There’s a small white church in the hamlet of West Martinsburg, just outside Lowville. The United Methodist Church was first built in 1840. It closed a century later, but one tradition lives on. A lamplight service every December marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Inside, kerosene lamps hung from the ceiling are lit by hand. Candles set by stained-glass windows give the church a warm golden glow.
Julia Botero attended the service with people from all over the Tug Hill and brought back this postcard.
In addition to Loretta Alexander and Marjorie Rush, you also heard from Lorna Weber, Frank Robbins, and Marcia Waligory in this story.