The Annual Christmas Carol Service, sung by the Harvard University Choir, is America’s oldest carol service. It is free and open to the public. Doors will open an hour before the event. Tickets are not being issued for the services this year. The Sunday afternoon service will also be broadcast live on WHRB 95.3 FM. The Tuesday evening service will be streamed live on our YouTube Channel. A voluntary collection will be held following each service to benefit the Memorial Church Grants Committee.
History: In 1910, the newly appointed University and Choirmaster, Archibald T. Davison, and Plummer Professor of Christian Morals, Edward C. Moore, devised the first annual Christmas Carol Service for Harvard University. The liturgy they prepared has remained virtually unchanged since: three lessons from scripture, interspersed with choral and congregational carols, beginning with “Adeste, fideles” sung in Latin. Over a century later, this service remains a cherished part of the festive season for the Harvard and Cambridge communities.