Book launched detailing history of St Peters

 Book launch: History of St Peters Lutheran Church, Indooroopilly

On Sunday 30 August 2026 following the usual worship service, a recently completed history book, From Resurrection to St Peters: a congregation’s journey 1960s–2026, was launched. The book is the culmination of an ambitious idea developed during the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of congregational worship at the Indooroopilly campus of St Peters Lutheran College.

On Sunday 6 July 2025, we celebrated – to the day – the 50th anniversary of the first worship service of the congregation, soon to be named Resurrection Lutheran Church. Our service leaders were Pastor Geoff Burger, who had initially led services for the congregation in the 1960s, and Pastor Ulf Metzner, a former congregational pastor (1982–1993).

A unique characteristic of our church community is our chosen location, within the broader St Peters Lutheran College community. Other Lutheran schools have been born from a parent congregation, but we are a congregation that found a home on the campus long after the College had been established. In more recent times, the College has also become the worship home for QAC (Queensland Asian Congregation, St Peters.)

The chapters of From Resurrection to St Peters are largely organised chronologically, focusing on the pastors who have served us over the years and the members who have supported them. Two further chapters outline the significant role that music plays in our church life, and the congregation’s keen interest in women’s ordination. Overall, the book outlines the journey we have taken as a congregation and how we have evolved. Finalising the text was delayed, as we waited to be able to include reference to our new pastor, Wendolyn Trozzo. Pastor Trozzo is waiting on a visa, in order to take up her call and assignment at St Peters.

The book is a summation of how we came together in the beginning and a record of the people and events that have subsequently nurtured, influenced and shaped us as a community of faith. It also provides a snapshot of who we are as a congregation in 2026. Readers will recognise the themes of change and challenge which have characterised life for Lutheran churches in Australia since the 1960s. While our setting is urban, the impact of technology, the pandemic, the shortage of pastors, to name just a few issues, will be familiar to many of our Lutheran brothers and sisters. By publishing this book, we are pleased to be contributing to the recorded history of Lutherans in Australia, and, in particular, the Lutheran church in Queensland.

Limited copies of the book are available for purchase ($40 each + $15 postage) and can be requested from c.office@stpeters.qld.edu.au

Denise Grieshaber
St Peters Lutheran Church, Indooroopilly

Image: Denise Grieshaber (current congregational chairperson), Tricia Elgar and Dr Margaret Kowald (co-authors) and David Woodrow (first chairperson).