Featured Episode

The Surveyor of Wachovia

Born on September 5, 1717, in Steinbach, Germany, Christian Reuter was born to a wealthy surgeon, but after he dreamt of wealth being a barrier to God’s true mercy, he and his family fell to an extreme level of poverty. The family traveled often, so as a child, Reuter was not able to attend a formal school. His dad attended his studies, teaching him mathematics. Around the age of 14, the young Reuter became apprenticed to Count Franz, a surveyor. After the death of Count Franz, Reuter became an apprentice to Franz’s brother, also a surveyor. After receiving his certification, he completed various contracts in the field, and at the age of 21, he received a commission as Royal Surveyor of Germany. This work took him near Moravian settlements, and this is how his relationship with the Moravian Church began. He eventually felt the need to join them and was received into the church in 1738. Reuter proved to be invaluable to the Moravian Church as he completed surveying work for them in Germany and took on multiple roles in Wachovia: surveyor, forester, superintendent, teacher of arithmetic and geometrical drawing.