18th-century Christmas in Brownsville
Christ Church Anglican will host an 18th-century Christmas service in the tradition of Brownsville’s early settlers, including a historically accurate impersonation of the prominent Bowman family.
The solemn, meditative service is taken from the 1789 prayer book of the Anglican church. The one-hour service begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 and will feature the Kovscek family of Brownsville and the Rev. Norman Erb-White. They all will be dressed in period attire.
The 155-year-old church at 319 Church St. in Brownsville seats 200. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
“Everyone had such a good time last year, and we had such positive feedback that we wanted to do it again. We want to make this an annual event,” said Mark Kovscek, who serves as senior warden of the Brownsville church.
Nearly 100 people attended last year’s service.
Kovscek frequently appears at area events as Jacob Bowman, whose prosperous trading post grew into the 22-room Bowman Castle, now known as Nemacolin Castle. In portraying the early settler, Kovscek will provide a prelude to detail the church’s history, architecture, liturgy and decorations.
Kovscek’s wife, Heidi, will play Isabel Bowman, the Irish wife of the prominent businessman. Portraying the Bowman children are Hannah, 18, as Mary Sterling; Olivia, 16, as Annie Elliott; Emma, 14, as Harriet Elizabeth; Nathanael, 12, as James L.; Ava, 8, as Matilda; and Gloria, 4, as Louisa. Coincidentally, all but two of their ages match those of the Bowman children in 1805.
“As a church, we are always looking for ways to engage the community in a meaningful way,” Kovscek said. “Through this service, we can create a memorable celebration of the Christmas season while sharing the history of our church.”
Among the musical offerings will be “The Holly and The Ivy” and “Angel Gabriel,” which will be performed by Hannah, Olivia, Emma and Nathanael. Also, the congregation will be led in singing
After the service, the “Bowman family” will perform Christmas carols at Nemacolin Castle as an added attraction for Brownsville Historical Society’s candlelight tours. The guided tours are held from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 28, except Dec. 26. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and younger.