Aus der Geschichte des evangelischen Waisenhauses in Hermannstadt (1753-1948)
Short History of the Lutheran Orphanage in Sibiu (1753-1948)

Summary/Abstract: The Lutheran orphanage in Sibiu/Hermannstadt owed its existence to the craftsman Georg Thays who, after all his children died, decided in 1753 to spend a part of his fortune improving the life of protestant orphans. Thays intended to create an institution like the orphanage in Halle/Saale established by the pietistic priest August Hermann Franke (1663-1727). Due to the unexpected death of Thays it lasted for some years until the institution opened its doors. The parentless children had to be educated as good Christians but also were trained in a profession. About thirty years from its opening the orphanage functioned due to the brotherly love of the community. Then, during the reign of the emperor Joseph II ecclesiastical institutions were object of secularization and the traditional charity became lost. The orphanage went through a difficult time. Conditions improved from 1858 onwards and a whole series of lucky events made it possible for the community to build between 1882 and 1883 a modern complex. It included an orphanage, a day-care centre and a church. Being build on unstable base, structural damage appeared a few years later and in 1910 the complex had to be demolished. The community decided to rebuild the complex which was inaugurated in 1912. Until 1948, when it was nationalized, the so called “Lutherhaus” existed because of the responsibility and determination of the local protestant community and due to generous pecuniary legacies.

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