Herberge Christi - Bethany

 

Twenty eight families and their Pastor Daniel Fritsche from Silesia settled at the base of the Barossa ranges in 1842.

The first and original services are believed to have been held out in the open field and then in some of the settlers hut.

In 1845, the first church building was constructed, ‘a thatched roof church with mud walls’ was built and used for worship.

Other services would be held at Kaiserstuhl, know known as Menglers Hill.

The congregation would sit on rocks in front of a makeshift pulpit and worship, overlooking the vast Barossa Valley floor.

The current church was completed in 1883.

This building is considered very beautiful, its main features being a flagstone floor and fine pipe organ which was constructed by J.E Dodd in 1929.

English services were introduced in 1924.