"Candlelight at Christ Church" program begins June 20th in Gettysburg

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 5/22/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE …

 

CONTACT:

Jane English

Candlelight at Christ Church

(717) 334-4032

 

 

"Candlelight at Christ Church: Songs and Stories of a Civil War Hospital" will be presented this summer at historic Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church at 30 Chambersburg St. in Gettysburg, Pa.

 

These free programs will occur every Saturday evening from June 20 through August 8 at 8 p.m. in the nave of the church, with music beginning at 7:30 p.m.  More than 8,500 people have attended Candlelight during the past nine years, enthusiastically endorsing these programs with comments such as, "…remarkable Civil War program (which) should be seen by all…” and “great music."

 

Through authentic Civil War-era music and readings from the diaries of the Patriot Daughters of Lancaster who served as nurses at the church, Candlelight at Christ Church brings to life the true stories of the many people who worked valiantly to save lives and provide shelter to both soldiers and civilians during the Battle of Gettysburg until Aug. 6 in 1863. In addition to the songs of Stephen Foster, the live music will include the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Dixie,” poetry by Walt Whitman, and passages from Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address.

 

A brief history of Christ Lutheran Church, the oldest church building in Gettysburg in continuous use for worship, will include an account of the slaying of Chaplain Horatio Howell on the front steps on July 1, 1863. Union Sergeant Stearns’ personal account of his experiences as a wounded soldier inside the church also provides a stirring moment during the program. 

 

“Folk and Friends,” the Stephen Folkemer family and their friends, will lead the music, singing and playing various musical instruments during most of the programs.

 

Christ Church cordially invites the public to Candlelight at Christ Church, where period attire is encouraged, and light refreshments will be served.

 

The church is air conditioned and accessible to all.  Visit www.candlelightatchrist.org or call (717) 334-5212 for further information.