Bethania Lutheran Church

The Bethania Lutheran Church is the oldest known Lutheran church in Queensland, dating from 1872. While regular services are now held in the nearby church built in 2008, the original church remains the venue of choice for weddings, funerals and other occasions. The adjoining cemetery which dates to 1865 is still used by Logan Lutherans. The Lutheran congregation arrived in the district in 1864, establishing a cooperative farming community on the banks of the Logan River. The first simple church on the property was of timber slab construction. The new brick church was a major step forward for the local community. Built of locally made bricks, timber and shingles, it also boasted a bell tower. Timber for the framework and pews, came from Henry Jordan’s Tygum sawmill. Jordan, the local MLA and staunch Wesleyan, was guest of honour at the opening. Celebrations at the centenary of the church in 1972 included some major renovations such as a new iron roof and maple plywood ceiling, new leadlight windows and a concrete block porch. At this time the demographics of Bethania were shifting rapidly from a rural to a residential community, resulting in the construction of a larger church and school nearby.