Home Moravian Church
Construction on the church, originally known as the Saal, was begun in May of 1798. The building was designed by Frederic William Marshall, who was the Oeconomus or Administrator of the Wachovia settlement. The plan called for a simple rectangular structure with an exterior dimension of 92' x 46' with a ceiling height of 26 feet. The walls were built of solid brick with a thickness of 2'-6". The interior of the Saal was furnished with simple wooden benches facing the minister's seat and table located on the north wall. A balcony was located on the west, south and east walls with the west balcony being built to accommodate the Tannenberg organ. The windows were of plain glass and were located on the north, west and south walls. The west windows remain until this day.
By the late 1860's the congregation was beginning to outgrow the Sanctuary. In 1870 the building was renovated to provide more seating capacity. The benches were removed and new pews were installed facing the east wall. The southern portion of the balcony was enlarged and a similar section was added on the north wall. The organ remained on the west balcony. The old wooden supports for the balconies were replaced with cast iron posts. The sills of the windows on the north and the south walls were lowered about two feet, six inches and stained glass windows were installed.
In the early part of the 1900's the congregation was again outgrowing the Sanctuary. Once again the Saal was renovated. In 1912 and 1913 most of the north wall was removed and an area for the minister, the choir and a new organ was built. The entire balcony was removed, along with the Tannenberg organ, and a new curved balcony was installed. The support posts from the 1870 renovation were retained. Curved pews were installed in the balcony and the lower part of the Sanctuary. New stained glass windows were also installed at this time.
Since the 1912/13 renovation the Sanctuary has seen only minor changes. In 1959-1960 the interior woodwork of the church was painted an off white color. The church was rewired and new lighting was installed. Four of the original five 1800 chandeliers were electrified and reinstalled, along with two reproductions. The 1913 Kimball organ was replaced by an Aeolian-Skinner.
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