There is a Christmas miracle that transforms the old Christian Church at Benton once a year.

One night, early in December, Benton, population of about thirty-three, swells to four or five hundred, as the warm glow of Christmas lights draws the people to the old church building.

It's the annual Christmas Party of the Jack MOORE family. The guests are greeted by Jack and Vera and a huge, shining Christmas tree fills one end of the church. There are Christmas decorations along the walls and lighted Creche Scene on the raised altar area.

One wall houses the tables of candies and punch to feed the guests, invited especially by the MOORES _____ of their friends from earlier years. The highlight of the evening is the visit of Santa Claus, who comes to talk with each child and hands out bags of treats.

The Christmas tradition started back in 1970 when the MOORES bought the old Christian church. They had a family of six that was growing, as the kids had grown older and married. The MOORES decided to have a family Christmas at the old church that first year. When the MOORE'S oldest son, Charles, was killed in an automobile accident before the next Christmas, the family affair at the church became even more special. From there, the gathering has grown and grown and grown.

The tree has to be specially chosen so that there is enough give in the limbs to be bent through the door. Decorating the huge tree, once it is inside, is another day's work for the MOORE family, as there are over seven hundred lights and a host of decorations.

Vera doesn't even try to guess how many cookies are baked or bought. Like the tree trimming, arranging refreshments is a family affair, too, with the various family members responsible for cookies. Helping each year ar their children: Cheryl and her husband, Dave STUCK, of Grand River; Jeanette and her husband, Dan LUTRICK, of Mount Ayr; Susan and her husband, Larry KARAS, of Indianola; Jay and his wife, Kim of Oskaloosa; and Beverly. And, of course, the eleven grandchildren do their part as well.

So, if all goes well next year, there will be a Christmas Party at Benton and Christmas Joy another year.

NOTE: Lee Stanley WEEHLER was born on May 19, 1918, and died on May 17, 2009. Lee married Norma BICKEL on November 25, 1940. Lee was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.

SOURCE: 1887 - Benton, Iowa Centennial - 1987. p. 201. Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library, Mount Ayr IA

Transcriptions and notes by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012

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