Christ Reformed United Church of Christ is one of the churches that will be on the Holiday Tour of Historic Houses of Worship on Dec. 26. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — While for many, the Christmas season ends on Dec. 25, for those in Shepherdstown, a final event can be looked forward to the day after Christmas day.

On Dec. 26 from 4-7 p.m., nine historic buildings in their holiday finest will be featured on a tour throughout Shepherdstown, which was planned by the Historic Shepherdstown Commission. According HSC President Donna Bertazzoni, this year’s event will be third one that the commission has held to-date, after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“After a two-year suspension because of COVID, Shepherdstown’s Holiday Tour of Historic Houses of Worship is resuming on December 26,” Bertazzoni said, noting the tour is free and open to the public. “The self-guided walking tour includes several downtown historic churches, including one from as early as 1747.”

Seven churches will be included on the tour, including Christ Reformed United Church of Christ, located at 304 East German Street; New Street United Methodist Church, located at 202 West New Street; Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, located at 100 West Washington Street; St. Agnes Catholic Church, located at 200 South Duke Street; St. Agnes Chapel, located at 113 South Church Street; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, located at 112 North King Street; and Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 208 West German Street. Greeters and docents will be stationed at each church, to welcome visitors and share information with them, regarding the history of each church and its congregation, the architecture of the church buildings and the interior accoutrements of the sanctuaries. All of the churches are within easy walking distance of each other and will be marked by luminaries. The tour will begin with a townwide ringing of the church bells at 4 p.m.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Shepherdstown residents and out-of-town visitors to admire the interior beauty of the town’s houses of worship,” said Jerry Bock, one of the founders of the tour and the vice president of Historic Shepherdstown Commission.

Trinity Episcopal Church will be on the Holiday Tour of Historic Houses of Worship on Dec. 26. Tabitha Johnston

Bertazzoni noted that, along with the churches, two other buildings of historical note will be added to this year’s tour: The Historic Shepherdstown Museum at the corner of East German and Princess Streets and the newly-renovated Shepherdstown Opera House, located at 131 West German Street.

Walking tour brochures may be picked up at the War Memorial Building, although a limited number of brochures will be available at each of the tour sites. Refreshments and hospitality for tour visitors will also be available in the War Memorial Building.

The tour is sponsored by a partnership of the churches, the Historic Shepherdstown Commission, the Shepherdstown Community Club, the Jefferson County Convention & Visitors Center and the Corporation of Shepherdstown.

For more information, email Bock at jerrybock@comcast.net.