By CATHERINE LEGG / Community Columnist

Celebrate the holidays with the Christmas Open House Tour on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 1-5 p.m., sponsored by Spring Creek Cumberland Presbyterian Church. You’ll be welcomed into their church and into five different homes, all beautifully decorated for the holidays.

The tour is designed so that you can follow the schedule or make your own route, starting at the church and making your way from home to home at your leisure.

The church was organized in 1872, and the current sanctuary was completed in 1975. It beautifully blends into its natural surroundings above the sparkling Spring Creek as though it has been there forever. You are invited for refreshments as you enjoy the decorations of fresh greenery, candles, hurricane lamps, a Chrismon tree and a traditional Christmas tree.

All of the homes on the tour will be decorated with live greenery and a variety of the time-honored embellishments, but they will also have special features that make each unique.

James and Kathryn Keeton’s home is a renovated farmhouse built in 1866 by Civil War soldier James Alexander for his new bride. He was the great-great uncle of James Keeton and was related to the local Ingram family. For the tour, the home will feature special handcrafted decorations.

The 1963 home of E.G. and Jo Ina Alexander is a ranch-style house built on land that has served as the Alexander home place for more than 70 years. A religious Christmas theme using whimsical decorations will grace the home for the holidays.

The 1970 home of James and Beverly Leach is unique with its barn-style roof and an unusual round chimney. It, and the old country house located on the grounds, will feature many trees of various sizes dressed with handmade ornaments, primitives and collectibles dating back to 1907.

Sherwood and Beverly Stamps will greet you at the door of their 1825 Antebellum home filled with period antiques. Throughout the home are also hand-painted murals by Beverly and her painting partners. Outdoors, you’ll find a brick herb garden modeled after one dating from the early 1800s.

The last stop on the tour will be the Arledge Home,a 100-year-old Greek Revival renovated by Joe and Betty Arledge and furnished with antiques. The home features handmade, old English and Colonial Williamsburg décor. Arledge Antiques, located on the property, will be filled with a variety of furniture, silver, crystal, old handmade Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree adorned with china teacups.

Tickets to the holiday tour can be purchased for $10 at Cedar Creek Nursery, Arledge Antiques or at the door on the day of the event. For information, call Beverley Leach 665-7405.

 

Catherine Legg can be reached at clegg2@bellsouth.net.