The Lutheran Archives is the official repository of historical material relating to the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). It holds records of the present LCA, as well as records of the earlier Lutheran Synods in Australia which in time amalgamated to form the present LCA.

Most records are available for inspection. (Some records have closed or restricted access. Private records of church departments which are less than 30 years old are generally not open for research, unless special permission is gained.)

The Archives has a limited collection of items from the Lutheran Church of New Zealand. (If further details are required, researchers can contact the President of the Lutheran Church New Zealand, or the Archives collection at the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.)

Contact

The Lutheran Archives
27 Fourth Street, Bowden SA 5007
Telephone: (08) 8340 4009
Email: archives@lca.org.au

Directions:

Rail: (This is the most convenient way using public transport.) At the Adelaide Railway Station catch the Grange train and alight at the Bowden station. Walk south to Gibson St, then north-east to Fourth St.

Bus: Catch number 151, 152, 153 or 155 in North Terrace in the city and alight at Stop 6. Cross Port Road and walk to Gibson St, and then north-east to Fourth St. (Alternate route via Ward St, North Adelaide: Catch number 254 or 252 in King William St in the city and alight at Stop 9 on Hawker St. Walk south-west along Gibson St to Fourth St.)

Car: From Park Tce – turn into Sixth St and drive to the end. Turn left into Drayton St, and left into Fourth St. From Port Road – turn into Gibson St, and left into Fourth St.

Hours of Business

Open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
9.30am-4.30pm
Closed Wednesdays, weekends, and public holidays

Available Services

Research

The Archives does not have a comprehensive catalogue of its holdings. Consequently, researchers will need to discuss with the Archivist the nature of their research and the information desired. The Archivist will endeavour to find relevant records in the collection. If your research project is not genealogical, it is advisable to contact the Archives before your visit to check on the availability of resources.

Genealogy and family history research

The parish registers contain information on births, baptisms, confirmations, marriages, deaths and burials of people who were associated with the Lutheran Church. These are extremely valuable for family history research. To assist researchers, a Church Records Computer Database Index has been prepared. A printout of the surname provides the researcher with an index to entries with that surname in the parish registers. This enables the researcher to quickly locate those records which may be useful. There is an additional charge for this service.

German language and translation

Up to the 1920s most of the records were written or printed in German. Handwritten German records can be rather difficult to read, and assistance is provided where possible. Some documents may be available in English translation. Additional translation from German can be undertaken for a fee.

Scope of Collection

Records from a wide variety of Lutheran Churches

View the scope of Lutheran Synods for which records are held – from 1838 onwards.

Types of records available

Reports, histories, almanacs, registers, statistics, magazines, artefacts, photographs and more. Peruse the listing.

Book sales

A selection of family history books and church history books are available for purchase.

Photo reproductions

Reproductions of photos in the Archives collection can be ordered, and they are made by a professional photographer.

Photocopying

Researchers may request photocopies of documents. This will be done by the Archives staff, subject to the physical condition of the documents and to copyright legislation.

Fees (including GST)

Individual research: $15 per half day ($30 per day)
Pensioners & Students: $10 per half day
Archives Staff Research: $60 per hour (eg written enquiries)
Computer printout of surnames in church records database: $4 per surname, plus $1 per page.

Staff

Archivist: Mr Lyall Kupke, BA DipEd GradDipArch&RecMgt (Monash)
Assistant Archivist: Ms Rachel Hoffmann, BA(Hons), Grad Dip Information Studies

Board of Archives and Research

Friends of Lutheran Archives

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