St. Matthews Lutheran Church hosts German Christmas Market

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Wilmington kicked off the holiday season this year by spreading Christmas cheer at its German Christmas Market.

The church grounds were filled with holiday spirit, both indoors and outdoors. The market featured authentic German food, live music from a band playing traditional tunes, and fun activities for the whole family, including face painting and a petting zoo.

Now in its fifth year, the German Christmas Market has become more than just a celebration—it’s a vital fundraiser for the church. After the office wing of their building was damaged during Hurricane Florence, the church organized the first festival to help with recovery efforts. With the church’s aging building requiring ongoing maintenance, the market continues to serve as a key fundraising event, supporting the restoration and upkeep of the campus.

Beth Hales, Retail Coordinator for the festival, shared how the market not only supports the church’s needs but also helps the fellowship connect with the community:

“We just hope people want to come back and maybe experience a service and how we are involved in the community beyond having a festival every year.”

If you missed this year’s German Christmas Market, Hales confirmed it will return next year, the Saturday before Thanksgiving.