Roman guards Tom O’Hagan (left) and Kevin Felton (right), and census taker David Allard (center), parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul in Hopkinsville, greeted visitors to the little town of Bethlehem during the parish’s live nativity held Dec. 13, 2024. The event has become an annual tradition for the local community. COURTESY OF DAWN C. LIGIBEL
‘Nativity on Ninth’ becomes community tradition in Hopkinsville
BY DAWN C. LIGIBEL, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Parish members of Sts. Peter and Paul in Hopkinsville are making final preparations for their fourth annual “Nativity on Ninth” event which will be held on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. each night.
When the parish hosted its first “Nativity on Ninth” event four years ago, the organizers did not necessarily envision it taking on such a big role in the community, although that was their hope. Yet, each year more community members visit the “little town of Bethlehem” located across the street from the parish. The name “Nativity on Ninth” comes from the fact that the live nativity and the parish are both located on Ninth Street in Hopkinsville.
The idea for the live nativity event originated from the fact that Sherry Viall, a Sts. Peter and Paul parishioner, owns a camel.
“I had participated in other live nativity events in the past with Calvin (her camel), most of which were just the stable scene,” Viall explained. After suggesting that her parish host such an event, her fellow parishioners embraced the idea and supported the effort by helping to create the town of Bethlehem, sewing costumes, donating money for materials, and participating in costume each year.
The town consists of a stable, an entrance gate made of two guard towers with a sign displaying the name of Bethlehem, a synagogue, a marketplace, a candlemaker, a bakery, a basket maker, a butcher shop, a carpentry shop, and an inn.
While Calvin is one of the main attractions each year, visitors also enjoy other live animals and interacting with the characters dressed in costume. Another favorite attraction is the bakery, where visitors can receive a free cup of hot chocolate and a cookie baked by Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners.
By following their original vision, the parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul provide a family-friendly reminder of the true meaning of Christmas each year during Advent.
In addition to inviting parishioners and members of the community, Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners encourage people throughout the diocese to come and visit their “Nativity on Ninth” event this year.
Dawn C. Ligibel is a parishioner of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Hopkinsville.
Originally printed in the November 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
