History of the Christian Church in Mayrhofen
The Christian Church of Mayrhofen was founded in 1986 by Graham Haddow, a pastor from the Reformed Baptist Church in England. At that time, he moved from England to Mayrhofen with his wife Renée and two of their seven children. Initially, there were two Sunday services and a midweek Bible study, first held in English and later also in German. They continued their ministry in Mayrhofen for 24 years.
After their return to England, the church’s ministry was continued in 2011 by Detlef and Alexandra Kohl. The Sunday services, which are bilingual when needed, and the Bible studies have continued to be attended by both locals and visitors.
In addition to the growth of the local church and an increase in service attendance, the church’s online ministry has also expanded. Sermons are sent out weekly by email to interested individuals, and alongside the local Bible study, an online Bible study now takes place weekly.
The Christian Church of Mayrhofen was the first Protestant church in the Zillervalley after all Protestants were expelled from the valley in 1837. You can learn more about Austria’s church history — especially the history of the Zillertal — on our church history tours. Please contact us if you are interested in a guided tour.
Our hope and prayer is that the Christian Church in Mayrhofen will continue to grow spiritually and that the Gospel bears fruits throughout the valley.
You are warmly welcome to join us in our services, and we pray that God will bless you through them.
Graham and Renée Haddow as well as Detlef and Alexandra Kohl, 2012