A Deaf congregation was established as part of the Royal South Australian Deaf Society in 1890. In 1928, the congregation moved into a custom-built chapel in the society’s new building at 262 South Terrace, Adelaide, where it remained until 2013 when the building was sold. During this time, it was served by a number of pastors from various denominations. Most were hearing, although some knew sign language. When they did not, interpreters were provided.

In the 1990s the congregation called a Deaf member of the congregation, John Hoopmann, to become its pastor. After studies in the USA and Adelaide, John was ordained as a pastor of the LCA in 1996 and served the congregation full time until his retirement in 2017.

In 2013, Pastor John notified the LCA of his intention to retire and the need to find a successor for the Deaf church.

A hearing pastoral theology student already at Australian Lutheran College, Michael Prenzler, heard the call and expressed a willingness to learn Auslan. During his final three years of studying for the ministry, Michael also attended part-time Auslan classes at TAFE and spent time worshipping with the ADCC. Upon his ordination in December 2016, Michael was called jointly by the ADCC and the Magill Lutheran Church congregations to a shared ministry.

The ADCC also decided to worship at Magill to strengthen cooperation between the congregations. Pastor Michael was installed at Magill at a joint service in February 2017. He continues to improve his Auslan and learn more about Deaf culture as he ministers to the ADCC and Magill.

In 2020, a member of the ADCC, Julian Mazzeo, felt called to train to become a Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP). For the next three years (part-time), Pastor Michael trained Julian to take over the ministry to Deaf. Julian was ordained on October 8^th 2023 and installed as pastor to the ADCC. You can contact Pastor Julian via email or SMS (0434 790 833).