A truly persevering force – The Guyana Lutheran Church celebrates 270 years

May 05, 2013 News

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By Sharmain Grainger
Holding true to its mission to proclaim the gospel, one denomination of churches in Guyana has been able to face the test of time and survive two centuries, as it swiftly approaches another. In fact, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which currently has some 13 parishes and more that 40 congregations spread across the country, mainly in Demerara and Berbice, is this year observing 270 years of existence.
According to Secretary of the Church, Samuel Goolsarran during an interview with this publication, the Church has been able to survive because of the “power of the gospel.” He is adamant too that “the message of the gospel is powerful enough to keep it going. It is the Lord’s work and he will find people to do it.”
But the Church’s survival over the years has not been one without evident challenges, as Goolsarran disclosed that it has always been confronted with the lack of an adequate number of pastors. He said that a great amount of the work done is undertaken by lay-members – some professionals as well as ordinary individuals – who have over the years actively aided the upkeep of the Lutheran tradition.

The Church today, according to Goolsarran, has programmes in place to cater for every generation inclusive of youth, women and men ministries, all of which have been known to positively impact the lives of many. He is certainly one who can tell about the significant impact of the Church, as he has been a part of its membership for quite a few decades. He possesses fervent passion to see the gospel continue to inspire and deliver the message aimed at guiding a dedicated Christian way of life.

The beginnings
The Lutheran Church in Guyana began during the era of slavery on October 15, 1743, in Fort Nassau, which was in fact the capital of the colony of Berbice, situated along the Berbice River. At the time, the movement was exclusive to the Dutch Colonists, moreover slaves and Guyana’s first people, the Amerindians, were not welcome to attend when a sanctuary was erected around 1752.
It was the 1763 slave rebellion which prompted the migration of the original Lutherans from Fort Nassau, and moves were made to relocate the religious sanctuary, which was by then called the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, to New Amsterdam. That building, Goolsarran said, was in existence for more than 200 years before it was replaced in the 1960s with a modified structure with a relatively modern flair.
Similar to the existing pastoral challenges, the history of the Lutheran Church suggests that retaining pastors was difficult, as during the period between 1743 and 1841, a mere seven pastors had served.  Four of those pastors served for a total period of 10 years.
The longest serving pastor, H.W.P Junius, served from 1830 – 1841.
Details of the Church’s history revealed that Junius’ departure in 1841 saw the operations of the Church literally coming to a halt. Before his tenure, the Church was without the services of a pastor for a period spanning close to 40 years.
It is said that hard times fell upon the Evangelical Lutheran Church with the departure of the Dutch, so much so that it was believed that the Church was on the brink of extinction.
Although records suggest that by 1875 there were fewer than one dozen Lutherans in the colony, the Church was saved from extinction because of the disagreement over the distribution of its funds among the remaining Lutherans. One aggrieved party complained that she received only $20 and the matter was taken to the courts.
Based on the ruling of the courts, the funds were instead redirected towards the appointment and payment of a Minister, thereby saving the Church from total annihilation.

Lutheran Revival
It is said that a “new day dawned” for the Lutheran Church when Reverend Robert John Mittelholzer became the first Guyanese Lutheran pastor in August 1878. Under Mittelholzer’s pastorate the Church reportedly grew both in membership and geographical speed, reflected by the fact that in the first 12 years of his ministry the membership grew from 11 to 195.  Five other church locations were added to the one congregation which had made up the church since its founding in 1743, a development that occurred after 135 years of its existence.  By the time of Reverend Mittlelholzer’s death in 1913, and after 35 years of service, the church had grown to 378 members.
It was around this time that missionaries began to be attracted to the local Lutheran Church, creating what was described as a “mixed blessing for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana.” This saw many missionaries flocking to the church, particularly during the post World War II era, which saw the inflow of large sums of monies, allowing for further expansion.
It was also during this period that the Church established 19 schools at the primary and secondary levels throughout Berbice and Demerara. But by then it had lost its self-sufficiency status. Its growth and expansion was not matched by the development of local human resources to take up the reins of the church after the departure of the missionaries. Also the rapid decline of the Guyana economy in the post-independence era saw many Guyanese pastors leaving the church and migrating overseas. This was just when the church was again returning to independent status from being a Mission of Lutheran Church in America.

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS
Today the Church is designed to be governed by a nine-member Executive Council of which four are pastors and five are lay-people. Although a President is required to head the Council, the position is currently vacant, according to Goolsarran. However, the post of Vice President, Treasurer and Executive Council Members are filled by: Ms Sandra Kurtzious, Messrs. Michael Ram and Joseph Bedessie, Reverends Moses Prashad, Sugrim Gobin and Diana Honeyghan and Deacon Babsie Pierre, respectively, with Goolsarran holding the post of Secretary.
And even as 270 years of existence is celebrated, the Church will today commence its 70th Annual Convention with a momentous service at the age-old New Amsterdam location. According to Goolsarran, about 500 people are expected to attend the service, even as he noted that the occasion will have the added feature of the ordination of four new pastors, who were locally trained and had previously served in Deaconate ministries.
Also as part of the milestone commemoration, Goolsarran said that the Church has already ordered some 7,000 postage stamps bearing the Lutheran symbols of the Swan, Cross and the Open bible. The stamps will be of $80 and $20 denominations and can be used for regular postage, but will have the added feature of bringing emphasis to the fact that the Lutheran denomination is alive and well in Guyana. Also commemorative wall plates and lapel buttons will be made available.
To mark the official anniversary date, a massive rally has been planned and will also be held at the New Amsterdam Church.

 

 

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