Murtoa, VIC - St John's Lutheran

History and Architecture:

The Murtoa congregation was organized by Pastor Schoknecht in 1874, on Pentecost Monday. The first services were held in the house of Bro. E. Habel. Soon, however, the building of a church was taken in hand. "The Kirchenbote" of 1875, contains a correspondence, dated June 3, 1875, in which the dedication is reported. The church was built of weatherboard, with vestry, and was capable of accommodating about 250 people. This church was, by fiendish hands, on April 6, 1916, burnt to the ground. For a number of years the congregation then held its services in the old school.

The new church, built of reinforced concrete, was begun on April 6, 1923, and on September 9 of the same year dedicated to the service of God and the current church was built in 1965. The Church was designed by Eric von Schramek.