BELLMORE’S CHRISTMAS CRECHE

In 1957, just four years after its beginning, Bellmore Council erected a Christmas Creche at the Bellmore Railroad Station. For the ensuing 63 years our Council has continued that tradition. Each early December a group of officers and brothers of the council erect a stable and assemble the traditional Christmas scene on the grounds of Bellmore’s Veterans Memorial Park, adjacent to the railroad station. Since the late 1980’s the council has joined the Knights of Columbus tradition of “Light up for Christ.” The program originated by Nassau County’s New Hyde Park Council and later adopted by the Supreme Council urges all K of C Councils throughout the world to light their Nativity Scenes on the first Tuesday of December at 8:00 pm. We have followed the tradition with our brothers and their families gathering at the Creche, having it blessed by the Council Chaplain, and singing Christmas Carols. All then retire to the club for a hot beverage and Christmas cookies.

1991 saw a challenge to our tradition when a local law student claimed that the creche violated the constitutional concept of separation of church and state because of its erection on government property. Our then Grand Knight, Ron Ghiradella, addressed the situation and came to a solution with the Town of Hempstead by having a Menorah added to the scene, celebrating Hanukkah fostering a multicultural non-denominational theme.

Over the years the Council also erected a creche at our old clubhouse on Bellmore Avenue. This, too, was blessed on the first Tuesday in December. During the Christmas season of 1965 and for several years to follow the council erected a creche featuring live animals on clubhouse grounds. Our “Live Nativity Scene” became a popular Christmas attraction for the community. Local Christian churches were invited to come to the creche with their choirs to sing Christmas Carols and celebrate our common spiritual bonds. Stories circulated around the council in those days about a Grand Knight seen chasing up and down Bellmore Avenue to corral some sheep and goats who wanted their freedom.

This year the Coronavirus has placed some limitations on our celebration. Because of gathering restrictions, the Saint Barnabas Choir will not be able to participate but our brothers and their families will participate in the “Light up for Christ’ tradition and then go to the clubhouse to decorate the Council.