History & Facts

Affectionately known as "the Tree," the event has become as much a part of the Christmas season as parades, gifts and lights. Since 1981, the church has presented the Singing Christmas Tree choral program each year except in 1984, when the current worship center was under construction.

Weighing over 3,000 pounds, the tree frame consists of seven large trusses bolted together, and is capable of supporting 80 adults who stand on tiny platforms. The frame is covered by chicken wire, 1,100 feet of artificial greenery and approximately 10,000 lights.

Musical preparations begin each September, and tree construction begins immediately after Thanksgiving. The Niceville Singing Christmas Tree was the brainstorm of former pastor Dr. Joe Haigler, who said the idea came from an outdoor show he saw in Mississippi. Former minister of music, Richard Root, developed the program concept, and Ralph Nations, former minister of education, designed the tree structure.

Throughout the fall of 1981, church members built the frame in the old Family Life Center. In early December, church families went to the Eglin reservation and gathered truckload after truckload of cedar branches. It was a hot, sticky job, and though it smelled good in the sanctuary, the cedar provided an abundance of bugs, as well as presenting a fire hazard. In 1988, the church acquired silk greenery.

Beginning in 1981 with three presentations per year, the church now presents the program six times each year. Over 50,000 people have seen "the tree" live. It has been featured in local and regional newspapers, and has been broadcast several times on local television stations.

Since its inception, the Singing Christmas Tree has captivated both children and adults to become a favorite seasonal experience. Dennis Brown, minister of music at First Baptist, has directed the program since 1987.

Past programs have featured a variety of performers, including the church's clowns, puppets, children's choirs, student choir, adult choir, instrumental ensemble, soloists, angels, shepherds, donkeys, Santa Claus, Wise Men, and "the Holy Family". If a person can't sing or act, there are plenty of silent roles such as carpentry, costume making, decorating, stage coordination, sound, lighting, food preparation, and more.