The Living Christmas Tree

Facts & Figures

Each year, dozens of FBC members join together to set the stage for The Living Christmas Tree. It takes five days to complete the task.

On the first day, FBC members begin building the Tree's steel framework (which was manufactured by the Millard Heath Company of Denton, Texas). The Tree has fourteen tiers and holds over 150 singers. The singers are supported by wooden platforms mounted to the steel structure. Each singer has his own custom wooden box to stand on, designed to size so that every singer appears to be the same height while on the tree.

After the framework of the tree is erected, the individual lighting circuits are installed. The 13,000 lights on and around the tree are controlled electronically through 75 individual control channels. The lighting system is operated manually during performances from two consoles located in the balcony of the Sanctuary. The tree structure even includes air-conditioning ducts to cool the singers during the performances. The star at the top of the tree is six feet in height and includes 455 miniature lights.

Following the installation of the lighting circuits, FBC members spend the next three days decorating the tree with over 7,500 individual pieces of artificial greenery.

Click the video button to watch a time-lapse video of tree construction.

Watch The Video