-
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
Heritage Day Update 2020
All GSS Membership, Friends and Family, Due to the ongoing issues with the Covid 19 outbreak, the GSS Board has met and determined that there is no feasible way to hold the Heritage Day Festival on Labor Day 2020. The Governor’s guidelines in regard to crowd size, distancing, and the like simply make such an event nonfeasible at this time. We also have a number of volunteers who usually assist at different stations at the festival, many of whom are over the age of 65 and have indicated they do not wish to attend this year due to health concerns. As such, after much deliberation and discussion, it was determined that the festival, instead of being cancelled, will be deferred and rescheduled to coincide with the March 13, 2021, Landing Day Meeting. The poster contest will also be deferred until that time. If plans change in regard to the planned March 13, 2021 event, we will keep membership posted in that regard as well. Noble Boykin Vice President and Chair of the 2020 Labor Day Committee...
Read More
𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐘 March 14, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎
On Saturday, the 14th of March, 2020, the Georgia Salzburger Society (GSS) will hold the annual Landing Day meeting at Ebenezer. All descendants of the Salzburger community and all friends are invited to Jerusalem Lutheran Church, at Ebenezer, to mark the 285th anniversary of the landing of the first transport of Salzburgers in Georgia. ☞ HISTORY FOR THE MARCH GATHERING ☜ “And we vowed to have a yearly thanksgiving in His honor, on which we would use our diary to bring back to their memories the trials of the wondrous Divine Guidance.” ~ Detailed Reports of the Salzburger Emigrants who settled in America, edited by Samuel Urlsperger, Volume I, page 55 ☞ SCHEDULE ☜ The annual Landing Day meeting is held on the Saturday closest to the 12th, and, in this 286th anniversary year, the meeting falls on Saturday the 14th. ● Following the 11:30 “Greet and Reminisce,” we will gather at noon for a meal of ♨ Good Rice Soup ♨ in the Old Parsonage, to commemorate the Salzburgers’ first breakfast in Georgia. In addition to hearty chicken with rice soup, we will have bread, and deserts (donation of $5). We will then adjourn to the church. ● At 2 PM, our meeting begins in the church. The program includes a worship service,...
Read More
Winter Newsletter 2020
President’s Message 2020 Beginning a new decade is a new opportunity to expand the many important features of the Salzburger story. The first activity at Ebenezer for 2020 was the annual Super Museum Sunday, the day set aside by Georgia Historical Society to encourage visitation to various museums throughout the state of Georgia. The museum sites are free that day in order to give everyone access regardless of their budget. The GSS feature exhibit this year was the history...
Read More
Fall Newsletter 2019
News from the President LOOKING AHEAD TO 2020; A NEW DECADE OF SALZBURGER HISTORY I will begin by expressing my gratitude to the members of the Georgia Salzburger Society for trusting me to lead and strive to preserve the goals and traditions of the organization. I also appreciate the encouragement and kind words supporting my efforts during the past year. The Landing Day meeting each year provides for a new beginning and renewal of dedicated volunteers. If...
Read More
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...
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...
Read MorePhotostream
