Familial connections within a Zanesville tradition

ZANESVILLE, OH- Handel’s “Messiah” has been a Zanesville tradition for nearly a century, bringing neighbors together each holiday season. It is more than a performance; it is families passing something cherished from one generation to the next.

Inside Central Trinity United Methodist Church families sing side by side. Like the Finerans, Jim, his wife Beth, and daughter Kelly, who have turned rehearsals into moments of reflection, remembering loved ones and traditions that stretch beyond borders.

“Sharing this experience with my family is a way that we can get together and reflect on the meaning of the holidays, we also have a daughter who is living in Australia who sang in the chorus many years ago and it’s kind of a way for us to be with her through the Christmas season by doing what we used to do together, as well as reflecting on all of the people we have sung with,” said bass singer Jim Fineran.

Nearby, the Winsleys, Kurt, with daughters Tabitha and Bethany, and his son Jeremiah, find that sharing this music is not just about the notes they sing but the memories they build. Together, these families connect the past with the present as they blend their voices with the chorus.

“We enjoy singing together as a family, we sing at our church and so forth and this was another opportunity for us to come together and have some of us join and sing a wonderful piece of music, a piece of music that we have listened to for a long long time and to have the opportunity to sing it together is a real joy and treat,” said bass singer Kurt Winsley.

This Sunday marks the 95th year of the Zanesville Civic Chorus and Orchestra’s “Messiah.” The free concert begins at 6:00 p.m. at Central Trinity UMC on South 7th Street, with a freewill offering supporting Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. For those who can’t join in person, the performance will be streamed live online at centraltrinityumc.com.