Wantok Place, The Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’s museum of Papua New Guinea (PNG) artefacts, will officially close its doors on Wednesday, 29 April 2026. A short rite of closing will be held at 2.00 pm. Established in 2019 in the eastern wing of the LLL Building in North Adelaide, Wantok Place was […]

Wantok Place, The Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’s museum of Papua New Guinea (PNG) artefacts, will officially close its doors on Wednesday, 29 April 2026. A short rite of closing will be held at 2.00 pm.

Established in 2019 in the eastern wing of the LLL Building in North Adelaide, Wantok Place was previously known as the Louise Flierl Mission Museum, founded in 1998 in Hahndorf by Christel Metzner. Over the years, the museum has served as a significant repository for artefacts and stories from the LCA’s International Mission work, especially in PNG.

Assistant to the Bishop for International Mission, Pastor Mark Schultz, said the decision followed careful consideration.

“The decision to close Wantok Place has not been an easy one. Reduced visitor numbers since the Lutheran Church of Australia’s move to Frome Street, an ageing volunteer base, and the LLL’s imminent need for additional space for their expansion plans have converged to make this the right time,” Pastor Schultz said. He also expressed gratitude for the LLL’s generous support over the past seven years in providing the museum’s current space.

Housing around 1,500 artefacts, the collection comprises items given or acquired by Australian Lutheran missionaries and lay people working in PNG since 1886. The future of these artefacts is yet to be finalised. “We hope that some of the items will find a home in our new Church House in Frome Street, and we are investigating other areas where these items might be displayed as a reminder of the power of the Gospel to transform lives and the ongoing partnership we share with our churches in PNG and South‑East Asia,” Pastor Schultz added. Items not selected for display will be carefully packed and securely stored to ensure their preservation.

Pastor Schultz extended special thanks to Museum Manager Timothy Pietsch and the team of volunteers, most of whom are former missionaries, for their unwavering commitment and selfless service to Wantok Place. “We have been so blessed through the generosity of our volunteers, who have faithfully opened the doors, extended hospitality to those who have visited, and shared the story of our Church’s mission partnerships overseas, especially in PNG. We cannot thank God enough for them,” he said.

If there are any enquiries relating to the closure of Wantok Place, please contact Pastor Schultz at lcaim@lca.org.au or Timothy Pietsch at timothy.pietsch@lca.org.au.

Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray

Read more stories about our partner church in Papua New Guinea at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/papua-new-guinea/