The Single Brothers' House

The Moravians were a group of Protestants whose religion originated in Germany and the Czech Republic. Quite a few, especially the Germans, immigrated to the colonies to have more freedom of worship. Many settled in Pennsylvania, but some also came to North Carolina.

In early Moravian communities, single men often lived, learned, and worked together. You can see an example of this in historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Single Brothers' House is one of my favorite places there. Originally there was also a Single Sisters' House in Salem.

The building for the single brothers was first constructed in 1769, and an addition was added in 1786. It housed the group (called a "choir") of Moravian single men. They worshipped, lived, and some rented space for their workshops there. They also raised a garden and had a bakery. Today you can see where they worshipped and tour the craftsmen at work in the shops. It is truly a step back to the past.

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