Sep2014
A day to remember
by Rachel Kuchel
Picnic … a day of nerves and excitement. In the 1800s the annual school examination was monumental for students, teachers and congregations alike, for everyone was invited. In 1857, teacher Martin Basedow and his pupils assembled in Dr Carl Muecke’s independent Lutheran Church (Tabor) in Tanunda, South Australia, along with 150 parents and friends as… Read more
Aug2014
Dear Teacher
by Rachel Kuchel
In 1847 Johann Ferdinand Mueller underwent a public examination in front of the Lobethal congregation, at the end of which he was awarded a certificate in teaching. With this, Ferdinand Mueller became the first Lutheran teacher to be trained in Australia. In September 1842 Ferdinand began teaching at Lobethal, shortly after its settlement. His teaching… Read more
Jul2014
Home schooled
by Rachel Kuchel
Many of us are familiar with the idea of our Lutheran forebears leaving Prussia to escape religious persecution. I’d hazard a guess, however, that many don’t realise that problems with the union church extended to the schooling of their children. Sounds intriguing, yes? In the mid-18th century, Prussia introduced compulsory education which was neither secular… Read more
Jun2014
A woman of firsts
by Rachel Kuchel
She came from a remarkable family. She married a remarkable man. There was perhaps little room for her to be anything other than remarkable—and that she was! The story of Agnes Dorsch, nee Heyne, is a series of firsts: the first woman to receive a scholarship to the University of Adelaide (and the third to… Read more
May2014
LSF: Soul care for students
by Rachel Kuchel
This year, Lutheran Students and Friends celebrates its 60th anniversary—although it hasn’t always been called that. Just like its name, the group has evolved over the years to reflect its changing aims and environment. In 1944 a study group for tertiary students belonging to the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (UELCA) had already been… Read more
Apr2014
Captain Compassion
by Rachel Kuchel
The South Australian town of Hahndorf was settled 175 years ago by 52 Lutheran families who arrived on a ship called the Zebra. They were part of the contingent of migrants we tend to call ‘Kavel’s people’ (although strictly speaking they were not members of Kavel’s congregation), leaving Prussia to seek a country where they… Read more
Mar2014
Murdered in New Guinea
by Lyall Kupke
During World War II the courage of one missionary enabled him to defy both the Australian and the Japanese authorities so that he could continue to serve the people of New Guinea. But ultimately he paid the supreme sacrifice. Adolph Wagner was born in 1912 in New Guinea, the son of the German Lutheran missionary… Read more
Jun2013
Our North Adelaide college
by Lyall Kupke
This stately building in North Adelaide was built in 1882 as a college. For the last 90 years it has been owned by the Lutheran Church and used as an educational institution. But for how much longer will this role remain? The block on the north-east corner of Jeffcott and Ward Streets in North Adelaide… Read more
