The Moravian Historical Society in the Morning Call Newspaper, 1984 to today

---

<< Back to Archives Home

DOORS OPEN IN NAZARETH * ORGANIZATIONS WILL PROLONG HOLIDAY SPIRIT FRIDAY WITH TOURS TO VIEW DECORATIONS, BOROUGH ATTRACTIONS.

Morning Call - Allentown, Pa.

Copyright Morning Call Dec 23, 1996

Twelve Nazareth organizations will open their doors to visitors Friday, prolonging the Christmas spirit in the colonial borough.

The free "Nazareth Towne Open House" will be held 6-9 p.m., an opportunity for friends and families to see Christmas decorations and attractions in Nazareth. The annual celebration is a modern variation of the old-fashioned holiday custom of visiting homes during Christmas week.

Participants can walk or drive around town, stopping at various locations to take in the sights. There are no schedules or itineraries to follow and complete lists of the participating locations are available at each stop.

Borough residents are encouraged to turn on their holiday candles and lights during the open house.

The Moravian Hall Square/Craft Shop, just east of Center Square in the former Nazareth Hall headmaster's house, is participating in the tour for the first time. The museum will be open and feature decorations and demonstrations of folding paper stars.

The Nazareth Area Visitors Center, in the Martin family homestead, will display its Victorian holiday decorations and the "Barony of the Rose" video. Refreshments will be served.

On S. Broad Street, St. John's UCC will offer tours of the Miko Chapel, refreshments and seasonal music on the pipe and electronic organ. Across the street, St. John's Lutheran Church will offer puppetry, holiday music, tours and refreshments.

At Holy Family Catholic Church, visitors can enjoy refreshments, historic Nativity statues and organ music performed by Joseph Fink.

A stop by the Nativity scene in Center Square also is encouraged followed by a visit to the putz at Nazareth Moravian Church on Center Square. The YMCA on S. Main Street will show its outdoor Tree of Lights and offer tours and refreshments inside.

On E. Center Street, visitors can tour the Nazareth Memorial Library, a former mansion, and see its Christmas tree and decorations. Across the street, the 1740 Whitefield House will feature "Light Divine," a Moravian Historical Society exhibit of Moravian Christmas customs.

North of the borough, Schoeneck Moravian Church also will serve refreshments while musicians perform in the decorated sanctuary. At nearby Grace Bible Fellowship Church, the congregation will offer instrumental and vocal music and provide refreshments.

The Morning Call has graciously allowed us access to their electronic archive. The articles are presented here as they appear online.

This article is © copyright The Morning Call Online.