our history
A legacy offaith and vision
Christoph Hoffmann, Founder
Georg David Hardegg, Founder
A community shaped by faith, courage and conviction
The Temple Society began in nineteenth-century Germany with a bold idea — that faith should be lived, not just spoken in doctrines and dogma. That vision carried communities across continents, through upheaval and loss and, ultimately, to Australia.
What emerged here is more than a continuation of the past. It is a living, evolving community shaped by resilience, service and shared values — a place where spiritual life, care for others and a deep sense of belonging continue to guide who we are today.
A bold
beginning
The Temple Society was founded in 1861 in Württemberg, Germany, by Christoph Hoffmann and Georg David Hardegg who believed Christianity should be lived through everyday actions. Their vision was simple but radical for its time — to build communities shaped by responsibility, integrity and service, where faith was expressed through work, relationships and care for others.
This idea of a “living temple” placed people, not buildings, at the centre of faith. It became the foundation of the Temple Society and continues to shape our values and community life today.
As these ideas took root, they soon extended beyond their place of origin.
A journey across continents
In the second half of the 19th century, Templers established settlements in what was then Ottoman Palestine, at Haifa, Sarona, Jaffa, Waldheim, Wilhelma, Bethlehem and Jerusalem, seeking to live out their faith through close-knit, purpose-driven communities. They became known for their innovation, craftsmanship and contribution to local life.
World War I & II brought a sudden and profound rupture to these communities. Templers were interned and later forced to leave, abandoning homes and communities built over generations.
The journey that followed is captured through first-hand accounts in The Templer Journey — a documentary that captures how faith, values and community were carried across continents to new beginnings in Australia.
A new chapter in Australia
During World War II, following the British occupation of Palestine, the majority of Templers were transported to Australia and interned near Tatura in Central Victoria. In 1948, the Australian Government offered residency, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
Australia became not just a place of resettlement, but a place of renewal. As chapels, community halls and gathering places were established, families carried with them traditions, skills and ways of life shaped over generations. Much of what they brought continues to live on today, reflecting the founding principles first established in Germany more than 160 years ago.
Voices from the past
This film tells the remarkable migration journey of seven Templers born between 1918 and 1934 in what was then Palestine. Through their firsthand accounts, it traces movement across continents, internment during World War II and eventual settlement in Australia. Unable to return to their adopted homeland, they found new lives in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Their recollections offer a deeply personal insight into loss, resilience and the enduring strength of community.
While many Templers came to Australia, others returned to Germany from Palestine or following internment at Tatura, where the community continued through the Tempelgesellschaft in Deutschland (TGD), now based in Stuttgart-Degerloch.
Today, the Temple Society Australia and TGD remain closely connected, sharing the same beliefs, values and their faith. This ongoing relationship reflects a shared past and a living present, shaped by cooperation, exchange and mutual respect.
Tempelgesellschaft in Deutschland
Templers in Germany
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Beliefs & Faith
Discover the ideas and spiritual practices that shape how we live, reflect and act today.
Our community today
Get to know who we are — how our community is organised and the people who bring it to life.
Resources
Dive deeper into our history through archives, timelines and oral histories.