Our Beginnings in Bethlehem
Our presence in Bethlehem began in 1741 when Moravian settlers built a log house on the east bank of the Monocacy Creek. From this vantage point on the Pennsylvania frontier, they planned to serve unchurched German settlers and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Native Americans in the region.
On December 24, 1741, their leader, Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf, named this new place of ministry Bethlehem. On June 25, 1742, the congregation was officially organized, making Central Moravian Church Bethlehem’s first congregation and the oldest Moravian church in North America.
A Global Moravian Heritage
Our missionary settlers in Bethlehem were part of one of the oldest recognized Protestant denominations in the world, the Unitas Fratrum (Unity of the Brethren), which began in 1457 in what is now the Czech Republic.
After years of persecution in their native land, many from the old Unity immigrated to Germany, where they began settling on Count Zinzendorf’s estate in 1722. With a renewed spirit of purpose, they began sending out missionaries in 1732.
Over the years, they developed a global mission movement that lives on today in Moravian churches, schools, and communities across Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, North America, South America, Nepal, and Africa.
Continuing Our Mission Today
Central Moravian Church carries on the work begun by those early settlers. Our first place of worship was in the Gemeinhaus “Saal,” which now houses the Moravian Museum and is operated by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. Our second place of worship, the Old Chapel, was completed in 1751, and the Sanctuary was completed in 1806; both remain in active use by Central today.
Although much has changed since 1742, we continue to nurture the faith of members and guests, support local and international service work, and play an active role in the historic downtown Bethlehem community.
In recent years, we have developed partnerships with Moravian communities in Nepal and Tanzania, built a food pantry and clothing bank that serves more than 300 families each month, and joined the Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering program. Together with other local congregations in the Bethlehem Area Moravians and our interfaith neighbors in the Bethlehem Interfaith Group (BIG), we seek a heartfelt relationship with our Creator and a rich community life together.
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