Home Moravian Church Donates $76,262 to Triad Cultural Arts for Historic Site Restoration

Home Moravian Church members contributed $76,262 to Triad Cultural Arts, enabling the organization to pay off a $75,000 bridge loan tied to the restoration of the Shotgun House Legacy Site in Happy Hill. This gift, made possible by over 80 church members, reflects the congregation’s commitment to confronting local history and supporting community initiatives that address historical inequities in Winston-Salem.

The initiative began with a lunch conversation at West End Cafe, where Rev. Russ May connected Triad Cultural Arts Executive Director Abrea Armstrong and Rev. Ginny Hege Tobiassen, pastor of Home Moravian Church. May had become aware of the bridge loan Triad Cultural Arts had taken out to complete the restoration work. The meeting sparked a deeper relationship and a shared interest in understanding the historical ties between Salem and Happy Hill.

Tobiassen emphasized the importance of recognizing the historical connection between the two communities. She noted that after emancipation, free Black residents in Salem sought to purchase land, but faced resistance from local trustees. Instead, land was made available in Happy Hill, on the former Schumann plantation. This history, she said, highlights the complex relationship between the two neighborhoods and the need for ongoing dialogue and mutual support.

The church’s decision to support the project was rooted in its role as an “active ambassador” for the initiative. Tobiassen brought the idea to Home Moravian’s board of elders and board of trustees, who approved the contribution during a joint board retreat. The gift symbolizes the congregation’s desire to learn more about Happy Hill’s history and to lift each other up in the spirit of reconciliation and community care.

The collaboration between Home Moravian Church and Triad Cultural Arts exemplifies a growing effort among local Moravians to put faith into practice by addressing historical injustices and investing in community well-being. This partnership underscores the importance of acknowledging shared histories and working together to build a more just and equitable society, as Micah 6:8 reminds us to act with justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

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