Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem: Our newest World Heritage Site

On July 26, 2024, the United States celebrated its 26th UNESCO World Heritage Site with the inscription of the historic Moravian Church Settlement in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania —alongside settlements in Herrnhut, Germany, and Gracehill, Northern Ireland (UK). These sites join Christiansfeld, Denmark (inscribed in 2015) as part of a unified World Heritage Site. Showcasing distinctive architectural styles, these settlements reflect how Moravian ideals adapted to local contexts while embodying the global reach of the Moravian community, whose active traditions endure today.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, holds the distinction of being the only Moravian settlement in the Americas included in this inscription, offering unique features that set it apart from its European counterparts.

In a recent World Heritage Webinar, panelists including Jonathan Putnam, Acting Chief of the National Park Service Office of International Affairs; Curtis H. “Hank” Barnette, Vice Chair of the Bethlehem World Heritage Commission; Charlene Donchez Mowers, Senior Advisor and Historian for the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and Commission; and Stephanie Smith Augello, World Heritage Coordinator, shared insights on Bethlehem’s history, the inscription process, and the challenges of coordinating this multi-national nomination.