Starkville Area Churches Put On 2nd Annual “Starkfilled Christmas”

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Sections of Main Street in downtown Starkville were closed off this afternoon as several local churches gathered for their 2nd annual “Starkfilled Christmas.”

Members of area churches as well as community members gathered to serve hot chocolate , cookies, and sing classic Christmas songs in front of City Hall.

The event featured a welcoming address from Starkville Mayor, Lynn Spruill, as well as a scripture reading and a live choir and brass band.

Starkville’s area churches have been putting on “A Starkfilled Christmas” in an effort to bring the community together.

“We live together, we go to school together, we live in the same neighborhoods, I mean we work together so why not just fellowship together,” says First Baptist Church member Barbara Patrick. 

For some community members, it’s a way put aside differences and see past social barriers.

“A sense of community and pride and bringing people of all cultures together and all backgrounds together to share in the Christmas story and Christmas spirit here in downtown Starkville,” says First United Methodist Church Music Director Peter Infanger.

For others, it’s a good study break.

“I’ve been studying all day for exams, so when I heard about this at FBC Starkville I was just like, I have to go! It’s going to brighten my finals week,” says First Baptist Church member Kacy Burroughs. 

“I was feeling a little bit festive today, It’s a little bit cold but it’s Christmas time and I heard there’s a tree lighting, ” says First Baptist Church member Gibbs Bedenbaugh.

Church members say the goal is to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas.

“I hope they walk away with the love of Jesus Christ and exactly what Christmas is all about and most of all to have love and joy and peace in your heart,” says Patrick.

Despite the less than favorable weather, community members showed up in droves to help usher in the Holiday season.

“It just kind of spreads the Christmas joy and just kind of gets everyone in the mood for the Christmas season,” says Burroughs. 

“It’s nice to like show unity and have a couple churches come together to make this happen and it’s always good for the community to have something like that,” says Bedenbaugh.

The event wrapped up with a live nativity scene at The First United Methodist Church of Starkville.