Church Farm Celebrates 100th Christmas Pageant

“It was said that people had been growing less careful of their gifts for the Christ-child, and that no offering was brought great enough to deserve the music of the chimes.”  

- Why the Chimes Rang, 1919, Raymond MacDonald Alden

These words set the stage for a story that has been part of the Church Farm School Christmas tradition for 99 years. A beautiful Christmas Festival where people come from near and far in the hopes of making the long-dormant chimes ring once again by placing an especially pleasing gift at the altar. Kings, queens, authors, misers, knights and more vie for the renown that the chimes will bring them.

Yet, in the spirit of Christmas, it is in fact the humblest and most sincere gift – a gift of two young boys – that most represents the true meaning of the season.

Pageant, as it is commonly known at Church Farm, has been performed every year at the all-boys boarding school since 1924 (with a documentary released in 2020). Students act out the parts in pantomime wearing ornate period dress, with guests to the annual production serving as congregants – reading the prayers and singing along to the seasonal organ and choral music.

This year will be the 100th anniversary of “Why the Chimes Rang” at Church Farm. Won’t you join us to become a part of this beautiful tradition?
 
Friday, December 12
8:00 PM
Chapel of the Atonement
Church Farm School
Exton, PA

Saturday, December 13
3:00 PM
Church of Saint Asaph
Bala Cynwyd, PA

Sunday, December 14
3:00 PM
Chapel of the Atonement
Church Farm School
Exton, PA

 
Back
Church Farm School | 1001 E. Lincoln Hwy. | Exton, Pennsylvania 19341
Phone: 610.363.7500 | Fax: 610.363.5367 | Admissions: [email protected]

Privacy Policy
The Church Farm School is an independent boarding and day school for boys in grades 9-12 located in Exton, PA. Founded in 1918 to provide an excellent education to young men from limited means, Church Farm School now serves boys from a range of socio-economic circumstances who are seeking an extraordinary educational opportunity. The school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum and an exceptional level of personal attention, with class sizes averaging between just 7 and 12 students.