Group always gathers December 23 at 5:30 pm
Every December 23 at 5:30 pm, family and friends gather at the corner of Heatherwood and Tomeka around the tree planted in honor of Christie Benet. Above them, a large moon shines as they sing. The city makes it possible for the tree to be adorned with electric Christmas lights. Dr. Robert Van Doren, director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church for many years, started the choral singing. According to neighbors, the gathering takes place every December 23 rain, sleet, or snow.

Christie Benet

Christie Benet (1909- 1951), attended the College of Charleston, USC, and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville where he received his LL.B in 1902. He was admitted to the bar in 1903 and practiced his entire life in Columbia.

Benet played tackle while at UVA. He coached football at UVA and USC. He was known to have quieted a confrontation among USC and Clemson students following a 12- 6 victory by USC over Clemson.

Benet married Alice Haskell and they had two children, a son who died at a young age and Alice, who married Porcher P. Hopkins. Benet was a U.S. senator, solicitor for the fifth district, city attorney for the City of Columbia, served on the Board of Regents of the S. C. State Hospital for 33 years, and was president of the S.C. Bar Association, a warden of Trinity Episcopal Church and chairman of the U.S. Loyalty Board for the Southeastern Jurisdiction.

Photos by Jim Covington

After 1918, Benet was appointed to fill a position of Sen. B.R. Tillman's term following Tillman's death. He lost his U.S. senate seat to William P. Pollock in 1918 but continued to play active roles in the Democratic party, twice as secretary of state of the State Executive Committee. Benet was elected a Life Trustee of Clemson in 1929 and served until his death in 1951.

The South Carolina Bench and Bar, The USC School of Law, and the Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress