The 1740 Gray Cottage

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Located at 25 South Whitfield Street, Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Quick Facts

• The oldest existing building erected by the Moravians in North America.
• Constructed November, 1740
• Dimensions: 42 ft. x 20 ft.
• Partial basement with stone foundation, hewn logs, one and a half stories with attic.
• Listed on the National Register of Historic places May 1, 1980.
• Used as a private residence.
• Owned and maintained by the Moravian Historical Society

A Brief History of the Gray Cottage

The Moravians constructed this building, the second log house in Nazareth, in November, 1740, when it was clear that the nearby "stone house" would not be completed for the first winter in Nazareth and the "first house" would not provide enough room.

The Gray Cottage was constructed to house a communal group of people rather than a single family. In 1743 the Moravian school for boys moved into the building. The first school in Nazareth housed the teacher, his wife, an assistant, and ten boys.

From 1745-49, the Moravian school for girls was located in the Whitefield House, and some of the older girls and instructors lived in the log buildings. In 1755 the Gray Cottage became the home of the widows of Nazareth and Bethlehem, who lived there until the Widows House was built in Bethlehem in 1768. It then became the private dwelling for the baker.

The cottage was sold to a private owner in 1858, and other individuals owned it until 1889. It was conveyed to the Society for Propagation of the Gospel (SPG) in 1889, to house retired missionaries or those on furlough. The cottage was turned over to the Moravian Historical Society in 1978.

The building has been repaired and restored several times in its history. The latest major restoration was in 1970-71, restoring its Colonial character. A new roof of side-lapped shingles, similar to the original roof, was installed in 1992. The Gray Cottage continues in active use as a private residence.