG joined UELCA after Ohio and Iowa Synods in America merged: ELSA aaG severed its connection with the Ohio Synod, of which it had been an Australian District.
Name: Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland (ELSQ)
Origin/Establishment: For almost 30 years Lutheran pastors from different backgrounds ministered to the German Lutheran population in Queensland without belonging to any Lutheran synod. They worked independently.
In 1883 ten of these pastors met together to discuss the organisation of a Lutheran synod in Queensland. However, nothing happened for a further year and a half.
In June 1885 six of these Lutheran pastors formed the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland (ELSQ]. They were Pastors Schirmeister (North Brisbane), Heiner (Ipswich), Maier (German Station), Langebecker (Toowoomba), Haussmann (Beenleigh) and Copas (Maryborough).
The other four pastors met in August 1885 with two other German pastors and two Danish Pastors, and together formed the United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland [UGSLSQ].
Affiliations: In 1890 ELSQ joined the General Synod and began calling pastors from Basel, Switzerland.
Presidents:
- CFA Schurmeister (1885-1887)
- ECFT Heiner (1887-1889)
- EO Maier (1889-1905)
- TF Langebecker (1905-1909)
- JF Frank (1909-1912)
- E Hiller (1912-1921)
Breakaway Synods: In 1912 Pastor Treuz (and his North Brisbane congregation) left the ELSQ and affiliated with the Evangelical State Church of Prussia. Other ELSQ pastors and congregations who followed him were Pastors Joh. Frank senior (retired), Theo. Frank junior (Maryborough), Millatt (Hatton Vale), Gutekunst (Toowoomba). In 1913 they officially formed the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australasia.
End and Successor Synod: In 1921 the ELSQ agreed to join with four other Lutheran synods in the formation of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia [UELCA].
A federation of member synods established by the Victoria Synod and the Immanuel Synod in 1876.
Origin and Establishment: The establishment of the General Synod was triggered by the uniting of the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod (LLPS) and Tanunda Light’s Pass Synod (TLPS) to form the Immanuel Synod of South Australia in 1874. The decision to establish the General Synod was made in 1874 but was not convened until 1876.
Following the establishment of the Immanuel Synod a convention (or meeting) was held in November 1874 at Melbourne, with delegates from the ELSA, Immanuel Synod and Victoria Synod in attendance. Here the issue of receiving pastors trained at Basel (Basle) Seminary, Switzerland was discussed: ELSA did not agree to receiving Basel-trained pastors; Immanuel and Victoria Synods did agree to receiving Basel-trained pastors as long as they submitted to a colloquy (examination of their beliefs). This resulted in the subsequent establishment of the General Synod by Immanuel and Victoria Synods only, and the ending of the Confessional Union between ELSA and Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod (which had become Immanuel Synod).
The first synodical convention of the General Synod was held in 1876. The first President of the General Synod was Pastor Herlitz (from Victoria Synod, 1876-1914), and he was followed by Pastor Braun (from Immanuel Synod aaG, 1916-1921).
In February 1884, at an Immanuel Synod synodical convention¸ the Immanuel Synod resolved to no longer endorse the calling of Basel-trained Pastors. As a result, Immanuel Synod left the General Synod federation, thus effectively ending the federation with only one member synod remaining.
However, it was re-formed shortly afterwards, following the formation of the Immanuel Synod aaG – which was a splinter group of the Immanuel Synod who continued to support the calling of Basel-trained pastors. Member synods of the General Synod from 1884 onwards were Victoria Synod and Immanuel Synod aaG.
In 1889 the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland (ELSQ) also became a member of the General Synod.
The General Synod ended in 1921 with the amalgamation of 5 Lutheran Synods to form the UELCA.
Missions:
The General Synod was a means for providing co-operation between Lutheran Synods in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Whilst it did not undertake or establish any mission ventures of its own (unlike the Confessional Union), it did support existing missions: Bethesda Mission in SA, Moravian Brethren missions in Victoria and Queensland, the Syrian Orphanage in Jerusalem, and the Basel Mission Society, Switzerland.
Member synods:
- Victoria Synod: 1876 – 1921
- Immanuel Synod: 1876-1884
- Immanuel Synod aaG: 1884 – 1921
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland (ELSQ): 1889-1921
Other affiliations: Kirchenbund
In 1920 the General Synod (comprised of 3 synods) joined the Kirchenbund federation (comprised of the UGSLSQ and the Immanuel Synod).
International connections:
- Basel-trained pastors 1876–1921
- Neuendettelsau-trained pastors 1876-1884
Presidents:
- Pastor Herlitz (Victoria Synod) 1876-1914
- Pastor Braun (Immanuel Synod) 1916-1921
End and successor synod:
The General Synod ended in 1921 with the amalgamation of 5 Lutheran Synods to form the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (UELCA).
Name: Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Synod of South Australia
Commonly known as: Immanuel Synod
Origin/predecessors: Formed by a reuniting of the Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synod and the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod in 1874, after they had split in 1860.
International Connections: From 1876, Pastors were drawn from Neuendettelsau Seminary, Germany.
Missions:
- Queensland: Cape Bedford (variously known as Elim, Hope Valley, Hope Vale); Bloomfield
- South Australia: Bethesda; Finke River Mission
Unions or federations:
General Synod (1876-1884)
In 1874 the Immanuel Synod and the Victoria Synod formed a confessional union/federation named General Synod. The federation was a result of these two synods supporting the drawing of colloquized pastorate from the Basel Seminary. Immanuel Synod left the General Synod confessional union in 1884 after resolving at an Immanuel Synod synodical convention to no longer endorse the calling of Basel-trained Pastors. The General Synod continued until 1921 with the Victoria Synod, Immanuel Synod aaG, and ELSQ from 1889.
Kirchenbund: 1910-1921; this was a federation between the Immanuel Synod and United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland (UGSLSQ). The Kirchenbund between the two synods had been favourably resolved in October 1910 by the UGSLSQ and agreed to by Immanuel Synod at convention in 1911. It ended when the synods amalgamated (rather than federate) forming the UELCA synod.
Attempts for unions: discussions for union between the Immanuel Synod and ELSA occurred between 1887-1889 but were unsuccessful.
End/Successor Synod: in 1921, the Immanuel Synod was one of 5 synods to unite and form the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (UELCA)
Breakaway Synods: Immanuel Synod aaG (1884)
In February 1884, at an Immanuel Synod synodical convention, the Immanuel Synod resolved to no longer endorse the calling of Basel-trained pastors: however those who did not agree with this resolution and continued to support the calling of Basel-trained pastors formed the Immanuel Synod aaG.
Our holdings: including constitutions, records of synodical conventions, presidential correspondence, correspondence with Neuendettelsau, School Committee minutes and correspondence, union negotiations (1910-1919), mission records (see First Nation and Mission Records for specific mission listings)
Name: Immanuel Synod auf alter Grundlage (IS aaG)
English translation: Immanuel Synod on the old basis
Common name: Immanuel Synod a.a.G. or Immanuel Synod aaG
Nickname: the Baselers (because most of their pastors were trained in Basel, Switzerland)
Origin and Establishment: In 1884 the Immanuel Synod decided it would no longer accept pastors trained at the Basel seminary and thus severed their connection with the Victoria Synod in the General Synod. Those pastors and congregations who objected to this change left the Immanuel Synod and formed the Immanuel Synod aaG. They claimed they continued to adhere to the original agreement (1874) between the Immanuel Synod and the Victoria Synod. This is why they used the term: auf alter Grundlage (on the old basis).
In 1885 the Immanuel Synod aaG joined with the Victoria Synod as members of the General Synod. They continued to call pastors who had been trained at Basel.
Presidents:
- J Reusch (1884-1897)
- CF Braun (1897-1921)
Affiliations or federations:
General synod: In 1885 the Immanuel Synod aaG federated with the Victoria Synod to join the General Synod. This was following the Immanuel Synod leaving the General Synod.
Church papers:
- Der Pilger (1909-1910) (paper of the Immanuel Synod aaG)
- Christenbote (1911-1917) (paper of the General Synod)
- The Pilgrim (1918-1921) (English language paper of the General Synod)
End and Successor Synods: In 1921 the Immanuel Synod aaG agreed to join four other Lutheran synods in the formation of the UELCA.
- Dresden Missionaries (1838-1845)
- Gossner Missionaries (1838-1848)
- Suomi Conference (Finnish Lutherans in Australia)
- ELCR
- AELC
Origin/predecessors: No predecessor synods.
This is the first Lutheran synod constituted in Australia, in May 1839, by Pastor August Kavel. Pastor Kavel was joined in 1841 by Pastor Gotthard Daniel Fritzsche.
Pastor ALC Kavel was the leader and founder of this church. He led a band of German Lutherans (called Separatists, or Old Lutherans) to emigrate from the village of Klemzig (Kreis Züllichau), and neighbouring villages in the Prussian state of Brandenburg, to South Australia. The English businessman, George Fife Angas, assisted the migrants financially, and the first group arrived on the ships, Prince George and Bengalee, in November 1838.
They established a settlement on the River Torrens and named it Klemzig. A church and school were soon established.
Other German Lutherans soon followed. The Zebra arrived in December 1838 and the Catharina in January 1839. The migrants on the Zebra established the settlement of Hahndorf in 1839.
Kavel invited fellow-pastor, GD Fritzsche, to join him in SA. He arrived with many of his congregation on the Skjold (Skiold) in 1841. They established the settlement of Lobethal.
Settlements in the Barossa Valley at Bethany and Langmeil followed.
Growing disagreement over theological issues resulted in a split at a synodical convention held at Bethany, SA in August 1846.
Kavel and his supporters formed the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod.
Fritzsche and his supporters formed the Bethany-Lobethal Synod.
English names: Kavel-Fritzsche Synod
German names: n/a
Succeeded by:
+ Langmeil-Light Pass Synod [Pastor Kavel]
+ Bethany-Lobethal Synod [Pastor Fritzsche]
Our holdings: view the attached list here.
The Kirchenbund is a federation of synods. No records are retained as a Kirchenbund series but can be located within the member synods.
Kirchenbund: 1910-1921; this was a federation initially between the Immanuel Synod and United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland (UGSLSQ). The Kirchenbund between the two synods had been favourably resolved in October 1910 by the UGSLSQ and agreed to by Immanuel Synod at convention in 1911. In 1920, the General Synod (federation comprised at the time of ELSQ, Victoria Synod, and Immanuel Synod aaG) also joined the Kirchenbund. The Kirchenbund ended when the synods amalgamate (rather than federate) forming the UELCA synod.
Member synods and time of membership:
- Immanuel Synod (1910-1921)
- United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland (UGSLSQ) (1910-1921)
- General Synod (1920-1921)
At the time that General Synod joined the Kirchenbund in 1920, member synods that comprised the General Synod were: Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland (ELSQ); Immanuel Synod aaG; Victoria Synod
Name: Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod
Origin/predecessors: Kavel-Fritzsche Synod
After the August 1846 schism between Pastors Kavel and Fritzsche (which occurred at a synodical convention held in Bethany SA), Kavel and those in favour of his Protestations left to form their own synod: Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod. Congregations were Langmeil, Klemzig and Hahndorf.
Pastor Kavel died on 12 February 1860. He was succeeded as leader by Pastor Johann Christian Auricht.
In 1860 a split occurred in the Light’s Pass Immanuel congregation of Pastor Staudenmayer, and supporters of Pastor Auricht formed the Light’s Pass Strait Gate (Zur engen Pforte) congregation and called their teacher, G. Julius Rechner, as their pastor. In December 1860 the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod severed its connections with Staudenmayer’s congregation (Light’s Pass Immanuel) and Tanunda St John’s congregation, which then formed the Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synod (1860-1874).
In the years 1864-1874 a Confessional Union existed between the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod and the ELSA. During this time they cooperated to start mission work among the Dieri people at Killalpaninna on the Cooper’s Creek.
In 1862 the church paper, Kirchen und Missions Blatt, was first published. It came out regularly from 1865 under various names (Australisches Kirchenblatt, Kirchenblatt, Deutsche Kirchen und Missions Zeitung).
In August 1874 the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod reunited with the Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synod. They took the name: The Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Synod of SA (commonly known as Immanuel Synod)
Leaders:
- Pastor ALC Kavel (1846-1860)
- Pastor JC Auricht (1860-1874)
Unions or confederations: Confessional Union (1864-1874): a confessional union with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of South Australia (ELSA) for the purpose of mission work amongst the Dieri people. The Union ends when the Langmeil-Light’s Pass and the Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synods reunite in 1874 and form the Immanuel Synod.
The Confessional Union ended as ELSA no longer wanted to draw pastorate from the Basel (Basle) Seminary, Switzerland. The issue of Pastors from Basel had been discussed at a convention in 1874 which was attended by ELSA, Immanuel Synod, and Victoria Synod delegates: Immanuel and Victoria Synods agreed to continue to receive Pastors trained at Basel Seminary – ELSA did not, which signalled the end of the Confessional Union. This resulted in the formation of the General Synod – a confessional union between Immanuel and Victoria Synods.
Breakaway Synods: Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synod (1860). They reunite in 1874, forming the Immanuel Synod.
Successors: Continued as Immanuel Synod (1874-1921) after a reunification with the Tanunda Light’s Pass Synod.
Missions: Killalpaninna Mission (Coopers Creek, SA) – Dieri people. Jointly founded by the ELSA and the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod through the Confessional Union. Missionaries were from the Hermannsburg Seminary, Germany and later from Neundettelsau Seminary, Germany.
Our holdings: Archival holdings for the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod are comprised of synodical convention minutes, constitutions, correspondence and include the Confession Union. A listing can be accessed here
Description coming soon!
Description coming soon!
Name: Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synodal Verband
Origin/predecessors: Formed by the Light’s Pass Immanuel and the Tanunda St John’s congregations in December 1860.
The formation followed from a split in the Light’s Pass Immanuel congregation (Pastor Staudenmayer) in September 1860: Staudenmayer had concerns over Kavel’s Apostolic Constitution and Protestations – the basis of the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod. Some members who supported Staudenmeyer formed the Tanunda St John’s Congregation (Pastor Keppler), and others remained at Immanuel. Those remaining at Immanuel who no longer supported Staudenmeyer but supported President Auricht left to form the Light’s Pass Strait Gate congregation (Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod).
In December 1860 the members of Light’s Pass Strait Gate and other congregations in the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod severed all connections with Staudenmayer. As a result, the Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synod was formed.
Continues as: Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Synod (commonly known as Immanuel Synod)
In August 1874 the Langmeil-Light’s Pass Synod reunited with the Tanunda-Light’s Pass Synod. They took the name: The Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Synod (commonly known as Immanuel Synod.)
Name: Die Vereinigte Evangelische Lutherische Kirche in Australien [V.E.L.K.A. or VELKA]
English Translation: The United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia [U.E.L.C.A. or UELCA]
Predecessor Synods:
- Immanuel Synod (1874-1921)
- Immanuel Synod aaG (1884-1921)
- Victoria Synod (1856-1921)
- United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland (1885-1921)
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland (1885-1921)
Establishment and Origin:
In 1921, following World War I a number of Lutheran synods met to discuss their future. There were two main points of discussion:
- The future of the New Guinea mission
What had been German New Guinea was now the Mandated Territory of New Guinea (under Australian government mandate). German missionaries were not permitted to return to New Guinea, so the question was: how was the New Guinea mission to continue? Who would take charge? Where would the Mission get its workers?
- Training of pastors in Australia
Prior to the War, Neuendettelsau Seminary in Germany had supplied many Lutheran pastors for Australia. After the war, the Australian government closed German migration. So the question was: where would future pastors come from?
It was proposed that the synods should amalgamate so that they could
- take charge of the New Guinea mission
- establish an English language seminary in Australia to train Lutheran pastors.
Thus on 8 March 1921 the following three synods agreed to form the UELCA
- Immanuel Synod
- Immanuel Synod aaG
- Victoria Synod
In April-May 1921, two Queensland synods also agreed to join UELCA.
- United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland
In 1926 the ELSA aaG also joined UELCA.
Presidents:
- JP Löhe (Loehe) (1921-1925)
- JJ Stolz (1925-1953)
- FMI (Max) Lohe (1953-1966)
Church papers:
- Lutheran Herald (1921-1966)
- Kirchen-Blatt (1925-1940)
Missions:
- Finke River Mission (continued from Immanuel Synod)
- Hope Vale Mission (also known as Elim, Cape Bedford, and Hope Valley) (continued from Immanuel Synod)
- New Guinea Mission (1921-1966)
International connections:
- Although not officially declared, UELCA and the Iowa Synod in America regarded themselves to be in church fellowship.
- UELCA was a member of Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
End and Successor Synod: In 1966 UELCA joined with ELCA to form the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA).
Name: United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland [UGSLQ]
Origin and Establishment: For almost 30 years Lutheran pastors from different backgrounds ministered to the German Lutheran population in Queensland without belonging to any Lutheran synod. They worked independently.
In 1883 ten of these pastors met together to discuss the organisation of a Lutheran synod in Queensland. However, nothing happened for a further year and a half, until June 1885: six of these Lutheran pastors (Copas, Hassumann, Heiner, Langebecker, Maier, Schirmeister) formed the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland.
The other four pastors, plus a further two German and two Danish pastors met in August 1885 and formed the United German and Scandinavian Lutheran Synod of Queensland [UGSLSQ]. The Pastors were Pastors Sueltmann, Hellmuth, Goessling, Heuer, Koehnke, Prenzler, Pedersen and Hansen. The latter two were Danish pastors. The six German pastors were from the Hermannsburg Mission Seminary in Hannover, Germany.
In 1889 the Danish portion of the UGSLSQ seceded and continued as separate independent congregations.
Affiliation:
In 1910-11 the UGSLSQ and the Immanuel Synod formed the Evangelical Lutheran Church Federation of Australia. SA pastors then started coming to Queensland.
Presidents:
- JFA Sueltmann (1885-1899) (known as Superintendent-General)
- E Becker (1899-1900)
- GH Heuer (1900-1907)
- J Koehnke (1907-1911)
- GH Heuer (1911-1921)
Missions:
- Mari Yamba (near Bowen) (1887-1902)
- Cape Bedford (Elim): From 1902 the UGSLSQ supported this mission of the Immanuel Synod.
Breakaway:
In 1889 the Danish portion of the UGSLSQ seceded and continued as separate independent congregations.
End and Successor Synod: In 1921 the UGSLSQ agreed to join four other Lutheran synods in the formation of the UELCA.
Name:
Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Victoria (ELSV)
Commonly known as the Victoria Synod.
Also written as Evangelical Lutheran Church of Victoria (ELCV).
Origin and development:
In May 1856 a meeting of congregational representatives formed the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Victoria and adopted a constitution. Pastor Goethe was elected as Superintendent.
During the years 1856-1860 discussions regarding union were held with Pastor Fritzsche and ELSA, but no agreement was reached.
In November 1874 Victoria Synod established a confessional union with Immanuel Synod: the Evangelical Lutheran General Synod of Australia (commonly known as the General Synod). The first synodical convention was held in March 1876. Member synods of the General Synod changed over time, but the Victoria Synod was a constant throughout. It ceased in 1921.
In 1921 Victoria Synod agreed to join four other Lutheran synods in the formation of the UELCA.
International connections:
Victoria Synod called many of its pastors from Basel Mission Seminary, Switzerland. As the Basel Seminary was a non-denominational institution, the ELSA and Immanuel Synod both objected to this – this prevented fruitful discussions for unification between ELSA and Victoria Synod in 1856-1860; and resulted in the Immanuel Synod leaving the General Synod federation in 1884: although a breakaway synod Immanuel Synod aaG immediately joined the General Synod.
Attempts at unions/federations:
General Synod: in 1874, the Victoria Synod and the Immanuel Synod established a federation called the General Synod. Ten years later, the Immanuel Synod left the General Synod confessional union, however the newly established Immanuel Synod aaG promptly joined the General Synod. The Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Queensland joined membership of the General Synod in 1889. The General Synod ceased in 1921 with the formation of the UELCA.
Missions:
While it did not undertake or establish any mission ventures of its own, the Victoria Synod did support existing missions: Bethesda Mission in SA, Moravian Brethren missions in Victoria and Queensland, the Syrian Orphanage in Jerusalem, and the Basel Mission Society, Switzerland.
It also established congregations in NSW.
Presidents:
- M Goethe (1856-1867)
- H Herlitz (1868-1914)
- CG Hiller (1915-1917)
- KE Gutekunst (1917-1921)
Church papers:
- Der Pilger in Victoria (1853-1856)
- Der Australische Christenbote (commonly known as Christenbote) (1860-1917)
- The Pilgrim (1918-1921)
End and Successor Synod:
The Victoria Synod ceased in 1921, when it united with four other synods to form the United Evangelical Lutheran in Australia.