About us

History

The Wilsonton-Glencoe Parish was officially formed on the 10th of May, 1992 as a result of re-alignment within the Toowoomba area.  While the Parish is young, the two congregations which make up the Parish have been long established. 

 

After a number of Lutherans met on 10th August, 1889, it was decided that the now closed Perth Street Church building be purchased for the sum of 115 pounds including all the fittings, pulpit, bell tower and church furniture.  The building was taken down piece by piece and transported from Perth Street to the new site in Gowrie Road per horse drawn drays and wagons. Mr Julius Baartz was the builder.  Mr Justus Kahler was contracted to deliver four new piles about 30 feet long for the tower.  Mr G Lebsanft squared and trimmed to size by hand with adze and broad axe most of the heavy timber in the tower.  The newly erected St John's Lutheran Church of Wilsonton  was dedicated on 24th November, 1889 with Pastor G. Heuer of Trinity and Pastor w. Burghardt of Highfields officiating.  The current church building was built in 1964 and extended in 1989, and seats approximately 210 people.

 

Bethlehem was dedicated towards the end of 1880.  The church building as built in 1908 and seats approximately 120 people.

What we believe

Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther (1483-1546).  Luther was a German theologian who realised that there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time.  On October 31,1517, he posted a challenge on the door of Wittenberg University, titled "95 Theses" (to debate 95 theological issues).  His hope was that the church would reform its practice and preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained in the Bible.  What started as an academic debate escalated into a distinct separation between the Roman Catholic church of the time and those who accepted Luther's suggested reforms.  "Lutheran" became the name of the group that agreed with Luther's convictions.

 

Today, over five centuries later, Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of Luther's theological teachings, such as Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone.

 

These comprise the very essence of Lutheranism:

  • Christ has achieved our salvation through His work on the cross and resurection;
  • The benefits of Christ's work is given to us as a gift from God: this is GRACE.  We are saved by the grace of God alone - not by anything we do; 
  • Our salvation is through faith alone - and this too is a gift of the Holy Spirit! - a trust in God, who, in Christ promises us forgiveness, life and salvation;
  • The Bible contains God's law which exposes our sin and unworthiness before God.  The Bilble also contains God's promises; the Holy Spirit comes with these promises to give us faith.
Locaton
ST JOHNS, WILSONTON:  431 Bridge Street, Wilsonton, Toowoomba.
BETHLEHEM, GLENCOE:  317 Gowrie-Glencoe Road, Glencoe.