HEINRICH FAMILY

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Rev. Johannes Heinrich, 1875-1936

by R.A. Scanlan

This article by BHSQ member and experienced author, Dick Scanlan ofLaidley supports a story in this issue on German Baptist research andoutlines the life of one US German pastor who spent the majority of hisministry in Queensland. Mr Scanlan writes, It has been my pleasure tocompile this account of the Heinrichs. My parents, James and MarthaScanlan (nee Topp) were married by Rev. John Heinrich in October 1919,and they (the Heinrichs) have always interested me greatly. My mother,who is still living, tells me how fond she was of the whole family, andhow as a teenager, she used to nurse the younger members of this family.

Rev. Johannes (John) Heinrich was born in Berlin, Germany on Sept 6, 1875and migrated to America while still a young man - probably in his early20s. Being of the German Baptist faith, he linked up with what is nowknown at the North American Baptist Seminary in South Dakota. From 1900to 1906 he attended the Theological College at Rochester, NY and wasordained at Delmont, South Dakota on June 17, 1906.

During his period of theological training, Johannes married Augustina Olmin New York in 1903. Augustina was born in Luxembourg, Germany on Feb 28,1882 and was of the Catholic faith previous to her marriage to Johannes.Their first child, Ruth Caroline was born in Feb 1906.

Rev. Heinrich then served as pastor of a Baptist Church in Delmont SouthDakota from 1906 to 1908. It was late in 1908 that the Heinrichs accepteda call from the German Baptist churches of Blenheim and Tenthill in South Eastern Queensland. It is recorded in the Minute Book of the Blenheim(Laidley) Church that Rev. Otto Krueger suggested that John Heinrich becalled to that pastorate following his (Krueger's) departure in Sept ofthat year.

The Heinrichs, together with two small children, Ruth and Carl, duly arrived at Blenheim in December 1908. Rev. Heinrich preached his first sermon (in German) at Blenheim on Sunday, Dec 13, 1908, using as his text Psalm 122:6-9. Thus commenced a long and fruitful ministry to the churches of Blenheim and Tenthill where Rev. and Mrs Heinrich served for22 years.

Their salary at that time was fixed at 120 pounds per year. They took up residence in the Baptist manse which was situated a short distance from the Blenheim church. It was form there that they served the two independent churches. On the first and third Sundays of each month, Rev.Heinrich preached at Blenheim; on the second and fourth Sundays a tTenthill. The Heinrichs were faithful in the preaching of the Word in both centres and were much loved by both congregations.

Travelling to Tenthill meant that a long arduous journey over the hills by horse drawn vehicle was necessary. It is recorded that the Heinrichs had motor buggy transport in 1913. However the writer has been lead to believe that this mode of transport was not successful for very long. In1928 the two churches presented the family with a new Chevrolet car at a cost of ú205.

No extensive building operations were necessary during Rev. Heinrich's ministry. This mean that he was free to concentrate on a preaching and teaching ministry. He was particularly active among the young people and formed groups of "Christian Endeavour" at both churches in 1911. Between1923 and 1926 there was an enrolment of 119 scholars at the Blenheim Sunday School and a teaching staff of 17.

John Heinrich's ministry covered the period of time during which therewas complete transition from the German to the English language. Rev.Heinrich also took a leading part in the work of the German Baptist Conference which was a union of 6 or 7 German speaking churches in South Eastern Queensland. (BHSQ Newsletter No 5 July 1986) It should be recorded here that the German Baptist Conference ceased to function as such, following the first World War. By 1930 most of the member churches had become part of the Baptist Union of Queensland.

Following the conclusion of their ministry at Blenheim and Tenthill(1931) Rev. and Mrs Heinrich purchased a farming property at Coominya.With the help of their family, they managed a vineyard and grew cotton.From 1931 to 1933 John Heinrich accepted preaching appointments at various centres. From 1933 to 1935 he served as Pastor of the Kalbar Baptist Church.

Rev. Heinrich passed away on May 5, 1936 at a Lowood Private Hospital,and was laid to rest on the following day at the Laidley Cemetery. He was aged 60 years and 7 months. His beloved wife, Augustina, passed away on16 Feb 1943 aged 60 years and 11 months and was also buried in the Lowood Cemetery. Left to mourn their passing was their loving family: Ruth(Moller) born 1906, Carl 1908, Walter 1910, Daniel 1912, Myrtle(Jackwitz) 1913, Samuel 1915 and Mildred (Wolter) 1917.

================================================================= Heinrich, Johannes. born Berlin 6 Sept 1875. died 5 May 1936 Lowood. German Department Rochester Theological Seminary 1900-06. ord. Delmont South Dakota 17 June 1906 and minister 1906-08. Arrived Queensland Dec 1908. Blenheim (Laidley) 1908-1931; Tent Hill 1908-1931; Minden 1911-1917; Kalbar 1933-1935. =================================================================== Dear Keith,

Mr Richard Scanlan lives at Laidley in Queensland, by mail his address is MS 204 Laidley 4341 and his phone number is (07) 5466 4207

Please mention when you call him that I have given you his details.

David Parker

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Updates to Richard's article

Rev. Johannes (John) Heinrich was born in Berlin, Germany on Sept 6, 1875and migrated to America while still a young man - probably in his early20s.

KH We now know he emmigrated in 1892 at the age of 16. He appears to have travelled alone, certainly not with immediate family. His movements in New York City are hard to trace although he was naturalised in 1903. From this we have an address in the Bronx, although it is not known if he actually lived there. He used the name "John" for many years which makes tracing him through official records challenging. His early life remains a mystery for the most part.

From 1900 to 1906 he attended the Theological College at Rochester, NY and was ordained at Delmont, South Dakota on June 17, 1906.

KH Have contacted the local historical society who report the church was out of town and moved to a different location some time ago. Only the cemetry remains. I am awaiting an update for some more information regarding the church.

During his period of theological training, Johannes married Augustina Olm in New York in 1903. Their first child, Ruth Caroline was born in Feb 1906.

KH Manhattan records cannot verify 1903. It is thought the wedding date might be 1905, possibly April/May. Some rough math around date of death,age of death plus Ruths age at his passing make 1905 a more likely wedding date at age 30.

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