Annual tradition of Life-sized Nativity Display will now have a new downtown location 

COLUMBUS, OH -- The Diocese of Columbus’ Museum of Catholic Art and History is happy to announce the donation of State Auto’s historic life-sized Nativity display, along with an additional $250,000 contribution to assist in preserving the tradition for years to come.  

The life-sized Nativity display has been the focal point of State Auto’s Christmas Corner in downtown Columbus since 1962. Later this year, Christmas Corner, including the Nativity display, will move from State Auto’s downtown campus to the lawn of St. Joseph Cathedral at East Broad and South Fifth streets.  

“This is a joyous moment for our Catholic Museum,” said the Most Rev. Earl K. Fernandes, Bishop of Columbus. “Receiving this beautiful Christian artwork that is so historic and meaningful to the Columbus community is a genuine honor, and we rejoice at the opportunity to preserve this display and bring it to the people of central Ohio for generations to come. Such a momentous display of a vital part of the chronicle of God’s love for all people, when He humbled Himself to share in our humanity so we can share in His divinity, visibly invites us into a deeper relationship with our Lord.”   

“Receiving this remarkable Nativity scene fits perfectly into the mission of our Catholic Museum,” said Museum Director Shawn Kenney. “One of our goals is to make our Catholic Museum everyone’s Catholic Museum, so we look forward to bringing this beloved Columbus tradition to the community every year. This also beautifully complements our very popular Nativity display, and we look forward to welcoming the people from all around Columbus to the Nativity scene’s new home in front of St. Joseph Cathedral.”   

"As a long-standing member of the Central Ohio community, we’re proud that Christmas Corner and the life-sized Nativity scene have been a storied part of the city’s holiday traditions,” said Kyle Anderson, a State Auto spokesperson.  “Over the past several months, we’ve been working closely with The Diocese of Columbus’ Museum of Catholic Art and History on this transition and are thrilled to see the Nativity scene continue at its new downtown location in their caring hands.”  

Christmas Corner, initially a display of evergreens and lights, was started by State Auto Insurance founder Bob Pein in 1931. Pein described it as his way of giving back to the community. In 1962, the Nativity display was added to what Pein called a “Christmas card to the community.” For decades, people of all backgrounds have enjoyed the downtown display. Each year, choirs from around Central Ohio delight crowds as they walk along the Nativity display and sip hot chocolate.  

The Museum of Catholic Art and History was founded in 1998. In preparation for the Jubilee year of 2000, Pope John Paul II requested that Dioceses across the world dedicate some space to preserving the historical heritage of the Church and their Dioceses. In response to the Pope’s request, the Museum was started as a parish project for Holy Family Catholic Church and was housed in the old Holy Family school, located on S. Grubb Street.  

The museum, which started as a modest collection that filled four rooms of the old school building, grew to fill over 20 rooms and included 3 fully functioning pipe organs, over 60 oil paintings from 1600 to the present, several significant collections of stained glass, and vestments from the 1700s including sets of French damask given by several of the royal families of Europe to the Holy Land.   

Work to prepare for the 2023 Christmas season will begin immediately. The life-sized Nativity scene will be displayed on the lawn of St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 East Broad Street. Further details on the display will be released soon.   

For more information, contact the Office of Communications, Diocese of Columbus, at [email protected].