Natimuk, VIC - St Paul's Lutheran

History and Architecture:

The parish was, from 1874 until 1904, under the spiritual care of Pastor Schoknecht. The present pastor, J. F. Noack, was installed in September, 1905. In the course of the following years the Natimuk pastor opened a preaching place at Horsham, and organized a congregation there.

Pastor Schurmann held the first services here in the home of the Brethren H. Schmidt and J. E. Boehm. As soon as the members had definite prospects of obtaining a resident pastor, they immediately set to work to build a place of worship. A weatherboard structure was soon erected, and was ready for dedication upon arrival of Pastor Schoknecht. The pastor preached his inaugural sermon on Easter Sunday, 1874, and in the same ,service dedicated the newly-built church.

In 1880 the congregation rebuilt and enlarged the church, and in 1887 opened a Church school. Mr. J. S. Molkentin was the teacher put in charge of this school.

The first church was built in 1872 behind the present day church. Todays church was dedicated on 24 March 1963.The foundation stone was laid on 14 October 1962.The bell that calls members to worship now is the same bell from the belfry of the first church.