HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The annual Hope College Christmas Vespers services is Saturday and Sunday December 2nd and 3rd at historic Dimnent Memorial Chapel.
The program of Christmas carols and anthems is presented by the college’s Department of Music and features more than 200 performers in historic Dimnent Memorial Chapel. The services feature a variety of Hope instrumental and vocal groups as well as the college’s historic Skinner organ.
James De Boer is Adjunct Associate Professor of Music says Christmas Vespers was first held on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941. The timing, Pearl Harbor Day, was coincidental, with the program having been planned earlier in the semester.
“In fact there was even a discussion whether or not to have that service that day and they went ahead with great solemnity of course. It’s been a tradition for 76 years now. 5,000 people come over four days to Dimnent Chapel to experience a worship service with the Christmas Vespers, like none other. It features our music department, mostly our choir, our orchestra and then a number of variety of instruments.”
Christmas Vespers will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Tickets are $10 each, with a limit of four per person, but will not be sold at the services. The Events and Conferences Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office can be called at (616) 395-7890.
