St. John's Lutheran Church

A brief history of the web of events and groups that eventually became St John’s Lutheran Congregation, Kapunda.

One branch started name wise as ST. PAUL'S congregation. How did that start? Regular services commenced as early as 1880 at Bagot Well near Kapunda, mainly in the homes of various members. Pastor J. J. Stolz came to Light Pass to serve these members. By 1900, and the services at Bagot Well ceased. In 1905, members of Immanuel Synod settled near Kapunda (known as the UELCA), and desired a church building of their own. A Synod is a formal group of Lutheran congregations and Parishes, but that group was not the only group of Lutherans in Australia or in South Australia. Members from the Bagot Wells congregation and the new settlers raised loan money from amongst themselves which allowed Pastor Stolz to arrange the purchase of the church that was previously owned by  the 'Primitive Methodist Church in Whittaker St. Kapunda, which was known up till then as the “Little Glory” congregation.  On June 16th 1907 they formally organised themselves as “St Paul’s” congregation in this acquired building.

Some trivia:
The first minutes of St Paul’s congregation business meetings recorded in English were dated 26/01/1941. Previously all was recorded in German.
In a business meeting dated January 17, 1946, apparently Pastor E Rhode was asked to shorten his sermons if possible as they were considered to be too long. No actual times were mentioned; neither the length of the long sermons nor the parishioner’s desired length.
In 1955 St Paul’s congregation asked Trinity congregation (another Lutheran congregation attached to another Lutheran Synod and known by the acronym of ELCA) for the hire of that church in Kapunda while renovations were done at St Paul’s. 

How did this “other group” fit into the bigger picture?

A group of Lutherans had formed the Bethlehem congregation at Allen’s Creek near Allendale North (in the outer general area of Kapunda).  Some of those members eventually moved into Kapunda. They formed a separate Kapunda congregation and worshiped at separate times at St Paul’s Lutheran church, which used to be the primitive Methodist church as previously stated.  At first they also called themselves St Paul’s congregation.  They too wanted their own worship place.  But since there was already a St Paul’s congregation in Kapunda, they changed their name to “Trinity” congregation on 18th December 1907, the day that the foundation stone was laid for their own church building being erected on the present St John’s congregation site at 23 South Terrace, Kapunda.  The following year, 9th August, 1908, the new church building was dedicated and members of Trinity congregation could then worship in their own building. Their first pastor was Pastor Hansen. The opening services (one in the morning, one in the afternoon) were conducted in German and the latter in English.
In March 1925 Trinity and Bethlehem congregations became a parish which meant they shared a pastor, rather than being part of a parish based in Gawler.

In 1958 the gallery on the church at 23 South Terrace was erected, thanks to the considerable donation by Mr R Hampel and other donations completed a “renovation”. On 22 January 1967 Trinity congregation which was resident at 23 South Terrace amalgamated with St Paul’s congregation which was resident at Whittaker St. Kapunda. This was a flow-on effect of the two Lutheran Synods amalgamating (UELCA & ELCA to form the LCA - Lutheran Church of Australia).

In the formation of one congregation out of the two congregations it was decided to adopt the new name of St John’s congregation. Worship was held thereafter at the South terrace building and the other church was used as a church hall. Eventually the church building in Whittaker St was sold and in November 1972 the foundation stone was laid of the present church hall, which now includes a later extension / update.

One other matter of interest in this history was the establishment of a Lutheran Day school as part of the “Trinity congregation” part 
of the history. In May 1909 a meeting was held to establish a school. Pastor Hanson’s daughter Chrissie was the first teacher. Children of members and non-members alike were able to enrol their children at the school. It reached a highest enrolment of twenty nine children just before its closure. It was closed in 1917 when all Lutheran schools were closed as part of government “War time measures”. 

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Mission Statement

"Why St.John's?"

Child Safe

Current info


Contact Details:

Postal Address:  23 South Terrace, Kapunda SA 5373. 
Ph:  08 8566 2189 
Email:  [email protected] or [email protected]