Watch Night Service

Watch Night Service

December 31The custom of holding a "Watch Night" service on New Year's Eve was started in America by St. George's Methodist Church in Philadelphia in 1770. The custom has since been adopted by a number of denominations throughout the country. Methodists, Presbyterians, and others gather in their churches on the night of December 31. A five-minute period of silence is observed right before midnight, when a hymn of praise is sung.
Sometimes New Year's Eve is referred to as Watch Night, a time for people to gather and celebrate as they see the old year out and the new year in.
CONTACTS:
St. George's Methodist Church and Methodist Museum
235 N. 4th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-925-7788; fax: 215-925-7788
www.historicstgeorges.org
SOURCES:
AAH-2007, pp. 413, 416
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 325
DictDays-1988, p. 129
EncyChristmas-2003, p. 803
HolSymbols-2009, p. 1036
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