This season will be the 50th anniversary of our beloved Christmas Pageant. The first St. Michael’s Christmas Pageant was held at 5:00 pm on Christmas Eve, 1961, at the instigation of the new rector, the Rev. Richard Fell. He asked the volunteer Director of the Sunday School, Jane Thornhill, to direct it. Only children with perfect attendance were allowed to be in the pageant. There was a speaking angel in the pulpit, and the rest of the children came down the aisle and stood in the chancel.

For the first two years of the pageant, the costumes were borrowed from First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, thanks to the assistance of Mrs. John Belk Daughtridge. Her two children are now members of St. Michael’s. In 1963, however, First Scots changed the timing of their pageant, so we could not borrow their costumes anymore. The ladies of the church swung into action. There was a gathering at Mrs. Jules Deas home to make angel wings. Miss Georgiana Grimball made the three crowns for the Magi. Other church members made costumes for the shepherds, angels and other pageant characters. Jane Thornhill served as the model so the costumes could fit any small person. The manger was built by Van Noy Thornhill and Warren Ripley. Jane’s daughter, Jane, also contributed to the effort, allowing her doll to play the role of the baby Jesus. Jane Thornhill directed the pageant for five years. In 2009, she played the role of the inn-keeper. In 2010, her daughter, Jane Thornhill Schachte, then played that same part.
~ Trish McGuinn