This chapter examines the role of women in the Moravian Church’s expansion in the eighteenth century, focusing on their migration as missionary wives and their contributions to the Church’s international growth. The Moravians, originating in Saxony, rapidly spread from Europe to the Caribbean, North America, and beyond. The study highlights how the Moravian Church, which emphasized marriage as a precursor to missionary work, facilitated the migration of women to various mission outposts, often alongside their husbands. By analyzing memoirs, mission reports, and correspondence, the chapter explores the intentional nature of these migrations, particularly in the Caribbean. The case studies of women like Esther Wilson, Anna Rebstockin, and Maria Meyerin provide insight into how marriage served as both a theological and practical tool, enabling women to travel across continents and participate in evangelization. Additionally, the chapter contrasts these stories with the reverse migration of Black women such as Rebecca Protten and Maria, emphasizing the diversity of experiences within the Moravian community. The work illustrates the gender dynamics of the Church’s mission system, positioning Moravian women not as passive participants but as active agents of religious expansion. Through their journeys, these women contributed significantly to the Church’s global reach, highlighting the intersection of religion, gender, and mobility in the early modern Atlantic world.

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Interchangeable Migrants

  • Kelly Kaelin

摘要

This chapter examines the role of women in the Moravian Church’s expansion in the eighteenth century, focusing on their migration as missionary wives and their contributions to the Church’s international growth. The Moravians, originating in Saxony, rapidly spread from Europe to the Caribbean, North America, and beyond. The study highlights how the Moravian Church, which emphasized marriage as a precursor to missionary work, facilitated the migration of women to various mission outposts, often alongside their husbands. By analyzing memoirs, mission reports, and correspondence, the chapter explores the intentional nature of these migrations, particularly in the Caribbean. The case studies of women like Esther Wilson, Anna Rebstockin, and Maria Meyerin provide insight into how marriage served as both a theological and practical tool, enabling women to travel across continents and participate in evangelization. Additionally, the chapter contrasts these stories with the reverse migration of Black women such as Rebecca Protten and Maria, emphasizing the diversity of experiences within the Moravian community. The work illustrates the gender dynamics of the Church’s mission system, positioning Moravian women not as passive participants but as active agents of religious expansion. Through their journeys, these women contributed significantly to the Church’s global reach, highlighting the intersection of religion, gender, and mobility in the early modern Atlantic world.