TANUNDA : ST PAUL’S
LUTHERAN
PAUL SCOTT
SATELLITE VIEW
The satellite view shows that the axis of the Church is at an angle of some 20° off true geographical east-west, with the sanctuary in a direction just south of east. This means that we can easily identify our geographical directions with the liturgical directions we use (with the sanctuary pointing due East, with a capital E).
We see that the church is essentially rectangular with a small Eastern apse for the sanctuary. The apse is bounded by building additions on either side, these adjoining a small Southeast transept. At the Western end there is a small porch, and a large octagonal addition. This is referred to as ‘the meeting area’ in some Church references. With my cathedral background, I would like to call it the chapter house(!), but perhaps narthex will have to do. A link from the narthex leads through to the Church hall.
In our exploration, we shall begin at the Murray Street façade and walk right around the outside of the Church in a clockwise direction. We then retrace our steps to enter the complex through a door at the East end of the hall, and work our way back to the sanctuary.
HISTORY
Years Built: 1903, 1928
Address: 113–115 Murray Street, Tanunda, SA 5352
The origins of St Paul’s goes back to 1903 when the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia first conducted preaching services in Tanunda. These services were held in the home of Mr J. A. Pfeiffer.
St. Paul’s was formed on 16th February 1904 with six families living at Tanunda (Messrs. J. G. Heinrich, F. W. Wilhelm, W. Schulz, J. A. Pfeiffer, D. G. Noach, and C. G. Wilksch and their wives) being the foundation members. Their church building, which was a small wood and iron structure situated beside a house on land purchased from Pastor A. F. Rechner by Mr Pfeiffer in 1903, was dedicated on 29th May 1904 by Pastor H. Nickel.
The property owned by Mr J. A. Pfeiffer was purchased from him by the St. Paul’s congregation in 1923 for £1000.
In 1926 the St. Paul’s congregation decided to build a new church. The building which had been their place of worship for the past 22 years was moved to the back of the allotment, where it is still being used for Sunday School classes. The new church, which was able to accommodate more than 200 people, was dedicated on 23rd September 1928. The total cost of this building with furnishings was about £4200.
The Foundation stone was laid on 12 February 1928.
https://www.churchhistories.net.au/church-catalog/tanunda-sa-st-pauls-lutheran
The Church has a 12 page pamphlet outlining its history in much more detail.
