Vespers and Candlelight Walk
A magical kickoff to the 2024 CHA Holiday Weekend
Join us on Friday, December 6 at 6:45pm at St. Patrick Church or 7:00 pm at St. John’s Church for a community Vespers service, followed by our family-friendly Candlelight Walk. The Candlelight Walk, led by The Greater Richmond Pipes & Drums, will begin from Jefferson Park at 7:30pm, make a stop at St. John’s Church to pick up those who attended the Vespers services, then proceed to Libby Hill Park through Church Hill’s historic gas-lit streets. Upon arrival around 8pm at Libby Hill Park, there will be caroling, live music, and incredible food and beverage vendors like Khushbu, Pi’s Coffee, and hot chocolate from Ry Valley Coffee.
Remember to bring your own candle (or pick one up along the way). As always, this event is free, open to all, and takes place regardless of weather (keep an umbrella handy!).
Sponsored by Benjamin French
Vespers, a musical service of thanksgiving at Historic St. John’s Church, 2401 East Broad Street, starts the event (this year, St. Patrick Church—just across 25th St. from St. John’s—will also be holding a Vespers service at 6:45pm). Dating to 1741, the St. John’s Church building was the largest structure in the city for many years. In 1775, 120 delegates to the Second Virginia Convention chose Richmond to meet, to escape from the prying eyes of the Capitol of Virginia at Williamsburg. St. John’s church was the largest building in Richmond at that time. Among those serving in the Second Continental Congress were George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. The legislature was divided on the question of secession from the Crown. It was Patrick Henry’s powerful speech which included the lines: “I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death” that united the congress.
Patrick Henry’s speech lit the spark of the American Revolution, by uniting the Congress on the question of sending Virginian Troops to join the American Revolution.
We start the Holiday Weekend on Church Hill in a reflective service of gratitude for our blessings in the space that saw our country’s turning point in our path to freedom.
At the close of the thirty minute Vespers services, the church participants pick up their candles and meet neighbors and friends who have gathered, with candles or lanterns, at the Jefferson Park fountain with the Richmond Pipes and Drum Corps by 7:30pm. They proceed and arrive at Patrick Henry Park by 7:45pm.
The Richmond Pipe and Drum Bagpipe band leads the parade through historic gaslit streets to Libby Hill Park. The parade stops at the stone that honors Thomas “Mongo” McMahon, the beloved neighborhood police officer who died protecting our neighborhood.
The parade continues around Libby Hill Park, overlooking the illuminated downtown lights, and ends at the viewshed, where Richmond was named by William Byrd in 1742.
Caroling and Santa
Parade-goers then head toward the park house, where they’ll be led in holiday caroling by a live musician. Food vendors will be ready to serve, and Santa will pay a special visit for children of all ages.
