Holy Jerusalem Church

In the tranquil solitude of Effingham County, rests the Holy Jerusalem Church. A silent witness to centuries of faith and fortitude. This hallowed ground whispers tales of resilience and devotion. The Holy Jerusalem Church stands as the oldest continuous worshipping Lutheran Church in America. Its story begins in Augsburg, Germany, in 1733. A group of Salzburgers, seeking refuge from religious persecution, embarked on a journey to the New World. They arrived in Savannah on March 12, 1734, their hearts filled with hope for a new beginning. Led by General Oglethorpe, they initially settled in Ebenezer. However, hardships plagued them. The land proved infertile. Sickness and death became commonplace. A plea was made to General Oglethorpe for relocation. He granted their request. In 1736, the Salzburgers moved to New Ebenezer, where Ebenezer Creek meets the Savannah River. Here, they prospered. Agriculture, cattle raising, lumbering, and silk culturing flourished. By 1741, New Ebenezer boasted a population of twelve hundred. The Holy Jerusalem Church, built between 1767 and 1769, became the heart of their community. The Salzburgers, a wealthy and industrious people, constructed their church with handmade bricks. These bricks, made from local clay, formed walls twenty-one inches thick. Some of the original glass panes still grace the windows. The bells, brought from Europe, continue to ring before each service. The Holy Jerusalem Church witnessed the turmoil of the American Revolutionary War. Following the British invasion of 1778, New Ebenezer suffered severe damage. It never fully recovered. By 1855, the town was abandoned. Yet, the Holy Jerusalem Church endured. Today, it remains a testament to the enduring faith of the Salzburgers. The church cemetery, a sacred ground adjacent to the church, holds the remains of generations past. Here, you can find Rev. John Martin Bolzious (1703-1765) and Rev. Israel Christian Gronau, two of the founding pastors who guided the Salzburgers to their new home. The Holy Jerusalem Church, more than just bricks and mortar, represents the spirit of a community that thrived against adversity. It is a living, breathing testament to faith, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit.