Gotthard Fritzsche

Gotthard Daniel Fritzsche (20 July 1797 – 26 October 1863)[1] was a Prussian-Australian pastor who became instrumental in furthering that religion in South Australia.

Gotthard Fritzsche was born in Liebenwerda, in the Electorate of Saxony, where his father was town musician.

[2] He attended gymnasium in Dresden, but while studying, his hometown became part of Prussia following the Congress of Vienna, so he was required to enter military service for a short period.

Fritzsche travelled to England to meet with George Angas in an attempt to gain financing for the balance of the fares, a sum of over £2000.

The remainder of the required finances (£1800) was donated by one of the other emigrants, Mrs Anna (Hannchen) Nehrlich.

Fritzsche took on pastoral duties at Lobethal and the neighbouring communities, as part of the German settlement in Australia.

In addition to this disagreement, Fritzsche also differed with Kavel, in a proclamation released in 1846, regarding the power of civil government in the church.