“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling”
Up until roughly 1960, we had an old Crosley floor radio and phonograph that sat in our dining room. The turntable only had the capacity to play 78 rpm records, and our selections were limited to say the least. I remember Mom would occasionally play some of the Big Band records that she had purchased years earlier. The records were full of crackles and pops, but we were still able to hear the sounds of Glenn Miller or Les Brown fill the air.
In 1960, Dad decided to purchase Mom a modern piece of equipment that excited her beyond belief. The occasion was their wedding anniversary which was in October. I distinctly remember the day when he decided to give her the present. He wasn’t much into
wrapping presents, and so he simply carried a huge cardboard box into the dining room. When Mom opened the box, she was speechless. There before her was a sparkling new Hi-Fi Stereo portable record player! The speakers folded together on the front and were black with a glittery finish. When the speaker were opened, they revealed a silver glittery fabric. The rest of the casing was pink and as “mid-century modern” as you could get. I don’t remember the brand for certain, but it may have been Phillips, Motorola or Zenith. I have not yet been able to locate a photograph of the machine, but I found one that resembled it closely, shown on the left.
Mom loved her new stereo. Imagine, being able to still play her old 78 rpms PLUS being able to buy and play new 45’s and LP albums! Dad had purchased the stereo from his friend Dom Torretti at Dom’s TV, so he knew he got the best. As an added bonus, Dad had received a box of 50 albums when he purchased the stereo. Granted, they were not the most sought after artists, but my parents enjoyed them. There were albums with the Ink Spots, Connie Boswell, Hawaiian music, Big Band Music, Tangos, Beer Drinking Songs (as if Duquesne men needed that type of encouragement!) and dozens of other genres.
Surprisingly, among all of the albums, there were only two Christmas Albums. The first was an album featuring Jack Benny and Dennis Day. It featured a photograph of Jack Benny dressed as Santa Claus and standing in front of what appeared to be Dennis Day’s family who were dressed in their pajamas. Jack was playing his violin and the family appeared to be singing along. It was as hokey of a photo as you could come by, and the album was just as corny. There were songs performed by Dennis Day, some by Jack Benny and even some tracks containing dialog of Jack Benny and Rochester. Believe it or not, I still have the album and I still play it every Christmas since it immediately brings back the memories.
Another of the freebies that Mom received was an album by Fred (?) that featured a pipe
organ and bells. It was about as traditional of a Christmas album as you could find. Somewhere along the way, that album was either lost, borrowed or thrown away and I no longer have it. However, thanks to the amazing reach of technology and the internet, I was able to locate a copy of the records on eBay and now have it back in my collection. It too is dragged out every year and played, especially when I’m trimming the tree.
Beyond all other Christmas music, the one album that immediately “brings it home” for me isn’t one that you would expect. In the early 60’s, as a student attending Holy Name Grade School, we were charged with the job of selling a Christmas album that was recorded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden, Pa. The album was titled “In A Manger Lowly” and contained primarily just the voices of the sisters at the Motherhouse in Baden and occasionally some pipe organ accompaniment.
On the back of the album, aside from the lyrics to the songs that were included, there was narrative about the origin of the title song, “In a Manger Lowly.” It reads –
The feature carol of this record, “In a Manger Lowly,” was written in 1916 by Sister M. Victoria, S.S.J., who at present is completely blind, and a patient in the Sister’s Infirmary at Baden, Pennsylvania. Although handicapped, Sister still assists in the work of the community through her apostolate of prayer and suffering. It is the wish of Sister Victoria that all who hear this carol may have a special share in her daily prayers for the needs of all Christians.
I spoke to Sister Sally, the archivist for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Baden, and she gave me some interesting information regarding Sister Victoria. The Sister was born on 8-6-1869 and died on 10-27-1963, a short time after the album was released. Sister Sally indicated that Sister Victoria was born the very year that the Sisters of St. Joseph expanded into Western PA. – Thanks for the information Sister Sally!
On a whim, I visited the Sisters of St. Joseph – Baden website and discovered that their album was available on CD through their Gift Shop! I immediately ordered a couple and they are a direct recording from the album master still as magical as when my mom would play her album repeatedly through Christmas. If you would like to get a copy for yourself, here’s how:
Click HERE to visit The Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse Website
Or you can call the main number, (724) 869-2151, and order by phone. Just ask to be connected to The Book Nook Gift Shop and they will take care of you. You can pay by credit card and have it mailed out immediately. As a final alternative, you can print out the order form and mail it to the Motherhouse at the following address:
The Sisters of St. Joseph
The Book Nook Gift Shop
1020 State Street
Baden, PA 15005-1338
And so my friends, I hopefully sign off leaving music in your heart. I am heading up to Duquesne this weekend and will be staying for 5 days. I can’t wait to get home and I’m hoping I encounter some snow along the way as I did at this time last year. I will hopefully return with lots of stories and pictures to share with you.
If there is anything you’d like me to check out, please leave a comment and let me know!
The Duquesne Hunky 
Oh, my grandparents had this album. I think it’s because my great aunt sang in it. I love ‘In a Manger Lowly’! When I was stationed in Germany my mother had a tape with my favorite Christmas songs sent to me. We use to sing it at St. Patrick’s church in Gallitzin when I was a teenager. It brings back so many memories. I just might order that cd as a gift to myself.
Sharon, I love the album and never regretted ordering it. Go for it!! – Jim
Jim.
My parents had a Hi-Fi similar to the one you described. My father who loved Christmas played various Christmas albums on it each year. The song “Little Drummer Boy” was his favorite Christmas tune and now it’s mine. In the 1950’s I remember visiting our neighbors the Ragans and the Labans on Goldstrohm Lane during Christmas week and enjoying lots of homemade cookies and cakes. After we moved a few blocks to West Mifflin in 62 our house gradually seemed to become the neighborhood gathering place on Christmas Day. This lasted through the 60’s and 70’s until my father’s passing in 79. That Hi-Fi got quite a lot of work in those years.
Your site brings back many great memories of those times,thanks again for creating it.
Cliff Warner
Jim, If you’re around town why not set aside an hour or so at a coffee shop and let us know where. It’ll be like a book signing. We could stop by to say “Hi”. Anyway, business takes me to Baden, Pa. on Tuesday December 6. Because of your post I intend to stop into the Book Nook Gift Shop and buy my own copy of the sisters’ CD. Believe it or not I think of the nuns from Holy Name, often. You never know what you have until it’s gone.
Adn then they pave Paradise and call it a parking lot – just like they did to my dad’s business! Id love to meet for coffee, in fact, one of my favorite stories is about friends and coffee. Allow me to share:
So email me if you have some time to meet. I’m staying up near Century III!
Well I bought my copy of “In a Manager Lowly” today while I was at the motherhouse in Baden, Pa. Was pleased to meet two wonderful ladies there. Christina, who had the keys to the gift shop, and Susan who is the receptionist as you enter. Turns out Susan’s sister was a nun who helped record and sang on the original recording. I could hardly get away, and I would have loved to stay and chat but I had to get back home to South Park for a 3:30 teleconference. I must stop back again. The buildings are just so beautiful and university-like that they appeal to you to spend time within. On the drive home I played the CD. It was like a trip to the past. So many of those songs I sang in the Holy Name Boys Choir under the direction of Sister Delores, so many years ago. There are real bargins to be had yet today. For $10.00, plus tax, I took a trip back home to 2nd Street in Duquesne, mid-night mass, circa 1963. And all was good again.
Nice piece. I don’t remember the album though. Hope you had a great trip and were able to stop for a Jim’s Hot Dog. By the way there is a new Facebook page and website for our old Holy Name, new Christ the Light of the World church. http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.christthelightoftheworld.org%2F&h=zAQEzWIpp
Jim–hope you have a safe trip to Duquesne. Look forward to hearing about your adventure. I live in the North Hills/Shaler area–not too far away from Duquesne.