EDINA, Minn. — Just in time for the holidays, a special story is taking shape at the Church of St. Patrick in Edina.
"It's a Christmas holy land diorama because it's got Jerusalem, because it's got the sea; it's got a wedding going on,” said Father Allen Kuss.
While people can come enjoy it for Christmas, it is a unique display that has been in the works for a very, very long time.
“Forty-three years ago, I was in Rome studying," Kuss said. "It was my first year in seminary and because I couldn't come back home to my family, and wanted some decoration, I went out and bought a nativity scene that was 20 pieces. Fascinated by it.”
His collection grew.
The figures either showed up as gifts or were purchased on his trips to Italy, but they mostly sat in boxes while he served in the military for 20 years.
“So, about a year-and-a-half ago, I decided if it's going to happen, this is the place. I have space, I have a workspace I can work in. Let's do it,” he said.
That's when Don Keller entered the picture.
“Well, the first thing I thought was just turn around and say 'no!'" joked Keller.
Armed with a great sense of humor, and the talent of a career spent as a medical illustrator and creator of medical exhibits, Don and Father Kuss got to work. They met, formed plans and then asked the congregation for help with materials, most of which were Styrofoam, cardboard boxes and whatever else was on hand.
“Here's a box of shoes. There might be some shoes in there, we're not sure — we didn't open it,” said Don, while also pointing out a beer cooler, or three.
"The room that we built it in is not large enough to hold it, so we built it in sections, came upstairs, said a lot of prayers and lifted it up."
And over the last year and a half, with more than 1,000 hours of work, they brought nearly 650 figures, 1,250 lights and their combined vision to life.
“The ability of the painting and the creativity of Don, and the vision that he added to mine, I'm overwhelmed. If I had done it on my own, it would have been a bunch of shoe boxes and everybody would have gone, 'Oh, hat's good,'” joked Kuss.
Every part of the landscape was hand-painted by Don.
"The desert area is true to color," he pointed out.
And while it's certainly a three-dimensional piece of artwork to enjoy, it’s more than that.
“I would like people to consider: What were people thinking at the time of our lord?” said Father Kuss.
He’s hoping it will also make us think. Make us reflect. Help us learn.
“The temple, Jewish temple, is central to Jewish worship and Jewish life, so I wanted to depict that, and so you see a Rabi, a student; you see a high priest, you see an alter next to that, the menorah,” Kuss said.
Father Kuss wanted normal, everyday people represented at the time of the birth of Jesus. That's why he created stories for some of the characters, so you can get a sense of what they might have been thinking. It's a piece of the project that has been meaningful for Don while working on the project.
“Seventy-five years, I never thought about the birth of Christ as I do now, thanks to his collection,” said Don.
Educational and enlightening, but not without a little bit of levity.
“You can see a little red? That's the remnant of a Costco Cheez-it box. I look for sizes and shapes and I thought Cheez-it for Harrod,” said Don.
And maybe, just maybe, there’s room for growth.
“I have more; there's next year,” said Father with a sly smile.
The diorama is open to the public starting Dec. 8. You can contact the Church of St. Patrick if you have large groups that want to stop by.
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