BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Moravian Church Settlements in Bethlehem grabbing World Heritage status isn’t just a party for the history buffs.
The city and Lehigh Valley partners want you and the whole family to check out the free World Heritage Community Celebration from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 6.
“This inclusive celebration represents a partnership between the City of Bethlehem, local faith communities, cultural organizations, and community partners committed to honoring and sharing Bethlehem's unique place in world history to have a World Heritage Site."City of Bethlehem
“This inclusive celebration represents a partnership between the City of Bethlehem, local faith communities, cultural organizations and community partners committed to honoring and sharing Bethlehem's unique place in world history to have a World Heritage Site,” a city media release reads.
The fun will take place in the area of Church and Main streets, including Central Moravian Church, 73 W. Church St., Bethlehem City Hall, 10 E. Church St., and adjoining Payrow Plaza.
The day will kick off at the church with the presentation of the official World Heritage recognition plaque.
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to tour the distinguished, beloved Moravian landmarks and tune in to live music as they go.
It will include performances from the Johnston Music Festival, Moravian Trombone Choir, Central Moravian Church Choir and other local outfits.
People also will get a glimpse of day-to-day life in early Bethlehem with live demonstrations of Moravian crafts and industries, heritage talks and other workshops.
There also will be food trucks and local vendors on site.
Other event highlights will include a mural to be unveiled near Main and Church streets, and a time capsule ceremony.
The Community Lovefeast will start at 5 p.m., followed by a free ice cream social.
“This traditional service is open to all and offers an opportunity to share a simple treat together with music, conversation, and community connection,” the release says of the Lovefeast.
A first of its kind
The transnational World Heritage Site of three Moravian Church settlements — nominated to include Historic Moravian Bethlehem; Herrnhut, Saxony, Germany; and Gracehill, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom — last summer got its official vote of approval on the international stage across the pond in New Delhi.
The three joined an existing Moravian Church World Heritage Site in Christiansfeld, Denmark.
"Each architectural ensemble bears witness to the Moravian Church’s vision of a unified, coherent urban design, inspired by the concept of an 'ideal city' developed by the Church during its formative phase in the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries."World Heritage Convention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
The Moravian sites distinguished locally include structures along 10 acres near West Church Street, including Central Moravian Church, the 1741 Gemeinhaus, the 1748 Single Sisters’ House and the 1762 Waterworks and God’s Acre cemetery.
Also part of the bunch is the Colonial Industrial Quarter below Main Street.
"Each architectural ensemble bears witness to the Moravian Church’s vision of a unified, coherent urban design, inspired by the concept of an 'ideal city' developed by the Church during its formative phase in the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries," according to the World Heritage Convention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
To volunteer for event set up or tear down at the community celebration, email Silagh White, executive assistant to Mayor J. William Reynolds, at swhite@bethlehem-pa.gov.
Otherwise, visit moravianchurchsettlements.org for more information.
