Moravian Church Foundation - History

History

The foundation traces its roots to 1754 when two tailors were sent to Suriname as unsupported missionaries. To earn a living they practiced their craft, using their free time for their missionary work.

The business activities of C. Kersten & Co prospered and became one of Surinam's largest commercial enterprises, generating employment and profits.

The profits were used to establish other Moravian Church businesses in the Caribbean and Europe. All the businesses were eventually transferred to the Moravian Church Foundation and are now used to finance church work and social and community projects on several continents.

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