Elkhart Candlelight Chapel Service Dec. 5

[November 21, 2009]  ELKHART -- The annual Christmas Candlelight Service at the picturesque St. John the Baptist Chapel in the historic Elkhart Cemetery is a wonderful way to start the holiday season. This year the programs are on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2, 4, 5:30 and 8 p.m.

The chapel was built in 1890 and is the only privately owned and operated church in Illinois. Designed in Gothic Revival style, it is one of the few remaining buildings constructed by the Culver Stone and Marble Co. of Springfield.

The interior will be decorated for the holidays with candles and greenery, and luminaries will light the outdoor path for the later programs.

The service features musicians, with both vocal and instrumental music, including harp. The chapel has one of the three oldest working pipe organs in the state.

Tickets are $10 each. For reservations, call 217-947-2238. Once your reservation is confirmed, you will need to promptly mail your check and reservation form, available at www.elkharthistoricalsociety.org, to Elkhart Historical Society, PO Box 255, Elkhart, IL 62634. Reservations cannot be held without payment.

Also, special holiday dinners will be available at the Wild Hare Café at Horsefeathers in historic downtown Elkhart. They are offering a roast turkey breast or roasted pork loin dinner for $19.50. You can request dinner reservations when calling for your Christmas Candlelight Service tickets.

Other dining options in town are the Blue Stem Bake Shop, Hudson's Talk of the Town and Blue Moon Pub.

Other activities in Elkhart on Dec. 5:

Christmas tours will be offered at the Old Gillett Farm at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and children. Call 217-947-2238 to reserve your spot.

Santa Claus will be in town from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Village Hall. A bake sale and cookie walk are also planned.

Elkhart memorabilia and souvenirs will be sold at the Elkhart Township Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dragonfly Art Studio will have an art exhibition and sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Extra Christmas shopping opportunities will be available during the day at Horsefeathers Antiques and Gift Shop, Bird Song Books & Vintage, Wander Years, A-Z Antiques, and at the Blue Moon Pub from 2 to 5 p.m. -- all in historic downtown Elkhart.

You can finish up your day at the Blue Moon Pub with the musical entertainment of Hipbone Sam from 6 to 9 p.m.

Elkhart is conveniently located just off Interstate 55 at exit 115.

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County]