StLCCA Today
The St. Louis Christmas Carols Association began in 1911, when
William H. Danforth and a group of friends decided to bring joy
and good will to their neighbors by caroling outside their homes.
Initially, they did not plan to collect money, but found that listeners
gave money when they sang. Being successful businessmen, and
philanthropic by nature, they donated the funds to the Children's
Aid Society, the organization's first beneficiary, to help needy
youngsters throughout the following year. Over the years, the
number of recipients has grown; in 2011, 45 metro St. Louis area
children's agencies benefitted from the carolers' collections.
Founder William H. Danforth died in his home on Kingsbury Place
in St. Louis on Christmas Eve, 1955, as he waited for carolers
from Pilgrim Congregational Church to serenade him.
The Danforth family continues to provide leadership for this
wonderful organization as it begins its second century. Following
William Danforth's death in 1955, his son, Donald Danforth, led the
association for a time. Then his grandson, Dr. William H. Danforth,
served first as president and then chairman of the board. Dr.
Danforth became chairman emeritus in 2004 as his nephew,
Donald Danforth III, took over as chairman of the board. Don
Danforth is the great grandson of the founder.
William H. Danforth and a group of friends decided to bring joy
and good will to their neighbors by caroling outside their homes.
Initially, they did not plan to collect money, but found that listeners
gave money when they sang. Being successful businessmen, and
philanthropic by nature, they donated the funds to the Children's
Aid Society, the organization's first beneficiary, to help needy
youngsters throughout the following year. Over the years, the
number of recipients has grown; in 2011, 45 metro St. Louis area
children's agencies benefitted from the carolers' collections.
Founder William H. Danforth died in his home on Kingsbury Place
in St. Louis on Christmas Eve, 1955, as he waited for carolers
from Pilgrim Congregational Church to serenade him.
The Danforth family continues to provide leadership for this
wonderful organization as it begins its second century. Following
William Danforth's death in 1955, his son, Donald Danforth, led the
association for a time. Then his grandson, Dr. William H. Danforth,
served first as president and then chairman of the board. Dr.
Danforth became chairman emeritus in 2004 as his nephew,
Donald Danforth III, took over as chairman of the board. Don
Danforth is the great grandson of the founder.
| Our Mission |
| In 2012, the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association tradition is continued by a volunteer network of neighborhood "Area Chairmen" in St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, and Jefferson Counties, caroling group leaders and the carolers themselves. The Area Chairmen recruit caroling groups in their area and serve as a local connection between carolers and the Association. The office of the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association is centrally located in Clayton and staffed by part time employees who recruit Area Chairmen and caroling leaders, schedule Special Sings and the Kingsbury Place Singers, provide supplies and support through the caroling season, and facilitate the allocation of carolers' collections at the end of the season. |
Our History
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| The two-fold mission of the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association: to share the message of "Peace on Earth, good will to all" with St. Louis neighborhoods through the tradition of caroling, while supporting the work of agencies serving children with the contributions received. |
| St. Louis Christmas Carols Association - 7425 Forsyth Boulevard, Suite 353, St. Louis, MO 63105 - 314.863.1225 Email - stlcca@att.net |
| St. Louis Christmas Carols Association Caroling to Benefit Children Since 1911 |
| Click on the photo to hear an interview with our founder, William Danforth, recorded December 9, 1955.December 9, 1955. |
St. Louis Mayor
Joseph M. Darst
and the choir
from Rosati Kain
caroling with
William Danforth
High School,
circa 1950.
Joseph M. Darst
and the choir
from Rosati Kain
caroling with
William Danforth
High School,
circa 1950.
| Click on the logo above for a pictorial history of the St. Louis Christmas Carols Association. |
| Click on the above photo to hear St. Louis artist Randy Mayfield and the Kingsbury Place Singers perform his "Caroling in St. Louis" written in honor of our 100th Anniversary in 2011! |
| Click on the photo to hear "Carol of the Holy Child" by St. Louis composer Stephen Mager, words adapted from Robert Schauffler. Commissioned for our 100th Anniversary, Performed by an octet from St. Peter's Church in Ladue. |
| And click HERE to watch the premier performance of the work by the Kingsbury Place Singers at the Centennial Celebration November 6, 2011 |