The Unitas Fratrum, or Moravians as they are more commonly known, were the first Protestant Christians taking a stand 100 years before Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Catholic church. Hailing from Moravia, they were also the first Christian missionaries with outposts in several countries, including the United States in Pennsylvania (1741) and in North Carolina in 1753. 

Many symbols that are readily identified with today’s Winston-Salem have their roots in the work and identity of the early Moravians. The Moravian Star, which started as a geometry project at the Moravian Boys’ School in Niesky, Germany, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Paedagogium in 1830, is traditionally now a 26-point polyhedron. The other symbol is the “Mickey Coffee Pot.” Originally erected in 1858 by Julius and Samuel Mickey as an advertising sign for their tin shop, it now sits in a traffic island near its original location at the north end of Old Salem. Legend has it that the coffee pot can hold 11,840 cups of coffee to be served at a Love Feast celebration. 

Bethabara, Bethania, and Salem 

A group of Moravians left Bethlehem, their Pennsylvania outpost, in 1753 to navigate the Great Wagon Road to a land called Wachovia, now Forsyth County, in North Carolina. They arrived in mid-November. They brewed some coffee to go with bread and cake to celebrate with Thanksgiving their arrival in this new land. Bethabara (House of Passage) was constructed as a “temporary” settlement before the main commercial town could be established. The town grew more quickly than anticipated because of the news that skilled tradesmen and a doctor had arrived in the area. You can visit Historic Bethabara and tour the grounds of the first Moravian settlement. Find more information HERE.  

Six years later, construction began on Bethania, a second village that would help in spreading out the growing population in Bethabara. In 1766, construction began in earnest of the Moravians’ commercial center, Salem.  

The center part of the town had the church, the Gemeinhaus (common gathering house), Single Brothers House, and Single Sisters House. In anticipation of interactions with “strangers,” any non-Moravians, a tavern was built a distance off the town square to keep potential disturbances away from the center of religious life.  

Moravian Cookies 

The Moravian motto is “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. And in all things, love.” Their belief system was based on a life of love and respect for others being the most important testimony of their faith. With that, they built a society in Salem, Bethabara, and Bethania where each person worked for the community – you might tend a community garden, work at the community bakery, etc. Each person provided what they could and took what they needed. 

Moravian bakers developed talents for bread and treats, like the traditional sugar cake served at Love Feasts and the light and dainty Moravian cookies. Because of the group’s outreach with missionaries in far-flung countries, they incorporated spices from around the world. According to Dewey’s Bakery, the spices were viewed as rare treasures that were used to create baked goods that showcased and preserved their full, rich flavors.  

Moravian cookies date back to the days of great exploration. Skilled bakers learned they could roll out dough paper thin and bake the cookies slowly to create a treat that had a light, crisp texture with the intense “spice” experience they loved. These same recipes are used to make today’s Moravian cookies. When visiting Old Salem, be sure to stop by the Winkler Bakery to see what’s in the oven.  

Photo courtesy of Old Salem Museums & Gardens

The Lovefeast 

Singing is a big part of Moravian life. In fact, the Moravians composed some of the first music on the shores of North America. Music was used to convey news in the local community, as well as being a foundational part of worship services. According to the pastor of the Home Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, “When you’re singing with other people, you’re breathing together, you’re moving your mouths at the same time, you’re in community as a body.” 

The Lovefeast is a special part of the Moravian celebration of Christmas, as well as other celebrations throughout the year. 

The Christmas Lovefeast, according to historian Craig Atwood, began as a children’s Christmas Eve service in 1747. The flame atop the beeswax candle “is symbolic of the flame of love that Christ ignites in every heart.” Eventually, this celebration was embraced by the whole congregation and included sweetened coffee and sweet buns. Old Salem has mixes for making the Sugar Cake and Sweet Buns at home.  

To make Lovefeast Coffee at home, take 3 ounces of dark freshly roasted, finely ground coffee and brew one pot of coffee (48 ounces cool water). Add 1 cup sugar and 1 ¼ cups half-and-half. Stir well. Serves 10.  

Old Salem Special Events 

Joy of Christmas evenings begin on Friday, November 28 and continue on Friday and Saturday nights through December 20. It is a walking tour through Historic Salem where you’ll learn about Christmas traditions and how they have evolved over time. The tours start at 6:30 p.m. These evenings often sell out, so it’s important to make your plans and purchase tickets ahead of time. Ticket information can be found HERE.  

Salem Christmas Saturdays start on November 29 and include music, vendor markets, hands-on activities, visits from St. Nicholas, and holiday-themed interpretation throughout Old Salem. Ticket information can be found HERE.  

During your visit, you may want to grab a hearty meal at the Old Salem Tavern. All we can say is... Come hungry! Check out the menu HERE.  

The Annual Wake Forest Lovefeast is scheduled for Sunday, December 7, at 7 p.m. at Wait Chapel. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the prelude begins at 6:20 p.m. Seating is on a first-come basis. You can learn more by visiting this WEBSITE.  

Lovefeast is celebrated at Salem’s Home Church on Christmas Eve, and all are invited to participate. There are four services, beginning with the Christmas Eve Children’s Lovefeast and Candle Service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24, followed by the Family Lovefeast at 2:30 p.m. and finally two services in the evening at 5 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. Click this LINK to learn more.   

Mast Store appreciates our relationship with Old Salem Museum & Gardens and thanks Sister Deborah for her help in the Bakery. Items featured in the table setting include Fiesta Tableware, Old-Fashioned Dishcloths from Country Cottons, and glassware and table linens that are only available in stores.