It was built, by master mason Melchior Rasp, in 1754 in hopes that Count Nikolaus Ludwig Zinzendorf would return from Europe and settle permanently in the community; he never came back to America.
Laboratories were set up, a regular program of athletics was introduced, and the handsome old Moravian church building on its campus was converted into a gymnasium.
Also found in the Bethlehem Digital History Project is the following story: Now once upon a time it happened that there lay an inmate of the Single Sisters' House, (the present " Castle " of Nazareth Hall) sick unto death, and it was positively asserted that she was past recovery.
But it being Summer, as to the season of the year, the windows of their room were open, out of which and over the way into the apartment of the bed-ridden sister were borne the impressive strains of Chorals 151 and 37.
As to our trombonists, having thus unwittingly scandalized the congregation, they rendered themselves obnoxious, lost favor and ere long were relieved.
Over the remains of three of these once juvenile trombonists, those heart-rending instruments have sounded their woeful tones, and the grass grows green over their graves.
Land (who d 1790); called for service in the Philadelphia congregation; remained there until 1813, when he was appointed to the station at Staten Island, N.Y.; from 1817 to 1822; later pastor in Lititz; consecrated a bishop; d Aug.(?
Bishop Reichel also served as pastor in Salem (now Winston-Salem) N.C. and Bethelehem, PA before returning to Niesky, Germany in retirement.
Charles G; moved to Germany with parents, and educated in Niesky Theological Seminary; in 1834 returned to America principal of Nazareth Hall; later served in the ministry; ordained a deacon in 1837 and presbyter in 1849; consecrated a bishop in 1869 at Herrnhut; he was the author of a number of valuable his historical works; d May 23, 1878 in Germany.
References have been found for both Levin Theodore and William Cornelins as being the author of the "History of Nazareth Hall" book published in 1855.
TIERSCH, Paulus, the first co-director of Nazareth Hall school; born May 14, 1771, from Dinz near Gera, the only s. of Johann Christoph and Catharina; ordained a minister in 1771; d Oct. 16, 1774 in North Carolina.
His biographical sketch includes the comment, "transferring, in 1858, to Nazareth Hall in Pennsylvania, a prominent Moravian institution."
Married July 16, 1833, HENRY, Matthew schropp (second marriage), b Aug. 10, 1790 in Nazareth, one of nine children of William and Sabina, mn.
Do you recollect assisting in the planting of those Trees in the lower parts of this Garden, those yet remaining mementos of our toils, now are grown a size that would defy our remaining strength to displace, our arms cannot encircle them; whilst our Shrubbery such as the Rose bushes Sweetbrior, our tulips narcissus and other tender plant have disappeared long time ago.
Who of you would not find pleasure in a visit to our bathing place at the Bushkill Creek (three miles north from the Hall) which we called "Klines" our Skaing Ponds in the long Meadow, our ball playing grounds in the woods beyond the Grave Yard.
Our excursions to Burrow's (Smith Gap of the Blue Mountain) our hunting the flying Squirrels in the neighboring forests, our taking the black Snakes captive, putting them into our pockets & bosoms in their full vigor, our gathering the hazel nuts Hickory nut Walnut & Chesnut & in these excursions occasionally infringing on the rights of others.
my now old & grey headed Men doth not the blood that now usually courses so Sluggishly through our veins, receive an impetus by recurring to those pleasant youthful years of our lives, spent at Nazareth Hall, & that the training then received will not fail to open unto us a blissful eternity, if properly adhered to the maxims then impressed upon our Notice.
He joined in all their games, heard them sing their hymns, and was with them when they swam in the "Deep Hole" in the Bushkill River on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, when they gathered nuts in the forests, and when they sledged in winter in the surrounding country.