By Beth Arbuckle
Dec 18, 2025: Villagers of all ages delight in the annual Bronxville Christmas Pageant every Christmas Eve December 24th at 5:30pm. It takes place on the lawn of the Reformed Church in Bronxville.
Mary arrives on a live donkey, accompanied by Joseph and the manger angel, to settle in with baby Jesus surrounded by live sheep. Herald angels keep watch over the manger. Clergy from seven Bronxville churches read the biblical stories of Christmas to the assembled crowd. Bronxville High School alumnae sing traditional carols, accompanied by the brass of the Bronxville Pops concert band.
The magical live nativity is brought to life by over a dozen outstanding local parishioners and high school students, collected through church and resident recommendations.
Steeped in history, this beloved tradition began in 1913. Sir Arthur Lawrence, a prominent local resident, sought to build community solidarity at the onset of World War In a time of great uncertainty, Mr. Lawrence believed the pageant would foster unity in the community. Since then, it continues to draw spectators of all ages, commemorating the Christmas story on the hillside of The Reformed Church of Bronxville.
The 2025 Bronxville Christmas Pageant is chaired by Kalen Strickland, and co chaired by Elizabeth Arbuckle, Elizabeth Gollenberg, Amy Howard, Emily Johnston, Kathleen Kosiak, and Maureen Stapleton.
Please join us on Christmas Eve this year, and please contribute, if you can. You may send your donation to:
CHECK: please make out to Bronxville Pageant and send to: P.O. Box 397, Bronxville, NY 10708
ZELLE: please send donations to our email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ONLINE: Donate HERE.
Below is the 2025 Christmas Eve Pageant Cast.
KINGS
Paul Shoemaker
Tim McGrath
Paul Muir
TOWER BELLS
Susanne Shoemaker
LIVE MUSIC
The Brass Players of The Bronxville Pops Concert Band
ADULT SHEPHERDS
Stephen Shoemaker
Joe French
Henry Palermo
Greg Poorman
Spencer Poorman
Jeff Poorman
Bill Rizzo
Rob Romo
SHEPHERD BOYS
Joseph Johnston
George Johnston
Luke Stapleton
Danny Rizzo
Mac Weismiller
Mitchell Sprague
MARY: Eloise Liggitt
JOSEPH: Luca Rivera
MANGER ANGEL: Lily Hein
ANGELS: Colette Ungvary Faith Belke Sabrina Belke Sara Rizzo Lexi Parsons Juliet Parsons Chloe Clarke Hannah Lescott Ava Bringle Louise Jacobs Evelyn Wadkins Daisy Bennett Isabelle Harrison
PAGEANT CHAIR: Kalen Strickland
ANGELS CHAIR: Elizabeth Arbuckle
PAGEANT PLANNING COMMITTEE: Elizabeth Gollenberg, Amy Howard, Emily Johnston, Kathleen Kosiek, Maureen Stapleton, Margaret Weismiller
Christ Church Bronxville
Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.
CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.
Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong
"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."
First Baptist Church
The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”
407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560
http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/
Reformed Church of Bronxville
The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.
Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.
The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org
St. Joseph’s Church
St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.
15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660
http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/
Village Lutheran Church
The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.
172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207
West Center Congregational Church
West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829
Sinai Free Synagogue
Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.
Please check the Calendar for dates and times.
550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727