It was here in 1741 at the confluence of the monocacy creek and lehigh river that the first moravians, members of a protestant denomination, felled white oak trees and began building their community on 500 acres. Moravian book shop to open in downtown allentown the. The moravian bookstore is just one of several interesting and historic places in the beautiful town of bethlehem pa. The allentown shop will be a satellite store, and wont have a cafe like the flagship in bethlehem, said richard santee, chairman of the book shops board of directors. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is the oldest. Moravian book shop, 428 main st, bethlehem staples, southmont plaza, 4403 birkland place, bethlehem township wegmans, lower nazareth commons, 3791 eastonnazareth highway, lower. Iboc moravian church in america bookstore welcome to the source for moravian books, histories, educational resources and liturgical. It was founded in 1745 by the moravian church and lays claim to being the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the united states and the second oldest in the world. Customer service the moravian book shop moravian college. The most important thing is the moravian book shop and its unique brand of retail centered around history and culture will remain an important part of bethlehem. The allentown shop will be a satellite store, and wont have a cafe like the flagship in bethlehem, said richard santee, chairman of the book shop s board of directors.
After operating at several locations, the moravian book shop was moved to the churchs publications building near the central moravian church in bethlehem in 1871. Were americas oldest book store, with a full service book dept. Bethlehem, pa 18018 2000 2016 the moravian church in america. The outpost was a second stint for owner dave hall, who briefly. You might not be the only guest staying in room 932 at the hotel bethlehem. Restaurants near moravian book shop, bethlehem on tripadvisor. Main street in bethlehem is seen during the christmas season in 20. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in pennsylvania, after philadelphia. Early history of bethlehem pennsylvania at the bethlehem. The bethlehem digital history project provides online access to digitized primary source materials, transcriptions, translations and contextual information relating to the early history of bethlehem, pennsylvania, 1741 1844. Due to the rapidlychanging situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the iboc offices have limited access and shipping will be delayed.
Moravian book shop central bethlehem historic district. At 210, andover bookstore now oldest indie in country news. Moravian book shop 428 main st, bethlehem, pa 18018. Historic moravian bethlehem national historic landmark district constitutes approximately 14 acres in the heart of the city of bethlehem. The book shop continues to offer its iconic book section that features indie best sellers, trade books, and select books highlighting the history of moravians, bethlehem, bethlehem steel, the lehigh valley and pennsylvania. Moravian book shop tenant calls it quits after less than a. Moravian book shop in historic downtown bethlehem, pennsylvania. The moravian book shop gives tours to various historically haunted sites all throughout october. The 10 best restaurants near moravian book shop, bethlehem. Interactive map of bethlehem, pa visit historic bethlehem. Historic moravian bethlehem in bethlehem, pennsylvania, a. It was founded in 1745 by the moravian church and lays claim to being the oldest. Dec 18, 2014 main street in bethlehem is seen during the christmas season in 20. Nichola gutgold, associate professor of communication arts and sciences at penn state lehigh valley, will sign copies of her latest book, almost madam president.
The moravian book shop is the oldest continuously running bookstore in the world. Learn more mab will be closed to the public until june 15, 2020 in response to the extension of the pa state stay at home order and upon the completion of our german script class which is being held virtually. Americas oldest book shop will soon be run by americas most familiar bookstore, one known to the outside promenades of malls and. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is the oldest bookstore in america, the oldest operating bookstore in the world. Most of all it is a win for this cultural icon that has been a part of bethlehem almost as long as there as been a bethlehem. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is located in the heart of historic bethlehem, pennsylvania and is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the country. The moravian book shop was founded in 1745 when the moravian church appointed samuel powell of the churchs crown inn on the south side of the lehigh river to operate a book store. If you are interested in purchase a gift card online, visit us here. Moravian book shop opens secondever location in center city. Bethlehem, pa discover a city that shines brighter than most at the base of bethlehem steels iconic blast furnaces now shuttered for 20plus years there is a sculpture, a public artwork that so perfectly symbolizes the city of bethlehem.
While serving as the official book store for moravian college, the mbs is also a great place to shop for some unique gifts andor stop in the cafe for a bite to eat and drink. Moravian book shop bookstores 428 main st, bethlehem, pa yelp. Bob stevens, pastor of zions reformed united church of christ, the liberty bell church in center city allentown, said it best. Pages archive moravian church in america bookstore.
Moravian book shop bethlehem 2020 all you need to know. Andover bookstore was founded in 1809 64 years later and the same year that president abraham lincoln was born. The moravian book shop is the oldest bookstore in the world, but it sells much more than just books. Instructions for the moravian choir helpers, 17851786 edited and translated by katherine m. Bethlehems historic moravian book shops change of ownership will likely mean the loss of two local businesses, but officials vow the store. Established in 1745, it is known as the oldest continuallyoperating bookstore in the world. Come out and visit the moravian book shop, oldest in america, bethlehem penn.
We are located centrally in the lehigh valley in historic downtown bethlehem with a wide variety of womens clothing, jewelry, purses, hats, scarves, wraps and special gifts. Bethlehem, pennsylvania was founded in 1741 by a group of moravians. Moravian book shop is a book store based in bethlehem, pennsylvania. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop is located in the heart of historic bethlehem, pennsylvania and is the oldest continuously operating bookstore in the. Kudos to moravian church and the moravian book shop board for having been exceptional stewards for this inimitable and singular cultural asset. Apply to housekeeper, diver, operations intern and more. Its well known to many bethlehem residents that the hotel bethlehem is haunted. May 14, 2018 the most important thing is the moravian book shop and its unique brand of retail centered around history and culture will remain an important part of bethlehem. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 74,982, making it the seventh largest city in pennsylvania, after philadelphia, pittsburgh, allentown, erie, reading, and scranton.
While downtown bethlehem is filled with many great shops, none are as historic as the moravian book shop. Because of covid19 the moravian archives is closed to the public until further notice. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at moravian book shop. Moravian book shop in bethlehem, bethlehem, pennsylvania. Play yo2017 get downtown bethlehem, pennsylvania and. Returning home to beautiful lady bethlehem the morning call.
Moravian college 1200 main st, bethlehem, pennsylvania 18018 rated 4. The bridge, an arching band of steel, reflects the citys rich industrial history and the natural gasfed blue flame is the light of. So much to see, so well organized and such diversity in literature including current textbooks and articles for university classes. Prior to the college purchase, the book shop used to offer unique home furnishings, jewelry, and other gifts carved wood figures clocks christmas items. Moravian book shop is one of the next generation of campus bookstores. Moravian book shop is staying in good hands opinion. Moravian book shop, bethlehem, allentown urbanspoonzomato. This is a big question our church has been engaged with as we seek to define our mission, structure our organization, reach out in mission and invigorate the laity. In addition, the moravian book shop sells and buys back student textbooks. Michael kubel, morning call file photo i was born in st. Founded in 1745, the moravian book shop offers a wide range of selection of books and music recordings, home d cor items, star ornaments, christmas ornaments and decorations and order gift certificates. Due to the covid19 pandemic, iboc offices have limited access and shipping response times may be delayed. Bethlehem is a city in lehigh and northampton counties in the lehigh valley region of the eastern portion of the u. It once served as an emporium of dry goods for the son in law of j.
As the countrys oldest bookstore, its had since 1745 to curate an amazing selection of stationary, cards, trinkets, christmas items, and more. Moravian book shop offers historic haunts of bethlehem tour. The moravian book shop was founded in 1745 when the moravian church. Moravian book shop in bethlehem moravian book shop 428. First opening for business in the moravian book shop in bethlehem, pennsylvania, is the oldest book store in america and possibly the world. This building serves as the beginning of your moravian experience in bethlehem serving as the host site for historic bethlehem museums and site. Which of these 12 lehigh valley chains sell the cheapest. Author of almost madam president to sign books at moravian. Like much of down bethlehem, the moravian book shop has lost its charm.
Congregations with immediate needs should contact iboc directly. Doug shipps april 12, 2012 my wife is a big reader and enjoys relaxing with a good book she is a nurse and often visits the moravian book store to see whats new. The moravian book shop in historic bethlehem, penn. Moravian book shop in bethlehem 428 main st, bethlehem, pennsylvania 18018 rated 4.
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