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Article: 'Star of wonder, star of night'; City church's gaslit star illumines and inspires for 148th time tonight
- Article from:
- Intelligencer Journal Lancaster, PA
- Article date:
- December 24, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2002 Intelligencer Journal Lancaster, PA. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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O star of wonder, star of nightStar with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,Guide us to Thy perfect light.
These words from John H. Hopkins Jr.'s Christmas hymn "We Three
Kings" mirrors the mystique of another star -- the cast-iron gas star
suspended 19 feet above the chancel at First Reformed Church, United
Church of Christ.
It is lit only at Christmastime. It will be lighted tonight at 7
for the 148th consecutive year for the church's Christmas candlelight
service of lessons and carols.
Church historian Colin Williams believes the gaslit star was
installed in 1851, when the present brick church was built. (The