Salzburg Protestant Refugees in Georgia (1734)

On March 12, 1734, a band of Protestant refugees from Salzburg arrived in the young colony of Georgia after a hard Atlantic crossing. They had been driven from their homes for refusing to surrender the gospel. Their exile was not a search for novelty, but a costly stand for truth, worship, and conscience before God.

Welcomed at Savannah, they traveled onward with a quiet steadiness that testified to more than human resolve. Their journey carried the marks of suffering—loss of property, separation from familiar fields, and the uncertainty of a new land—yet it also displayed Christian courage: obedience in the face of pressure, patience under trial, and hope anchored in God’s promises. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Boltzius and Gronau

Johann Martin Boltzius and Israel Christian Gronau served as shepherds to the exiles, guiding them in prayer, worship, and disciplined community life. Their pastoral care helped the people interpret hardship through the lens of providence, not despair. They encouraged the refugees to labor diligently, keep the Lord’s Day, and preserve peace and charity among themselves, proving that true leadership is measured not by comfort but by faithful service.

In their ministry, these pastors modeled steadfastness: preaching the Word, counseling weary souls, and calling the congregation to gratitude even when provisions were scarce. Their example echoed Scripture: “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

Ebenezer (Founded March 17, 1734)

Five days after landing, the refugees founded Ebenezer, a name drawn from 1 Samuel and meaning, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” The settlement became a living memorial to God’s sustaining mercy. The same trials that could have produced bitterness were offered back to God as an altar of gratitude, prayer, and courageous obedience.

Ebenezer stood as a witness that affliction can purify faith and strengthen communal devotion. Their story remains an enduring reminder that God often leads His people through uncertainty to provide a place where worship is not merely permitted, but cherished—and where perseverance becomes praise. “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)