Rev. Margi Colerick stands among her collection of over 500 nativity scenes on display at Merriam Christian Church on Friday, Dec. 6. The display and sale opened to the public on Thursday, Dec. 5. “For the first hour and a half we were open people were like frenzied piranhas just grabbing everything,” Colerick said. She estimates that they’ve sold over one hundred sets as of Friday afternoon. Photo credit Kylie Graham.
Rev. Margi Colerick says her love for Nativity scenes started in 1960 when her mother made one for her church’s Christmas bazaar.
Then a 13-year-old, Colerick became fascinated as she watched her mother bring the Nativity scene to life. Since then, she has been collecting and creating Nativity scenes herself.
This year Colerick is selling off about a third of her collection and displaying others at Merriam Christian Church, 9401 Johnson Drive, where her daughter, Robin, is the pastor.
The display and sale opened to the public on Thursday.
“For the first hour and a half we were open, people were like frenzied piranhas just grabbing everything,” Colerick said.
She estimates that they’ve sold over 100 sets as of Friday afternoon.
The sale continues on Friday through 8 p.m., and customers continue browsing on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again on Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit the outreach program at Merriam Christian Church.
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The first Nativity scene done by Rev. Margi Colerick’s mother in 1960. The bodies were made with Duron clay and baked in the family’s home oven. Many details were made from household items including a Wiseman gift from a shotgun shell and a paintbrush for Joseph’s staff. Photo credit Kylie Graham.A closeup of a one of the wise men made by 13-year-old Colerick using Duron clay and fabric. Colerick said she opted not to paint the wise men because she knew her painting skills would leave them looking like clowns. Photo credit Kylie Graham.All Nativity scenes placed on a red tablecloth are available for purchase with a limit of three per customer. The rest of Colerick’s 500-plus collection is available for a free viewing through Sunday. Photo credit Kylie Graham.This is Colerick’s and her daughter Rev. Robin Colerick-Shinkle’s favorite Nativity scene. “Robin and me think this is the best one because it’s very restful and peaceful with no people, just Jesus and the animals. It makes me feel calm and happy,” Margi said. Photo credit Kylie Graham.While she never kept an exact count of her collection, Colerick said that it was, at one point, well over 700. “There’s a little something for everyone here I think,” said Colerick. Photo credit Kylie Graham.A Nativity scene painted by Colerick’s grandaughter, to the left, next to another Nativity scene featuring a “Grumpy Joseph.” Colerick said she was drawn to “Grumpy Joseph” for how it portrays Mary’s husband in a more human way. Photo credit Kylie Graham.After seeing Facebook videos on Dollar Tree crafts, Colerick was inspired to create a more abstract Nativity scene using only what she could find in the store. Photo credit Kylie Graham.The display at Merriam Christian Church is free for all and open from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and noon to 6 pm on Sunday. Photo credit Kylie Graham.Scenes placed on red tables are for sale with prices marked down. “I want it to be so that you can buy something you’ll enjoy in your home, I’m not concerned with making money,” Colerick said. Sales benefit Merriam Christian Church’s outreach work in the community. Photo credit Kylie Graham.Many displays in Colerick’s exhibit take a twist on the classic Nativity scene, such as this one featuring chickens. Photo credit Kylie Graham.
Go deepers: Find out more about Colerick’s “Nativities From Around the World” display at the event’s Facebook page.
Kylie Graham is a Johnson County native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who does freelance photography around the Kansas City metro.
