A church sanctuary is a beautiful and sacred place. Many become even more so during the celebration of Christmas as Christians prepare to welcome the Christ child, a very holy event.

The Palmerton Area Historical Society and Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches thought it would be a perfect time to hold a Christmas Church Open House Tour of the churches in Palmerton. It will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 28. Thirteen area churches will be participating on the tour.The beautiful keepsake tour books are now available at the Palmerton Heritage Center, 410 Delaware Ave., Palmerton. This is a self-guided tour but there is a map provided in the tour book, along with a brief bio and wonderful color photo of the 13 churches that are participating. Color photos of the five churches that could not participate are included in the book. Connie Reinhart was the photographer and Barry Serfass the videographer.The only charge for the book and tour is a donation of nonperishable food item or personal care item or paper products for the Palmerton Food Pantry.The Heritage Center is open Wednesdays from 12:30 - 3 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The center will be open the day of the tour at 10 a.m.There was a Christmas Church Open House Tour in 1998 by the Concourse Club of Palmerton and another in 2008 sponsored by CACPAC."We thought it was time to do it again," says Jane Borbe, president of the Palmerton Historical Society and member of CACPAC board.This may be the last time visitors can see St. George Russian Orthodox Church at 730 Church St. It is down to one member and may soon close its doors.The other churches on the tour are: Emmanuel United Church of Christ; St. Vladimir Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; 1st United Church of Christ; Holy Trinity Lutheran; St. John's Episcopal; Living Hope Lighthouse; Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church; St. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church; The Little White Church; St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Towamensing; Jerusalem United Church of Christ; Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church."It is a great opportunity for the public to see the churches at this special time of the year. Many of the churches will be presenting their histories that day," says Sue Steigerwalt, PAHS committee person and CACPAC board member.In the event of inclement weather, call the Palmerton Area Heritage Center at 610-824-6954 to see if the event is canceled.St. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Franklin Ave. and Church St. will not be open to tours after 3 p.m. as they prepare for their 4 p.m. mass, which is open to anyone who would like to attend.Please note that Church Street is one way south from Lafayette Ave. to Franklin Ave.