The Moravian Historical Society

The Whitefield House

Located at 214 East Center Street, Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Quick Facts

Part of the Ephrata Tract, the oldest existing Moravian site in North America.
Construction begun May, 1740; completed December 1743
Dimensions: 86 ft. x 34 ft. (originally 56 x 34)

A Brief History of the Whitefield House

Originally called the "stone house," and later the Ephrata House, the Whitefield House was completed in 1743, just in time for 33 newly-married couples to move in and begin establishing the Moravian community of Nazareth. In 1745 the Moravian girls school moved into the building with the community's worship room on the first floor.

In 1749 the girls school moved out, and the children's nursery for Nazareth and Bethlehem moved in until 1764. All the children in the communal settlements resided in this building during the those years. During 1755 and 1756, children were evacuated to Bethlehem, and the building sheltered refugees fleeing the threat of Indian attack.

From 1764 to 1855 the building housed individual apartments. Moravian College and Theological Seminary occupied the building from 1855 to 1858, when the institution moved to Bethlehem. The building was again used as apartments, one being used by the newly-established Moravian Historical Society.

In 1870 John Jordan, Jr. purchased the Whitfield House and in 1871 he turned it over to the Society for Propagating the Gospel, stipulating that the second floor be used as a museum of the Moravian Historical Society and that the other apartments be used for retired ministers or missionaries or those on furlough. The interior of the building was extensively changed at that time, with the present main entrance and stairway constructed.

In 1907, the building was extended to the east by 30 feet. At the same time, electric lights, modern plumbing, and steam heat were added. A slate roof was installed in 1973.

In 1978 the building, along with the accompanying Ephrata Tract, was turned over to the Moravian Historical Society. When the last tenants moved out in 1990, the entire building could be used for the society.The second floor museum has space that was extensively renovated in 1995 and contains permanent displays. The first floor features a changing exhibit area.