Community

Candlelight Walk

Massillon, Ohio

Massillon’s Community Candlelight Walk on Sunday, December 3, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., will be a self-guided stroll through downtown Massillon among luminarias and Christmas lights to visit nine historic churches and six community attractions. Stops include live music, storytelling, free refreshments, and entertainment. Free maps will be available at any venue where walkers begin their routes. The free public event will culminate in a musical program and Massillon’s traditional candlelighting ceremony at St. Mary’s Church beginning at 7:45 p.m. To learn more about the event, call Margy Vogt, chairman, at 330.844.1525 or email her at vogt@sssnet.com.
CCW visit canton
Historic Churches

St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, St. George Greek Orthodox Church, St. John’s United Church of Christ, Central Presbyterian Church, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and First United Methodist Church will present nearly continuous music. Some churches will intersperse their music with church tours or storytelling. Many will be decorated for Christmas and offer refreshments. 

Attractions

Walkers can stop in the Massillon Museum’s Gessner Hall for complimentary cookies, coffee, cocoa, and tea throughout the walk. Northwest Singers will perform music as walkers get warm. 

Massillon Public Library’s impressive rotunda will host a keyboard and saxophone instrumental duo.

Vocalists will entertain in the lobby of the Lions Lincoln Theatre

Massillon Railroad Club, located in the lower level of the First United Methodist Church, will have O-gauge trains running—many depicting lines that ran through Massillon.  Find the entrance at the back of the church on Third Street SE.

The CHARM neighborhood association will light 900 luminaries along the bricks of historic Fourth Street, leading to the Five Oaks mansion, where Massillon Heritage Foundation and Massillon Woman’s Club members will offer refreshments and live music amidst the mansion’s stunning architecture and lush holiday decorations. 

Festival of Music and Candlelighting Ceremony

The evening finale will be held at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, where organ holiday selections performed by Mark Thewes will fill the sanctuary before the 7:45 program, which will include the ceremonial community candlelighting and music by the Washington High School choir and Washingtonians directed by Kelli Riley; the combined St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s, and St. Barbara's choirs directed by Park Thewes;  and the young Sixteenth Street Singers under the direction of Julie Dewald. 

Additional Churches

Prior to the Community Candlelight Walk (4:00 to 5:00 pm), Grace United Church of Christ will present music by the Tuslaw and Northwest high school show choirs. Massillon Connections Church will present a brief puppet play several times during the walk.

Committee

Loren Veigel, Kathy Shultz, Rick and Patty Dalsky, Nancy Jobe, Marsha Knouff, Debbie Busby, and Margy Vogt organize the event.

History

Since 1984, contributions by an individual or organization to the well-being of the community have been recognized by honoring them as the year’s community candlelighting honoree. In 2001, Loren Veigel introduced the concept of adding a church walk, which has attracted at least 2000 guests each year.

Sponsors

Aqua Ohio, Visit Canton, Massillon Eagles #190, Home Appliance, Farmers National Bank, Paquelet Funeral Home, CHARM, Matt and Ellie Hull, Massillon WestStark  Chamber of Commerce, Buehler’s Fresh Foods, and BJ’s.

Event Itinerary

Pre-Walk Concert - 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Grace United Church of Christ • 933 Main Avenue West

Historic Churches - 5:00–7:30 • Music & Architecture

St. John’s United Church of Christ • 101 Tremont Avenue SE
St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church • 226 Third Street SE
St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church • 364 First Street SE
First United Methodist Church • 301 Lincoln Way East
St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church • 322 Third Street SE
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church • 27 Fourth Street NE
Central Presbyterian Church • 47 Second Street NE
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church • 127 Cherry Road NE
St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church • 206 Cherry Road NE

Official Refreshment & Warming Station - 5:00–7:30 - Free Cookies, Cocoa, Coffee & Music

Massillon Museum • 121 Lincoln Way East

Participating Venues - 5:00–7:30 - Holiday Treasures

Massillon Railroad Club • 301 Lincoln Way East—Model Trains!
Massillon Public Library • 208 Lincoln Way East—Carolers
Five Oaks/Massillon Woman’s Club • 210 Fourth Street NE—Holiday Splendor
Historic Fourth Street • Brick Street Lined with Luminarias
Lions Lincoln Theatre • 156 Lincoln Way East 
Massillon Connections Church • 308 Erie Street South—Puppet Show

Festival of Music & Candlelighting Ceremony - 7:45–9:00 p.m.

St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church • 206 Cherry Road NE