The Candlelight Service has been held every year at the Alumni Chapel since 1931, and this year, Yoon Soo Lim, Dr. Rev. Father Houghton and Rev. Confer-Martens, continue this Hill tradition by hosting the 86th service in The Hill School’s history.

According to Lim, the origin of the Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols dates back to 1880. The Candlelight form of service was first created by Rev. Edward White Benson for his Cathedral of St. Mary, in Truro, Cornwall. Thirty-nine years later, Rev. Eric Wilner-White, Dean of the Chapel at King’s College in Cambridge, England, used Rev. Benson’s model for Christmas Eve worship for his school. Since then, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols have been broadcasted on BBC and has spread across the world.

In 1931, The Candlelight Service at Hill was originally called a Christmas Carol service. It was not until 1990 when Hill decided to change the form to the Service of Lessons and Carols.

Readings are delivered by Hill community members, including faculty, students, staff, and faculty children. The choir group and community members sing along accompanied by the school organist, Bill Conrad.

Lim said she first experienced Hill’s Lessons and Carols in 1992. Lim, an alumna of the Agnes Irwin School, was invited to sing at Hill before it became co-ed.

“I had no idea that 21 years after I participated as a singer, I would get to conduct my very own set of carols at Hill,” Lim said.

Lim said how her very first Lessons and Carols as the new vocal director at Hill was a very special and important moment for her. From her personal experience, she was inspired to bring alumni, Hill students and other community members together to enjoy the tradition.

This year’s Candlelight Service was held on December 10 in the Chapel.

“It is one of my favourite things at Hill,” Lim said. “I hope students will come to the service to hear beautiful music, sing some carols as well as fulfil their spiritual life requirements– all at once!”