Plaque in Bethlehem, PA

During the theologically efferevescent period of the 18th century Moravian Church, the image of the Holy Spirit as “Mother” was widely accepted, and woven into much of the day-to-day worship and practice. In Bethlehem Pennsylvania, the Single Brothers’ House (built in 1748) has a large marble slab in thge middle of the front that reads, “Father and Mother and dear Husband give honor to the plans of the young men.”

Even people who understand the German words inscribed on Main Hall may not recognize that this was a prayer to the Holy Trinity. The Moravians were so committed to the idea that the Trinity includes “God the Mother” that they literally wrote it in stone and placed it on the front of one of their largest buildings at the intersection of Church Street and Main Street. The building is now part of the Moravian University South Campus, and houses the music department.

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