Nativity set stays in community

A well-known nativity scene that was displayed in front of Constantine’s Garden Center will stay in the Richfield community. John Constantine Jr. donated the life-size pieces to the Richfield United Church of Christ after the nursery closed its doors for good in October.

John’s parents, John and Athena, purchased the set from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in the 1980s, and displayed it in front of the nursery every year since that time.

John donated it to the church in the hopes that the tradition could be continued.  Dave Hakos, chairman of the church maintenance board, said members are working to create a good location in front of the church to display the set this year.

Photo Caption: Several members of the Richfield United Church of Christ unload a nativity set that was donated to the church by John Constantine. Shown are Lew Monegan, Terry Bard, John Constantine and Rob and Kat Miller. Photo by D. Hakos.