Lutherans in Victoria (1935)

In the Australian Lutheran Almanac for 1935, the early history of the Lutheran Church in this state is told by Pastor A. Brauer, of Melbourne. It is stated that George Fife Angas, who assisted the first batches of Lutherans to settle in South Australia, took a deep interest also in the migration of Lutherans to Victoria. Fearing that more Germans might embark for South Australia than the newly-established province might, perhaps, be able to absorb or accommodate at that time, Mr. Angas communicated through a Tasmanian friend with the superintendent (later Governor), Charles Latrobe, of Port Phillip District. Latrobe extended a hearty welcome to the first batch of Lutheran Immigrants in 1840, which was about ten years later than the first Lutheran settlements in South Australia.

They arrived in Port Phillip by the ship Godeffroy in February of that year.

The statement made that these Lutherans left their homeland because of religious persecution was misleading. Actually, religious persecution In Prussia had ceased when they left. It had ended about eight years prior to their emigration, when the new Prussian King. Frederich William IV., had succeeded to the throne of his father, Frederich William III., who instigated tho coercion and persecution. The new king released imprisoned Lutheran pastors.

It was true, however, that even after the accession of Frederich William IV. Lutherans in some districts were subjected to petty annoyances and their pastors prohibited from officiating at funerals in public cemeteries. Many Lutherans, mistrusting the good faith of the Government, emigrated.

On the other hand, others left their homeland in order to escape Prussian military duty. Pioneering Lutherans settled at such places as Neu Mecklenburg (now Thomastown) and Breslau (later Waldau, and now Doncaster), and eight families settled originally at Germantown (now Grovedale), four miles from Geelong, and at Waldkirch (now Freshwater Creek).

The first Lutheran services were held in an English church. On 27th September. 1853, the foundation stone of the first Lutheran church In Melbourne was laid.

1935 'LUTHERANS IN VICTORIA', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 11 January, p. 11. , viewed 22 May 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205861836