Salem was established out of the necessity to relocate the Moravian congregation from New Hope in Westmoreland. The church building at New Hope had been a small schoolhouse, which was in a state of disrepair. Moreover, the location had gained a reputation for being unhealthy, making it an unsuitable place for the congregation to continue their work. After careful consideration, it was decided that moving the mission to a more favorable location would be beneficial from both a health and logistical standpoint.
In 1860, A. B. Lind, a devoted member of the Moravian community, purchased land at Beeston Spring in Westmoreland with his own resources. Beeston Spring was situated a few miles northeast of New Hope, at an elevation of about 750 feet above sea level. The property was characterized by its stunning woodland and a fresh spring that became a key feature of the settlement. Lind then sold about forty acres of the land back to the Moravian mission for the establishment of a mission stat…
