Lutheran Church
Lobethal

Knud Smenge, opus 38, 1996
17 speaking stops, 3 couplers, mechanical key & stop action

From the 2009 OHTA Conference Book, David Shield writes:

 

Although both church building and organ at Lobethal may be relatively new, the property at this “valley of praise” contains the oldest Lutheran Church in Australia.  The history of the district revolves around Daniel Frietsche and his flock.  As in other Lutheran settlements, division led to the formation of new congregations and, at one period, Lobethal had at least three Lutheran churches.  Over time, these have amalgamated forming the current Lobethal Lutheran Church in 1969.  Early references to organs in the church have yet to be researched.  The current organ was installed in 1996.

 

The story of Lobethal revolves around Pastor G. Daniel Frietsche.  Subject to religious persecution in Germany, he was reluctant to emigrate.  However, he received an invitation to come to South Australia from Pastor August Kavel to “enjoy freedom of religion and conscience…without the least interference on the part of the State” and, having given his followers a promise that he would accompany them into exile should they choose, arrived with them on the Skjold in October 1841.  Land not being available to them, after a short time at Klemzig this group went to Hahndorf, with some of the settlers including Frietsche moving on to Lobethal.  The first open air service, with 18 families, was held on 4 May 1842, the congregation calling themselves “Zum Weinberge Christi” (Christ’s Vineyard).  Work started on the first church building in 1843, to be dedicated in 1847, still in use today.¹

 

Lobethal had other Lutheran churches.  Differences related to Frietsche’s views on dancing led to the first division.  At the foundation ceremony in 1858 of a new church, William Milne, Esq., M.P., read a document declaring:

 

“The name of this Church is St. Paul’s; the occasion of its erection is a difference of views taken by its supporters as to discipline of the Old and Established Church and Society in Lobethal, now and long since under the pastorate of G.D. Fritzsche.”²

 

Further division led to the creation of Zum Kripplein Christi (Church of Christ’s Manger).  Dedicated in 1876 this congregation eventually united with St Paul’s, selling its church to the Church of England.³

 

The first mention of an organ for Zum Weinberge Christi, or St John’s as renamed in 1955, is in 1870.  Brother Hammer is said to have built them their first organ for £60.  In 1883 F.W. Kleinschmidt (a brewer) presented the church with a new organ.  Little is known of these instruments and they may well have been reed organs.  Further research is required.  In 1954, the church acquired a Hammond electronic organ for £1,300 that was dedicated on Christmas Eve.  In 1986 a Johannus electronic organ, purchased for $7,500, was dedicated.⁴

 

St Paul’s, having amalgamated with St John’s, closed in 1972 and was remodelled as a new church hall. In 1977, St John’s was placed on the Register of the National Trust.  To satisfy the needs of the congregation a decision was taken to build a new church, the present structure being dedicated in 1992.  In the early planning stages encouragement was given to ensure adequate space was provided in the gallery for an organ.  It was hoped the organ could be dedicated with the church, but construction and voicing of the instrument by Knud Smenge was only completed in June 1996, the dedication service following with Pastor Mark Whitfield as guest organist.⁵  Placed in a rear gallery, the manual naturals are capped in bone and the sharps in rosewood.  The pedalboard is of solid oak with ebony sharps and the casework is of Tasmanian oak.

 

Knud Smenge, opus 38, 1996

17 speaking stops, 3 couplers, mechanical key & stop action

 

HV
Principal	8
Rohrflöte	8
Octave	4
Querflöte	4
Octave	2
Mixture	V-VI
Trompete	8
BV - HV
BV (enclosed)
Holzgedakt	8
Koppelflöte	4
Principal	2
Sesquialtera	II
Nasat	1 1/3
Krumhorn	8
PEDAL
Subbas	16	A
Gedakt	8	A
Koralbas	4
Fagot	16
HV – PED
BV – PED
BV - PED 4’

 

Compass: 58/30

Tremulant To HV and BV

Attached drawstop console

 

 

 

1  Brauer, A., Under the Southern Cross (1985) chapters 9,10; Hebart, Th., The United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Australia (1985), p.262

 

2 Advertiser, 30 December 1858, p.2

 

3  Hebart, Th., op.cit., p.262

 

4  Lutheran Archives pamphlet: Lobethal Lutheran Church (c.2001)

 

5. Ibid.;  Lindsay, B. ‘Another fine Smenge organ for South Australia’, OMS Newsletter, vol.26, no.4 (August/September 1996) pp.7-8; I Will Declare Thy Name Recitals programme at dedication Lobethal Church, 1996

 

 

Frances Nobert (USA)

Photos: Trevor Bunning (Oct 2009)