Mountainside Lutheran Church

Mountainside Lutheran Church is a Lutheran parish located in Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand. It is a congregation of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand. The church describes itself as a diverse community of Lutheran Christians in Auckland, with over 20 nationalities represented among its people. It gathers around the Word of God and the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion at 10:00 AM every Sunday morning, and also holds worship in Chinese language on Saturdays at 3pm. The church is known locally as the big yellow building on the corner of Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Harris Road. Its mission statement is: "To be equipped through our gathering so that we grow as disciples in order to go forth and proclaim the gospel." The church maintains an active online presence, including a YouTube channel for livestreaming Sunday worship and a website with previous services and sermons. The history of the congregation dates back to 1907, with services conducted in private houses by visiting pastors. After interruptions during World War II, services recommenced in 1949. In 1952, the congregation in Auckland formally constituted itself as 'St John' and later affiliated with the Lutheran Church of New Zealand in 1954. Over the years, the congregation moved through various locations before settling at its current site in Mt Wellington. Today, Mountainside Lutheran Church continues to serve a multicultural community in Auckland, offering worship in both English and Chinese.

The history of Mountainside Lutheran Church begins in 1907, when services were conducted in private houses by Pastors Tyler, Hassold, Dierks and Frese, the latter being resident in Auckland. World War II terminated these meetings, and they did not recommence until 1949 with visits by Pastors Hamuera Te Punga and Clem Koch. In 1949, the spiritual needs of the congregation were met by periodic visits from Rev C.I. Koch and Rev R.R. Reinfelds. Meanwhile, Danish people were settling in Auckland and were ministered to by Rev. A. Christensen of Palmerston North. Their first service was held in the Presbyterian Church at Ellerslie, and between visits their spiritual needs were met by Mr Viggo Pedersen. In 1952, the congregation in Auckland constituted itself at a meeting held in the Y.W.C.A. building in Queen Street on January 6th. It formally adopted a constitution and adopted the name 'St John'. At this time it consisted mainly of new settlers from Latvia and Estonia. Services were held in the Y.W.C.A. building, and later in All Saints Anglican Church in Ponsonby Road. In 1953, Pastor Reinfelds moved to Christchurch and spiritual leadership was taken over by Pastor Clem Koch, under whose ministry the congregation grew. The following year, 'St John' was affiliated with the Lutheran Church of New Zealand. In 1954, a manse, which also provided space for worship, was built in Panmure. Pastor Koch was assisted by Mr Ben Koch who served for a year as a layworker. In 1955, the St John and Danish groups were worshipping together. From 1955 to 1957, an old house in Crummer Road, Grey Lynn, was bought and converted for use as a central place of worship (dedicated November 7th) until a central church could be built. A Sunday School and Youth group were also active. The congregation eventually moved to its current location in Mt Wellington, Auckland, where it is known as Mountainside Lutheran Church. The church continues to serve a diverse community, with over 20 nationalities represented among its people, and offers worship in both English and Chinese.

• 1955

  St John and Danish groups worshipping together.

• 1955

  Old house in Crummer Road, Grey Lynn, bought and converted for use as a central place of worship (dedicated November 7th).

• 1954

  'St John' affiliated with the Lutheran Church of New Zealand.

• 1954

  A manse built in Panmure, also providing space for worship.

• 1952

  Congregation constituted itself as 'St John' at a meeting in the Y.W.C.A. building, Queen Street, on January 6th.

• 1949

  Services recommenced after World War II with visits by Pastors Hamuera Te Punga and Clem Koch.

• 1907

  Services conducted in private houses by Pastors Tyler, Hassold, Dierks and Frese.

A multicultural Lutheran parish in Auckland, part of the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand.

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1. 1Mountainside Lutheran Churchmountainside.co.nz
2. 2History — Mountainside Lutheran Churchmountainside.co.nz
3. 3Previous Services — Mountainside Lutheran Churchmountainside.co.nz
4. 4Mountainside Lutheran Churchwikidata.org