Gracehill Moravian Church in Co Antrim has joined the Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon National Park and Machu Picchu on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Situated in the Georgian village of Gracehill, the church has become the north’s second World Heritage Site.
The first was Giant’s Causeway, which was listed in 1986.
Founded in 1759, Gracehill includes distinctive Moravian buildings, including a particular type of congregation building known as Gemeinhaus, a church, choir houses and a cemetery.
There is an active congregation present at the site today, who continue Moravian traditions.
Gracehill is the best preserved example of a settlement representing the Moravian ideal in Britain and Ireland and the only example built in Ireland, with its urban plan clustered around a central green square.
Dr David Johnston, chair of Gracehill Trust said the prize of a cultural World Heritage listing was a huge, good news story for Northern Ireland as a whole, “with the potential to promote understanding and reconciliation and bring social, economic and cultural benefits right across the region now and for generations to come”.
Communities minister Gordon Lyons said he was delighted the cultural importance of Gracehill to the world had been recognised.
He added: “In recent years, my department has worked with the Gracehill community to maintain the village and develop their World Heritage bid. We have supported listed building repairs and provided advice and, since the US formally decided to proceed in 2021, we have contributed to the nomination costs.
“Gracehill is a special place with an active community and this recognition of a small village on the world stage is a great endorsement, helping to remind us all that Northern Ireland has a fascinating heritage that is well worth exploring.”
British Culture Minster, Sir Chris Bryant said Gracehill had been rightly cherished by the local community since its foundation in 1759.
