Zion Hill Mission
Encyclopedia
The Zion Hill Mission was a Christian
mission
founded in the area now known as Nundah, Queensland
by German
Lutheran missionaries. The mission is notable as being the first free European settlement in what is now the state of Queensland
. Despite limited success at converting the local Aboriginies to Christianity, many of the missionaries later became pioneers and farmers in the district, shaping the social fabric of the North Brisbane area for decades to come.
, who had ambitious plans to establish a series of missions along the Australian coast north of Sydney
, ostensibly in order to bring Christianity to the Aborigines, but also to pacify the Aborigines and prevent attacks on shipwrecked European sailors, as had happened in the case of the Stirling Castle
incident some years prior. Lang justified the placement of the mission far from the main colonial settlement of Sydney to his superiors in Britain by asserting that "Aborigines of that distant portion of the colonial territory would be less contaminated by intercourse with the depraved convict population of the colony than those within the present limits of location."
At the time, the Moreton Bay region was still administered by New South Wales
, as a "prison-within-a-prison" for particularly troublesome convicts
. Private settlements by free Europeans was not permitted until 1839, and widespread free settlement by Europeans in the Moreton Bay region would not begin until 1840. The proposed mission would therefore be the first free (non-convict) European settlement in the area, although this went unremarked upon at the time, as the area was still a part of the colony of New South Wales.
Although Lang was a controversial figure within New South Wales at the time, he did manage to convince the colonial government to reserve 650 acres (2.6 km²) of land for the missionaries' efforts, seven miles (11 km) north of the settlement at Eagle Farm
. Lang was also able to recruit Carl Wilhelm Schmidt
and Christopher Eipper
, two ordained ministers of German origin who had joined Lang's Australian Presbyterian synod, to lead the mission. He was also able to secure a grant of £450 from the British government, as well as a further £150 from his brother, to finance the expedition. It is likely that Lang borrowed even more money for the project, as £600 would not have been enough to arrange the passage of twenty people, and he remarked in 1839 that he still owed £350 in establishment costs for the mission.
In addition to the above, Moritz Schneider was included in the initial party, but died in quarantine in Sydney in 1838 of typhoid. His occupation was listed as "medical missionary". Two further missionaries arrived in 1844, Carl Friedrich Gerler, and J.W. Gericke.
At first, the local Aborigines were curious about the mission and attended services, despite the language barrier that existed. While the Aborigines had learned some English from the nearby Moreton Bay settlement, most of the missionaries spoke only German. The missionaries tried to engage the Aborigines in constructing buildings and digging gardens, not only to form a bond with them, but also to try to convince them of the benefits of a settled lifestyle over a nomadic one. However, their curiosity sated, the Aborigines soon tired of the sermons at the mission and stopped attending services. At the same time, they discovered that the vegetable gardens that the missionaries had set up to feed themselves would be undefended whenever the tin dish was struck to indicate the beginning of a service. The subsequent 'thefts', and the missionaries responses to them, soon began to harden attitudes on both sides.
The mission was visited in 1843 by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt
, who responded to those dismissive of the mission by saying: "The missionaries have converted no black-fellows to Christianity; but they have commenced a friendly intercourse with these savage children of the bush, and they have shewn to them the white fellow in his best colour. They did not take their wives; they did not take bloody revenge when the black fellow came to rob their garden. They were always kind, perhaps too kind; for they threatened without executing their threatenings, and the black-fellows knew well that it was only gammon."
, who had visited the area in 1842, had indicated to the missionaries that to continue receiving government funding, they would need to move their mission to a new site, further away from Brisbane. This request was likely due to the fact that newly arrived free settlers in the area were beginning to resent the generous allotment of land that had been allocated to the mission. Eipper and Schmidt therefore undertook a survey of surrounding areas looking for a site to move the mission to, considering areas including the Bunya Mountains
and around Wide Bay.
During this expedition, Schmidt uncovered evidence that squatter
s living beyond the authorised settlement line were involved in poisoning Aboriginies, particularly in the area around the modern-day town of Kilcoy
. Schmidt advised Lang of his findings, which were subsequently published in the Colonial Observer in Sydney, sparking off a major scandal.
Upon Eipper and Schmidt's return, they presented a proposal to the Sydney-based organising committee, recommending that the mission be moved. However, frustrated by dwindling funds, increased public opposition, and the fact that the government had decided to stop funding the enterprise, the committee instead decided to terminate the mission.
Despite the failure of the missionaries to convert the local indigenous people to Christianity, the work done by the missionaries in establishing a settlement proved that free settlement was possible in the area, and they had a strong effect on the social character of the rapid expansion of the colony that followed the closure of the mission.
Many places in North Brisbane are named after the missionaries. The suburb of Zillmere
was named after Zillmann, as were the Zillmann's Waterholes, a watercourse near the former site of the mission that flows into Downfall Creek. Zillman Road, Gerler Road, and Rode Road are all major roads in the north of Brisbane named after members of the missionary party. An obelisk was also erected in 1938 in Nundah to commemorate the centenary of the settlement.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
mission
Mission (station)
A religious mission or mission station is a location for missionary work.While primarily a Christian term, the concept of the religious "mission" is also used prominently by the Church of Scientology and their Scientology Missions International....
founded in the area now known as Nundah, Queensland
Nundah, Queensland
Nundah is an inner suburb in the city of Brisbane, Australia, located approximately 8 kilometers north-east of the Brisbane central business district, in the local government area of the City of Brisbane....
by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Lutheran missionaries. The mission is notable as being the first free European settlement in what is now the state of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. Despite limited success at converting the local Aboriginies to Christianity, many of the missionaries later became pioneers and farmers in the district, shaping the social fabric of the North Brisbane area for decades to come.
Foundation
The idea of establishing a Christian mission in the Moreton Bay district was the idea of John Dunmore LangJohn Dunmore Lang
John Dunmore Lang , Australian Presbyterian clergyman, writer, politician and activist, was the first prominent advocate of an independent Australian nation and of Australian republicanism.-Background and Family:...
, who had ambitious plans to establish a series of missions along the Australian coast north of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, ostensibly in order to bring Christianity to the Aborigines, but also to pacify the Aborigines and prevent attacks on shipwrecked European sailors, as had happened in the case of the Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle (brig)
The Stirling Castle was a 351-ton brig under the command of a Captain James Fraser, that ran aground on Swaines Reef, near the site of the present day city of Rockhampton, Queensland, while travelling from Sydney to Singapore...
incident some years prior. Lang justified the placement of the mission far from the main colonial settlement of Sydney to his superiors in Britain by asserting that "Aborigines of that distant portion of the colonial territory would be less contaminated by intercourse with the depraved convict population of the colony than those within the present limits of location."
At the time, the Moreton Bay region was still administered by New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, as a "prison-within-a-prison" for particularly troublesome convicts
Convicts in Australia
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, large numbers of convicts were transported to the various Australian penal colonies by the British government. One of the primary reasons for the British settlement of Australia was the establishment of a penal colony to alleviate pressure on their...
. Private settlements by free Europeans was not permitted until 1839, and widespread free settlement by Europeans in the Moreton Bay region would not begin until 1840. The proposed mission would therefore be the first free (non-convict) European settlement in the area, although this went unremarked upon at the time, as the area was still a part of the colony of New South Wales.
Although Lang was a controversial figure within New South Wales at the time, he did manage to convince the colonial government to reserve 650 acres (2.6 km²) of land for the missionaries' efforts, seven miles (11 km) north of the settlement at Eagle Farm
Eagle Farm, Queensland
Eagle Farm is a largely industrial suburb of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, situated around six kilometres from the Brisbane central business district. It is the former site of Eagle Farm Airport, Brisbane's main airport until the opening of the Brisbane Airport. Eagle Farm was also the site of...
. Lang was also able to recruit Carl Wilhelm Schmidt
Carl Wilhelm Schmidt
Reverend Carl Wilhelm Schmidt , also known as Karl Schmidt, was a German missionary, and an ordained minister of the Prussian United Church. Schmidt's missionary work took him to Queensland and Samoa, where he founded a number of Lutheran institutions and settlements.-Early life:Schmidt was born...
and Christopher Eipper
Christopher Eipper
Christoph Eipper, was a pioneering missionary and Presbyterian minister in Australia.Christoph Eipper was born to Georg Christoph Eipper and Sophie Juliane Schaettler...
, two ordained ministers of German origin who had joined Lang's Australian Presbyterian synod, to lead the mission. He was also able to secure a grant of £450 from the British government, as well as a further £150 from his brother, to finance the expedition. It is likely that Lang borrowed even more money for the project, as £600 would not have been enough to arrange the passage of twenty people, and he remarked in 1839 that he still owed £350 in establishment costs for the mission.
The missionaries arrive
The following missionaries arrived at the site:- Reverend Carl Wilhelm SchmidtCarl Wilhelm SchmidtReverend Carl Wilhelm Schmidt , also known as Karl Schmidt, was a German missionary, and an ordained minister of the Prussian United Church. Schmidt's missionary work took him to Queensland and Samoa, where he founded a number of Lutheran institutions and settlements.-Early life:Schmidt was born...
- Reverend Christopher EipperChristopher EipperChristoph Eipper, was a pioneering missionary and Presbyterian minister in Australia.Christoph Eipper was born to Georg Christoph Eipper and Sophie Juliane Schaettler...
- Peter Niquet (also sometimes spelled Niqué), mason
- August Rode (also sometimes spelled Rodé), cabinet maker
- Johann Leopold ZillmannJohann Leopold ZillmannJohann Leopold Zillmann was a German missionary to Australia. Born in Neu-Ulm, Prussia, and a blacksmith by trade, he joined Carl Wilhelm Schmidt and Christopher Eipper at the Zion Hill Mission in what is now the Brisbane suburb of Nundah...
, blacksmith - Gottfried Hausmann (later also known as Godfrey Haussmann), farmer
- Wilhelm Hartenstein, weaver
- Carl Theodor Franz, tailor
- Gottfried Wagner (later also known as Godfrey Wagner), shoemaker
- August Albrecht, shoemaker
- Ludwig Döge, gardener
In addition to the above, Moritz Schneider was included in the initial party, but died in quarantine in Sydney in 1838 of typhoid. His occupation was listed as "medical missionary". Two further missionaries arrived in 1844, Carl Friedrich Gerler, and J.W. Gericke.
At first, the local Aborigines were curious about the mission and attended services, despite the language barrier that existed. While the Aborigines had learned some English from the nearby Moreton Bay settlement, most of the missionaries spoke only German. The missionaries tried to engage the Aborigines in constructing buildings and digging gardens, not only to form a bond with them, but also to try to convince them of the benefits of a settled lifestyle over a nomadic one. However, their curiosity sated, the Aborigines soon tired of the sermons at the mission and stopped attending services. At the same time, they discovered that the vegetable gardens that the missionaries had set up to feed themselves would be undefended whenever the tin dish was struck to indicate the beginning of a service. The subsequent 'thefts', and the missionaries responses to them, soon began to harden attitudes on both sides.
The mission was visited in 1843 by explorer Ludwig Leichhardt
Ludwig Leichhardt
Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt, known as Ludwig Leichhardt, was a Prussian explorer and naturalist, most famous for his exploration of northern and central Australia.-Early life:...
, who responded to those dismissive of the mission by saying: "The missionaries have converted no black-fellows to Christianity; but they have commenced a friendly intercourse with these savage children of the bush, and they have shewn to them the white fellow in his best colour. They did not take their wives; they did not take bloody revenge when the black fellow came to rob their garden. They were always kind, perhaps too kind; for they threatened without executing their threatenings, and the black-fellows knew well that it was only gammon."
Decline
By 1843, it was becoming apparent that the mission was in trouble. Governor George GippsGeorge Gipps
Sir George Gipps was Governor of the colony of New South Wales, Australia, for eight years, between 1838 and 1846. His governorship was during a period of great change for New South Wales and Australia, as well as for New Zealand, which was administered as part of New South Wales for much of this...
, who had visited the area in 1842, had indicated to the missionaries that to continue receiving government funding, they would need to move their mission to a new site, further away from Brisbane. This request was likely due to the fact that newly arrived free settlers in the area were beginning to resent the generous allotment of land that had been allocated to the mission. Eipper and Schmidt therefore undertook a survey of surrounding areas looking for a site to move the mission to, considering areas including the Bunya Mountains
Bunya Mountains
The Bunya Mountains are a distinctive set of peaks forming an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range in southern Queensland. The mountain range forms the northern edge of the Darling Downs near Bell and Dalby. The mountains are south of Kingaroy and just to the south west of Nanango...
and around Wide Bay.
During this expedition, Schmidt uncovered evidence that squatter
Squatting (pastoral)
In Australian history, a squatter was one who occupied a large tract of Crown land in order to graze livestock. Initially often having no legal rights to the land, they gained its usage by being the first Europeans in the area....
s living beyond the authorised settlement line were involved in poisoning Aboriginies, particularly in the area around the modern-day town of Kilcoy
Kilcoy, Queensland
Kilcoy is a small farming town and part of the Somerset Region Local Government Area in South East Queensland, Australia. The township lies on the D'Aguilar Highway, 94 km north west of the state capital, Brisbane, and just to the north of Lake Somerset...
. Schmidt advised Lang of his findings, which were subsequently published in the Colonial Observer in Sydney, sparking off a major scandal.
Upon Eipper and Schmidt's return, they presented a proposal to the Sydney-based organising committee, recommending that the mission be moved. However, frustrated by dwindling funds, increased public opposition, and the fact that the government had decided to stop funding the enterprise, the committee instead decided to terminate the mission.
Legacy
Many places in North Brisbane are named after the missionaries. The suburb of Zillmere
Zillmere, Queensland
Zillmere is a suburb 14 km north of the Brisbane central business district in Queensland, Australia.-History:The Turrbal Aborigines occupied the region north of Brisbane River, including the area covered by Zillmere....
was named after Zillmann, as were the Zillmann's Waterholes, a watercourse near the former site of the mission that flows into Downfall Creek. Zillman Road, Gerler Road, and Rode Road are all major roads in the north of Brisbane named after members of the missionary party. An obelisk was also erected in 1938 in Nundah to commemorate the centenary of the settlement.