Zion Lutheran Church

Foundation stone records: (German) Dieser Stein Wurde Gelegt Im - Namen Des Dreieinigen Gottes - von - Pastor J P Lohe - General Prases Der V E L K A - und - Pastor G Simpfendorfer - District Prases - Den 24th August 1923 - 1 Petri 2 v 4-6.Text in German.

Heritage plaque records: First Lutheran Church - Take a step back in time to the 1870s. - When a large group of Lutherans arrived in early 1869, it was important that they had a space to worship the living God. From 25th March 1869 onwards they regularly met in the home of Michael Wenke until a dedicated building was completed. - Work began on the first Lutheran Church building on this site between what is now the current Church building and the Church Hall. It was built by voluntary labour and dedicated by Elder Klemke soon after Easter 1872. Walls were built of pine poles with mud plastered over them and the roof of straw, which was replaced by tin at a later date. The church was, debt-free by the time of dedication. - The congregation numbered approx 80 baptised members. The first Pastor was IT Egen (1872-1884) then Pastor G Simpfendorfer (1886-1933). - ...The second Church was a very substantial building with walls made of stone quarried from Grosse's farm situated between Culcairn and Gerogery and having a steeple and vestry. Electric light and power were installed in the Church in 1915. It was converted into a hall in 1939 and used for various functions. The steeple was taken down in the 1940s because it was unsafe. - With the congregation rapidly growing the building of the third (current) Church building began in 1923. Total cost of building was 9,795 [pounds]. At the dedication on 26th October 1924 it was estimated that more than 2,500 people attended services that day. - In 1967 a large pipe organ was purchased in time for the congregation's centenary celebrations in 1969. The organ itself was originally built in 1869. It was refurbished and enlarged before instalation and then again in 2011-12. The organ now has 1376 pipes...