Come celebrate an old-fashioned Christmas at the Auld Kirk Heritage Site in Bradford West Gwillimbury’s Scotch Settlement, 3380 Line 6 west of 10 Sideroad.
The BWG Local History Association and St. John’s Presbyterian Church are partnering to present an afternoon of song and reading of the Christmas Story, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.
St. John's choir members will be on hand to lead the hymns and carolling, and Reverend Dan Scott will read the Christmas Story, and share reflections and a prayer.
There will be warm drinks, Christmas cookies, and a Christmas tree decorated with old-fashioned decorations, in this celebration of the season.
The event is free, but donations are welcomed - and there will be a basket set up to collect donations for a special gift drive organized by the Bond Head Women’s Institute. The Bond Head WI plans to put together gifts for the men and women living at The LOFT in Bradford, a facility that assists seniors at risk of homelessness.
The group will welcome donations of warm socks, mitts, gloves, hats and scarves, and toiletries like shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Donations can be dropped off at the Auld Kirk on Dec. 8, or at The Bradford Print Shoppe.
The Auld Kirk was founded by settlers from the Highlands of Scotland, who came to Upper Canada from Lord Selkirk’s Red River Colony in what is now Manitoba, after facing disease, poor harvests, harsh winters and violence. They settled in the newly-surveyed West Gwillimbury Township, in an area that became known as the Scotch Settlement, in 1819.
The community is welcome to attend Christmas at the Auld Kirk, and celebrate 200 years of heritage.
