Heinrich Friedrich Niemeyer

Heinrich Friedrich Niemeyer (1853–1920) was a German clergyman. He founded the Apostolic Church of Queensland in Australia in 1883.

Early life Niemeyer was born on 11 December 1853 in Schladen in the Harz Mountains in Lower Saxony. further spreading the Apostolic Church in Queensland. In 1908 Niemeyer's work in maintaining German culture in Queensland was officially recognised with the award of the Kaiser's Order of the Crown. Naturalisation as British subjects did not protect German-born men, and from February 1916 Australian Government legislation classified the Australian-born German descendents as "aliens" if they had fathers or grandfathers born in Germany. The process of internment was selectively widened to embrace Lutheran pastors and other influential leaders of the German community. Therefore, despite being naturalised and being older (62) than military age, Niemeyer's influential role in the Apostolic Church and his strong commitment to maintaining German culture and language resulted in his internment in the Holsworthy Internment Camp. His son Willy who was born in Queensland was also interned there. There were appeals for the release of Niemeyer and his son, but these were unsuccessful. However, after Niemeyer was beat up in the camp, his health declined. In early 1918, with the support of the Queensland Premier T.J. Ryan, Niemeyer was transferred from the camp to low-security detention in a house in Dubbo where his wife was permitted to join him. He described himself in December 1918 as "your old and broken Apostle". He was finally released in October 1919.

Legacy In 1950 the church on Niemeyer's Hatton Vale property was replaced with an Apostolic Cathedral designed by Karl Langer. It contains a marble memorial to Niemeyer.

As at May 2021, the Apostolic Church of Queensland continues to operate.