Beeswax candlemaking
		The centuries-old tradition of candlemaking in the Moravian Church continues at Raleigh Moravian, where members work together to make some 3,000 each year for Christmas lovefeast services and Candle Tea.

Background

Candlemaking as a Moravian tradition dates back to colonial days, when Moravians made most of the things they used in their mission colonies.

Because cane for sugar was not grown in many areas where Moravians lived, they kept bees for sweet honey. The bees also provided the beeswax in their honeycombs that Moravians mixed with mutton tallow to make candles. Four parts of wax was mixed with one part tallow, a form of animal fat. Today, Raleigh Moravian Church uses the same ration, although beef tallow is used instead of mutton, or sheep, tallow.

Once the wax and tallow is mixed, the liquid is poured into tapered tin molds (sometimes the candles are called tapers). The molds have wicks of cotton string tied through the center. In colonial times, the molds might have been made of pewter or tin. Lovefeasts had been part of many significant Moravian events since that first special event when the church was renewed on August 13, 1727. But until 1747 the handmade beeswax candles were not part of any lovefeast celebrations.

That year, in a little Moravian settlement at Marienborn just over 200 miles from Herrnhut in what is now Germany, Brother Johannes (John) Von Watteville had a new idea for the Christmas Eve Service. He would use the candles during the service to represent "the inexpressible blessedness which came through the birth of Jesus … that he had lighted a blood-red flame of love in every heart, which would burn forever to His joy and our salvation." The candles were lighted and brought out, and the children sang hymns and held their candles high.

The very next year a candlelight service was held at Herrnhut. The first candlelight lovefeast in America was in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in 1756. At the North Carolina settlements of Bethabara and Bethania, candlelight lovefeasts were first held in 1762.

This tradition continues today at Raleigh Moravian, as it does in many modern Moravian churches around the world. Soon after the Raleigh Moravian congregation had our own church, we began holding Moravian Candle Teas. The year was 1958, and among other items Moravian beeswax candles were offered for sale. In those days, however, Raleigh Moravian members did not make the candles that were sold. Instead, church members ordered them from a candlemaker, Nona Butner of Bethania.

In the 1960s, church members Jack and Kitty Griffin began candlemaking demonstrations at our Candle Tea, but the church continued to order candles for sale. In 1975 Jane and Tom Norris took over the candlemaking demonstrations.

In 1993, Ms. Butner, our source of candles for 35 years, retired. The next year, Jane Norris began a successful candlemaking program at Raleigh Moravian that continues to this day. The Raleigh Moravian congregation provides all of our own candles. We made about 3,000 beeswax candles each year to sell at our traditional Moravian Candle Tea during the Advent season and to use at our Christmas Eve Lovefeast services.

To take part

Candle pouring sessions are held at different times throughout the year in anticipation of Advent. If you would like to take part or simply learn more, please contact Wayne Shore.