The Wendish Research Exchange - Oppach

Oppach
by Karl Gustav Adolph Weicker, Pastor

Translated by Ed Bernthal

Three good hours south of Bautzen and almost as far west of Loebau, in a very pleasant location, Oppach has its main part. It is built in the upper part of the valley, which goes in a somewhat southwesterly direction at Taubenstein toward the Spree. Surrounded by hills, most of which, although not in the Oppach region, arise as considerable hills. The highest among them is the Beli-Bog, north and northeasterly from here between Beiersdorf and Cunewalde, located over against the Czorny-Bog. Both hills, by their name, remind us through their Sorbian names, “the white and the black god,” of their tradition, that in heathen times, the Sorbs brought sacrifices to the above named gods. However, the Beli-Bog is known in the Kasper Region only under the name of the Beiersdorfer Hills, or is named after the former owner of greater part of the fields and the forests at and on them.

To the right of the one, but only through the valley in which Beiersdorf lies, and separate from it, rises, northeasterly of Oppach, in a considerable lesser height, the Beiersdorfer Forest, in which the many protruding granite blocks as whole masses of rock can be found stacked over each other. Higher up again, it rises up to the Spremberg Mountains on the right of the forest on the other side of the valley, that reach all the way to the hills of Schoenback, east of Oppach. Toward the southwest, it goes gradually down as far as the Spree, which even though only for a small distance on the south side of the border of the Oppach fields, it builds the land, in that it lies on the left banks of the Bohemian town of Fuga. Further to the southwest, Oppach borders on Taubenheim, which is Saxon again, and beyond which rise the Tauben Mountains.

Toward the west, the land rises more gently, in contrast to the northwest, where the Pickaer Mountain rises almost as high as the Beli-Bog, with which toward the north it is combined with a continuous range of mountains. This is to be differentiated form the Wurbis Mountains and the Weigsdorf Hills. On these mountains one can enjoy in places beautiful views, even though they are more or less wooded, as well as from the two hills in the Oppach forest, the so-called Haehnel at Picka, and the Krab Mountains at New Oppach, which provide lovely views.

It seems that Oppach received its name from the part that borders on Bohemia or is located on the stream, namely on the right bank of the Spree, only one mile from its source, from which the stream, quite probably, got its name. Probably from this derivation, which before was written as Obbach, it might have happened that the “bb” was changed to “pp.”

Nothing is known about the time before the founding of the town. That is was built, not by the Wends, but by the Germans seems to be obvious from the name that they chose. At the beginning of the 13th century, it already existed and had its own church, where it is recorded in the register of the archbishop of the then existing church in Loebau. Perhaps, the founding of a cloister, by the gradual addition to the same place, had its origin. At least there is the tradition that, where the buildings in the middle courtyard now stand, there stood a Probstei, and in the building style around 1790, it is shown how they carried out construction of the ruler’s house. So this tradition itself, in this region in earlier centuries, as well as by its conveniences, and through the silence about their founding of a cloister, is believable.

It is for sure, from the different contributions to the place which built the Oppach congregation, that Oppach is actually the oldest. It lies, with the exception of several added houses, in the direction southwest to northeast on the stream coming down from the town of Beiersdorf. Formerly, there was a difference in Lower and Middle Oppach, the parts of which from 1555 – 1695, were owned by two different rulers. At that time, the lowest part belonged to Lower Oppach from Old Oppach by Picka and from the Lundenberg District.

But, the middle part of Old Oppach and the district of the New Oppach belonged to Middle Oppach. Finally, several houses in the upper part of Old Oppach and the fields of the present Upper Oppach belonged to the former Upper Oppach. This part of Old Oppach, still always unimportant, seems to have existed only for a short time. At least one owner of the same can be found, namely in the move recorded in the Acts of the Lord Visitor in 1657, where it says: “The third farm in Oppach is owned by Mr. Wenzel Von Eberhardt. The same had 3 rauche and one leased his land. Desolate are the gardens of Hans Schusters, and one is no more existing.” But, in one move recorded in the Knight’s Roll of 1586, there is the following statement: “(Item) at Oppach from the newly established farm, sheep raising, including the gardens and the ponds of the town of Eberdorf.” And tied to this, comes the assumption that Von Eberhardt was the owner of this part of Oppach for a long time, and might have given the name Eberhardts or Ebersdorf to the town. Later on, the ownership might have gotten too small for a ruling household, and was taken over by the owners of Middle Oppach, and was called Oberdorf, and eventually was united completely with Middle Oppach. There are reports on hand that the farm, mentioned above, stood where now stands the subsistence home No. 42, but it later burned down, and was rebuilt again in today’s Upper Oppach.

Next to Oppach itself is Picka, located at the southern foot of Pickaer Mountain, which was the oldest part of this local parish. There is no information available about its development. In the old church books, in 1662, it comes up a number of times.

Towards the end of the 17th century, the present New Oppach, which goes down to the Spree from the western incline of the Spremberg Mountains, had its beginning. At first in 1676, it was mentioned as a “Gersdorf property on the Fuge,” with a house and new tavern on the Fuge (the Bohemian Fuge). Soon more houses were built in the present lower part of New Oppach, especially by the Protestants, who settled here because of the crowding in the neighboring Bohemia, and at the beginning of the 17th century New Oppach numbered 11 houses.

About at the same time, along with that of New Oppach, the first building was to follow in Lindenberg, which also lies at the foot of the Pickau Mountains, although it lies more southerly and deeper than Picka. At least, Lindenberg is first mentioned in 1693 in the church records. Its name had come from the place that, in the 17th Century, first consisted of 6 houses, that, by government requirement, a Linde had been placed on each newly built house.

At the latest, Upper Oppach was built up in the hills and valleys northwest lying near Cunewalde. The reason for this was the emigration of more Protestants due to the oppression in the nearby city of Schirgiswalde. The first of these Exulanten built for themselves in the upper part of Old Oppach or in the former Upper Oppach. But, when more followed, they were directed to the so-called Oak Groves, where also the above mentioned farms were located. Up to the middle of the previous century, 14 houses were built there, and the name Upper Oppach was given to this place, but, in their daily lives, it was also called The Oaks, like New Oppach was called the “Fugli.”

Also, toward the end of the previous century, some houses were built on the south side of the Krab Mountains, next to the location of the red or new border mill named Spreedorf. But they were still counted for New Oppach, just like the houses on the old ditch and by the dam mill were counted for the actual Oppach. You can see from the foregoing that also this, like the surrounding countryside of all the towns, had gradually greatly increased. Most likely it happened at the beginning of the previous century, due to the emigration of the Bohemians, and that, toward the end of the same century, the rulers gave over many of the fields by heredity to the new cultivators of the land. The gradual growth of the local congregation, in which all were united, is shown in the following table.

Counted in:.............. 1757........1794........1829
Old Oppach............... 80............97............160
New Oppach............. 31............49............78
Upper Oppach........... 14............41............70
Lindenberg............... 9..............20............50
Picka........................ 6..............9..............13
Total ........................140.......... 216..........371 houses
The total number of residents in the 1837 census amounted to 1,965.

From the number of the 371 now present, there were only 7 farm properties, 53 gardeners, 299 subsistence homes. Added to these are 1 blacksmith, 5 mills, the courthouse, church, parsonage and school. No special number is given as to who took care of the poor house, which had been set up by the ruler about 50 years before.

The properties here, as otherwise in Lusatia in earlier times, were gleaning properties, but especially in 1787, they were turned over to the ownership of the inhabitants. Even so, the servants of the rulers had to render different kinds of customary court services. Since 1837, they have been eliminated. Also since 1837, all the fields of the knight’s properties were leased out, which was very good for the residents of Oppach, since many of them did not own any land. Their main occupation was not farming, which was due, mainly, to the very poor cold difficult soil that was not very productive, although potatoes grew quite well. But the main occupation was the weaving of different linen and wool cloth. The beginning of this can be derived from the church records of 1676. At that time, at least in the winter, almost all of the houses carried on this occupation, and there were 480 weaving looms. Their goods, for the most part, were finished for the so-called factories, of which there were a few in the towns, but more of them did it for their own trade. Part of these, were sold by so-called land operators or house peddlers or as those that used it as an important market. In Oppach, there were also 4 bleaching and one fullers machine for linen wares. Of the 5 flour mills, one was also a lumber mill and another an oil mill. Here you could also meet most of the handicraft workers., and, in the latest time, the business of freight transportation has been taken up. This has become popular due to the fact that in Oppach the highways have been joined together from Neustadt to Stolpen and the one from Bautzen to Zittau, by way of Neusalza. At the point where this happens, there stands a highway house. Except for a highway money collector, no government attendant is here.

Here you will not find any fancy construction. The buildings of the knight’s properties in the middle of the courtyard, as well as many of the ruler’s homes in Picka have been restored. But there has been opposition to the restoring of the lower courtyards. In Picka there are several parks, and a larger garden is now being put in.

Regarding the owners of Oppach, the information about them, as well as that of the history of the place, does not go back very far, and that about the oldest ones is very meager.

The first, which comes from a feudal letter in 1426, is Nitsche or Nikolaus von Kopperitz.

After him, the name of Hans von Rechenberg is listed, who was a captain in Bautzen.

From that time on till 1695 the Rechenbergers possessed part or all of Oppach. Ernst von Rechenberg, presumably a son of Hans Rechenberg, is named, who also owned Krostan.

After him, two owners of Oppach at the same time are listed, Hans and Ernst von Rechenberg, probably brothers and sons of the former. After his death, they may have divided the property, which must have happened in 1555, since the separation of Middle and Lower Oppach had lasted for 140 years. Incidentally, this Ernst von Rechenberg died in 1594, while the year of the death of his brother is unknown, who also owned Upper Sohland, and was the Kaiser’s Advisor and a Country Prince.

After them, around 1601, Hans Cristoph von Rechenberg and Rudolph von Rechenberg, and around 1626, Rudolph von Rechenberg were named as rulers of Oppach. He was the oldest land owner in the Bautzen Region. He was followed by his sons, Hans Ernst and Rudolph Ernst von Rechenberg, of whom the first was a land appointee, which he possessed till he died in 1648 in Krostan. The year of the death for the second son is not known. Since he also was to have owned Preititz, he perhaps sold his part of Oppach.

At least, in 1657, Wolf Cristoph von Nostitz, besides Hans Cristoph von Rechenberg, was named as owner of a part of Oppach, and at the same time also of Wurbis, which now still belongs to the knight’s property of Oppach. Still from the Rechenberg family, Heinrich Ernst von Rechenberg possessed his share of Oppach around 1663, Hans Ernst von Rechenberg till he died in 1694, and Gottlieb Ehrenreich von Rechenberg from 1665 on.

This one however sold it to Johann Casper von Nostitz at Jaenckendorf out of frustration with the conflict with the rulers of Middle Oppach in 1695 over the sale of a tavern. Since he also, in 1696, bought Middle Oppach, it again came under one rulership, as it has remained till now.

As owners of Middle Oppach, besides the already mentioned Wolf Christoph von Nostitz, Hans Cristoph is given.

Then it was Melchior von Gersdorf, the father of the former who before had possessed Taubenheim, and after disposing of it in 1679, it was bought by his son in Middle Oppach. After his death, his 5 sons at first owned it jointly. Then one of them, Adolf Gottlieb von Gersdorf, a Master Knight, bought it, and in 1684 another brother, David Heinrich von Gersdorf at Reutnitz owned it solely.

In 1690, he sold it to Magdalena Sybila von Schweinitz, a free woman at Torga and Ziethen. She sold it in 1694 to Wolf Heinrich von Muschwitz at Wursche, Trauschkowitz, Wurschen, etc, who was the oldest landowner in the Bautzen District. His daughter was married as his second wife to the above named Johann Casper von Nostitz. So, presumably, in this way the sale of Middle Oppach came into the ownership of Lower Oppach. He also owned, besides his inherited properties, Jaenckendorf, Cona, Wiese, Thiemundorf, See, Sprortz, Kleinhausen and Kottmersdorf. After his death in 1706, two sons from his first marriage jointly started to take over Oppach.

But already in 1708, Wolf Adolph Traugott von Nostitz and Jaenckendorf was the sole owner of See, Sprowitz and Mohalz. At his death in 1735, Oppach, as well as the just mentioned properties, fell to his oldest son Mauritius Ferdinand von Nostitz and Jaenckendorf for only a short time, since he sold it to his mother, Charlotte Elizabeth, born von Ziegler and Klippenhausen at Upper Cunewalde. At her death in 1746, he obtained possession of Oppach for a second time, which he retained till his death in 1768. Now his only son, Gottlieb Adolph Ernst von Nostitz and Jaenckendorf was the owner of Oppach, which he kept for more years than anyone else before him, namely 15 years under guardianship, and then from 1783 on, 53 more years. And he served the entire fatherland faithfully with his influential offices and effective businesses. He served in 1785 as an effective Financial Advisor, in 1792 as Country Elder of the Bautzen District, in 1804 as the Chief Officer, in 1806 as the Upper Consistorial President, in 1809 as Conference Minister and Home Advisor, and otherwise in charge of important business. So Oppach owes him especially many thanks, namely for the improvements which it received from him for its schools and institutions for the poor. The present honorable owner of Oppach is the oldest son of the former, His Exellence, the Inner State Administrator, Gottlieb Edward von Nostitz and Jaenckendorf.

The ownership of the knight’s properties of Middle and Lower Oppach stands alone under the Collatur (right to bestow an ecclesiastic function on someone) of the local pastor’s and school positions.

There is a lack of information about the state of the church in the oldest times. Allegedly, the oldest documents on the state of the church in Oppach were in Prague where they had burned up in a cloister. If, or how much, of this tradition had a connection with the Catholic times, that there was a cloister there, is hard to decide. It is certain that, at the time of the Reformation, both neighboring Taubenheim and Beiersdorf were branches of Oppach, and that the pastor, or probst (Praepositus) of Oppach was taking care of the church services through his chapel in both places. Taubenheim received their own pastor in 1524, and Beiersdorf in 1579.

Nothing is known about the pastors before the Reformation. But from after that time, there is quite a bit of valid information. The oldest of this is, that in 1517, by God’s grace, after Luther began a wholesome church reformation, also here thereafter, the light was raised up, by a certain Antonius, who was the first evangelical provost here. In a different document, the first evangelical pastor was called Anton, Anthoss (Anthoff ?). He was to have come to Neustaedtel in Bohemia in 1540, and became Primarius in Bautzen in 1542, and was driven out again from there in the persecution of those who had capitulated.

After him, 2) Dionysius Springius was named as the pastor in 1559.

Then, 3) Peter Dreussnick, born in Rosswein, and who served as the cantor and schoolmaster in Schluckenau, 52 years old, was called to the local ministry, taught here for 10 years, and proved to be an honorable proponent of the Augsburg Confession and an excellent preacher.

In 1591. 4) Franciscus Praetorius, a native of Goerlitz, was called here. During his time, the parsonage burned down in 1591 on Simons and Judah Day, in which all church records were lost, along with all the church books beginning first in 1562. In 1519, Praetorius moved from here, but to where is not known.

His successor was 5) M. Christian Wagner, presumably a native of Dresden, where he served as substitute pastor in 1591, and also as pastor at Rumburg in Bohemia. In 1604, he was transferred here as a deacon, and in 1608 was the Arch Deacon there, and died as such in 1615. He was to have been an excellent scholar, but “was also accused of being Calvinistic.” It was further reported that the renowned Director of the Bautzen Gymnasium, M. Melchior Gerlach, at the time of the plague in 1599, had turned with his family to this Pastor Wagner, “and since he had many student followers, he lectured here for ¾ of a year.”

After him in 1604, 6) Martin Schwarzbach, a native of Lauban, was called here.

It is not known whether in the same year 7) Melchior Landufius, a native of Thuringia, and previously pastor in Korstan, became his successor. But of him it was said, “he left here with his wife because of the plague.”

After him 9) Matthaeus Scultetus, or Schulze, was called whose life was quite eventful. As a native of Schluckenau, he himself was a school teacher there in 1619, later preacher in Georgiswalde, as well as in Bohemia, but was driven out from there. Then in 1631, he was pastor in Krostau, and soon after that in Schluckenau, but that here he was also driven out. From there, he went to Sohland on the Spree in 1639, and died there in 1642.

His successor 10) George Kirchhof, from Laubau, stayed here only two years, while in 1641, he was a deacon in Reichenbach where he died in 1663.

As his successor 11) Friedrich Kirsteinius, also from Lauban, who, before his call here, was the cantor in Lauban, was here for only a short time.

Already in 1644, Christian Stecher, from Löbau, was the 12th evangelical pastor here. He also died here in 1662.

He was followed by 13) M. Wilhelm Heinrich Portinreiter from Querfurth. He also died here in 1673.

His successor in 1674 was 14) Johann Lindner from Camenz, but who already died here in 1678.

The pastor after him in 1679 was 15) Martin Wendebaum from Bautzen, who also stayed here till his death in 1699.

In 1699, 16) M. Gottfried Foerster, from Marklissa, was called here, who also served here till his death in 1735.

He was followed by 17) Johann George Bether, from the sea by Niesky, former Subrector at Crestrin and Conrector at Zuellichau. It was said about him, “he carried out his office with great faithfulness, and finally died a Christian friend of people in 1755.”

In 1756, 18) M. Gottlieb Siegesmund Jenicken, from Luebbenau, acquired the local pastoral office, and stayed in it till his death in 1778.

He was followed by 19) Johann Gottfried Bugenhagen, from Leisnig, who first had been the pastor in Ehrenberg by Hohenstein, and, after serving here since 1778, was called in 1786 as a catechist and preacher to Mary and Martha at Bautzen.

His successor was 20) M. Johann Friederich Pietzsch, from Muehlberg, who from 1787-1792 was the pastor here, and then became the pastor at Glaubitz by Muehlberg.

Taking his place was 21) Christian Gottlieb Hendrich, from Nickrisch near Goerlitz, who, previously, had been the pastor in Prietitz by Kamenz, but he died already in 1796.

He was followed by 22) George Ludwig Berthold, from Roecknitz by Wurzen, previously in 1793, the deacon in Schoenberg by Goerlitz. In 1809, he was called as deacon to the church in Bautzen, where he died in 1812.

Called here in 1810 was 23) M. Johann Theodor Eusebius Mueller, from Loebau, previously the same deacon in Schoenberg. He died there in 1824.

Taking his place was 24) M. Christian August Baehr, from Atterwasch by Guben, who had formerly been the Afternoon Preacher at the State University Church in Leipzig, and was called in 1834 as the pastor at Weigsdorf by Hirschfeld.

Since then, 25) Karl Gustav Adolph Weicker, from Arnsdorf by Reichenbach, has been the local pastor. Before his installation here, he was a teacher at the Citizens School in Chemnitz.

Information about the earliest history of the church is very meager. Nothing is known about its first development. We have information of its growth and furnishings only since 1787. Since, in the previous century, the church had grown considerably (in 1700 the number of souls was only 18, but in 1785 already 41) so the former church became too small, and since rebuilding was overdue, an almost total new reconstruction, in which only a part of the foundation remained, a widening of the church by about 18 yards was decided on, also, besides the improvement of the tower on the west side, was finished within 3 years. Since the church itself had so few resources, the cost of the construction was covered partly by the praiseworthy efforts of the congregation, and partly by the considerable contributions from the Collatur lord, and much support from the neighboring towns was raised and submitted. This new church is sparse, simple, but friendly, and still has adequate room. The altar, a gift of the former Collatur lord, is decorated with a beautiful painting portraying Jesus praying at the Mount of Olives. Above the altar, there is a pulpit and a teaching chair without any covering. For the building, in 1787, the congregation also received a newly built organ by Seliger in Bauersdorf. In its place in 1808, a larger organ built by Miersch from Kleinroehrsdorf by Pultniz was installed.

The deficiency of its ringing led to, under more favorable circumstances in 1834, the desire for improvement. With an expenditure of 1,234 Thaler, 8 Groschen (only what was left after 294 Thaler, 14 Groschen was taken off by using the metal of the old bells with the rest covered by gifts and transfers from the congregation), a ringing of 3 harmonious bells were acquired. They were finished by the renowned castor of bells, Friederich Gruhl from Kleinwelka, and they were festively received on May 16, 1834, and were used days later for the first time at the welcoming of the present pastor. The large bell is adorned on the front side with the head of Christ and the inscription, the same as on the other ones at that time with the name of Arthur Nordstein, who was also the author of the excellent poem, and by the Collator himself:

I call to the temple for worship
For Baptism, for the Lord’s Supper, for prayer and for teaching
Blessed are you when Christ’s saving Word
Falls not among thorns or dies on the rocks.

On the other side, is the inscription and the title of the then Lord Collatur. The middle bell is decorated on the front with Luther’s bust and this inscription:

A fortress, a strong one, as shown by Luther
Is the Lord, our God, highly praised and adored
Whoever keeps the faith, expressed by love
He trusts this fortress, which gives him hope.

The reverse side has the name of title of the present Lord Collatur who, at that time, was the Director of the Saxon King’s Finance Ministry. The small bell has the bust of Melanchthon and the inscription:

When life is over, that only began here
I lead to the grave with freedom won
They died in the Lord, if they loved the Lord
Who does not forsake his own, but lifts them up to Himself.

On the reverse side are the words, “The congregation acquired these bells in 1834.”

In the cemetery surrounding the church, which is shaded by trees, there are the historical graves, which were leveled off in 1832, and arranged like a garden. They contain a number of artistic memorial grave markers, but only from more recent times.

As assets, the local congregation has only 25 Thaler, which it owes the Collatur organization. Two legacies are on hand, the one with a contribution of 100 Thaler, donated in 1662 by Mrs. Helena von Metzrad, born a von Rechenberg, from which the church annually gets 4 Thaler, and the pastor 2 Thaler. The other one, in the amount of 25 Thaler, in 1779 from Master Gottfried Hohlfud, owner of the mill by the dam, the interest of which is used for the holding of a sermon by the pastor on Friday afternoon, for the school teacher, and the rest for the church.

Regarding gifts to the church, the following is known: In 1690, after the church had been broken into and a chalice, Baptism cup and altar candlestick were stolen, the then Collatur Gottlieb Ehrenreich von Rechenberg and David Heinrich von Gersdorf, as well as their relatives, gave 3 pewterware candlesticks, 2 Baptism cups and a Baptism canister. In 1779, for the celebration of the Teschner Peace, the Court Director of the Upper Office Advocate Koepping in Bautzen gave a tin container for communion use, and the Lord Collatur the then Land Elder in Nostitz and Jaenckenberg, gave a gold plated chalice and a similar box for the wavers. He also gave a copy of the new Dresden Hymnal for each home when it was introduced. In 1817, a Bible, to be used in the church, was given by an anonymous friend of God’s Word. In 1831, two very beautiful altar candlesticks made of bronze and which were gold plated by fire, were donated at the cost of 90 Thaler, the sum of which was raised, to the greater part, through a collection from the adults and the youth for the Jubilation Festival on Thanksgiving Day in 1830. The rest came from the free-will offering of the congregation members, as well as from an out-of-town member of the congregation, which was gathered together by the Lord Collatur. Finally, in 1834, and altar cloth of dark colors with gold yellow embroidered borders, was given by his wife and her two unmarried daughters.

In regard to the parsonage, the first reference to it was what was already mentioned, that it was consumed by fire in 1591, along with most of its furnishings on Simon and Judah Day. At the time, it had been standing a distance from the church, closer to the houses on the Neusalzener High Road, and was rebuilt again at this place. This second parsonage became, in time, quite dilapidated, and therefore, within 80 or so years, the building of a new one was completed. This building was not especially large, but was comfortably furnished, and was, in 1838, also provided with fire gables and a tile roof, which are still in good condition. On the sunny side of the parsonage, besides being surrounded by a barn and a stable, there stood a large business place. But, by the time of Pastor Jenichens, it was taken down, and a similar business building was erected somewhat to the east and closer to the parsonage. The building was covered only with straw and shingles, and would be too small, if the Wiedenmuth, which covers 20 acres and 65 yards, would be cultivated by the pastor.

Concerning the school, there was only one in the parish. The earliest reports are especially meager. There is some information about when it was founded and about its furnishings in former times. The school house earlier was located where now stands the home of the High Road Fee Collector. Since large repairs became necessary because it was not large enough for the number of school children, the present massive building was constructed with a tin roof in 1778 and 1779. Also, in the last 15 years, the furnishings of the school were greatly improved. Since 1821, the highly respected school teacher at that time received an assistant. In 1822, he was appointed as an adjunct teacher. In 1828, the two instruction rooms at that time were divided into three classes, which were taught jointly by the two teachers. In 1882, a second instruction room was provided on the upper floor of the school, in which now more children could be instructed, after dividing the children into 4 classes. Since 1836, due to the implementation of the public school regulation regarding the number of children, made it necessary to open a fifth class, which was done in the three lower classes. In the same year, there followed the fixing of the salaries of both teachers, so that the second teacher received 150 Thaler, but the first teacher received 360 Thaler as a fixed salary, exclusive of the income which he received from his other church duties. The present number of children in the school is around 345.

The following are known to have been local school masters:

1) David Borsche, who died here in 1692 “as the 50-year school master at the age of 79 years.”

After him there was 2) Karl Glueck, from Wolgastt, the school master here, but only for a short time, since he soon went to Starzeddel in Lower Lusatia.

The 3rd one was George Bitterlich, from Sohland, earlier the school teacher in Wehrdorf, who is presumably remembered for being called here as the first organist. In 1697, he went as organist to Ebersbach.

He was followed by 4) Johann Cristoph Richter, who came here at a very young age, and soon became the school master in Wilthen, and later in Koenigswarthe, where he died.

His successor, 5) Daniel Schueller also stayed here only from 1701-1704, and, “since he had good knowledge about medical science, he resigned from his school office here and moved to Reichenbach where he occupied himself solely with medical matters.”

In his place came 6) Christian Fuchs, “who served the school with great skill and dedication and left behind an excellent reputation.” He moved to Grossbennersdorf, where he also died.

After him, 7) Johann George Dathman is named, but he moved to Jaenckendorf already in 1715.

Then in 1715, 8) George Bitterlich, after having moved to Ebersdorf, again accepted the call to our school, and served as organist, and honorably carried out the duties of his office alone till 1746, and after that with a substitute till 1748. He reached the age of 79 years and 3 months.

He was followed by (9) Johann Cristoph Jaeschke from Friedersdorf by Goerlitz. Since 1742, he had been a teacher at Belmsdorf by Bischofswerda, and in 1746 was called here as Bitterlich’s substitute.

After his death, he carried out the school office here alone till his place, in 1771, was taken by 10) Karl Ernst Schwarzbach from Austria at Seidenberg. Before this, since 1771, he had been the Collaborator for the school at Neida. Here, he served the school over 45 years till his death in 1822, but only in his last years was he supported by an Assistant.

After him, 11) Joh. Karl Gottfried Brause from Koerlitz by Wierzen was the congregation’s school master, who in a short time in his career, distinguished himself, but, unfortunately, died already in 1825.

He was followed by (12) Karl Gottlieb Partzsch from Roethenbach in the Erzle Mountains, but he resigned in 1828 to become Music Director in Braunschweig.

His successor was, and still is, 13) Mr. Johann Ludwig Wilhelm Raedlein, who had been the Assistant Teacher at the public school in Neustadt – Dresden since 1823.

Since its inauguration in 1822, the position of second teacher was filled by 1) Cristoph Gottlieb Pollack from Milstrich by Kamenz. Since 1828, he has been the second teacher at Niederfriedersdorf by Neusalza, and in 1832 was called to be the teacher in the public school at Chemnitz, and, in 1836, as the school teacher and cantor at Neukirch by Chemnitz.

3) Johann Wilhelm Thomas from Sohland at Rothstein came here also as a second teacher.

Since then, it has been 4) Mr. Carl Friedrich Kotte from Kamenz.

Not to be unmentioned, are several instituted festivals and happy occasions of a churchly nature, in recent times. To them belong, first of all, the celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Reformation which took place in 1817. The then Pastor M. Mueller shared a report given out by Dr. Petri, who was then the Church and School Advisor and Deacon in Zittau, of the festivities at the Saxon Upper Lusatia meeting. A memorial of that celebration in the form of a pyramid was erected in the middle of the town shaded by trees in that place, and is still there for “the remembrance of the 3rd Century of the Reformation Anniversary on October 31, 1817.” The year after that, the 50th Anniversary of King Friedrich August, the Righteous One, was begun on September 20 with an appropriate celebration, which, upon the order of the Collatur’s office, had Pastor M. Mueller’s report printed, as well as his Thanksgiving sermon on this day. A similar order was given to print the report by Pastor M. Baehr of the Jubilee Celebration of the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, which was celebrated here in 1830, in which a festival procession was described in this report, and which gave information about the joyful celebration carrying the banner which read: “Hail the faithful confession of faith at the Council in Augsburg!” Also the acquiring of the new bells in 1834 and the accompanying celebration was reported by present pastor, and his sermon was printed by order of the Collator. Also an unusual churchly celebration to place on Reformation Sunday in 1830, namely, the blessing at the same time of the anniversaries of two couples, one of which was still in good health and was looking forward to celebrating next fall not their 50th but their 60th wedding anniversary. A similar unusual celebration on May 31, 1836 of the wedding anniversary of the then highly respected Collator, His Senior Excellence of the Ministers Conference from Notitz and Jaeckendorf, was observed in a festive way here at the church. In a different way, in October of 1838, an unprecedented joy and honor was experienced here in Oppach, as well as in the whole area, when His Majesty the King and the Queen, as they were returning from the region of Herrnhut, spent a short time in the courtyard here, and upon their arrival they were festively received at a new entrance erected in New Oppach, and were respectfully greeted with a few words by the pastor.

Among other memorable events from the earlier times, is the one reported in 1774 by Pastor Hendrich, who was in charge of the Upper Lusatia Science Association which covered the topography of Oppach, who also shared, in greater part, the material that is supplied here, about the pestilence in 1609, “which took a great many citizens and caused much suffering.” Also in 1640, “a pestilence fever that soon took away one after another who had to be buried without a funeral service because of the terrible danger of infection.” Also in 1691, many people died of the Ruhr, and which was also especially prevalent here. In 1742, five sons of a father died within eight days of the so-called “itching sickness,” which one attributed to the so-called “mother corn.” In 1751, there was at that time a fire of unknown cause at the border mill near Taubenheim in which, besides the building itself, the miller and five other persons were burned to death. The sermon at the funeral of the remains of the deceased by Pastor Bether was printed in Loebau in 1753. The misfortune of fires, as far as is known, hit Oppach and its citizens in 1591, 1715, 1729, 1743, 1751, 1758, 1766, 1779, 1783, 1804, 1828 and 1829. But the fires burned only one house each time. In 1715, 1766 and 1783 there were fires caused by lightning, and in 1776 a woman in New Oppach was killed by lightning. On May 5, 1760, a bad storm did much damage to the tower of the church, but which was not burned down by the lightning. Also in 1744, the parsonage was in danger of burning down by the strong lightning when the roof might have caught on fire.

The effects of war also became important here during the 7-Year War, especially in the first year and in 1813. In 1778 and 1813, the worship services were disturbed several times which disrupted the churchly order. Regarding deadly events, of which there were several in this place, nothing further is mentioned, except drownings that occurred more often, and one time a death from a falling tree, otherwise nothing else can be mentioned.

Finally, it should be mentioned that, in 1839, the number of marriage bans issued was 31 (16 were married here), there were 70 births, 52 deaths and 910 communicants, among whom were 53 confirmands.

Karl Gustave Adolf Weicher, Pastor