A Christian sect that migrated from Germany to establish utopian communities in Palestine during the 19th century.
The Temple Society, also known as the Templers, is a Christian religious movement that originated in Germany in the mid-19th century. Founded by Christoph Hoffmann and Georg David Hardegg in 1861, it emerged as a breakaway group from the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Württemberg. The movement’s name derives from the concept of Christians as spiritual temples in which God’s spirit dwells, distinct from the medieval Knights Templar.
The Templers’ beliefs center around the teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly his message about the kingdom of God. They emphasize love of God and neighbor, as encapsulated in Matthew 22:37-39. The society is non-dogmatic, rejecting fixed creeds, liturgies, sacraments, and traditional doctrines like the Trinity and Christ’s divinity. Instead, they focus on establishing Christian fellowship and creating communities where their ideals can be practiced cooperatively.
Influenced by biblical prophecies and a desire to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming, Hoffmann envisioned Jerusalem as the center of God’s Kingdom on Earth. This led to the establishment of Templer colonies in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, beginning in the late 1860s. Notable settlements were founded in Haifa, Jaffa, Sarona (near Tel Aviv), and Jerusalem.
The Templers had a significant impact on the region, introducing modern farming techniques, advanced infrastructure, and contributing to economic development. Their colonies were characterized by German architecture, efficient water management systems, and new crops. They established schools, hospitals, and various industries, becoming models of productivity in the area.
However, the Templers faced numerous challenges throughout their history. Their presence in Palestine led to complex relationships with local Arab and Jewish populations, often mixing cooperation with tension. The outbreak of World War I marked a turning point, as the British conquest of Palestine in 1917 resulted in many Templers being interned in Egypt.
The interwar period brought further complications. The establishment of the British Mandate for Palestine in 1920 placed the Templers in an increasingly precarious position between hostile Arab and Jewish communities. The rise of Nazi Germany in the 1930s caused internal divisions within the Temple Society, with some members embracing Nazi ideology while others remained apolitical or opposed it.
World War II led to another round of internment and deportation for the Templers. Many were transported to Australia, where they remained until the late 1940s. The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 effectively ended the Templers’ presence in Palestine, with remaining members being expelled and their properties confiscated.
In the aftermath, most Templers resettled in Australia, particularly around Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. Others returned to Germany. The Temple Society Australia was formed in 1950, establishing church halls and community centers to preserve their cultural and religious heritage. In Germany, the group resumed activities post-war and joined the Bund für Freies Christentum in 1976.
Today, the Temple Society continues to exist, primarily in Australia and Germany, albeit in a much-reduced form. It has evolved into a more mainstream Protestant denomination while retaining some of its distinctive beliefs. The Templers’ historical legacy in Israel/Palestine remains visible in preserved buildings that stand as historical landmarks, testament to their significant, if complex, role in the region’s development.
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