The Moravian Church Settlements in Bethlehem, a year after receiving its coveted UNESCO World Heritage Site status, has appointed its first official site manager to oversee the historic museums, buildings and ruins.
Katherine Faull, who will serve simultaneously as executive director of the Institute for Moravian History and World Heritage based at Moravian University, began her tenure as site manager on Sept. 1 following a nationwide search, according to a news release.
Faull is an internationally recognized scholar on Moravian studies and has authored several books on Moravian history. She holds a Ph.D. in German Literature from Princeton University and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in German and Russian from King’s College, University of London. She previously spent three decades as a professor of German and Humanities at Bucknell University, and served as associate provost for local and global engagement.
As site manager, Faull is tasked with leading tourism and hospitality efforts at the Bethlehem sites, developing a “strategic vision” for the settlements and strengthening partnerships with other Moravian Church settlements, located in Northern Ireland, Germany and Denmark.
The Bethlehem site spans 10 acres near downtown north Bethlehem and includes nine structures, four ruins and God’s Acre cemetery.
The Moravians, a Christian church established in modern day Czechia in the 15th century, arrived in Bethlehem in 1741. Descendants of the Moravians have owned and maintained most of the Moravian sites since then.
The site officially became recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024, after two decades of efforts from local elected officials and advocates.
“Dr. Faull’s appointment to this Site Manager role overseeing the World Heritage Site is a natural fit, considering her extensive knowledge of Moravian history,” said Bryon Grigsby, president of Moravian University and a member of the Bethlehem World Heritage Council, in a statement. “We are confident in Katherine’s ability to use this World Heritage status to elevate the international profile of the Lehigh Valley, and especially Bethlehem, as a destination of global significance and tourism.”
The City of Bethlehem will host a community block party to celebrate the UNESCO World heritage designation at the Central Moravian Church at noon Saturday.
Reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at Liweber@mcall.com.
