(May 21, 2026) Recently, some of our PCC members were combing through the Archive Room, retrieving what needs to be preserved, and they found a document that tells a story that most of us have never heard: the story of the blue 12-pointed Moravian Star that hangs above the sanctuary.
Even long-time members believed for decades that the star was made of glass and the tips were metal. Neither is true.
The archives document tells this story:
The star measures seven feet from point to point and weighs 60 pounds. It is suspended by a stainless steel cable which carries the electrical wiring.
John Lewis, PCC Choir director, suggested the star’s design. With no plans are drawings, Choir Member Ray Fahrenbruch began the project of beveling and carefully fitting together 12 points. The five sides of each point are blue lucite with aluminum strips covering the long sides and soldered into a brass center. The tips are wooden. It took six weeks to finish.
A memorial gift from Mrs. Walter R. Noyes, the star was first used in the 1960 Starlight Musicale.
In the years that passed, the star remained unlit until Christmas Eve, when, during “Silent Night,” the light would come on.
Some Moravian Stars have 28 points, others have 32, 40 or ten. The Moravian Church teaches:
…the star reminds us of God, who caused the light to shine out of darkness and of the light which is the life of humanity. It reminds us of the promise of Abraham that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars; we are reminded of the star that pointed to the “great and heavenly light from Bethlehem’s manger shining bright.” The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. This is the message of the Advent star, which also points to Jesus, who said, “I am the bright and Morning Star.” It is the star of promise, the star of fulfillment, and the star of hope.
Traditionally, the star is hung the first Sunday of Advent and remains up until Epiphany, January 6, or the time of the coming of the Magi. Of course, our star remained in place year-round.
The Recovery and Reuse Committee is planning to lower the Star soon, but no decision has been made about what to do with it now that we know it is not made of glass. Still, it holds a place in the memory of every child who, for the last sixty years, waited for it to light up on Christmas Eve.
pccforward.org 