Ted Goodman, DCNF

President-elect Donald Trump and future first lady Melania Trump received a standing ovation on Christmas Eve when they arrived unannounced at a 10:30 p.m. church service.

Trump attended a Christmas Eve church service at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, a historic church just a short drive from his Mar-a-Lago Estate in South Florida.

They sat in the fourth row, with secret service agents seated in the rows in front of him and behind, according to the Palm Beach Post.

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Trump sang songs and shook hands with those seated around him.

The Trump family has visited the church frequently over the past few decades. Trump married Melania there in 2005 and he attended last year’s Christmas Eve service and this year’s Easter service.

Rumors swirled all week that Trump would attend, but the church would not confirm. Guests had to go through metal detectors and purses were searched under white tents temporarily pitched in front of the church.

Bethesda-by-the-Sea is the oldest Protestant church in South Florida, according to its website. Its location has made it popular with celebrities, politicians and athletes, including basketball legend Michael Jordan and singer Rod Stewart, according to the Post.

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