For the 84th consecutive year, the Little Town of Bethlehem Christmas display is drawing visitors to St. Boniface Church in Vincent, southeast of Victoria.
The Nativity scene began as a labor of love by Father Callistus Rectenwald who came to the parish in 1927. The “Christmas Crib” as he called it, resembles the town of Bethlehem, with trees and plants, rocks, bridges and streams, water wells, animals and of course, the Bethlehem Inn which had no room for Mary and Joseph.
The Inn and other buildings are built from wood scraps and paneling covered with pebbles from the St. Boniface Church driveway. The pebbles were glued to the walls to resemble buildings made of stone.
The rocks and shells scattered throughout the town of Bethlehem come from 105 countries, many of the Pacific Islands, and all 50 states. One special rock is from the cave of Lourdes where the Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette.
The brightest stones were donated by Vincent resident Milton Wellbrock, whose hobby of rock polishing really intrigued Father Rectenwald.
The stable where Jesus was born is constructed with wood taken from a pear tree in a farm orchard near St. Boniface.
The Three Kings statues are from Germany, as are the figures of the Holy Family and some of the shepherds. One of the large camels comes from the Holy Land and is made of olive wood.
Father Rectenwald also wanted to represent the many farms in the rural Vince area. Near the stable he placed Holstein cows and a milking maid on a stool, along with chickens and other animals.
The look of the Nativity display has changed over the years. When a parishioner took a trip or when young men were in service during war times, they always remembered to bring back a souvenir to add to the crib.
Each Christmas season since Father Rectenwald’s death in 1980, parish members have set up the display as a tribute to its creator, and as a memorial in his name for the education of seminarians in the Capuchin order.
The display can be viewed the final time this year Christmas Day, December 25, 1-5p.m.
Street Beat will have the story December 27.