The German Lutheran Church (as it was known), 1896. Photo provided by Robin Kleinschmidt in his book Nazareth Lutheran Church 1862–2012: A Journey Under Grace
Nazareth Lutheran Church was established by pioneering and committed Lutherans more than 150 years ago in South Brisbane.
Founded by some of the first free settlers in the Moreton Bay area of the colony of New South Wales, the first church building, known as ‘The German Lutheran Church’, was erected in 1862 in South Brisbane. The congregation moved to the present site at 12 Hawthorne Street, in the ‘new’ suburb of Woolloongabba in 1896, after the original site was badly damaged during the 1893 flood. The new church was built with bricks and timber from a demolished hotel at nearby Stanley Bridge.
During World War II, the name of the church was changed from 'German Lutheran Church' to 'Nazareth Lutheran Church'.
The post-war era was a productive church-seeding time when Nazareth became a mother church to congregations that sprang up throughout the expanding suburbs.
After a fire in May 2000, only the brick exterior walls remained, but it was rebuilt as closely as possible to the original design and re-opened in 2001.
Over the years, a church hall, a residential care centre, independent living units, and a childcare centre have been built. The church is now heritage listed on the Local Heritage Register.
Throughout its long history, the church has sought to reach out to our local community. While membership has waxed and waned over the years, God has sustained, inspired and guided the church to enable it to remain focused on making God known through word and sacrament. As we continue to seek to minister to the needs of those around us, we remain, as always under his grace.
See A Journey Under Grace, Nazareth Lutheran Church, 1862–2012, by R Kleinschmidt.
The book A Journey Under Grace is available for purchase from the office.
