GALT, CA (MPG) - St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will continue one of Galt’s longest-running holiday traditions when it hosts its annual Christmas Bazaar during the first weekend of December.

This year’s event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The holiday market, known for its handmade crafts and homemade goods, has been held for more than 110 years, making it one of the city’s oldest continuous community events.

 

The Christmas Bazaar, hosted by the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 200 B St., is an event that has been held for more than 110 years to help fund the church’s mission to give back to the community.

According to the church’s website, St. Luke’s also holds the distinction of being Galt’s oldest continuous congregation still operating in its original worship space. Each year members and friends of the congregation donate a wide range of handmade items, including jewelry, soaps, knitted, crocheted and sewn goods, along with baked treats, breads, jams and honey.

Senior Warden Mark McMillen said the bazaar’s success directly supports the church’s charitable work.

“One hundred percent of the proceeds support charitable outreach through the church’s St. Mary’s Guild,” he said. “These funds allow us to directly provide scholarships for graduating local high school students going into medical fields, and also enable us to financially support other local, regional and national organizations.”

As the bazaar enters its 112th year, this event remains as the church’s primary fundraiser for its outreach missions. Proceeds support local food assistance programs such as the Sunshine Food Pantry and River City Food Bank. Stanford Sierra Youth and Families also receives funding for its work with youth transitioning out of the foster care system.

 

All proceeds from the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s 122th annual Christmas Bazaar goes towards charitable outreach in the area such as Sunshine Food Pantry and L’Chayim of Galt. 

The bazaar also helps donate to L’Chayim of Galt, a local nonprofit whose volunteers knit and sew items such as receiving blankets for NICUs, pillowcases for residents in senior care facilities and hats and garments for people experiencing homelessness. Additional support goes to Lodi House, which serves local women and children facing housing insecurity, as well as Episcopal Relief & Development, which provides disaster relief and development assistance in the United States and abroad.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church is located at 200 B St.