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From: "Tom & Lorrae Johnson" <>
Subject: RE: Apostolic Church
Date: Sat, 7 Oct 2000 08:48:01 +1000


Hi Albert and everyone

This really should be answered by one of the list 'lurkers' as they are of
this faith.

The Apostolic Church was founded in Germany (?) and believe that there are
still 12 Apostles to carry on a faith leaders. Back in the early 1880's
they sent a young missionary to Australia, to attend to the religious
beliefs of their faith.

This was Heinrich Friedrich Niemeyer (otherwise referred to as "H F
Niemer"). To cut a long story short, he eventually set up his headquarters
at Hatton Vale. He was approached by the Queensland Government to bring out
migrants - which he did by the boat loads. Areas such as Binjour Plateau
were set up - I know of three groups, but there may have been more. When
these migrants arrived in this country, they first went to the homes of
members at Hatton Vale to learn farming methods in Australia, before they
were sent off into the wilderness to their own farms.

Eventually H F was appointed as an Apostle. He had several Bishops and
other office bearers also who helped him with his duties. This faith spread
all over Queensland, with other major centres in Bundaberg and Mackay.

Then came the breakaway - hush, not a lot is general knowledge, and I don't
know the reason, but in the early part of the 20th century, the New
Apostolic Church took roots in places such as Mundubbera and Ipswich. Other
places too, I guess.

H F was interned during WWI, and died in 1920. Another apostle was
appointed. Over the years, the church has continued to grow, to such an
extent, that eventually, another Apostle was appointed in Mackay. I do not
know the names of the officer bearers, but Bishop is one, and there are
several others.

Unlike other religions, the office bearers have normal everyday lives such
as farmers, graziers, businessmen, etc, with the exception that they also
hold positions within the Church.

They are many Apostolic Churches in Queensland, and they continue to grow.
They have major events at different Centres in Queensland and members from
Hatton Vale will travel to Bundaberg and Mackay to attend and vice versa.
They encourage their youth to socialise within the church with weekend
social events.

What is their theological base? Sorry - don't know. However, from the
golden and silver wedding celebrations I have attended the curch for, they
are not too unlike the Catholic - same prayers, same style of service.
Perhaps, a break away from the Catholic church, no, more likely the catholic
is a break away from the Apostolic. Depends on whose view point you are
looking from.

I do know that a large percentage of people in this area belong to the
church, and without the help of my 2nd cousin, who belongs to this church, I
would never have been able to successfully chase our Family as well as I did
with her help.

(PS When HF went on a mission to Mackay to recruit new members - it is said
the he meet with the WESCHE family in Mackay. The story goes that they were
neighbours in Germany and followed HF back to Plainland. They are buried in
the little cemetery in the middle of the paddock - my ancestors). Most of
their descendants are Apostolic but not from my Grandfather who left the
church when he married my grandmother.)

Lorrae Johnson
13 Forest Avenue
Plainland Q 4341

Phone/FAX: 07 5465 6725




-----Original Message-----
From: Albert Grulke [mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, 3 October 2000 7:35 AM
To:
Subject: Apostolic Church


I am trying to learn about the Apostolic Church.
I have no knowledge of it existing outside of Queensland. I always thought
it was a break-away from the Lutherans at Hatton Vale but from this list I
have learned that there was a number of Apostolic Churches in Queensland. I
know of one on the Binjour Plateau and one around Beenliegh somewhere. I
recently saw one at Nundah and I learned that there is a New Apostolic
Church.
I asked what is the difference and was told that the New Apostolic Church is
new and the Old Apostolic Church si old. With that profound bit of knowledge
I felt totally informed. I also asked questions about their teachings to be
told they live all over the valley.
I also learned that they have a Bishop who lives at Hatton Vale. I assume
that is the old Apostolic Church. Does the New Apostolic Church have a
Bishop as well or is he just a new bishop?
Did they come from Germany or were they founded in Queensland?
How big are they? What is their theological base? Is there a difference
between the New and the Old?
Any advance on my last informed advisor would be welcomed.
Albert Grulke

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