Sunday, December 7, 2008

Silent Night Memorial Chapel


Silent Night Memorial Chapel is an inspirational landmark which stands at the south entrance to the City of Frankenmuth, Michigan's "Little Bavaria." It is a part of the 27 acre Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland complex. The chapel, built in 1992, is an authentic replica of the Oberndorf, Austria, Silent Night Memorial Chapel. No services or ceremonies are held here. Rather it stands simply as a tribute to God and the the world's favorite Christmas carol.

Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child!
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!

The original chapel in Oberndorf, near Salsburg, was built on the site of St. Nicholas Church, where the hymn was first sung at the Christmas Eve Mass, 1818. The six stanzas were written by a young priest, Joseph Mohr, and the choir sang the simple melody accomanied by a guitar. Today the song has been translated into hundreds of languages and is the most enduring of all holiday hymns.
The chapel is open daily for prayer and meditation. Admission is free.

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