Illuminating Lutheran History: rare books from the ALC Library

Visit the ALC library during South Australia’s History Festival for a glimpse at a collection of “priceless heirlooms of the Reformation”.

The ALC Library’s rare book collection holds the library’s oldest and most valuable publications including a 1551 edition of the Bible translated by Martin Luther and an original edition of the Book of Concord from 1580 which contains the foundational confessions of the Lutheran Church in the original German. One of the earliest prints in the collection is a 1523 reprint of Luther’s pamphlet explaining why women may leave cloisters.

In conjunction with South Australia’s History Festival, former ALC Librarian Trevor Schaefer will offer insights into some of these priceless treasures at an exclusive viewing on 13 May including: the oldest works of Luther from the Reformation era held by the Library, the first Aboriginal New Testament printed in 1897 and the facsimile edition of Albrecht Dürer’s Woodcuts.

Date/Time

Wednesday 13th May 2026

Session 1: 1:00-2:00pm (ACST/Adelaide)

Session 2: 4:00-5:00pm (ACST/Adelaide)

Location

ALC Library, Level 1, 22 Pultney Street, Adelaide, South Australia

_{Photo: Supplied by ALC Library}