It is part of the annual holiday season offerings, and an opportunity for an up close and personal view of some of the city's religious denominations. The annual Candlelight Christmas Tour of churches, sponsored by the Lawrence County Historical Society, was Saturday night in Ironton.

"The purpose is to show the religious emphasis of Christmas and how it is portrayed in the various churches," museum member and tour guide Robert Price said. "And it's an opportunity to see and understand the different beliefs."

Approximately 40 people visited First Baptist, Christ Episcopal, First United Methodist, First Presbyterian, St. Lawrence O'Toole, Gateway Baptist and St. Paul Lutheran churches. At each stop, clergy or lay members briefly explained the history of their congregations or their church's beliefs.

For Dottie and Dick Jones, of Pedro, it was a chance to reconnect with the Ironton they knew and loved. They recently moved back to the area from Delaware, Ohio.

"It's good to be back," Dottie Jones said. She said she and her husband might be interested in attending First Methodist and would be paying attention to the portion of the walk there.

The tour ended with a reception at the museum.