Back in the early 1950's, Christ Church had numerous projects for raising money and promoting fellowship in the church and community. We held bake sales, rummage sales, auctions, and square dances, and we made corsages for Easter and Mother’s Day. The church ran a Cooperative Nursery School, a Country Cousin Thrift Shop, and more. But the event that survived after all these years, and is still thriving, is our Annual Christmas Mart! The name has always been the same, and it has always been held on the first Saturday in December.

From its humble beginnings the Christmas Mart grew! A small group of people met at the home of Peg and Stub Cheney. Among them were Chuck and Ann Durand, Phyllis Demong, and June Carey, who painted a few Christmas decorations from simple shapes which Stub cut out with his saw. These were displayed on a small tree in the center of the new Parish Hall (one of the reasons for the fundraisers). Other crafts included hobby horses which Margot Burke made from broomsticks, and Deege Graham’s hand-knit Fair Isle caps and mittens.

We also prepared the same kind of delicious baked goods and preserves our parish is noted for today. Vi Slater always made her famous plum puddings. Bernie and Mary D. Shaw brought packets of herbs, made from plants, which they had grown in their garden. Rellen Perry added the wassail, and Bernie Shaw made chowder for lunch.

Since then, the Mart hasn’t changed all that much. Small groups still meet during the year to share their special talents, and almost everyone contributes to the Mart by baking, working, and bringing friends and family to share in the fun.The proceeds from this year’s Christmas Mart will go towards the maintenance and care of the historic Christ Church cemetery on East Seneca Street.
--As recalled by Barb Lipe.

Wooden Ornaments from Prior Years

Each years edition of the Wooden Ornaments is unique.  The menu below includes links to some of the Wooden Ornaments made for prior years.