Scott County church tours return Dec. 20

SIKESTON — The annual Scott County Christmas church tour is rapidly approaching.

For those seeking to embrace the full Christmas aura this season, mark your calendars for Friday, Dec. 20 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“The Christmas Church Tour of Scott County is an open-house style, self-guided tour of area churches. Each church is decorated for the holiday season and will have greeters and treats. Some will have music,” said Kathy Medley, executive vice president of the Sikeston Chamber, Economic Development and Tourism. “You can take your time and travel to each church at your own pace.”

Participating churches include:

Concordia Lutheran Church - 836 Park, Sikeston.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 245 W. Front St., Sikeston.

First Christian Church, 1006 N. Main, Sikeston.

Hunter Memorial Presbyterian Church, 723 Allen Blvd., Sikeston.

Open Door Fellowship Church, 204 Jackson St., Sikeston.

Eisleben Lutheran Church, 432 Lutheran Lane, Scott City.

St. Denis Catholic Church, 135 N. Winchester, Benton.

St. Lawrence Catholic Church (Grotto of Mary, live nativity, and 1848 original log church - located in rear of stone church), 1017 State Hwy. A, New Hamburg.

Also on tap is a light show for attendees.

“We encourage everyone to enjoy the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities Holiday Light Show, 107 E. Malone, and Light up Sikeston with the Hope of Jesus drive-thru light display at 1221 N. Ingram while they are on the tour,” Medley said.

Creating an ambience in which attendees can fully embrace the Christmas season is just one of many ways Sikeston continues to unify the holiday with area citizens, as well as promoting local businesses.

Truly a win-win

for all parties

“The purpose of the event is to provide a nice event that really celebrates the season. It also brings visitors to Scott County to enjoy not only the churches but area restaurants, too. It is a great way to spend a Friday evening with family and friends, rather than shopping and rushing through the season. It’s nice to take time to enjoy the beauty of these churches, slow down and enjoy the Christmas season,” Medley said.

St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg is one church along the holiday trek that is expected to garner lots of attention.

“Parishioners volunteer to decorate the churches and grotto. Ladies volunteer to prepare sweet treats to give our tour to visitors, and church members serve as tour greeters. St. Lawrence parishioners are extremely proud of our history and of our churches and grotto,” Dorothy Deason, St. Lawrence team member, said.

Medley echoed Deason’s sentiments.

“The Log Church is a beautiful addition to the tour,” Medley said.

For those visiting the church, the night will serve as a memorable stop.

“Visitors will see Christmas beauty: lights, wreaths, poinsettias, Christmas trim, a beautiful indoor nativity, and greeters willing to answer any questions and offer our visitors sweet treats,” Deason said. “Soft music will be playing. It’s a beautiful atmosphere.

She continued: “Outside, our Lady of Grace Grotto will be lit up and beautifully decorated for the Christmas season, as is the log church. Visitors will get to step back in time as they enter the 1847 log church and meet the greeters dressed in period clothing. Just beyond the log church will be a live nativity, which portrays the reason for the season.”