Without planning to be “collectors,” Bill and Susanne found themselves acquiring new Nativities, both by purchase and as gifts from family and friends, over a span of 35 years. 

When the number grew to more than 500, they sought a home for the collection.  The permanent  installation at Holy Cross currently includes 236 of these Nativities, from more than 30 different countries.  They range from traditional to whimsical, in  wide-ranging   media, from fabric, carved wood, stained glass and crystal, to recycled soda cans, newsprint, seed pods, banana bark and chocolate.

The cabinets were designed and constructed by the team at Essmann Millwork and Cabinetry, Germantown, WI.  The project was made possible by the generous gifts and memorials from members and friends of Holy Cross. 

VIEWING HOURS
The collection is available for public viewing throughout the year:
September through May:
Monday through Friday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
and Sunday Mornings 7:45 to 11:30 AM.
June through August:  
Monday through Thursday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM 
and Sunday Mornings from 7:45 to 10:00 AM. 

Since the display was completed last December, we have been privileged to welcome many guests to view the collection.  Among the visitors were officers and members of Friends of the Crèche (FOTC), a national organization dedicated to furthering the tradition of the crèche.  FOTC is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical, and nonprofit organization for those who collect, exhibit, study, create or simply treasure Christmas nativity scenes.  As a result of their study, the "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come" Nativity collection at Holy Cross has been awarded four stars, the highest rating the organization gives, indicating it is a must-see exhibit.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS
Groups are welcome and will be provided with a guided tour by appointment only.  Please contact the church office at 262-251-2740 or bethd@holycrosslutheran.org for more information.

Without planning to be “collectors,” Bill and Susanne found themselves acquiring new Nativities, both by purchase and as gifts from family and friends, over a span of 35 years. 

When the number grew to more than 500, they sought a home for the collection.  The permanent  installation at Holy Cross currently includes 236 of these Nativities, from more than 30 different countries.  They range from traditional to whimsical, in  wide-ranging   media, from fabric, carved wood, stained glass and crystal, to recycled soda cans, newsprint, seed pods, banana bark and chocolate.

The cabinets were designed and constructed by the team at Essmann Millwork and Cabinetry, Germantown, WI.  The project was made possible by the generous gifts and memorials from members and friends of Holy Cross. 

VIEWING HOURS
The collection is available for public viewing throughout the year:
September through May:
Monday through Friday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
and Sunday Mornings 7:45 to 11:30 AM.
June through August:  
Monday through Thursday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM 
and Sunday Mornings from 7:45 to 10:00 AM. 

Since the display was completed last December, we have been privileged to welcome many guests to view the collection.  Among the visitors were officers and members of Friends of the Crèche (FOTC), a national organization dedicated to furthering the tradition of the crèche.  FOTC is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical, and nonprofit organization for those who collect, exhibit, study, create or simply treasure Christmas nativity scenes.  As a result of their study, the "Joy to the World, the Lord is Come" Nativity collection at Holy Cross has been awarded four stars, the highest rating the organization gives, indicating it is a must-see exhibit.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS
Groups are welcome and will be provided with a guided tour by appointment only.  Please contact the church office at 262-251-2740 or bethd@holycrosslutheran.org for more information.