The most intact Moravian mission complex on the Labrador coast is found in Hopedale. It consists of the Mission House (1853), the Church (1865) and the 1817 Provisions Store.

This Moravian settlement, the third one established on the Labrador, was begun in 1782 and is on a site which the Inuit called Agvituk. The Moravians= goal was to convert the Inuit and establish a trading relationship. While controversial this did provide them with needed funds and protected the Inuit from the predatory practices of European traders. The result was a settled Inuit community, an unusually high degree of literacy for the nineteenth century and the development of a remarkable musical capacity which blended Inuit and European traditions.The Moravian buildings were built of both imported frames and local timber. Until at the least the middle of the nineteenth century there was a good local timber supply. In fact, Bishop Reichel, who visited in 1861, talks of firs 40'-60' high in the vicinity of Nain.

The Hopedale Mission House and Church were constructed by Brother Kruth who would have supervised work at the local sawmill. The Moravian buildings are constructed of heavy brick-nogged, timber framing covered with white painted clapboards and topped by wood shingle roofs. The Church has distinctive Moravian (and German) architectural features with the hipped gable, a central cupola and a separate entrances for males and females. The site also has a remarkable collection of artifacts related to the construction and use of the buildings - from tools to books and a wonderful collection of door hardware. As well, a well-worn staircase from the 1853 Mission House stands as a remnant of the original building.

Parks Canada recognized the architectural and cultural significance of Hopedale as long ago as 1973. In recent years the Agvituk Heritage Society has acquired their help in the restoration of the site. The exteriors of all buildings have been stabilized, the fencing rebuilt, the old workshop wing which runs north from the Mission House serves a new use for community programs, an interpretation centre has been developed in the store building and the old boathouse on the shore stabilized. With a small and steadily shrinking population and so far from the main tourist routes there was a concern that these buildings might not be saved. However, the Agvituk Heritage Society worked with architect Ron Fougere to ensure that these buildings continued their role at the centre of Hopedale community life.The Agvituk Heritage Society=s Southcott Award recognizes their efforts and the work of Ron Fougere in stabilizing this very significant collection of buildings.