It was founded in 1922 in Dornach ( Switzerland ) by a group of theologians and pastors , led by the Protestant pastor Friedrich Rittelmeyer . He was helped by Rudolf Steiner , the Austrian philosopher and founder of anthroposophy . It was founded in 1922 in Switzerland by a group of mainly Lutheran theologians and ministers led by Friedrich Rittelmeyer , inspired by Rudolf Steiner , the Austrian philosopher and founder of anthroposophy .