Gracehill

Gracehill is a planned Moravian Church settlement in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK, established in 1759 to introduce Moravian theology and philosophy into a different cultural and rural landscape.

As one of the four major Moravian settlements in the British Isles, Gracehill stands out as the sole settlement in the British Moravian Province constructed in a traditional continental grid plan. This design features a central square and a unique ‘gender axis,’ a concept introduced during the post-Zinzendorf era after 1760. The key Moravian structures are thoughtfully arranged around this central green space.

The church, commanding a central position, faces a park-like square and offers a picturesque view of the River Maine through the square’s open eastern side—a vista that remains admired today.

Gracehill is historically renowned for its principles of religious and political tolerance, neutrality, and reconciliation, first manifesting significantly during the ‘United Irishmen Rebellion’ of 1798. Additionally, the settlement is noted for its impactful missionary work in the Caribbean.

Today, Gracehill continues to host an active congregation and preserves its original architecture, which harmoniously blends the Moravian Church style with regional Georgian design.