Tortschin (Torczyn) Parish History

The Parish of Tortschin (Torczyn) (1930)

Although it was a small town with only three Lutheran families, Tortschin was in the midst of other colonies with Lutheran congregations which were a considerable distance from the Parish seats of Roshischtsche, Luzk and Wladimir-Wolhynsk. . In 1929, with leadership from the Warsaw Consistory, it was decided that a new parish (with about 5,500 parishioners) should be formed from parts of these three parishes. Robert K Liersch, a vicar from Luzk, moved to Tortschin in that year. At an organizational meeting the following year, the new parish was founded by a vote of 85 to 18. Since there was no church building in Tortschin, worship services were held in the cantorates and marriages were held in Helenow and Janowka. In 1937 a rectory/chapel was completed, with seating for 200, in Tortschin, and Bishop Bursche officiated at its dedication. Pastor Liersch was arrested in 1939 and died under severe mistreatment in prison.

Pastor in Tortschin Parish

1929 - 1939

Robert Karl LIERSCH

Evangelical Congregations in Tortschin Parish

From Roshischtsche Parish:

Helenow
Julianow
Matyldow
Michalowka
Romanow II
Tortschin (Torczyn)
Zapust-Boratyn
Zyczynek

From the Luzk Parish:

Jamki
Janowka
Karolinowka
Ludwikow
Neudorf

From the Wladimir-Wolhynsk Parish:

Helenow-Beresk
Marynkow
Wicentow

Source:

KNEIFEL, Eduard: "Die evangelisch-augsburgischen Gemeinden in Polen 1555 - 1939", Selbstverlag des Verfassers, Vierkirchen 1971