NORTHVILLIAN
Easter week is truly upon us … To some, this is a spiritual time of the year (Holy Week), and to others with young children, it’s about the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts. We will take a look at both and also see how others celebrate this season.
Easter is known as the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church. It takes place in the Western Church on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox. Another worldwide celebration, Ramadan, ran this year from 2/18-3/20, where Muslim communities everywhere engaged in fasting, prayer, reflecting and community.
Before reviewing Northvillian Traditional Easters, let’s see what’s happening in town today:
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 5/6/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
- Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 5/11/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold – Chair)
Easter Highlights through time in Northville:
1898 – Local tailor (Freydl’s) advertised special Easter gifts for the holiday, and another local shop (Holmes, Dancer & Co) offered Easter gloves (for 69 cents) and jeweled belts (25 cents).
1902 – The ladies of the Presbyterian Church held an Easter charity bazaar at the Princess Rink on Dunlap St. (across from CVS) with music & entertainment. The Presby’s were also known for their evening gatherings and meals at the church (or the library) around Easter.
1909 – The Record wrote about the Methodist Church’s Easter cantata, “the catchy music in this production was loved by all music lovers.” First United Methodist Church had their cantata this past weekend.
1916 – The Northville Record wrote about outstanding Easter choir activities at all the churches in the Village that year. “The bells and the music were abounding for all Northvillians.”
1933 – Pageantry took place from a group of actors who played out the Easter story for three protestant churches in town. A Hallelujah choral event took place at OLV in Orchard Heights.
1949 – A famous radio music host (Sergeant Legree), who had been a police officer in Flint, sang at the Northville Baptist Church. Additionally, sunrise services were common this year.
1989 – The legend of the Easter Tree was reported in the paper, describing how it symbolized the joyous season of rebirth and triumph over winter. The tradition originated in Europe with Easter ornaments hung on trees. Genitti’s had these miniature trees for $20, and they sold out!
1997 – An article on “Easters Around the World” published in The Northville Record included the following insights (among others) about various countries:
- Ukraine – Intricate designs and symbols of spring are created by applying beeswax to eggs and dipping them in dye.
- Yugoslavia (Serbia & Montenegro today) – Easter eggs dipped in dyes to color the egg were a local custom. The colors were made from huckleberry juice & other natural dyes.
- Scotland, Ireland & Great Britain – Roll their decorated eggs down hills and the last egg not broken is the winner (similar to the historic White House Easter Egg Roll event which dates back to the 1870’s).
- 1999 – A Record article spoke about students from Amerman & Thornton Creek elementary schools putting baskets together for St. Vincent & the Sarah Fisher children center.
Through the years – Local organizations and churches have supported many families in the community by delivering Easter dinner baskets. I have been privileged and proud to be part of a group of Masons that deliver scores of Easter baskets in the area.
The Masons, Rotary, Woman’s Club, VFW, American Legion, Civic Concern along with all of our Church institutions and others in the community have reached out in the past and continue to do so today, sharing their time & talents during this Easter season. On a lighter note, historically these same groups have also sponsored Easter egg hunts and Easter Bunny visits, along with many youth and musical events dating back to our historic Opera House days in the 1800’s.
Passover - Wishing a Happy Passover to all who celebrate. This meaningful Jewish holiday honors freedom, renewal, and the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Families gather for a traditional Seder meal, sharing symbolic foods and reflecting on themes of resilience, gratitude, and hope. As we celebrate the season, we recognize and honor the traditions of Passover within our community.
Keep that Northville Community Easter Faith and enjoy your Good Friday, along with a weekend with family and friends. Perhaps catch some musical performances at one of our local spiritual institutions. Remember to share your time & talents with those in need on a daily basis, especially during this Easter season.
Keep that Northville Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville