Christmas Carol Service

In 1925, the first Christmas Carol Service was held by the college’s women students in Trowbridge Hall who, dressed in white and carrying candles, led a processional followed by singing of traditional carols. Four years later, the Women’s League was founded and it took over the service. In 1932, the service was held in the newly built Stetson Chapel. By 1940, a “Spirit of Christmas” and a “Reader” (or “Narrator”) were selected for each service and a chocolate hour was held after the service. This format continued through 1969. By 1971, the campus societies, which had led many campus social activities, were dissolved and the sponsorship of the Carol Service shifted to Student Services and the College Singers. The carol service no longer included a “Spirit of Christmas” or a “Reader” but the tradition of holding a chocolate hour after the service continued. The last of the traditional Christmas Carol Services was held in 1987.