Welcome to Inside the Red Doors – Stories from the St. John’s Archives!

As we approach St. John’s 150th anniversary in 2026, we are digging deep into the church archives to connect with the stories that shaped us. John Hendricks, our Photographer and Archivist, has worked faithfully for 15 years to maintain and share important pieces of our history. Leaning on his extensive knowledge and storytelling ability, we are excited to share these artifacts and anecdotes as a way to honor the past and imagine what the next 150 years could bring.

Christmas Traditions at St. John’s – In the Early Years!

by John Hendricks, St. John’s Archivist

We are familiar with the recent traditions of the St. John’s Advent/ Christmas season. Now, thanks to the availability of The Reporter newspaper archives from 1870 to 1970 on the internet, we have insight into Christmas celebrations here in the 1880’s.

The first listing for a Christmas Day 10 am service at St. John’s was in 1885, simply stating “appropriate services for the day will be held”. However, we find that the biggest event was the Christmas Eve service, run by the Sunday School, much like our early Christmas Eve service in recent times has been a ‘family’ service. The Reporter of January 8, 1880, wrote the Sunday School held their “usual Christmas celebration”, implying this had been held for several years before 1879. The article continued, “the scholars engaged in music and other appropriate exercises and were rewarded in the usual way by suitable Christmas gifts and other good-will souvenirs of the season.”

The Reporter of January 1, 1891, described the 1890 service. “Quite a lengthy and interesting program was rendered consisting of responsive readings, hymn duets and recitations…An offering for the Orphan’s Home at Womelsdorf was taken up (note: we continue to this day giving support to what is now called Bethany Home). The usual distribution of presents to the scholars was also made. All who attended declared it to be an enjoyable and entertaining affair.” Articles from future years describe the children’s Christmas Eve gifts as a box of candy and an orange, piled under the tree.

It is interesting to note none of the articles about St. John’s, or any other local churches in that time, mention the season of Advent, so much a part of our worship celebration today. The church was decorated for the Christmas Eve service, noting that real trees and greens would have been a possible fire hazard if put up earlier. From the 1891 article, “the church was decorated in handsome and tasteful style with laurel, etc., and the Christmas tree could not be surpassed in beauty and taste in trimming”. (Much like our “hanging of the greens” today, it is always inspiring to enter our decorated sanctuary the first Sunday in Advent.) The celebration of Christmas has changed somewhat in 150 years, but the message is unchanged. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 KJV) Merry Christmas to the St. John’s family! Be with us for our 150th anniversary in 2026!