Edward Rondthaler was born on this day in 1842, in Pennsylvania, to Edward and Sarah Rice Rondthaler.
His father and grandfather were Moravian ministers, and his father later became president of the Theological Seminary at Nazareth Hall.
Edward grew up in Pennsylvania, attended Nazareth Hall, and the Moravian Theological Seminary at Bethlehem. He spent a year abroad studying in Germany, then returned to teach at Nazareth Hall. He became pastor of a Moravian church in New York, then went to a pastorate in Philadelphia.
Edward married Mary Jacobson in 1867.
From Philadelphia he came to Salem in 1877, as pastor of Home Moravian Church. He was consecrated bishop in 1891, and his duties included being senior pastor to the Moravian churches in Winston-Salem.
Edward was principal of the Salem Female Academy from 1884 to 1888, and served as president of the board of trustees.
Bishop Rondthaler was an energetic man who was always a participant in the activities of various Moravian churches and events in his city. He was also a prolific writer, and each year his “Memorabilia” recorded the past years’ events of the world, the state, the city, and the Moravian churches. A volume of his writings was published on the fiftieth anniversary of his ministry in Winston-Salem, with an additional volume covering the last years being published following his death in 1931.
One of his last official church events was the dedication of Calvary Moravian Church less than a week before he died.
For over fifty years he led the Easter Sunrise Service in Salem, and his strong voice could be heard from the portico of the church and from the stand in the graveyard.
The Rondthaler Memorial Building, that housed Sunday School classes adjacent to the Home Moravian Church sanctuary, was named in his honor.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
