Collection APL 030 - Moravian Mission collection

The Moravian Church, or Unitas Fratrum (United Brethren) began in 1457 out of the Hussite Wars of Bohemia (now Czechoslovakia). Missionaries were sent to the West Indies to work among the slaves, and shortly after to Greenland to work with the Inuit. The Moravian Mission in Labrador branched from the missions in Greenland and was initially attempted in 1752. On July 31st, 1752 the first Missionaries arrived at Nisbet's Harbour and on September 15th, 1752 the boat returned to Nisbet's Harbour with the news that Brother Erhardt and six crew members must have been killed, because they did not return from their expedition. Establishing the mission in Labrador was re-attempted and, in 1770, the Moravians were granted one hundred thousand acres of land along the Labrador coast by King George III. From this the Missionaries created eight districts which became the center of life for the Inuit and Settler families in these areas whose income came primarily from fishing and hunting. In 1926 markets for fur and fish suffered due to the Depression resulting from World War I and subsequently, the Moravian influence on the Inuit of Labrador diminished as they lost control of the central areas they had established. The religious influence of the Moravians, however, continues today as their churches are still present and operational