History of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hawkesdale, by Bruce Mirtschin

Pastors (clockwise from top left): J. Juers (65-76), T. Koch (43-45), P. Koehne (90-00), T. Wiebusch (45-64), B. Fry (83-90), K. Zwar (76-81), D. Borgas (01-13, centre).

HISTORY OF IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH 

• Records show German settlers owning land in 1869, near Hawkesdale: W. Ubergang, C. Ubergang & J. Grauer. However they may have moved on as their names did not appear after 1872. 
• 1906 the Nagorcka family from Tarrington purchased land in Minhamite, but still attended church at Tabor 
• After the First World War more Lutheran families moved to the Hawkesdale area but still attended church services at Tabor & Tarrington. ( Jim Uebergang & S. Williams) 
• The families of W. Hausler, A. Noske, W. Kriewaldt, H. Rentsch purchased land in the Minhamite area in 1929 to early 1930’s 
• The families of G.Habel (1932) & B. Mirtschin (1939) purchased land in the Woolsthorpe area 
• The first service was held in the Hawkesdale hall in 1939 with Pastor G. Minge of Tabor. He continued services on a regular basis. 
• Dec.1942 a meeting was called at which a decision was made “to organize ourselves and form a congregation”. Pastor Minge led the meeting with all the above families present. It was also decided to form a congregation and link up with the newly formed Warrnambool Parish with the first resident minister, Pastor T.W.Koch, (1943-1945). 
• Pastor T Wiebusch became minister on 6th May 1945 (Ministered for 19 years until 1964) 
• Services were held on a fortnightly basis from the beginning of 1943 in the Presbyterian Church. (Church hire 6 shillings per service) 
• Funds were collected for a new church building. A sum of 200 pounds was bequested from Mr. August Mibus from Tabor for this purpose. 
• In March 1947, it was decided to purchase a block of land. Acting on behalf of the congregation, Mr. W. Hausler purchased the block on which the hall partly sits for 84 pounds ($168). 
• In Feb 1949, a building committee was appointed and plans drawn up by Mr. Walters, an architect from Warrnambool (a double brick building, capable of seating over 200 people). 
• May 1952 the corner block on which the church now is situated was purchased for 185 pounds ($370). 
• Feb.1954 a tender was accepted to build at 8853 pounds ($17,706) 
• Foundation stone was laid 26th September 1954 after a service held at the Hawkesdale Hall at which Pastor H. F. Quast was the guest preacher. 

Church foundation stone, September 1954

Church dedication, July 1955

Altar on dedication day

• Building completed and dedication service held on 3rd July 1955. Pastor W. H. Paech gave the dedicatory address with assisting ministers, Pastors G. Minge, B Schwarz, E. Wiebusch and resident minister T. Wiebusch. There were 450 people present. Offerings were 400 pounds ($800). 
• 1960 a decision was made to look at building or acquiring a hall. 
• 1961 A Doherty reed organ was purchased. A small pedal organ from the Noske family had been used until then. The Doherty was replaced in 1964 with an Estey reed organ.
• 7th Feb 1965 Pastor J. Juers was installed as minister of the parish and served 12 years. 
• A tender of $22,157 was accepted to build a new hall & the foundation stone was laid in October 1966. 
• Hall dedicated on 4th June 1967. Pastor T Wiebusch was guest preacher, with 400 people present. Mr. I. Smith (MLA) unveiled the memorial plaque 
• Pastor Kevin Zwar became our next minister in December 1976 and served for 5 years 
• After Pastor Zwar’s departure, Pastor E. Kempe conducted services until the appointment of Pastor Bill Fry in January 1983.

Laying of the foundation stone, October 1966

Dedication of Hall, July 1967

Pipe organ

Woodcutting 1985

• Since the new church was built several reed organs had been purchased and used. In 1982 an organ fund commenced. In 1983, a pipe organ was purchased from the Uniting Church, Castlemaine for $6000. Building alterations were made to the church for $11500. The organ was installed for $2000 and dedicated on August 25th 1985.
• Woodcutting began in 1983 with the proceeds going towards the building and organ fund, church work and special needs. 
• Up to the 1970’s a continual growth in numbers was in evidence, with good numbers attending Sunday School, Ladies Guild, Mens Fellowship & Youth Group. 
• The 1980’s saw a gradual decline, with members retiring to Warrnambool and younger people attending educational institutions and choosing jobs in the cities. 
• Pastor Peter Koehne was installed on 20 July 1990 and remained until his retirement. 
• Pastor David Borgas was installed April 2001 and is still serving our congregation. (May 2013)

Pastor David Borgas 2005

Immanuel Church