Long Beach’s oldest house of worship, First Congregational Church, is in need of a little TLC.

This would not be the first time the 106-year-old church, founded by Jotham and Margaret Bixby, will require restoration since it was built in 1914. Just last year, the eastern side of the red-brick church underwent a very ambitious renovation process, restoring the damaged brickwork, crumbling terra cotta and deteriorating Rose Window back to its former glory. But now, the church is hoping to raise funds to see its main building be given a similar architectural sprucing.

To accomplish this, First Congregational has organized a virtual Christmas concert, “Christmas and The Rose,” that will donate 100% of ticket sales directly to the church’s historic building preservation fund.

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Audiences can tune in on Dec. 20 to relive past live performances at the church, including highlights from Cal State Long Beach’s annual “Winterfest” series, a beautiful Christmas concert featuring more than 200 voices from CSULB choirs and the Pacific Bells Handbell Ensemble.

This will be the first time in 40 years that “Winterfest” will not be held live at First Congregational. Viewers can also expect performances by the First Congregational Choir, including a new Christmas Cantata composed by First Congregational’s composer in residence, Curtis Heard with lyrics by poet in residence, Tina Datsko de Sanchez.

Also to be unveiled formally will be the restored Rose Window (hence “The Rose” in the concert title) reaching 17-feet in diameter and featuring 16 petal-shaped spokes outlined by white terra cotta.

As mentioned, the “Christmas and The Rose” premiere is Sunday, Dec. 20. However, the virtual concert will be available for on-demand streaming until Jan. 6. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online, click here.