Winston-Salem in Forsyth County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Salem Moravian Graveyard

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 29, 2026

1. Salem Moravian Graveyard Marker

Inscription.

Salem Moravian Graveyard. . The Moravian Graveyard is still known fondly by the old Germanic name of "God’s Acre" (Gottesacker). This burial ground is characterized by its simplicity and uniformity. As the name implies, this is a field where the bodies are "sown as perishable seed" to await the day when they will be raised in an "imperishable form.", Here the departed are buried chronologically, in the order in which they are "called home to be with the Lord.", Here are no statues or monuments to distinguish the graves of the rich from those of the poor. The recumbent stones remind us of the equality of the dead in God’s sight., The visitor will soon note that the men, women, and children are buried separately. This is a continuation of the "Choir System" introduced in Herrnhut, Saxony by Count Zinzendorf, the renewer of the Moravian Church. The congregation was divided into groups according to age, sex, and marital status so that each individual might be cared for spiritually according to their differing needs. At worship the "choirs" also sat together in the church, the Brethren and boys on one side, the Sisters and girls on the other. When death came, then, the departed were buried, not in earthly families, but as they had been seated in the church, Brethren on the one side, Sisters on the other, the choirs together, continuing the form of the congregation at worship., God’s Acre is still used by the Salem Congregation, comprised of twelve of the Moravian Churches within the city of Winston-Salem. The dead are still buried according to the "choir system.", On the Saturday before Easter the members of the Salem Congregation churches decorate the graves, so that each grave has flowers on it and the graveyard becomes like a large garden where the famous Easter Sunrise Service is held, continuing a tradition begun in 1735 in Herrnhut and first observed here in 1772., On Easter morning the Congregation comes here as the "Church Militant" to affirm amid the grave of the "Church Triumphant" their faith in the "Risen Lord."

The Moravian Graveyard is still known fondly by the old Germanic name of "God’s Acre" (Gottesacker). This burial ground is characterized by its simplicity and uniformity. As the name implies, this is a field where the bodies are "sown as perishable seed" to await the day when they will be raised in an "imperishable form."

Here the departed are buried chronologically, in the order in which they are "called home to be with the Lord."

Here are no statues or monuments to distinguish the graves of the rich from those of the poor. The recumbent stones remind us of the equality of the dead in God’s sight.

The visitor will soon note that the men, women, and children are buried separately. This is a continuation of the "Choir System" introduced in Herrnhut, Saxony by Count Zinzendorf, the renewer of the Moravian Church. The congregation was divided into groups according to age, sex, and marital status so that each individual might be cared for spiritually according to their differing needs. At worship the "choirs" also sat together in the church, the Brethren and boys on one side, the Sisters and girls on the other. When death came, then, the departed were buried, not in earthly families, but as they had been seated in the church, Brethren on the one side, Sisters on the other, the choirs together, continuing

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

the form of the congregation at worship.

God’s Acre is still used by the Salem Congregation, comprised of twelve of the Moravian Churches within the city of Winston-Salem. The dead are still buried according to the "choir system."

On the Saturday before Easter the members of the Salem Congregation churches decorate the graves, so that each grave has flowers on it and the graveyard becomes like a large garden where the famous Easter Sunrise Service is held, continuing a tradition begun in 1735 in Herrnhut and first observed here in 1772.

On Easter morning the Congregation comes here as the "Church Militant" to affirm amid the grave of the "Church Triumphant" their faith in the "Risen Lord."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1772.

Location. 36° 5.376′ N, 80° 14.499′ W. Marker is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in Forsyth County. It can be reached from South Church Street just north of East Bank Street when traveling north. Location is near the archway entrance at the southwest corner of the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 302 S Church Street, Winston Salem NC 27101, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont

and specifically in Piedmont Triad.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Salem Moravian Graveyard (within

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 29, 2026

2. Salem Moravian Graveyard Marker

Located in the case next to the archway entrance at the SW corner of the cemetery.

shouting distance of this marker); Pottery Kilns on Lot 38 (within shouting distance of this marker); Second House Site (1767) (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Davy House (1835) (about 400 feet away); Salem Concert Hall (about 400 feet away); Herbst Shop on Lot 33 (1829) (about 400 feet away); Schmidt Blacksmith Shop (1768) (about 400 feet away); Home Moravian Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winston-Salem.

More about this marker. A similar marker is located at the northwest corner of the cemetery entrance near Cemetery Street.

Salem Moravian God's Acre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, May 29, 2026

3. Salem Moravian God's Acre

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 29, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.