Representatives from the United States, Denmark, Northern Ireland/United Kingdom, and Germany Gather to Mark Historic Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Inscription of Moravian Church Settlements

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Thursday, the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and Commission along with the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Area Moravians, Central Moravian Church, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, and Moravian University celebrated the momentous transnational inscription of the Moravian Church Settlements to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Delegates from the United States; Christiansfeld, Denmark; Gracehill, Northern Ireland/U.K.; and Herrnhut, Germany gathered in Bethlehem for several days to take part in the official inscription ceremony and to reflect on the significance of this honor for the worldwide Moravian Church.

The celebrations included a worship service featuring the voices of the Moravian Church Settlements in addition to the official International Recognition of Inscription Ceremony followed by a press conference and delegates dinner featuring a performance from the Bach Choir.

"It is an extraordinary privilege to welcome our World Heritage friends and partners to Bethlehem for this long-anticipated inscription ceremony," said Moravian University President Bryon L. Grigsby. "This recognition not only honors the rich cultural and historical significance of the Moravian Church Settlements but also places Bethlehem on the world stage as a guardian of our shared human heritage. Today, we celebrate a momentous milestone for the U.S., but also a shared global commitment along with our partners in Denmark, Northern Ireland, U.K., and Germany, to preserve the legacy and values of a community that has connected continents and cultures for centuries."

Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem welcomed several high-ranking officials at the celebration including U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO Courtney O'Donnell, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma, and Director of the World Heritage Centre Lazare Eloundou-Assomo.

"Returning to Bethlehem for such a significant event is deeply meaningful," said Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma, a former Lehigh University graduate. "The inscription of the Moravian Church Settlements as a UNESCO World Heritage Site honors their cultural and historical significance. The United States is proud to play a key role in ensuring that World Heritage protects both natural and cultural sites of outstanding value, reflecting our commitment to preserving our rich heritage for generations to come."

Representatives from the National Park Service were also in attendance to celebrate the historic moment and participate in the presentation of the Certificate of Inscription.

"Bethlehem joins a very select group of American places, including the Grand Canyon and Independence Hall, that have been named World Heritage sites because of their outstanding universal value," said Pedro Ramos, acting National Park Service deputy director for Congressional and External Affairs. "The National Park Service, on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, is responsible for identifying and nominating U.S. sites to the World Heritage List. It was an honor to accept the Certificate of Inscription from UNESCO and present it to the City of Bethlehem for their dedication to safeguarding these treasures."

Moravian Church Settlements is the first transnational, serial World Heritage Site in the U.S. and is the result of a decades-long effort among Bethlehem Area Moravians, Central Moravian Church, City of Bethlehem, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, Moravian University, and with the support of Northampton County and others. Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem is now the 26th World Heritage site in the United States and the third in Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit https://moravianchurchsettlements.org.

ABOUT MORAVIAN CHURCH SETTLEMENTS

Moravian Church Settlements is a transnational extension of Christiansfeld, a Moravian Church Settlement in Denmark founded in 1773 and inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2015. The Moravian Church is a Protestant denomination in the free church tradition centered in Herrnhut, Saxony, Germany. The extension includes three additional component parts:

Bethlehem (USA) was established in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1741. This highlights the early transatlantic dimension of the Moravian Church phenomenon during a prolific settlement-building decade and added the cultural dimension of the Moravians' outreach to Native Americans.

Gracehill (U.K.) was founded in Northern Ireland in 1759. It represents the significance of the Moravian Church in the U.K. and exemplifies a unique series of 'ideal' urban plans that demonstrate a notable gender axis. This is showcased by the division of the town plan into a sisters' side and a brothers' side, which directly reflects the fundamental functional structure of Moravian society.

Herrnhut (Germany) is considered the 'mother' or 'founding town' of the Renewed Moravian Church. It was established in 1722 in Saxony and evolved in line with the development of Moravian theology and societal ideals. This town defined the principles of all Moravian Church settlements.

Media Contact

Craig Larimer, Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, 610-360-0419, larimerc@moravianchurchsettlements.org 

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SOURCE Moravian Church Settlements -- Bethlehem