Moravian Church Settlements (MCS) has been inscribed on the prestigious World Heritage List at the July World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India.

J. William Reynolds, Mayor of the City of Bethlehem and chair of the Bethlehem World Heritage Council and Commission, along with Bethlehem Area Moravians, Central Moravian Church, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, and Moravian University made the announcement July 25.

The historic Moravian Church Settlements of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania/USA; Gracehill, Northern Ireland/UK; and Herrnhut, Germany, now join Christiansfeld, Denmark (already inscribed in 2015) as a single World Heritage site that represents the outstanding universal value of these historic settlements and the worldwide influence of the Moravian Church.

Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem becomes the 26th World Heritage site in the United States.

“Our community has long cherished and preserved Moravian Church Settlements – Bethlehem, and we are honored to receive this global recognition,” declared Mayor Reynolds. “The designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a profound testament to the unmatched historical and cultural significance of Bethlehem and the enduring legacy of the Moravian Church.”

For more information, visit moravianchurchsettlements.org.

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