Bethlehem village was one nativity on display yesterday at Manorville Methodist Church.
Two local churches opened their doors yesterday to welcome the community into their parish to celebrate the season.
Manorville Methodist Church displayed over 100 nativity sets provided by church members. Just down the road in Ford City, St. John’s Lutheran Church showcased their sanctuary decorated for the Advent season.
Manorville Methodist parishioner Luella Bennett said the idea of the event actually started last year.
More than one hundred nativity scenes were in every shape, size, and color at yesterday’s Manorville Methodist open house.
“Last year, our pastor had suggested us displaying our nativities that would follow the Kittanning church tour. This year, we wanted to build on the nativity display. We got together with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ford City. They are having their beautiful sanctuary Chrismon display
Bennett said a total of 134 different nativity sets were on display yesterday in the church basement.
“They are from different countries, different styles, different colors, different paintings - it is a beautiful collection. There are two old sets - one from the 1920’s and one from 1930’s. They are family heirlooms. I am enjoying people coming in and enjoying them,” Bennett said.
However, don’t expect to see this display again for awhile.
“I think if you do it every year, people get bored with it. So we are thinking maybe in three years to do it again. By then, I am sure there will be more nativities to add to the collection. We are definitely looking for the more unusual and eye-catching ones.”
Visitors to the sanctuary of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ford City yesterday afternoon was captivated by nearly 100 -year-old stained glass windows and “Chrismons”.
At St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ford City, it was a breathtaking sight to take in evergreens, miniature lights, stained-glass windows, and Chrismons.
“The word ‘Chrismon’ is a combination of the words ‘Christ’ and ‘monogram.’ The word ‘Chrismon’ has been adapted to refer to special Christmas tree ornaments that have been developed to display symbols of Christ,” read a hand-printed poster at the front of the sanctuary. “All ornaments are done in white and gold.”
“We have our tree decorated with Crismons - religious symbols,” explained church Council member Nancy Smith. “They were made in the 60’s or 70’s by the Lutheran Willing Workers ladies auxiliary group. We have the church all decorated for Christmas. We have hand-outs of a few samples of Chrismons. This decorate every year but this is the first time we have had open house.”
“We are getting a lot of comments on our stained-glass windows. Each window tells a different story of Christ,” Smith said.
The original church was built in 1889 and was constructed of wood. The current brick building was erected in 1924. At that time, the windows where hand-made specifically for the building.
Church Council Vice-President George Snyder said the stained glass is definitely a focal point of the church sanctuary.
“We had them appraised for insurance purposed about 15 years and they put a value on them of $500,000. They used a top-quality float glass - glass that is made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten metal. It was all hand-poured.
Both churches offered cookies, punch, and refreshments.
Although parishioners see St. Johns Lutheran Church in Ford City decorated for the Advent season, the public was invited to visit the church at yesterday’s open house.