Jan Lay, a charming friend from our old DISA workplace, made the arrangements with the "Are We There Yet" tour company for our group of "Kindred Spirits"-- a dozen of former co-workers and friends.
The highlight of yesterday's tour was a visit to the rectory of St. George's Catholic Church, located at 128 West Fourth Street. The old Franciscan Rectory has become a must-see attraction for tourists to Hermann each December.
For the past several years, the non-Franciscan pastor -- Father William Debo, a priest from the Jefferson City Diocese who is known as Father Bill -- plans, designs, and orchestrates the decorating effort.
Parishioners volunteer their time and donate many of their treasures to transform the rectory into a Christmas delight, which they share with visitors from across the country. The St. George Rectory open house is an annual fund raiser for the Hermann Ministerial Alliance, with free-will offerings used to assist needy families in the community.
During Christmas time, the four-story rectory holds more than 50 Christmas trees and dozens of Nativity scenes. My descriptions won't do justice to the displays, so I'll post some photos I took of the many rooms in the rectory.
Enjoy!
Next week I'll post more photos of the rectory, along with a few snapshots from our visit to the Wurst Haus and Stone Hill Winery.
Photos are lovely and what a nice trip for you! It is nice to go "see" Christmas. I think that is better than presents! I have been to Hermann a couple of times but not seen what you are showing. Thanks. Have a good day ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Claudia. It was a lovely day for a charming trip. Hope you have a great weekend!
DeleteI've always wanted to see it, so thanks for sharing the pictures!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Missouri for a couple of years now. :-( I need to get back soon and meet all these Missouri authors I know via the Internet!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. It was an awesome trip.
Hi Sean,
If you ever get back to Missouri, it would be great for some of us Missouri bloggers to meet you. Hope you're enjoying your world travels.
Donna
Donna--What a wonderful way for the Hermann community to come together--to decorate for a good cause.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get the chance to visit Hermann again, have lunch at "The Cottage." They're not open during the winter, and are off the beaten-path, but their food is divine. (They made grits into a delicacy, and I usually HATE grits.)
Hi Sioux,
DeleteThanks for the suggestion about "The Cottage." We drive through Hermann on our way to our farm in Osage County, so I should be able to visit it after winter time.
Donna
That is so Christmasy! When I used to teach in Cuba, MO, we sometimes passed through Hermann on our way to athletic contests. It was hair-raising ride on a school bus, I must say.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures sure bring the festive mood. Merry, merry Christmas to you and yours, Donna.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I can't imagine how long it took to set up all those decorations.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
I love the unexpected illuminations, lights everywhere. Thanks for the tour. I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteHi Val,
ReplyDeleteThose twisty, hilly roads can cause a stomach to flip.
Hi Sally,
Thanks for stopping by, and Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
Hi Pat,
The committee starts in October and takes them down in January.
Hi Linda,
You are welcome. Glad you enjoyed the tour.
Donna
Beautiful... I especially love the last picture. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete