ST. GEORGE -- With a special emphasis on Dorchester County history, the annual Christmas holiday tour of homes in St. George will feature a bygone era inn and stage coach stop, a 200-plus-year-old church and family homes that date well beyond the century mark.

Guides in period costumes, local musicians and catered refreshments are also part of the tour, set for 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

The Koger-Murray-Carroll House, a one-time inn and stage coach stop situated on Wire Road three miles east of Grover, will be one of the homes featured on the tour. The house, which is the former home of three South Carolina senators -- Joseph Koger, John Soule Murray and James Carroll -- is being restored by the Upper Dorchester County Historical Society. Garden clubs from St. George, Dorchester, Givhans, Harleyville, Ridgeville and the Women's Guild have decorated the house for an old-fashioned Christmas. Tour guides in period costumes will entertain guests with legends of previous residents while pointing out the craftsmanship used in an era long before power tools.

Also on Wire Road, Appleby Church, which dates from the late 1700s, will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. The Rev. Dennis Mardis, pastor of St. George United Methodist Church, will portray Jesse Lee, a circuit rider and traveling companion of Bishop Francis Asbury, a leader in the establishment and spread of Methodism in America. The church was also the "mustering grounds" of Company C of the 24th Regiment of S.C. Volunteers of the Confederate Army.

Another historic structure, the Klauber Building in downtown St. George, was built in 1897 by Leopold Klauber as a mercantile store. Boasting the town's first and, for many years, only elevator, the Parler Avenue building has been renovated by the town through grants. Complete with a new elevator, it now houses the Trident Regional Chamber of Commerce and the beginning stages of a museum. A parade of Christmas trees, decorated by local businesses and clubs, will be on display.

The oldest of the three St. George homes on tour, the Gavin-Appleby House, was built around 1850 by John Gavin Jr. The seven-room English-L structure is owned by Gavin's great-great granddaughter, Margaret Appleby Myers, and her husband, David. Though unoccupied, six generations of Gavin's descendants have lived in the home.

The McRae Johnston House, built in 1910, is home to St. George Mayor Anne Johnston, who, along with her late husband, John David, renovated his boyhood home some 20 years ago. The Christmas tree will display the family's hundreds of ornaments that have been collected since 1970. And the gardens feature some of the original day lilies of Jenny Kirkland Johnston, wife of Dr. McRae Johnston and mother of John David Johnston. In addition to the 200 varieties of day lilies, the garden has 80-year-old azaleas and camellias.

Another century-old home is the Dr. Milton Connor House, owned and renovated by Michael and Tammy Redden. Although now updated with modern conveniences, the historic character of the Georgian home has been preserved. Tammy Redden serves as Rose Garden Club chairwoman for the holiday tour.

Tickets and brochures with photographs and descriptions will be available for $20 at each site or can be purchased in advance at the Trident Regional Chamber of Commerce in the Klauber Building on North Parler Avenue.

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