Monto, QLD - St Paul's Lutheran (Former)

History and Architecture:

On 16 November 1930 at 11.00am, the first Lutheran Service was conducted in the upstairs room in Patrick's Café, Pastor F. Herb Schmidt officiated. Eleven souls were present at that historic service and the offering was 82/0d. In the Lutheran Home Mission Messenger (hereafter abbreviated LHHM) Dec-Jan 1931, Pastor Schmidt wrote: "On November 16th, we were able to conduct our first Service at this new centre. We were during those days of preparatory work, ever and again encouraged to continue, and were gratified that the Committee was able to decide in favour of regular Services, which we are undertaking with the help of Pastor Lohe of Mackay."

Early in 1931, the place for services was moved to the Oddfellow's Hall. While this move was advantageous, it was by no means a congenial place of worship. One pastor recalls this building as 'a filthy establishment constructed of fibro-cement, and badly damaged by stones. One had to scratch one's way into it through the litter'.

Pastor Schmidt and Pastor M Lohe from Mackay shared monthly services in the town until Pastor Venz made the trips from Nambour from 1934. It was during his pastorate the church was built and dedicated on September 29, 1935.

The Church closed in 2019 with only 8 members and is now the Christian Ministry.