Matthäus Stach facts for kids

Matthäus Stach (sometimes called Matthew Stach) was an important missionary from the Moravian Church. He was born on March 4, 1711, in Mankovice. He spent much of his life helping people in faraway places. He died on December 21, 1787, in Bethabara.

Matthäus Stach's Life

Matthäus Stach was born in a place called Mankendorf. This area is now known as Mankovice in the Czech Republic. His parents taught him at home. They did not want him to go to the Roman Catholic schools.

In 1728, Matthäus joined a special Christian community. This community was called the Moravian Church. It was located in Herrnhut, Germany.

Missionary Work in Greenland

In 1733, Stach went on a big journey to Greenland. He traveled with Christian David and his cousin, Christian Stach. There, they met Hans Egede, another Danish missionary.

Together, they started new settlements. These places were called New Herrnhut and Lichtenfels. Today, New Herrnhut is known as Nuuk. It is the capital of Greenland.

In 1741, Matthäus Stach went back to Germany. While there, he became a minister. He also got married during this trip.

Life in North Carolina

Matthäus and his wife, Rosina Stach, left the Greenland mission in 1771. They returned to Germany. The next year, they were asked to move to Bethabara, North Carolina.

For the rest of their lives, Matthäus and Rosina Stach ran a school. They taught boys from the Moravian community. Matthäus Stach passed away in Bethabara in 1787.