Frederick County is known to host several unique candlelight events both seasonally and throughout the year. Their long-running Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship, though, remains the most popular church-touring open house event in the region.
The 2023 Tour will take place on Tuesday, December 26, marking the 37th year as an annual community mainstay tradition. It’s the perfect post-holiday must-do, offering participants an opportunity to explore 10 historic houses of worship throughout the community while they’re still decked out in elegant, festive décor. Additionally, each touring site stop will offer varying onsite activities to partake in throughout the evening.
All featured sites will open their doors to the public starting at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and remain open until 9 p.m. Because this is a free event for anyone to attend, no reservations are needed. Furthermore, it is all self-paced, so you decide which order to visit each House of Worship in and how long you wish to stay at each location.
The 10 historic houses of worship that will be highlighted this year will include Evangelical Lutheran Church (31 E. Church Street), Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ (15 E. Church Street), All Saints’ Episcopal Church (106 W. Church Street), Asbury United Methodist Church (W. All Saints and Court Streets), Joseph Dill Baker Carillon (Baker Park), Calvary United Methodist Church (N. Bentz and W. 2nd Streets), Frederick Presbyterian Church (115 W. 2nd Street), Centennial Memorial United Methodist Church (8 W. 2nd Street), Grace United Church of Christ (25 E. 2nd Street), and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (118 E. 2nd Street). Again, each site will be presenting a unique niche in the way of highlights, displays, live entertainment (choirs, carolers, performing bands), and even light refreshments at some locations.
The 37th Annual Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship is made possible through support from Brewer’s Alley, Everedy Square & Shab Row, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, Roy Rogers, and Visit Frederick. You may pick up a brochure highlighting all the featured sites with additional information about each one (and this year’s various onsite offerings) at the Frederick Visitor Center, every participating church, and all of the sponsor locations mentioned above. They will also be available at the Church Tour Information Center on the day of the event.
You may also download a brochure now by clicking here. This link also offers a map and all other information you may need, including directions/addresses and important contact numbers all in one place.