Loxton, SA - St Peter's Lutheran

History and Architecture:

The Church was first set up in 1897 by E.J.P. Kaesler before the town of Loxton was formally planned. It originally met for worship in the houses of John Drabsch of Loxton and A Stanitzki of Bookpurnong.

In 1904, a stone church measuring 40ft x 20ft x 14ft (12.2m x 6.1m x 4.27m) at a cost of 180.00 having a seating capacity of 150 was erected. It is still used as a Hall today. The Manse was built in 1910.

On 24 November 24 1924 work began on a new Church which eventually cost 5,705.00. Local limestone was used. A Foundation Stone reads, " To the Glory of God 1 Cor 3 II This stone was laid on 18th Jan 1925. On Sunday, March 7th, 1926 the Church was opened to an audience of 2,000 people. The contractor was J.B . Traeger of Nuriootpa, the local stone mason to W. Bartsch. Stone was quarried from R.E . Thiele's property. The pulpit and pews were also designed by Cowell and Cowell and made by Traeger in blackwood.