A painted sign declares AD 1881. This marks the year construction began on the Martin Luther Kirche. Here before us stands a testament to Sydney’s German community. It is possibly the oldest Lutheran church in the city. It is the only Lutheran church surviving in central Sydney.
Let’s step back to the 19th century. German residents in Sydney longed for a place to worship in their native tongue. As far back as 1866, sermons from German clergymen encouraged them. They put themselves under the guidance of Mr. A J. Heide, a young theological student. He had to leave Sydney in 1868. They were once more without a spiritual leader.
In 1873, they found Rev. G. W. Warner. He had been officiating in Ballarat. He urged them to build a church. He preached in a hired room in the Protestant Hall. The congregation purchased land on Goulburn Street for £464.
Rev. Warner sadly passed away in 1879 after a long illness. The congregation faced the difficulty of finding a pastor again. Despite this, they continued to hold services. Mr. J. A. Engel led them.
In January 1882, the community gathered for a momentous occasion. Mrs. R. Krauel, wife of the German Consul-General, laid the foundation stone. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on this event on January 30, 1882. The building was designed by Mr. T. Dixon Chater. It was expected to cost about £2000. It would accommodate 220 people comfortably. The church measured 45 feet in length and 25 feet in breadth. It included a chancel and a small vestry.
The walls were made of brick and cemented. Entrance was through a porch with steps. Five windows on each side provided daylight. Gas lamps illuminated the church at night. The roof featured open timber work. Colonial pine was used for the seats and pulpit. Seating was provided for the choir. An iron railing was placed in front.
The Sydney Morning Herald described the church as rather plain. It would meet the Lutheran body’s requirements for some time. It was certainly an acquisition to the neighbourhood. Mr. B. Rhodes undertook the brickwork. Mr. John Stuart handled the finishing work.
The foundation stone laying was a festive event. Pastor H. Herlitz, president of the Lutheran Synod of Victoria, delivered addresses in English and German. He expressed gratitude for the support from English persons. He addressed the question of why a Lutheran church was needed in Sydney. He said that Germans, like the English, needed to worship in their own language.
Revs. Dr. Ellis, G. Brown, Dr. White, and Mr. Moore offered their support. They praised Luther’s work in promoting religious liberty. A collection was taken for the building fund.
The Martin Luther Kirche officially opened on September 16, 1883. The Deutsche Evangelische Kirche in Goulburn Street was consecrated on Sunday morning. Rev. H. Herlitz of Melbourne officiated.
Today, the Martin Luther Kirche stands as a symbol of faith. It embodies community and architectural heritage. Its Victorian Romanesque style reminds us of a bygone era. This church remains a spiritual home for Sydney’s German Lutherans.