Woosters Downtown Walking Tour of Churches is a holiday tradition
By Karen Skubik
November 25, 2016
1009
Centuries of history of both the city of Wooster and its churches are interwoven, and on Dec. 2 visitors can catch glimpses of the efforts that went into prior generations establishment of their houses of worship. Both the stories behind and the architecture of eight places of worship will be highlighted during the Downtown Walking Tour of Churches.
The annual event is a tradition for many families with about seven of the churches within easy walking distance of each other. There will be live music, refreshments, beautiful holiday decorations and many volunteers on hand, willing to share information about each congregations home.
Starting at the southern-most end of the tour, Faith Harvest Fellowship provides perhaps the most unique facility. A former movie theater, the space was converted to meet the congregations needs.
Heading north through downtown, the 6-8 p.m. self-guided tour will bring sightseers to the heart of Woosters church district. Trinity United Church of Christ will provide an environment with organ, piano and guitar music. Cookies, beverages, historical booklets and tours of the building will be available.
Walking less than a block at a time, visitors will be able to enter five more fully decorated churches including St. James Episcopal, Wooster United Methodist, First Baptist, Zion Lutheran and Central Christian. Refreshments, music and friendly faces will continue to be found, and luminaria will light the way along this part of North Market Street.
Pastor Larry Groves will open the doors to the First Baptist Church and share the history of Woosters oldest standing place of worship, which celebrated its 200th anniversary a couple years ago.
Groves said, [People like to see] our beautiful, old organ, which I believe is the oldest working Baroque organ in the state of Ohio, [but also] all of the tender loving touches that the people of God have placed in this wonderful architectural structure.
Neil Jackson of Schantz Organ Company will play the historic pipe organ, and the Wayne County Choral Union will provide vocal music at 7:15 p.m.
Some may walk, but others may choose to drive to the northern-most building on the tour: St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
St. Marys director of music, Barb Hufford, shared some information about the architecture and tour plans at her church. We are celebrating the 100th anniversary of this church building, which was designed in early 20th century Italian Romanesque style.
Guided tours of the church will be available so that visitors may hear about our priceless stained glass windows, the significance of their placement as well as explanations of the different areas of the church, Hufford said.
In addition Hufford and Tom Wood will spice up the atmosphere with piano and violin music while light refreshments will be offered to visitors in the parish hall.
Beverly Chrapowicki from Main Street Wooster Inc. said, The classic architecture of the churches coupled with the beautiful decorations and the inviting downtown atmosphere keep visitors coming year after year.
Maps will be available at each church, and visitors can start at any location on the route.
