How did a group of believers create a church in Stuttgart after upheaval? We are standing before the Neuapostolische Kirche. It is a testament to faith and resilience.
This Neuapostolische Kirche has a unique history. It rose from the aftermath of division and dedication. The story begins with the former Neuapostolische Kirche Stuttgart-Olgastrasse. This church faced turmoil around 1918 and 1919. About 300 members broke away under the leadership of Georg Paulus. Otto Muller also joined them.
The Olgastrasse church was in private hands. The leader who left with Paulus and Muller allowed the new group to use the building. Paulus and Muller turned to the Pentecostal movement. The remaining Neuapostolische congregation needed a new home.
In 1926, this congregation built the Neuapostolische Kirche Stuttgart-Süd. This is the building we see today. Members sacrificed greatly for this new church. Some even sold their jewelry to fund the construction.
The Neuapostolische Kirche Stuttgart-Süd represents rebirth and commitment. It shows how a community can rebuild after discord. The history of this church reflects the broader story of the Neuapostolische Church.
The Neuapostolische Kirche Süddeutschland is an administrative district. It covers Baden-Württemberg and most of Bavaria. Smaller parts of Hesse are also included. Michael Ehrich has been the church president since 2006.
The roots of the Neuapostolische Kirche trace back to the early 19th century. Believers followed a charismatic revival movement. This movement spread across England, Scotland, and Germany. In southern Germany, it centered around the Donaumoos in Bavaria.
In the 1850s, the Catholic Apostolic congregations emerged. This followed the first Holy Sealing in Ulm in 1856. By 1863, almost all members had converted. They joined the New Apostolic Church.
The first apostle for southern Germany was called in 1888. His name was Georg Gustav Adolf Ruff. The first southern German congregation was founded in 1896. It was located in Schopfheim in Baden.
Württemberg’s first congregation was founded in Tailfingen in October 1896. By the end of 1897, about twelve more congregations had formed. The Neuapostolische Kirche gained corporate rights in Baden in 1921.
During the Nazi regime, many congregations were closed. Only compliance saved the church from total closure. This included racist remarks in church magazines. Also Hitler salutes after services and forced membership of clergy in the NSDAP helped.
In 1938, Georg Schall became district apostle. He oversaw about 400 congregations. These congregations included 36000 members in Württemberg and Bavaria.
In 1949, the Apostle District of Heilbronn became the Apostle District of Stuttgart. The administrative area largely matched state borders. The Neuapostolische Kirche also gained corporate rights in Bavaria in 1950.
In 1997, the regional churches of Baden and Württemberg merged. They formed the regional church of Baden-Württemberg. In 2002, the present-day regional church of Southern Germany was created. This happened through a merger of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
The Neuapostolische Kirche Süddeutschland supports work in other countries. It is active in Southeast Europe, Africa, and the Persian Gulf. The church also runs special institutions. These include the Kammerchor Stuttgart. It also includes the Forum Fasanenhof and “human aktiv.” The Akademie provides training for church officials. The church also has a “Gremium im Fall sexueller Übergriffe”.