Originally named Kirchheim, Haigslea carries whispers of its past. This locality straddles the City of Ipswich and the Somerset Region. Haigslea holds stories of German immigrants and a name change born of war.
In the mid-19th century, German settlers arrived. They established a community they called Kirchheim. The name reflected their heritage. Between 1865 and 1873, the area became a hub of German culture.
However, World War I brought change. Anti-German sentiment swept the nation. Kirchheim was renamed Haigslea. The new name honored General Douglas Haig. He was a British commander during the war. Haig had served in India and later commanded forces in France.
The echoes of faith resonate here. St Paul’s Lutheran Church was a cornerstone of the community. Pastor C. Baustadt dedicated it in 1873. A manse, or pastor’s residence, was built nearby. The original manse was replaced in 1895. It was moved to Marburg in 1904.
Disaster struck in 1923. A cyclone destroyed the church. But the community rebuilt. A new church was dedicated in 1924. Around 300 people attended its opening. Sadly, the church closed in 1971. The building no longer stands on the site.
Education has always been a priority in Haigslea. Walloon Scrub State School opened in 1876. It was later renamed Kirchheim State School in 1884. By 1885, it had 95 students. Mr Berry was the headmaster. He was assisted by three pupil teachers. In 1916, it was renamed Haigslea State School. It continues to serve the community today.
The Sundowner Hotel marks a place of gathering. The first hotel in the area was the Crown Hotel. Wiegand Raabe built it in the late 1870s. By 1885, Henry Lutz was the publican. The tradition continues with the Sundowner Hotel. It was built in the late 1970s on the same site.
Religious diversity shaped Haigslea. A Wesleyan Methodist Church was established by 1885. A German Evangelical Lutheran Church also existed. It later became a Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1896. The building was moved to Haigslea Uniting Church in 1981. It became a church hall.
A split within St Paul’s Lutheran Church led to a new congregation. In 1911, the Congregational Church opened. Members wanted services in English, not German. Over time, it evolved into the Haigslea Uniting Church. It closed in March 2020.
Haigslea is more than just a name. It is a place of community. Haigslea’s story is one of faith, education, and resilience. It is a reminder of the people who shaped this corner of Queensland. Today, Haigslea continues to evolve. It embraces its history while looking toward the future.