Staff Writer

Four homes and a church will be featured on this year's “Home for Christmas” tour to benefit the Union Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The fifth annual tour will be held Saturday, Dec. 13 from 3-8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Union Service Center of the Red Cross on 303 West Main Street. A ticket comes with directions to each of the tour sites.

Donna Alexander, Union Service Center manager, said the tour is a major fund raiser for the Red Cross.

“A lot of people think we are federally funded but we are not,” she said. “We are dependent solely on the public for donations and support. Our fund-raisers like the Tour of Homes and the Chinese Auction are what help keep the doors open.”

Mrs. Alexander expressed thanks to volunteers Marlene Proctor and Helen Leonard who designed the Tour of Homes brochure and tickets.

Tickets also are being sold on wreaths that will be raffled off at the conclusion of the tour. Tickets are $2. The wreaths will be on display in the gazebo of the Mornane home on the tour. Donors are Wallace Thomson Hospital, Graham's Florist, Sanders Garden and Gift Center, Two Sisters Florist and More, Gwinn's Florist and Union Oil Mill.

This year's tour includes:

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bates on 108 Ralph Ridge Road.

Completed in December of 2007, this 3,100 square foot home has three bedrooms and four baths and is situated on 2.5 acres. On display is a complete set of 1930s vintage Mason's Pink Vista china which has been passed down through generations. Complimenting this home's remembrance of the past are many modern features including a unique waterfall faucet in the master bathroom, oak cabinets throughout and extensive woodwork. The pool house has two bedrooms and a full bath and is full of Clemson memorabilia, sports trophies and racing collectibles. A cabin in the woods has been decorated with old signs, antique items, built in bunk beds and a wood stove.

Grace United Methodist Church, 201 South Church St.

This church was built in 1871. Worship services have been held here since 1872. The church is modified gothic in design with stained glass windows and a barrel vaulted nave over the sanctuary. A major expansion and renovation of the church took place in 1919. A new Casavant organ was dedicated in 1968, with 21 stops, 28 ranks and 1476 pipes. Organ music will be played during the tour. The Christmas tree decorated by members and topped with a Moravian star is a focal point.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Mornane, 2403 Cross Keys Highway.

Construction of this Tudor revival home was completed in 1925 by Union banker and businessman Emslie Nicholson. Stone materials used in the construction were taken from the property. Many magnificent built-in cabinets, hutches and a claw foot tub are original to the home, along with noteworthy woodwork. Owners Patrick and Lynn Mornane have recently completed renovations including a gourmet kitchen, stained glass windows and a lower level exercise room. Dwelling features one of a kind works of art, furnishings and rugs which have been collected from throughout the world. This 7,500 square foot home is situated on 13 acres.

Home of Dr. and Mrs. Woodliff Sanford, 504 Perrin Ave.

This home was built in 1916 after the original family home was destroyed by fire in 1913. Initially owned by the Perrin Family in what was known as Perrin Woods, the home is situated on almost two acres beneath stately trees in downtown Union. The dwelling offers history and charm with four bedrooms and four bathrooms, a wide entrance foyer, formal rooms and exquisite carpentry. There are three fireplaces and heart pine floors throughout. A designer kitchen and sun porch overlook the private backyard and original barn from 1898. there have been two extensive renovations of the home since 1916.

The home of Matt and Amy Pittman, 107 Stone Ridge Road.

This home, built by Jeff Bates of Custom Builders, was completed in September. There are four bedrooms and two and a half baths with 2,700 square feet. The home features a screened porch overlooking the back yard as well as a spacious bonus room.