Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-11-18
Tho Centennial of tho Conservation of the
Moravian Church Euilding in salem An
Edihce That Stands Practically as it Was
Built 100 Years Ago The Pipe Organ
Built Then Furnishes the Music for the
Anniversary celebration Tho conse-
Grafton 100 Years Ago.
ORION the Charlotte observer)

~ wi lSCpiS tiil lilIOQSH llic OlQ NOTln
State. and it is safe TO say that it will
always call forth q feeling of sympa-
thetic notice on the part OF many in
every portion of our land. The occa-
sion was the celebration of the CEN
tennial of the conservation of the Mora
Wan Church building. Ii is one hun
dred years since this large structure
was completed, and When ii is consid-
cred that the congregation then con-
sisted of only u handful OF people, and
that the colony lived in the midst of
the primeval forest, the magnitude of
the work appears as u source OF sur
prise TO all who study the subject.
HISTORICAL.
1t is one hundred and fifty years
since company of explorers came
from Pennsylvania to Edenton, where
resided the representative of Lord
of North Carolina. With the official
surveyor of his lordship the company
started out with the intention of sccur-
ing tract OF 100000 acres of land,
which amount had been purchased by
the Moravian Church with view to
the settlement OF the same. The ac-
count of the journey of these men
would form very interesting page of
history, as they journeyed westward TO
The mountains, nearly To the Virginia
line. to the vicinity of what was later
Wilkesboro-to the Cutawba and Yad-
kin rivers-till they finally selected the
tract which they named Wachovia in
the center of which now stands Win
Ston Salem.
Another interesting page In history
would be to trace the journey of the
10 men who twelve months later left
Pennsylvania and journeyed through
the forests and over the mountains
and across the rivers till they finally
arrived at their new possession.
1t was in 1853 that the settlement of
Wachovia was begun. The company
of men who came TO make North Car
DINA their home consisted of able and
brave men cody and upright men who
within the next few years made their
influence felt, as professional men and
as business men. in almost every por-
lion of the .State,.-..-- IL u.
HARDSHIPS.
The life in this prmeval forest was
not an. easy one, for in addition to the
natural difficulties we find the brave
and thrifty colony twice threatened
With destruction. The first time dur
ing the Indian war before 1860 when it
was necessary to surround their town
with stockadc, and again when the
dark days OF the American Revolution
caused them to be menaced with enc
tiilFl If!Oic Oli't lloIlt bSSt4 /
ed them. But by exercising great wis
dom, strict honesty. and by showing
kindness to friend and foe, coupled
with staunch patriotism, by means
of this method in all their actions they
were finally saved from all their dan
gers.
TIE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY.
After the war of the American Revo-
luton the colony in Wachovia passed
into season of prosperity, and spir-
itual activity. New towns and congre-
cations were established, and the flu
ture appeared bright Among the
towns established in these early years
was Salem, in 1866. The natural To-
-cation was good and Salem became
the center of the government of the
colony of WachoVia. AS ii was evil
| dent that the town would grow with
the passing years, all things were plan
ned on Il liberal scale. The beautiful
avenue of cedars in front of the not
less beautiful graveyard was planted.
! The large buildings around the Salem
| Square were built in these years. The
salem Academy and College, the first
| institution for the higher education OF
young women in the South, was found
ed. And in 1TSa 1t was decided TO erect
a church which for size, completeness
OF architectural design had no equal iii
I w cSltEll NNlOAilISt, Pp'fsi'|iF ~ 80 N'-'
portion of the state at that time.
THE CHURCH BUILDING.
! The church stands to-day practically
| as II was built hundred years ago II
| is nearly 100 feet long, and almost half
as wide The ceiling is very high, and
| the portion of the ceiling which Joins
|, the walls is curved with an architec-
turai correctness that could not well be
improved upon at the present Gay. The
walls are about three feet thick, and
the timbers in the roof are so heavy
trat they call forth the wonder of visi-
tors.
Inc interior has been artsticaiiy
frescoed within recent years. but
otherwise the walls have not been
changed.
THE ORGAN.
Another surprise to visitors is the
large pipe organ which was finished in
the same year. For n century this
large organ has been usel in the
church services and this great work is
a marvel to those who recall the fact
that it was built hundred years ago.
in a small village, in the midst OF the
unbroken forests.
NOVEMBER ., 1900.
At o'clock on the morning of the
date named n great throng gathered IN
Salem ic.m every portion of the west
ern part of the State. Small as the viii
lage was ct that date. and scattered
as were the farmers in the rural sec
tons more than 1000 people were pres
ent at the conservation of the church.
very interesting account of the
ceremonies and the services is pre-
served in the Salem archives. The po-
| eition taken by the various companies
preparatory tn entering the church,
the hymns that were sung, the synop-
| sis of the addresses. All these things
| are given in detail. II was n great and
| grnnA daY for the church and one that