A sign of the season
MORGANTON — Parish volunteers braved the rain and cold to gather outside St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton to cut boughs from 11 Christmas trees on Dec. 1, part of a 32-year-old Advent tradition. They carried the branches inside, where a team climbed up and down ladders as they arranged the branches into a beautiful Advent wreath like no other in the region.
The massive Advent wreath hangs suspended over the nave. The thick green branches of North Carolina-grown Fraser fir trees cover an 11-foot PVC frame built by a parishioner.
The wreath is suspended by wires about 14 feet over the pews.
When the tradition first started at the parish, some people were afraid to sit under the wreath, but they quickly discovered it was safe, noted Deacon John Martino, who regularly takes part in organizing the setup.
After the branches were arranged, the volunteers secured battery-powered candles among the greenery. Pink and purple ribbons and other floral touches came later.
In the early years of the project, it took about six hours to put the wreath together, but now volunteers have it down to a science. This year’s assembly took about 90 minutes.
When the wreath was complete, the scent of fresh evergreens filled the air inside the church.
Father Ken Whittington, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, came up with the idea for the big wreath 32 years ago as a way to usher in the Advent season and build community. Since then, the special wreath has become a tradition at the parish, beloved by parishioners and attracting visitors from around the community as well.
“When I first walked in the church shortly after I started here, I saw the high open ceilings and I saw a vision of a big Advent wreath hanging from it,” Father Whittington said. “The idea was a little out there, but the parish embraced it.”
The only time the wreath hasn’t been built in 32 years was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and many people missed it terribly, Father Whittington said.
Antonio Diego, his wife Angelina Pedro and their three sons have made building the wreath a part of their holiday celebrations for the past 15 years.
“This is something special we do for the holiday together,” Diego said. “We do this and we help to put together the Nativity scene for the Church. It’s a special way to celebrate the season.”
Father Whittington said the wreath is not only a unique way to celebrate the season – it is also a reminder of the importance of preparing for Christ’s birth. “This wreath defines Advent for many people here,” he said. “Advent is hard to celebrate these days because of the secular tone of the season in today’s world, and this really helps to bring it into focus.”
Armando Estrada has been a member of the parish for only a few months, but he was drawn to help with the wreath as soon as he heard about it.
“I have been to several different churches, and I have never seen anything like this,” he said. “The size of this wreath makes it so unique. I like helping the church and my community, and this is going to be a new tradition for me.”
After Advent, volunteers will redecorate the wreath for the Christmas season with ribbons, lights and flowers.
“When you think of all the hands involved in putting this together, this wreath becomes a true symbol of the unity of this church,” Deacon Martino said. “It is one beautiful wreath that represents the entire church family and takes on the spirit of the parish.”
— Christina Lee Knauss
