The centuries-old structures of the old Moravian settlement that now form the core of Downtown Bethlehem have officially achieved rarefied status on the global stage. On Oct. 17, the UNESCO World Heritage organization delivered its official inscription in a ceremony held in Moravian University’s Foy Hall, which was attended by local politicians, federal officials and administrators of associated sites in Europe.

The Moravian Church Settlements is now the first transnational heritage site to include an American locale, and is only the 26th World Heritage site in the entire United States. Bethlehem’s represents one of four sites, the other three being in Europe, and includes eight historic downtown structures from the early days of Moravian settlement.

UNESCO sites are cherished for their broad symbolism and are maintained for posterity as universally beneficial to humanity.

World Heritage Center Director Lazare Eloundou-Assomo said, “This is exactly what world heritage is about; joining hands together protecting the most important, exceptional heritage of the world which we cannot allow ourselves to lose. Our shared heritage can bring people together.

“The journey has not ended, it has just begun. It is a journey of sharing and responsibilities.”

Coincidentally, Moravian University President Byron Grigsby explained, the number 26 holds great meaning to the Moravians and is a metaphor for everything in the Moravian community. There are 26 points in the Moravian star, which also exemplifies architecture and education, and the transnational inscription was done July 26. “It’s a symbol of faith, a symbol of Moravian University and now a symbol of our world heritage.”

National Park Service Deputy Director Pedro Ramos said Bethlehem has set a high bar for celebration and outstanding universal value, and future proposed sites will use the Moravian Sites as an example.

“The Moravians like to declare firsts and are first again,” Grigsby concluded, reminding the audience the Moravian sites are not tumbled memories of a lost world, but facilities used for worship and community betterment, and open for learning and visitation. “It all comes down to living history – this is not dead history.”

We are all part of that and now the world knows it.