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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

The Moravian Church Year


The Moravian Church is a liturgical church, meaning we observe the festivals of the worldwide Christian Church with appropriate services, starting with the beginning of the church year, the first Sunday of Advent. In addition, we observe Memorial Days that are of special significance to the history and spiritual life of the Moravian Church, and until recently we typically observed the Covenant Days of the various Choirs. A typical year of observances would include:

Jan. 1: New Year’s Day
Jan. 6: Epiphany and missions festival
Feb. 2: Presentation of Christ in the Temple
* Ash Wednesday, beginning Lent
Mar. 1: Commemoration of the founding of the ancient Unitas Fratrum in 1457
Mar. 25: The Annunciation (“Lady Day”); also All Choirs Covenant Day
* Palm Sunday, beginning Passion Week or Holy Week
* Maundy Thursday
* Good Friday
* Great Sabbath
* Easter
* Easter Monday (vestry elections were held this day when Dobbs Parish existed)
Apr. 30: Widows Covenant Day
May 4: Single Sisters Covenant Day
May 12: Anniversary of the adoption of the Brotherly Agreement in Herrnhut in 1727
* Ascension Day
* Pentecost (Whitsunday)
* Trinity Sunday
June 4: Older Girls Covenant Day
June 17: Anniversary of the beginning of Herrnhut in 1722
June 24: Little Boys Covenant Day
July 2: The Visitation; also Pregnant Sisters Covenant Day
July 6: Commemorating the martyrdom of John Hus in 1415
July 9: Older Boys Covenant Day
Aug. 13: August 13th Festival
Aug. 17: Children’s Festival; also Little Girls Covenant Day
Aug. 29: Single Brothers Covenant Day
Aug. 31: Widowers Covenant Day
Sept. 7: Married Choir Covenant Day
Sept. 16: Recognition of Christ as Chief Elder of the Moravian Church; also Ministers Covenant Day
Sept. 29: Michaelmas and All Angels Day; also Covenant Day for those charged with the care and education of children
Oct. 31: Reformation Day
Nov. 1: All Saints Day
Nov. 13: November 13th Festival
* Advent
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve
Dec. 25: Christmas Day
Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve

* movable festivals

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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

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