Oak Grove Mennonite Church to present 94th performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ Dec. 14

George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Germany in 1685 and died in London, England in 1759. Known as one of history’s greatest composers, he is most famous for "Messiah," which was first performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742 and now reverently enjoyed by millions during the Christmas season.

Handel's "Messiah" will be performed Sunday, Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Grove Mennonite Church, 7843 Smucker Road, Smithville. Founded in 1818, the church has a long-standing tradition of hosting this work, and this year it will perform selections for its 94th-anniversary rendition.

Soloists will include professional musicians Lara Troyer, Hannah Rowlands, Brian Keith Johnson and Tim Culver.

Other accomplished musicians including Lalia Mangione, Anna Gerber, Rebecca Shasberger, Ole Latham, Ken Shafer, Marilyn Rossiter, Larry Herman, Jack Schantz and Scott Thomas will make up an orchestra led by concertmaster Amy Glick Helmuth and guest conductor Brian Wiebe from Goshen, Indiana.

The approximately 80-member choir is made up of professional and local musicians who love to sing. Oak Grove offers this to the community at no charge as a way to celebrate the Christmas season. A freewill offering will help defray expenses, and a capacity crowd is expected.