About Us
In 1833, Van N. Zevely, a Moravian from Salem, North Carolina, came to
the Volunteer Gap area of Virginia to preach and teach the gospel and
to meet with the people of the area. He returned to Virginia occasionally
during the next eight years and because of his reports to other
Moravians in Salem, others followed in his footsteps, preaching,
teaching, and baptizing people into the Christian faith. In 1852, a
building was elected by local people with financial assistance from
Moravians in Salem. This building was to be the meeting place of the
newly-founded Mount Bethel Moravian Church. On November 24, 1852,
the building was consecrated and on the following day, the 37 founding
members of the Mount Bethel congregation gathered for a service of
Holy Communion with the Rt. Rev. John G. Herman, a Moravian bishop.
In 1853, the Rev. Jacob Siewers became the congregation’s first pastor.
Through the years, Mount Bethel Moravian Church has been a center
for worship, study, fellowship, and outreach to the community. The
present building, near the site of the first meeting place, was
consecrated in 1924 and a fellowship hall and Sunday School
classrooms were added in 1967.
Visitors are always welcome at worship and Sunday School, as well as at
the various special services held at Easter and Christmas and on other
occasions. The Sunday School offers classes for all ages. The Women’
s Fellowship and the Men’s Brotherhood contribute to the life of the
congregation. The church graveyard is a place of quiet beauty and is
the final resting place for many who have lived in the community.
the Volunteer Gap area of Virginia to preach and teach the gospel and
to meet with the people of the area. He returned to Virginia occasionally
during the next eight years and because of his reports to other
Moravians in Salem, others followed in his footsteps, preaching,
teaching, and baptizing people into the Christian faith. In 1852, a
building was elected by local people with financial assistance from
Moravians in Salem. This building was to be the meeting place of the
newly-founded Mount Bethel Moravian Church. On November 24, 1852,
the building was consecrated and on the following day, the 37 founding
members of the Mount Bethel congregation gathered for a service of
Holy Communion with the Rt. Rev. John G. Herman, a Moravian bishop.
In 1853, the Rev. Jacob Siewers became the congregation’s first pastor.
Through the years, Mount Bethel Moravian Church has been a center
for worship, study, fellowship, and outreach to the community. The
present building, near the site of the first meeting place, was
consecrated in 1924 and a fellowship hall and Sunday School
classrooms were added in 1967.
Visitors are always welcome at worship and Sunday School, as well as at
the various special services held at Easter and Christmas and on other
occasions. The Sunday School offers classes for all ages. The Women’
s Fellowship and the Men’s Brotherhood contribute to the life of the
congregation. The church graveyard is a place of quiet beauty and is
the final resting place for many who have lived in the community.
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| THE HISTORY OF THE MOUNT BETHEL MORAVIAN CHURCH |
| Web site designed by: E. Fay Ayers |
