By Sarah Normand, Bronxville Christmas Pageant Committee
Dec. 14, 2016: The annual Bronxville Christmas Pageant, first performed 102 years ago in 1914, will be held on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 5:30 pm on the hillside of The Reformed Church of Bronxville on Pondfield Road.
A community tradition for over a century, the pageant brings together parishioners and clergy from seven Bronxville churches, residents, and visitors to celebrate the living Nativity.
The pageant features readings by local clergy, carols led by Bronxville native Dale Walker and accompanied by a brass quartet, an "invisible choir," and tower bells.
Villagers of all ages delight as Mary rides in on a live donkey, accompanied by Joseph and the manger angel, to settle in with the manger surrounded by live sheep.
There are shepherds, wise men, angels on high, and even a majestic camel. After the last bars of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" fade away, children are invited to run up the hill to meet the Holy Family and pet the animals.
The pageant is funded entirely by donations. Contributions may be sent to Bronxville Christmas Pageant, PO Box 397, Bronxville, NY 10708. You may also donate online via the Reformed Church website at http://www.reformedchurch.org/new-page-3/.
Pictured here: Angels from 2013 Christmas pageant.
Photo by Melinda Burge
Bronxville is a quaint village (one square mile) located just 16 miles north of midtown Manhattan (roughly 30 minutes on the train) and has a population of approximately 6,500. It is known as a premier community with an excellent public school (K-12) and easy access to Manhattan. Bronxville offers many amenities including an attractive business district, a hospital (Lawrence Hospital), public paddle and tennis courts, fine dining at local restaurants, two private country clubs and a community library.
While the earliest settlers of Bronxville date back to the first half of the 18th century, the history of the modern suburb of Bronxville began in 1890 when William Van Duzer Lawrence purchased a farm and commissioned the architect, William A. Bates, to design a planned community of houses for well-known artists and professionals that became a thriving art colony. This community, now called Lawrence Park, is listed on the National register of Historic Places and many of the homes still have artists’ studios. A neighborhood association within Lawrence Park called “The Hilltop Association” keeps this heritage alive with art shows and other events for neighbors.
Bronxville offers many charming neighborhoods as well as a variety of living options for residents including single family homes, town houses, cooperatives and condominiums. One of the chief benefits of living in “the village” is that your children can attend the Bronxville School.
The Bronxville postal zone (10708, known as “Bronxville PO”) includes the village of Bronxville as well as the Chester Heights section of Eastchester, parts of Tuckahoe and the Lawrence Park West, Cedar Knolls, Armour Villa and Longvale sections of Yonkers. Many of these areas have their own distinct character. For instance, the Armour Villa section has many historic homes and even has its own newsletter called “The Villa Voice” which reports on neighborhood news.
Link to Village of Bronxville One Square Mile Monthly Newsletter
Village of Bronxville Administrative Offices
337-6500
Open 9:00am - 4pm excluding holidays and weekends
Bronxville Police Department
337-0500
Open 24 hours
Bronxville Parking Violations
337-2024
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Bronxville Fire Deparment
793-6400