Moravian Archives, Bethlehem, Pa.

Issue 74 June 2012

Christian Protten - Missionary to the Gold Coast of Africa

275 years ago Christian Protten, together with finally educated in theology. months he married the mulatto widow, Heinrich Huckoff , began mission work on the He studied at the university for a few Rebecca Freundlich, and remained in Gold Coast of Africa (now Ghana) which had years before meeting Zinzendorf and Moravian communities for the next ten little result, but was remarkable as an early becoming acquainted with the Moravians in years. Protten’s relationship with Zinzendorf example of an African-born missionary returning 1735. He remained in Herrnhut for two remained tenuous perhaps due to his to his homeland to evangelize others. years where he learned German but still did perceived pride or persistent alcoholism. In not feel entirely at home, 1756 the couple was banished to probably due to racial Grosshennersdorf, and soon after Protten differences evidenced by received permission to return to Africa, descriptions of him as leaving his wife behind to rejoin the “africanish wild” (African Herrnhut community. savage) and In Africa Protten resumed teaching and “mohrisch” (Moorish). reconnected with his family, but still felt Protten’s perceived unsettled. In 1761 he accidentally shot one pridefulness was a point of his students while cleaning a gun, and of contention for after a brief imprisonment he returned to Zinzendorf: “Protten has Europe where he rejoined his wife and the a high opinion of himself. Moravians. In 1764 the Prottens returned to Presumptiveness and a Africa with the blessing of the church in high opinion of oneself order to begin a school for the mulatto only prostitute a person children at Christiansborg. The undertaking and carry no weight with did not go well, however, and Protten died the Saviour.” Despite his in 1769. Rebecca, his wife died in 1780, Christian Protten was the son of a Dutch shortcomings Protten was chosen as along with several missionary sailor stationed at Christiansborg, a Danish missionary to the Gold Coast along with reinforcements sent from Europe in the fort in West Africa, and an African woman Heinrich Huckoff, a native of Moravia. meantime. Although the Gold Coast mission of the Ga tribe. Although he spoke two Zinzendorf wrote instructions to Protten was largely a failure, Protten did succeed in African languages (Ga and Fante) and his prior to his departure: “Dear Christian: In producing the first published grammar of Ga mother was likely the daughter of the tribal order to convert the Moors, you must leave and Fante in 1764. king Ofori, Protten’s upbringing included all your Moorish bad habits in Amsterdam.” strong European influences. He attended The pair arrived in Elmina on the African Sources school under the tutelage of a Lutheran coast on May 11, 1737. Huckoff died a minister at the fort, where he learned month later. Protten sought permission to Image: The Protten Family (Unity Archives, Danish and was introduced to the Gospel. start a mulatto school, but instead was Herrnhut). Biographical Dictionary of Christian In 1727 at age 11 Protten was chosen to imprisoned for three years. When released Missions, ed. Gerald H. Anderson; Hamilton, History of the Missions of the Moravian Church attend school in Denmark, a choice he later he served as a teacher for a year before (Bethlehem 1901); Müller, 200 Jahre Brüdermis- recalled as made “by force,” but nonetheless being recalled to Germany, having no sion (Herrnhut 1931); Jon Sensbach, Rebecca’s aspired to further education toward the success with mission work. He was then Revival: Creating Black Christianity in the Atlantic ministry. When he arrived in Denmark he sent to St. Thomas where he remained aloof World (Harvard University Press 2005). was disappointed to begin training instead as from the other missionaries and returned a blacksmith, but through persistence was again to Germany in 1745. Within a few www.moravianchurcharchives.org