Evangelical Church in Liechtenstein
The Evangelical Church in the Principality of Liechtenstein is one of the smallest Protestant churches in the diaspora. Nevertheless, there are in the Principality of Liechtenstein is another Protestant church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Principality of Liechtenstein, which has the same roots.
History
The beginnings coincide with the establishment of a weaving mill in Triesen by Swiss industrialist in 1863. For their workers (1875 about 50 ), who came mostly from neighboring countries, was built in 1880 by the pastor of the Reformed congregation Sevelen permission to pastoral care and religious education at the government requested. Since 1881 the 19 Swiss and 5 German church members was the first prayer room available to this group, which still belonged to the Reformed congregation Sevelen and was supported by Swiss and German side, in Triesen bought a house that was used until 1963.
Two more "Protestant associations" emerged in Vaduz / Schaan and Eschen / Mauren. The latter was found in connection to the Customs Treaty with Switzerland together and consisted largely of Swiss immigration officers and their families. In Vaduz / Schaan, members of the Evangelical Association primarily from Switzerland and from Germany newcomers who arrived in the country in the context of industrialization were.
On Palm Sunday 1938, the first Protestant worship service was held in the capital Vaduz. Pastor from Sevelen, Buchs or Feldkirch (A ) held monthly thereafter worship in the Town Hall. January 30, 1944, the three "Protestant clubs " joined to "Association of Evangelical in the Principality of Liechtenstein " together, in 1961 the name "Protestant Church in the Principality of Liechtenstein " gave himself.
1950 appointed the Rev. Peter Sevelen rotách the German priest Felix Troll, who worked in the textile mill Sevelen volunteer with the care of Triesner weaving community. It included after Liechtenstein census of December 1950, about a dozen members of a total of 497 Protestants.
By 1952 the Protestant clubs in Triesen, Vaduz and Moors were cared for by the priests of the neighboring Protestant congregations in Switzerland and Vorarlberg. 1952, then thanks to the help of the St.Gallen Cantonal Church and the Protestant Church Aid Association of Switzerland first decide on a part- time, 1956 then a full-time pastor to be created.
In the same year Pastor Troll founded two Bible study groups in Schaan and Vaduz, the Protestant Association, which constituted in 1954 under the name " Protestant Church of the Lutheran Confession " as an association.
1958 there was a deed of gift of weaving Jenny & Spoerry for a church property in the district Vaduz - Ebony. The church was built in 1960 and 1963 related. Previously found the services are held in the school buildings or in Vaduz town hall. There is no capacity for about 200 people in it.
Organization
The Church has the status of a registered association. Still, most members are not nationals of Liechtenstein (one third of the Liechtenstein population are foreigners, approximately eight percent of the population are Protestant, or about 2,800 people). According to Municipal Code Article 4, all baptized Christians of all evangelical denominations residing in Prince Liechtenstein entum members. Members of the Protestant denomination are not resident in the Principality of Liechtenstein and other persons or without confession may apply for membership.
The churches receive 1964 government grants since September 15, but are to finance their duties on donations and membership fees dependent.
Memberships
- Conference of Churches on the Rhine
- Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches ( associated through the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of St. Gallen)
- Conference of European Churches
- Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
- World Council of Churches ( about SEK)