1746 Bell House

The Bell House (currently named for its belfry) is placed midway between the Gemeinhaus and First Single Brethren’s House (later Single Sisters’ House) and is set further back from the road (to the north) to form Bell House Square. The structure has a centre hall on each floor and the basement level housed the kitchen with an extant beehive bake oven and cooking fireplace. The belfry is architecturally in the English style with a hexagonal bell-shaped cupola and corresponding arches, surmounted by a weathervane. It dates from 1746, with a town clock (1747) that was relocated to the belfry of Central Moravian Church in the 1820s and railings added later (probably early 19th century, contemporary with the railings around the belfry of Central Moravian Church). This structure originally housed the Married People’s Choir. Moravian Seminary for Girls was housed here from 1749-91. The Bell House has been a residence ever since. 

Quick Facts

• Built in 1746.
• Originally served as living quarters for married couples. 
• In January, 1749, the “Moravian Boarding School for Girls” moved into The Bell House. This school would remain in Bethlehem (permanently). It was reorganized as the “Bethlehem Female Seminary” in 1785 and is today known as Moravian University.