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Rep. Susan Wild Celebrates Moravian Church Settlement World Heritage Site Designation
July 26th, 2024 | In The News
Today, Congresswoman Susan Wild joined the City of Bethlehem in announcing that Moravian Church Settlements in downtown Bethlehem were officially designated as a World Heritage Site at the World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, India.
“I’m thrilled Bethlehem is now the proud home of the United States’ 26th World Heritage Site,” said Congresswoman Susan Wild. “The Moravian Church Settlements carry a great significance among our local community, which is why I was proud to partner with Mayor Reynolds to support the UNESCO designation. Now, even more visitors will be able to experience the rich history that Bethlehem has to offer, thanks to local advocates who were instrumental in moving this project across the finish line.”
“Our community has long cherished and preserved Moravian Church Settlements — Bethlehem, and we are honored to receive this global recognition,” said Bethlehem Mayor William Reynolds. “The designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a profound testament to the unmatched historical and cultural significance of Bethlehem and the enduring legacy of the Moravian Church.”
The historic Moravian Church Settlements are the 26th World Heritage site in the United States. The site, which includes nine structures, four ruins, and God’s Acre cemetery, represent some of the most important structures to Moravians and are an outstanding example of Moravian architecture and city planning.
Congresswoman Susan Wild was proud to support the designation of these settlements as a World Heritage Site, which included sending a letter of support in 2021 to the National Park Service for the site’s initial nomination, and overseeing the process through to completion.
