Above: St. Mark’s School students participating in a past “Lessons and Carols”. The annual tradition continues this Sunday. (2022 images cropped from St. Mark’s smug mug photos by Adam Richens)
St. Mark’s School asked me to extend their annual invitation to the public to join their religious celebration of the season a week from Sunday.
The Service of Nine Lessons & Carols traditionally takes place in Belmont Chapel each year.
This year, it will take place on Sunday, December 15 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm.
In a prior year, the school explained:
The Festival of Lessons & Carols is a service that date backs to 1880 in the Anglican communion, and it became a fixture in the Episcopal Church in the early 20th century. At St. Mark’s, a service of Lessons & Carols was first presented seventy years ago, and the tradition continues to this day.
The service includes readings by St. Mark’s School students and community members. And of course, there is singing.
The St. Mark’s Choir, directed by David Fontes (St. Mark’s Director of Music and Arts Department Chair) sings new and traditional Christmas anthems and lead caroling by the congregation.
Below are photos from a service two years ago (from SmugMug by Adam Richens):
Belmont Chapel is off the main entrance of the school, 25 Marlboro Road. (Click here for campus map.) Follow signs to visitor parking. All are welcome.
St. Mark’s also is sharing a live stream link to enjoy the experience virtually here.
Updated (12/8/24 5:57 pm): I had incorrectly included the former, now retired Music Director. James Wallace has been replaced by David Fontes, and added the live stream link.
