• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Moravian Archives, Winston-Salem, NC

since 1753, documenting
our churches, our families, our communities

  • About
    • Our Mission, Our Witness
    • Our History, Governing Commission, and Staff
    • About the Archivist
    • The Archie K. Davis Center
    • Work Study and Internships with Us
  • Our Churches
    • The Moravian Church, Then and Now
    • Southern Province and Salem Congregation
    • Our Local Churches and Fellowships
    • Moravian Archives Sunday
  • Family History
    • Our Memoir Collection
    • Reading Room Computer Resources
    • The Genealogy Bookshelves
  • Research
    • Searching our Collections
    • The Wachovia Moravian
    • Research Studies Sampler
    • Research Policies and Application Form
    • Helpful Links
    • Moravian Studies Collaborative
  • Services
    • Free Services For All Guests
    • Reprographic Services
    • Permissions For Use
    • For Churches and Church Agencies Adding Records
  • Products
    • Book Series: Records of the Moravians in North Carolina
    • Book Series: Records of the Moravians Among the Cherokees
    • Bookstore & More: Items For Sale
    • Exhibits
      • The Languages of Flowers in Moravian Wachovia
      • The Botanizers of Salem, 1785-1835
    • Thursday Talks
  • Supporters
    • Ways to Donate and Support
    • Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews Friends Fund – Annual Budget
    • Technology Fund – Computers and Software
    • Book Fund – Collection Maintenance
    • Endowment Fund – Long-Term Reserves
    • Sustainers – Planned Giving
    • Collectors – Gifts in Kind
    • Volunteers – Working Alongside Us
    • Annotations, Our Supporters Newsletter
  • Find Us
    • Contact and Visit Information
    • Site Map

Leaksville Moravian Church

When a number of Moravians from Mayodan moved to nearby Leaksville in the early 1920’s to work in the new cotton mill there they naturally wanted to take their church with them. And they did just that.

At first in the summer of 1923 they held meetings in an “upper room” above a store. Then they invited their pastor, Howard G. Foltz of Mayodan, to preach. He held his first formal Moravian service in Leaksville on August 5, 1923, in the local YMCA.

Quickly the idea developed that Leaksville should be a permanent work. A Sunday school was organized in July 1924, and a Moravian society formed that December 5. Early the next year J.K. McConnell, secretary of the Leaksville Y, took an interest and began preaching. The Marshall Field company offered a building lot, and the Leaksville Moravians began raising money for a church from among themselves and “friends of the enterprise.”

The cornerstone of the Leaksville church was laid on July 8, 1928, and the building was formally opened that October 7 with the Matilda Ward class of Home Church and Bishop Edward Rondthaler holding a lovefeast. With Mayodan’s full approval, Leaksville Moravian Church was organized as a congregation of the Southern Province on April 21, 1929.

Leaksville weathered the Great Depression and World War II, and with growth in the 1950’s the congregation added a new Christian education building and belfry and renovated the church. From 1970 until his retirement in the summer of 2002, Leaksville’s pastor was John Christman. He had come down from Pennsylvania for “only a couple of years.”

As the only Moravian church in an area of many other denominations, Leaksville has been strong in ecumenical endeavor. In 1979 it helped establish the Community Christian Ministries of local churches, which provides emergency food, fuel, and shelter to those in need.

Though many of its members are not of Moravian background, Leaksville Moravian Church provides a “Moravian witness” to the community with such services as Christmas Eve, Holy Week, and Easter morning.

Primary Sidebar

Support our Annual Giving – Rev. Dr. C. Daniel Crews Friends Fund

Give to our Technology Fund

Monies will purchase new computers and software allowing the Archives to better access and share its holdings. We have reached our initial goal, but will still accept donations. More info here.




Visiting Us

We are currently closed to visitors until the new Assistant Archivist is hired in the new year. Meanwhile, please feel free to email your research questions, and we will help as we are able.

Parking is in the northwest corner of the lot at the western end of SR 4326 (Rams Drive) off Salem Avenue. The same street serves as entry to the Elbertson Fine Arts Center at Salem College. When we reopen, our hours will be Monday-Friday (excepting holidays), 10:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m. by appointment only. We invite you to contact us to plan your visit.

Contact Us

Moravian Archives
457 S. Church Street
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101

Phone: (336) 722-1742
Email: sparchives@mcsp.org

Follow us on Facebook

Shop our Bookstore

Copyright © 2023 · Executive Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in