After a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Christmas Church Tour of Sikeston and Scott County will return.
Set for Friday, Dec. 17 from 4-8 p.m., residents can take a free, self-guided tour of local churches that are decorated for Christmas.
The churches who are participating are very excited to have the tour return this year, said Kathy Medley, executive vice president of the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Economic Development. New this year is a live nativity at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg and greeters in period dress at the 1848 Log Church located behind St. Lawrence.
St. Lawrence has always been a highlight of the Christmas Church Tour as people enjoy viewing the Catholic Church as well as the log church.
St. Lawrence has a very proud history of who we are and where we came from, said Dorothy Deason of the St. Lawrence church. We are celebrating 175 years as a parish and have monthly events scheduled from August of 2021 to August of 2022, one of which is this Christmas Church tour.
The stone church will be open to viewers with decorations both inside and out. Those attending can take a brochure describing the churchs history as well as a bag of sweet treats while enjoying the soft sounds of Christmas music.
Keeping with our anniversary year, greeters will be dressed in 1800 period clothing, Deason said. Our tour doesnt end here because visitors will want to walk into the past and enter our original log church, 1847, and view this historical site and its beautiful Christmas decor. Visitors to the log church will pass by Our Lady of Grace Grotto.
Deason said those attending should take a minute to walk around the grotto and absorb its peace and beauty.
The church will also have a live nativity.
Yes, live animals, and you may even catch a glimpse of a real infant in the manager, Deason said. We are so proud of our parish and after touring you will understand why.
The Christmas Church tour is a wonderful opportunity to view the beauty of the season and see what St. Lawrence means to its parishioners and understand our pride., Deason added. Our Christmas displays will definitely boost your Christmas spirit and help everyone to remember the reason for the season.
The tour offers more than just St. Lawrence church as well. New this year is the Trinity United Methodist Church in Oran (1010 Main Street) to go along with several Sikeston churches as well as Scott County churches. Others participating are:
Concordia Lutheran Church, 836 Park in Sikeston
First Christian Church, 1006 N. Main in Sikeston (refreshments)
Hunter Memorial Presbyterian, 723 Allen Blvd. In Sikeston (coffee and treats)
Open Door Fellowship, 204 Jackson St. in Sikeston (coffee, hot chocolate, diabetic-friendly desserts)
St. Denis Catholic Church, 135 N. Winchester in Benton (treats)
Eisleben Lutheran Church, 432 Lutheran Lane in Scott City
Those touring can also view the Sikeston BMU holiday light show at 107 E. Malone Ave. in Sikeston and the Light Up Sikeston with the Hope of Jesus light show on 1221 N. Ingram Road in Sikeston.
This Christmas Church Tour is a great way to bring family and friends together for a relaxing evening and to take in the beauty of season, Medley said. It is a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Each church is unique, beautifully decorated, with Christmas music playing, and has greeters who provide wonderful hospitality.
If any church wants to participate and is not on the list, they can call the Sikeston Convention & Visitors Bureau at 471-2780.
We thank the participating churches for opening their doors and sharing their hospitality, Medley said. The tour is free and is from 4-8 p.m. so there is plenty of time to travel to each church and enjoy at your leisure.
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