Historic Decatur's Christmas Tour of Homes

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350 Market St. NE, Decatur, AL 35601

Historic Decatur's Christmas Tour of Homes

Lillie Beth Warner • December 8, 2022

Dashing through Decatur is the Historic Christmas Tour of Homes! Visit the beautiful and historic buildings that help bring Decatur to life during the Christmas season.

Lights, garland, wreaths, and more is what you can expect from this Christmas décor Tour! The Historic Decatur Association's Christmas Tour of Homes showcases the style and architecture of both historic housing districts in Decatur. The tour includes stops in Albany and Old Decatur where you can tour the homes of residents while also learning tips on how to decorate your own home for the holidays! The tour will start at 3:00 PM on Saturday, December 12th and last until 8:00 PM. The tour itself includes thirteen locations, there will also be opportunities for carriage rides and carol singing by the Bank Street Players. Make sure to stop by the headquarters of the tour at the Old State Bank to try some food at the delicious food trucks. Also, the big man himself, Santa Claus will be in attendance as well between the hours of 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM.

Learn more about what is included on the tour below:

Albany Homes

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THE CRAWFORD-GILL HOUSE
804 Jackson Street, SE
Circa 1913

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THE GRAY-WILEY HOUSE
1038 Jackson Street, SE
Circa 1927

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THE PAPENBURG HOUSE
425 Sherman Street, SE
Circa 1920

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There are three stops in the Albany Historic Housing District on the tour. Decatur's Albany District once known as New Decatur, is located on the Southeast side of the city. Before the two Decaturs merged together Albany was considered its own city. Once the two combined into the one city of Decatur, the city grew largely, but you can spot the differences between the two areas by the makeup of the housing districts. The Albany neighborhood is full of gorgeous Victorian homes, and quaint bungalows. The street names remain original to the area and are named after Civil War generals. Some streets you may pass will be: Sherman St., Jackson St., Grant St., Johnston St., Gordon Dr., and Moulton St. The three locations on the Christmas Tour of Homes are: The Crawford-Gill House (Circa 1913), the Gray- Wiley House (Circa 1927), and the Papenburg House (Circa 1920). Each home on the tour has an incredible history and is decorated beautifully. The Albany houses will be open for the tour from 3:00 PM- 8:00 PM.

Old Decatur Homes

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THE BLACK HOUSE
404 Canal Street, NE
Circa 1913

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THE KNIGHT-IRWIN HOUSE
501 Walnut Street, NE
Circa 1908

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THE LYONS HOUSE
703 Ferry Street, NE
Circa 1915

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There are three more stops in the Historic Old Decatur Housing District. The Old Decatur housing district was one of the original housing districts of the city of Decatur. This housing district is the location of many stunning homes dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. The homes are filled with history and character like no other. The three locations on the Old Decatur portion of the tour are the Black House (Circa 1913), the Knight-Irwin House (Circa 1908), and the Lyons House (Circa 1915). Make sure to take a stroll around the neighborhood to see some incredible vintage homes.

Churches

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FIRST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
233 Vine Street, SW
Old Town
1921

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ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
202 Gordon Drive, SE
1893

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VINTAGE FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH
401 Sherman Street, SE
Circa 1900

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WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
801 Jackson Street, SE
Holiday Market and Bells
Circa 1900

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A special part of the Christmas Tour of Homes is that it also includes some local historic churches in the area! There will be four churches on the located on the tour that will be open between the hours of 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

The four churches are:

First Missionary Baptist Church will be open from 3:00-6:00 PM. This location will have a live presentation of the church's history named "Our First Baptist: Through the Years" (presentations will be at 3:15 PM, 4:15 PM, and 5:15 PM).
Westminster Presbyterian Church will be open from 2:00-8:00 PM and include a Holiday Market and performance by the Bells Choir.
Vintage Faith Church will be open from 3:00- 8:00 PM.
St. Johns Episcopal Church will be open from 3:00- 8:00 PM.

Historical Sites

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CARNEGIE VISUAL ARTS CENTER
207 Church Street, NE
1904

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HISTORIC DEPOT and RAILROAD MUSEUM
701 Railroad Street, NW
1905

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OLD STATE BANK
925 Bank Street, SE
Headquarters
1833

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The Christmas Tour wouldn't be complete without stopping at some of Decatur's historic landmark sites! There are some amazing places to visit in Decatur and these places are at the top of the list!

The Old State Bank will be decorated for Christmas and will serve as the headquarters for the Christmas Tour of Homes. At this location, you can take a tour of the oldest standing bank in Alabama. You can also view the Enchanted Forest located just outside of the bank. This picturesque building is the perfect backdrop to any holiday photo and has many stories that it has collected within its walls over the years. The Old State Bank will also be the location for food trucks, caroling, and carriage rides.

The Carnegie Visual Arts Center will serve as the secondary headquarters for the Christmas Tour of Homes! "The Carnegie" was once the city of Decatur's library, which now has been reimagined as an arts center for the community. You can view a wonderful art exhibit along the tour. The current art exhibit in the gallery at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center is Sophie McVicar's "Symbols of Transformation."

Last but certainly not least is the Historic Train Depot and Railroad Museum! This beautiful building is home to a free museum that centers around the history of the Depot and the trains that would stop there. A very special part about the museum is that it includes model trains. These model trains are incredibly detailed and are truly spectacular to see in person. The Train Depot will be open for tours along with a holiday special viewing of the magnificent Christmas Model Train display!

How to get tickets?

Tickets will be for sale in advance at local businesses throughout the week: Bank Street Antiques, Carnegie Visual Arts Center, Decatur Morgan County Tourism, Jimmy Smith Jewelers, Miss Muldrew's, and Tammy Eddy Antiques & Interiors

Day Off Tickets can be found at headquarters, The Old State Bank, or at secondary headquarters, The Carnegie Visual Arts Center.

You can also buy tickets directly from the Historic Decatur Association below!

Tickets here!

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Faith, Architecture, and Activism: The Story of First Missionary Baptist Church

By Emma Martin • February 21, 2025

In the heart of Old Town Decatur, Alabama, First Missionary Baptist Church stands as a beacon of resilience, faith, and history. Established in 1866 by 21 formerly enslaved individuals, the church has not only served as a spiritual home for its congregation but also as a significant symbol of African American perseverance and architectural heritage. The church's beginnings trace back to the home of Jane Young, where its founding members gathered under the leadership of Rev. Alfred Peters, the first pastor. Initially, services were held in a modest storefront along the Tennessee River, embodying the dedication and commitment of its members despite limited resources. In 1873, the congregation took a significant step forward by purchasing a building from a white Methodist congregation, establishing a more permanent place of worship.First Missionary Baptist Church's current home, constructed in 1921, is a masterpiece of Neoclassical Romanesque architecture, designed by the renowned Wallace Augustus Rayfield. Rayfield, a trailblazing African American architect, is best known for designing the historic 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which became a tragic yet powerful symbol of the Civil Rights Movement following the 1963 bombing. His influence is evident in the thick brick walls, rounded arches, towering structures, and striking stained-glass windows of First Missionary Baptist Church, which shares design elements with its Birmingham counterpart. Throughout its history, First Missionary Baptist Church has been more than a place of worship; it has been a pillar of the African American community in Decatur. During the era of segregation and Jim Crow laws, the church became a hub of resistance and advocacy. Notably, during the infamous Scottsboro Boys trials of the 1930s, the church provided a safe space for meetings between defense attorneys and prospective jurors, demonstrating its commitment to justice and equality. While the church remains a cornerstone of Decatur's African American community, it has faced its share of struggles as years have gone by. Despite these challenges, the congregation remains steadfast in preserving this historic landmark. Efforts are underway to restore and maintain the building, with hopes of transforming it into a destination for Civil Rights education, historical tours, architectural enthusiasts and more. First Missionary Baptist Church is more than just a structure; it is a living testament to faith, endurance, and cultural heritage. Its story, interwoven with the broader narrative of African American history in the South, deserves recognition and preservation for future generations. With ongoing community support, this historic church can continue to serve as an enduring symbol of resilience and progress.

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