National Register of Historic Places

Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery

Washington, Washington County, Iowa
Listed
August 11, 1977
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
77000563

About this property

Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery is a historic church and cemetery located southwest of Washington, Iowa, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The name Gracehill reflects the religious aspirations of the founders of the settlement. There are also similarly-named places in other countries, for example Gracehill in Ireland. In 1854 the Provincial Board of the Moravian Church provided the funds to Amos Miksch to buy a substantial amount of property to create a Moravian settlement. Lots of various sizes were sold to colony members. Gracehill was organized in 1866, and the church building was completed the next year. The cemetery was laid out the same year. The church is a simple rectangular, frame structure that measures 50 by 30 feet (15.2 by 9.1 m). A two-stage bell tower rises over the main entrance. From 1908 until it closed in 1970 Gracehill was the last of Iowa's seven Moravian communities. While the congregation continued until 1970, the last resident minister left in 1932. Graves in the cemetery were originally laid out with men on the north and women on the south. After the 1890s people were buried in family plots.

Location

Washington, Washington County, Iowa
41.25938, -91.82797

Categories

EXPLORATION/SETTLEMENTRELIGION
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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Nearby Historic Sites

CM and StP Railroad Underpass
Industrial
5.9 mi
Washington County Courthouse
Industrial
6.3 mi
Young, Alexander, Cabin
Early Republic
7 mi
Woodlawn Cemetery Gates and Shelter
Industrial
7.2 mi
Stewart, Frank, House
Industrial
7.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery listed on the National Register?

Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 11, 1977.

What type of historic resource is Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery?

Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery?

The period of significance for Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Gracehill Moravian Church and Cemetery?

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