Beenleigh, QLD - Bethesda Lutheran

History and Architecture:

Its first congregation was formed in 1880. In the beginning of the year 1884, the congregation joined the Bethania Parish and later in the year £230 was raised to build the new church. On September 14, 1884, the church was dedicated, Pastor Sueltmann conducting the ceremony.

The Beenleigh Lutheran congregation seceded from an earlier Lutheran congregation in the area in 1883, and established themselves on the present site by purchasing the Good Templar's Hall, which they repaired and dedicated as St Peter's Church in 1884. The parish was host to the first Convention of the General Synod of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia upon its formation in 1925.1 The foundation stone of the present church building was laid in 1947. Following the amalgamation of three congregations in the Beenleigh area in 1990, a new congregation was formed and St Peter's was re-named Bethesda Lutheran Church.

A Foundation stone reads, " This stone is laid to the Glory of God on May 18th 1947 by The President of the U.E.L.C.A. Pastors Johs J. Stolz D.D.".