67th annual Holiday House Tour offers peek at community’s finest architecture, décor

Independent Presbyterian Church is once again giving people a chance to get into the holiday spirit by touring some of the community’s finest architecture and decor.

The annual Holiday House Tour is in its 67th year, and this year will feature four homes as well as the church itself.

The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, from 1-5 p.m.

With just one ticket, visitors can tour all four homes, checking out each one’s individual style, design and holiday decorating. IPC, founded in 1915, will be decorated by church members and feature a Christmas tree in the Great Hall for the days of the tour. 

The homes featured belong to the Hillegases, Spotswoods, Laura and Jesse Vogtle, along with the home of James F. Carter, the renowned architect.

Tickets for the tour cost $30 each, and sales benefit Children’s Fresh Air Farm, The Open Door ministry and STAIR Reading Program. IPC’s Children’s Fresh Air Farm provides a six-week summer program for underserved children in Birmingham, combining outdoor activity with classroom instruction to prevent “brain drain” over the summer months. 

The Open Door, also operated by IPC, provides adults in Kingston and north Avondale with free GED, literacy and English language classes. 

STAIR, founded in 2000, works to improve reading skills in second-graders at Hayes K-8.

Tickets are available for purchase online as well as in the church office during regular business hours. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event at the church or at one of the homes.

For more information, visit ipc-usa.org/holiday-home, or contact Honora Gathings at 933-1830 or hgathings@ipc-usa.org.

IPC Holiday House Tour Locations

► Independent Presbyterian Church:

3100 Highland Ave.

Birmingham, AL 35205

► Carter Home:

3731 Montrose Road

Mountain Brook, AL 35213

► Hillegas Home:

4445 Clairmont Ave.

Birmingham, AL 35222

► Spotswood Home:

2749 Abingdon Road

Mountain Brook, AL 35243

► Vogtle Home:

2647 Abingdon Road

Mountain Brook, AL 35243