Marananga, SA - St Michael's Gnadenfrei Lutheran
Year Built: 1873
Denomination: Lutheran
Saint: Michael
Address: Seppeltsfield Road, Marananga, South Australia, 5355
Architect: Unknown
Traditional Owners: Peramangk people
Last Updated: 26/06/2023
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History and Architecture:
The area was originally called Salt Creek. It was also known as Gnadenfrei before 1918 when names of "enemy origin" were changed to sound less German. The Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church was established, then a German school was established in 1879.
The first church building was erected on the present church grounds, the land being given to the Congregation by a Mr Carl Kriebel.
Originally aligned with the Langmeil congregation, the German settlers formed their own church in 1853. The present building was erected in 1873. Forty years later in 1913 the building was extended to include the existing gallery and bell tower. The bell in the tower was donated by a Mr Leopold Schmidt in memory of his late wife, Sophie, as the inscription on the bell tells us. The cost of these extensions was ₤579-11-4 ($1,159.15).
The architect for the tower was Gerald Seppelt of the local wine family and B.Freytag, of Tanunda, constructed it at a price of £550.
A full historical description can be seen on the Church website here.
Clergy:
These names are now in the Database and can be searched individually.
| Years | Name | Annotation | D.o.B | D.o.D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1854 - 1860 | Pastor A L.C. Kavel | IS | ||
| 1860 - 1864 | Pastor G W. Staudenmeyer | IS | ||
| 1864 - 1865 | Pastor K G.W. Keppler | IS | ||
| 1865 - 1888 | Pastor J. P Niquet | IS | ||
| 1888 - 1900 | Pastor J Spanagel | IS | ||
| 1901 - 1922 | Pastor C W.J. Meier | IS | ||
| 1923 - 1931 | Pastor Frederich Wilhelm Matschoss | IS | 1939 | |
| 1932 - 1943 | Pastor F. A. Hartmann | IS | ||
| 1944 - 1954 | Pastor A. G. Simpfendoerfer | IS | ||
| 1954 - 1964 | Pastor G P Venz | IS | 1909 | 2007 |
| 1965 - 1966 | Pastor P. E. Mickan | IS | ||
| 1966 - 1974 | Pastor B. E. Bartholomaeus | LCA | 1915 | 2009 |
| 1974 - 1977 | Pastor E. O Riedel | LCA | ||
| 1977 - 1985 | Pastor John Henry Mattiske | LCA | 1931 | 2018 |
| 1987 - 1997 | Pastor E. L Spike | LCA | ||
| 1998 - 2011 | Pastor J. B Weier | LCA | ||
| 2012 - 2015 | Pastor Wayne George | LCA | ||
| 2016 - 2020 | Pastor Detlev Vosgerau | LCA | ||
| 2021 - 2021 | Pastor Philip Bentley | LCA | ||
| 2023 - | Pastor Eugene Minge | LCA |
Organ:
The pipe organ was built by a Mr W.G. Rendall for a Mr G.S. Hale of Norwood at a cost of ₤70.00 ($140.00). In 1880 the organ was later purchased by one of the Point Pass Congregations and then sold in 1915 to a Mr Geyer, an organ dealer and teacher of Tanunda. Mr Geyer had it set up in his home until 1918 when the Gnadenfrei Congregation bought it. It was converted from foot pedal operated bellows to an electric blower in 1962. The organ was fully restored and repainted to its original colours in 1988 by Mr Roger Jones, organ builder of Nuriootpa. It was re-dedicated on May 28th 1989.
For a full description and photos click here.
Contributions:
1. 2023 Peter Neldner photo & additional names and Organ information.
Source:
1. Lutheran Archives SA
2. Wikapedia
3. Church website.