The Moravian Religious Settlement and Traditions of Old Salem

Описание: The Moravian religious community established the Old Salem district of Winston-Salem during 1766. The historic settlement has been extensively restored to resemble a living history museum. Old Salem is a vibrant, discreet and living portrait conducted within Colonial 18th century and post-statehood 19th century communal buildings, churches, houses, and shops.

The Moravian Brethren is the oldest Protestant denomination in Christianity pre-dating Martin Luther’s Reformation by sixty years. Jan Hus in Bohemia, currently the Czech Republic, initiated the movement during the early 15th century. Hus rebelled against the abuses of the existing Catholic Church. He conducted the liturgy in the Czech language, allowed priests to marry, eliminated indulgences and the concept of purgatory. The kingdom of Bohemia supported the movement.

Participants would be forced underground, executed and dispersed across Northern Europe due to later persecution by the dominant Catholic Church. The effects of warfare led to an extensive membership decline by 1622 with their educational system being confiscated by the Jesuits.

Moravian missionaries saved the church from extinction. Their initial American settlement in 1740 was founded within the colony of New York. They expanded into North Carolina establishing three branches. Old Salem was the last in 1766.

Centered amidst the Old Salem district, Salem College is a private women’s liberal arts university. Founded in 1772 as a primary school and later a high school academy, it has remains the oldest female educational institution within the Southern United States. One of their most illustrious alumnae was Sarah Childress Polk, the wife of 11th President James K. Polk. Today, men above the age of 23 can be admitted to the continuing education and graduate-degree programs.

The village was laid out around a central square still in existence. Numerous community events were staged including a brass band concert honoring President George Washington. Travelers routinely passed through the town and were willingly offered hospitality, dining and drinking services by Moravian hosts. The district residents preferred distancing themselves from the accompanying revelry fearing the adverse influence upon the congregation.

On the northern end of the village, God’s Acre serves as congregational cemetery. There are no elevated tombstones, only flat gravestones. The symbolism is consistent with their tenant beliefs that all individuals are equal before God. Near the entrance is the Cedarhurst mansion housing the offices of the Southern Province of the Moravian Church.