Bethel, South Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bethel South Australia
Bethel Lutheran Church in 2015
Bethel Location in South Australia
Postcode(s)	5373
Location	9 km (6 mi) W of Kapunda
LGA(s)	Light Regional Council
State electorate(s)	Stuart
Federal Division(s)	Barker
Localities around Bethel: Tarlee Stockport Bethel Kapunda Linwood Fords

Bethel is a small place, or 'locality,' in South Australia. It's located west of a town called Kapunda. The name 'Bethel' has a special meaning: it comes from a language called Hebrew and means 'Place of God.'

Discovering Bethel

Bethel is a quiet locality in South Australia. It's not a big city, but it has an interesting history. You can find it by traveling west from the town of Kapunda.

A Look at Bethel's Past

Bethel was first settled around 1854. German-speaking people came here to create a new community. They belonged to a religious group called the Moravian Brethren.

Who Were the Early Settlers?

In 1856, another group of settlers arrived. These were people of Wendish origin. They also spoke German. Many of these new settlers first joined the Moravian community for worship.

The Churches of Bethel

Over time, a new church was built in Bethel. It was named Steinthal. Many settlers began to worship there instead of with the Moravians. Later, in the 1890s, the Bethel congregation decided to become a Lutheran church. They invited a Lutheran pastor to lead their services. The Steinthal church eventually closed in 1906 and joined with the Lutheran church.

The School's Story

Bethel also had a school. It taught children in German. However, in 1917, the state government closed this school. Many other schools in South Australia that taught in German were also closed around this time.