Record #:

21406

Author(s):

Tomlin, Jimmy

Abstract:

Salem Moravian Graveyard, known as God's Acre, is a unique burial place. John Birkhead was the first Moravian settler buried there in 1771, and the burial tradition continues to this date. There are no great headstones, prominent crosses, or majestic statues, for the Moravians believed that all are equal in death. Over 7,000 are buried there under simple, flat markers of white marble--20x24 inches, standing four inches high, pointing east. Nor are blood relatives buried together because the people are considered part of one family--the church family and are therefore buried chronologically.

Source:

Our State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 81 Issue 7, Dec 2013, p124-126, 128, 130, il

Subject(s):

Cemeteries--Winston-Salem; Salem Moravian Graveyard (Winston-Salem); Burial traditions