A History of the Moravian Church

The Moravian Church is considered to be the oldest Protestant denomination. It was founded in what is now the Czech Republic in 1457 but its roots go back to the reforming efforts of John Hus (1369-1415) the Rector of Prague University. Hus was a Catholic theologian who challenged the corruption of the medieval church. He was a popular preacher who called on the laity to be actively involved in the church. Hus also called for priests to remember their vows of poverty and return to their role as shepherds of the people rather than ruling like lords.