European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 16, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Sa9 John Bohmer this stained Glass window features Joseph Mohr at the silent night Chapel. Snow and people dressed in native attire give the silent. Night Chapel a Holiday. a silent night town arc plans trip to site made famous by Carol by Kevin Dougherty staff writer for those Holiday travellers who Are spending Christmas in or around. Chi Emsee Germany Arr Ned forces recreation Center is offering a Christmas eve bus trip to an austrian Chapel where silent night holy night was first performed in 1818. The highlight of the tour is an hour Long outdoor service in Oberndorf Austria during which silent night is Sung by a local choir. The thousands of tourists who attend the Eclectic service typically join the choir in singing one of the world s most beloved Christmas carols. Quot it does leave you with a Nice feeling Quot said Bethany Ridenour an arc tour guide who attended the service last year. Quot people come from All Over the world to see this Oberndorf is a Small town on the Sal Zach River where in 1818 organist and schoolteacher Franz Cruber composed silent night to lyrics written by Joseph Mohr a local priest. As the Story goes Mohr came to Gruber on Christmas eve with the text of a song he intended to use for the Christmas service at St. Nicola Church Mohr asked Gruber to compose a simple Melody so that the two could learn it in time for the Christmas mass. Gruber returned later that Day and the two performed the song on Christmas Day with Gruber playing guitar. The guitar was the Only accompaniment because the Church s Organ needed repair. Parishioners were deeply moved by the song and its popularity soon spread throughout the town and eventual across Austria Germany and the world. Oberndorf s annual silent night service is performed outside a Chapel that replaced St. Nicola which was torn Down in 1913. The service runs from 5 . To 6 . Christmas eve. Quot it s a great thing to go and see Quot Ridenour said. Quot people should be aware that it is a tourist because the service is held outdoors Ridenour encourages those who attend to dress warmly. The tour leaves Chi Emsee s Lake hotel at 3 . On Christmas eve and returns about 7 30 . Last year arc filled three buses and Ridenour said her office would take As Many buses As needed. The drive to Oberndorf takes about an hour which leaves people an hour to walk through a nearby Christmas Market or stake out a desirable spot for the service. The hype that accompanies the service and the presence of loudspeakers Means the event is not As intimate As one May expect but the service is still enchanting Ridenour said. The Price for the tour is $15 for adults Ages 13 and up and $10 for children Ages 6 to 12. Children under 6 Are admitted free. Reservations can be made by Catling civilian 08051-803171 or Dan 441-2570. Ridenour cautioned those people who May want to drive on their own that parking in Oberndorf is limited. When the buses return from Oberndorf a Christmas eve Buffet will be waiting at the Lakeside restaurant. The Price is $9.95 for adults and $4.95 for children under 13. In addition the restaurant is offering a Christmas Day Buffet. The Cost is $16.95 for adults and $6.95 for children. As an aside arc is offering horse drawn Sleigh rides on dec. 24 and 25 in the nearby town of Ruh polding Germany. Reservations will be taken starting dec. 17, the Cost for the hour Long Sleigh ride is $12 for adults and $9 for children under 13, but Ridenour said the prices Are subject to change
