Nazareth Hall Tract
Why it's listed
Nazareth Hall, a manor house built by the Moravians in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, anchors a 16.3315 acre tract that was once part of the 5,000 acre Barony of Nazareth. Its 1756 hall measured one hundred feet by forty-six feet ten inches and was built to serve as a manor house and administrative center for the Moravian leader Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, who never lived in it. Its design blends a German manor type with the elegant detailing of the German Rococo period, and the nomination regards it as the finest example of true Moravian architecture in North America. Its gambrel roof, ten front dormers and central belfry reflect Moravian practice. The building housed a boys' school from 1759, which the tract's important educational role was built around. During the Revolutionary War it sheltered troops and visitors, including the generals Horatio Gates and Philip Schuyler. The Moravian monument on the grounds, erected in 1868, honours former students who died in the Civil War on both sides.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Nazareth Hall was the manor house of the Barony of Nazareth and a possible alternate headquarters of the Moravian Church, and that it is the finest example of true Moravian architecture. The Barony was unusual as a feudal grant made by the Penns, and Nazareth was designed as a central manor town. The hall later became a major center of the Moravian educational system, and it hosted Revolutionary War figures and troops.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 80003588, listed November 28, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Zizendorf Sq., Nazareth |
|---|---|
| County | Northampton County |
| Listed | November 28, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80003588 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1700-1799 |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Nazareth Hall remains an apartment dwelling; the 1840 Moravian Church was converted to a gymnasium and is in deteriorated condition. |
| Acreage | 16.3 |
| Within district | Nazareth Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.74409, -75.31508 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 80003588.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6983317
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.