-
Read MoreSpring 2018 Newsletter
March 12, 2018 marked the 284th anniversary (1734) of the landing of 37 Protestant families in Savannah, Georgia following their expulsion from Salzburg, Austria, by Prince-Archbishop Firmian.
-
Read MoreBoltzius Statue
The statue of Rev. Johann Martin Boltzius was placed on this pedestal as the Salzburgers mark the 275th anniversary of their forefathers’ arrival in Georgia during the 2009 annual Heritage Day celebration.
-
Read MoreJerusalem Lutheran Church
Jerusalem Lutheran Church is the oldest continuous worshipping Lutheran Church in America. Established in 1733, Jerusalem is located along the Savannah River near Rincon, GA in a settlement known as New Ebenezer. The first Sunday School in Georgia was held in 1734 and the first orphanage was built in 1737.
-
Read MoreJerusalem Church Cemetery
Notes from the recent rededication:
Prayers for those who died long ago filled the sanctuary and grounds of Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Saturday during services held for those buried in at least 250 unmarked graves outside the walls of the church’s cemetery.
-
Read MoreSalzburger House
The Salzburger house was built in 1755 on a site near Jerusalem Church Cemetery. It was built of local pine cut into boards at a water powered sawmill located on the creek at old Ebenezer. The foundation blocks for this house was hewn from heart of the longneedle pine that is impregnated with resinous material that resist rot. It was removed from the village in the late 1800′ It was returned to the present site in 1973. Source: Pamphlet: “Walking Tour of New Ebenezer;” researched and written by John W. Gnann, assisted by Norman Turner. Rope Bed Children’s room Tools of yesteryear More tools Desk in Salzburger House Clothes on display Replica of a baby cradle In the bedroom: dresser with chamber pot Baby Cradle Doll funiture...
Recent News
Recent Events
History Notes
Most Recent Articles
SPRING NEWSLETTER 2019
SpringNewsletter 2019 WB The annual Landing Day celebration is an important part of Salzburger History. Among the many reasons of importance, we recognize this opportunity to praise God for the unending plans and blessings He has granted throughout the years. From the very beginning of the Salzburgers’ exile and settlement in Georgia, the Salzburgers have taken time for worship and praise to God. Landing Day at Ebenezer is our reminder to stop and set aside some time to remember, to honor and to appreciate those who have built the beginnings of our Georgia Salzburger heritage that we know today. The first Annual Meeting of the Georgia Salzburger Society was held on March 12th, 1926 (March 12th, being the Anniversary of the arrival in 1734 of the Salzburgers in Georgia). The meeting was held at the Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Ebenezer. Richard L. Gnann, D.D.S., was elected the first permanent president of the Georgia Salzburger Society. Other officers were: Vice President—Harvey Seckinger; Secretary—Julian H. Shearouse; Treasurer—William G. Gnann. Serving as members of the Executive Board Committee were: C. Bowers Gnann, Blois Ziegler, George Rahn, John W. Reiser, Joshua A Helmly, Maude Arden, Gidean Seckinger, Susie Gnann and B. Cubbedge.” Click on link below to see Spring Newsletter 2019 SpringNewsletter 2019 WB ...
Read More
Landing Day 2019
The Landing Day celebration has been an annual event for many years. When the Salzburgers, protestant refugees, were exiled from “present day ‘Austria’ ”, they compared their expulsion with the Israelites’ exile from Egypt. King George II of England heard of their plight, and he and the English Trustees of the Georgia colony extended an invitation to come and settle in the new world. It was a heartfelt sacrifice leaving their loved ones and homes never to see them again. Believing that God would supply their needs, they boarded ships for the new country knowing they would be able to worship the God they loved. They did this unselfish act so we, their descendants, could live in a country where we have religious freedom. General James Oglethorpe oversaw these transports and guided them during their settlement at Ebenezer. The Salzburger refugees were welcomed by the Savannah colonists, including Ben Sheftall and his wife Perla, on March 12, 1734 with a meal of “good rice soup,” as recorded by Martin Boltzius in the Detail Reports. Boltzius’ description of the Salzburgers: “…people who have already suffered for the sake of Christ who have their Christianity not only in their mouths, but also in their hearts, and show it in their deeds.” This annual Landing Day Celebration...
Read More
Winter Newsletter 2018
President’s Message: Winter Newsletter 2019 publisher pdf GSS BEGINNING 285 YEARS OF SALZBURGERS IN GEORGIA Landing Day on March 9, 2019 begins the celebration of the 285th Anniversary of the arrival of the first transport of Salzburgers to Georgia and there is much to celebrate. Looking back, 2018 was a very active year for the Georgia Salzburger Society. Beginning in February, GSS had the distinction of enjoying a presentation by Christine Koch, a prolific researcher of all things GA...
Read More
Super Museum Sunday 2019
The GSS Museum will participate once again in The Georgia History Festival’s Super Museum Sunday. Last year we saw an increase in attendance touring Ebenezer on a Super Museum Sunday because we featured heirloom and vintage quilts on display throughout the buildings including Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church, the old Salzburger House, and the Parsonage. You have probably visited the GSS museum before, but on 2/10/19 we plan to feature another one-of-a- kind collection in buildings throughout the grounds. Discussions...
Read More
German – American Day 2018
Oom-pah-pa! Oom-pah-pa! The lively strains of authentic German music filled the ballroom at the Savannah Desoto Hotel as German families and friends gathered to enjoy German American Day. On Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, the Teutonic Council sponsored a German Heritage Festival full of fellowship, education, and entertainment. The event was well received as everyone enjoyed various aspects of the German culture. German food and drinks allowed all to meet and greet while various entertainers kept the crowd engaged...
Read More
Fall Newletter 2018
The Salzburger Heritage Day Festival on Labor Day was a wonderful event this year. There were so many activities for the young and old. The family tents were a great way to meet and greet new relatives and share stories. The lemonade was awesome and taste so good and was free, “what a deal”. The church service and Margaret Waters who spoke on DNA as a tool for genealogy research, was a special highlight of the festival. Later...
Read More
President’s Message Fall 2018
President’s Message The GSS is making great strides toward positive directions and as the new president of GSS, I am thankful for this opportunity to help lead our membership forward in achieving the Goals of the GA Salzburger Society. I appreciate the responsibility recently entrusted to me as president and I am working to the best of my abilities to help ensure that the GSS remains visible and relevant into the future. The most recent opportunity for visibility and...
Read MorePhotostream
