The Moravian Protestant Church is not well known, but has had a quite an influence over other denominations since its origin over 500 years ago. The church's history of reformation reaches back beyond the formation of other Protestant denominations, nearly 100 years before the ideas of Martin Luther or the founding of the Church of England.
Here are six key events in the evolution of the denomination and its influence over other Christian churches:
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1.
Exile from native lands: After nearly a 300 year history in Bohemia, Moravia and Poland, followers of the Moravian Protestant denomination found themselves taking refuge at the estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf. The German Count had been exiled to Saxony and gave Moravian adherents a place to live in his estate.
2.
The Community of Herrnhut: This village was founded on the estate of Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf and became a safe haven for Moravian Protestant followers in the 1700s. There were members of several persecuted sects in the community. An August 1727 prayer service is said to have resulted in Christian unity among believers of different denominations and the establishment of a 24/7 prayer vigil that lasted 100 years.
3.
Missionary efforts: The Moravian Protestant Church began sending out missionaries around the world. The Moravians first came to the Americas in 1735.
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4.
Moravians in the United States: Moravians first came to what would become the United States in Georgia. While that settlement was largely a failure, it was said to have influenced the future church reformer, John Wesley. After the mission in Georgia, the Moravian Protestant Church set up missions in Pennsylvania. They established Bethlehem in 1741. It became the center of Moravian missionary work in the British colonies and the rest of North America.
5.
Ecumenical movement: The Moravian protestant denomination has always been ecumenically minded. The church was among the founding members of the National and World Council of Churches in the 1900s.
6.
Provinces divided: There are about 800,000 Moravian Protestant members worldwide. In 1957 the church organized into provinces over indigenous areas. Today there are 19 provinces throughout the world that participate in a Unity Synod every seven years.
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