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Chrismons at Gibsonville United Methodist Church

To decorate her church’s Christmas tree in Danville, Virginia, Frances Kipps Spencer, in the early 1960’s, began making decorations that symbolized Christ’s life on earth. The decorations were named Chrismons, derived from two words, Christ and monogram. She gave all rights to the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, Danville, Virginia, and they own the Trade Mark and the Copyrights. But, during her life, she shared her talents by teaching others to make these beautiful ornaments. This tradition has been adopted and enjoyed by churches all over the world. In 1972, Mrs. Catherine Page, wife of the Rev. Charles E. Page, who was serving at Gibsonville United Methodist Church, became interested in Chrismons after seeing them in a local Burlington church. Her enthusiasm was shared by the ladies of the church and Betsy Greeson became the coordinator, buying supplies, books, making patterns and soliciting the talents and time of those ladies who could help make the decorations.

Imagine, if you will, the ladies, on many occasions in 1972 and 1973, gathered around tables in the church’s fellowship hall, pouring over literature learning the meaning of each ornament, sorting out beads and pearls of all sizes and shapes, puzzling over complicated patterns and instructions, with determination to create these beautiful symbols. Their talents, love and patience created Chrismons that are still being used and admired each Christmas. As you look at the tree this coming Christmas, may these symbols continually remind you of God’s greatest gift to us all, Jesus Christ. And as you consider the complexity of some, the simplicity of others, remember Lois Hughes who made so many because she loved to work with beads; remember Catherine Page who very painstakingly made the large crown, Betsy Greeson as she made the lamb, Irma Walker as she shaped a fish, Myrtle Huffman as she artistically made the grapes and wheat, Gladys Clingenpeel, Maude Johnson, Clara Randolph, Gertrude Wharton, Harue Overman, Margaret Dennis, Gladys May, Opal Ozment, Genevieve Burgess, Juanita Henry, Hazel Flynn, Margie Hopkins, Murrell Cook, Barbara Ingle and Minneola Randolph as they created crosses, stars, cornerstones, shells, doves and other symbols of their choosing. Bea and Charlie Whitesell sat around their kitchen table and created the beautiful crown of gold beads although Bea was almost blind. Her enthusiasm and pride was so contagious, as well as inspiring. A very talented gentleman in the church, Ed Cook, created the snakes, because the ladies “just didn’t want to work on those”. The youth group was involved, remembering Jonie James and Howard Greeson as they cut their patterns from Styrofoam and decorated them with care. The effort was supported by all of the ladies of the church in one way or another and was remembered as a wonderful fellowship. A special thanks to each. How proud they all must have been when the tiny white lights were lit on the Chrismon Trees for the first time in 1973! The evergreen trees symbolizing the eternal life in Christ, with symbols of His life on earth, and lights pointing to Christ as the Light of the world have been a part of the church’s celebration each year since.

Mattie Bales
March 31, 2007

Below is one of the many beautiful Chrismons that Mattie Bales made to adorn the Chrismon trees at the Gibsonville United Methodist Church .

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Last modified: July 31, 2009