By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Mary Anne Peterson shows one of the Nativity Sets that will be included in a display from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, 2026, at St. Malachy Church in Geneseo. Photo by Claudia Loucks
Mary Anne Peterson’s collection of Nativity sets just keeps growing. Her display of Nativity sets numbered more than 350 at last year’s showing held at St. Malachy Church in Geneseo. This year, Peterson estimates there will be more than 500 in the upcoming display, and she also will showcase her angels and Christmas trees.
Her collections will be on display from 2 to 8 p.m., beginning Friday, Dec. 26, through Thursday, Jan. 1. The church, at 595 East Ogden Ave., in Geneseo, is handicap accessible.
The exhibit is sponsored by St. Malachy Altar & Rosary Society and there is no charge to see the display, although free will donations are accepted.
Mary Anne Peterson has been a travel agent with Best Travel in Geneseo for nearly 38 years, and her career has taken her to many parts of the world. Many of her Nativity sets were purchased while on some of her trips, and she said, ”I used to buy small ones I could carry home in my suitcase or carry-on, but now it is much easier to have them packed and shipped home, and that way I have Christmas all year long,” she said.
Peterson said the idea for the display is a result of she and her sister, Karen Humbert, who leads the Altar & Rosary Society at St. Malachy Church, trying to think of a small fundraiser after Covid.
“I suggested putting out my Nativities and I’m sure the group didn’t realize how many I have,” she shared. “It took two trips in a medium-size moving van packed tightly to get it all moved and then 12 people three days to set it all up.”
This year Peterson estimates it will take three vans and four days to assemble the display.
The exhibit was so well-received that first year that Peterson has continued to share her collections, which this year features many more Nativity sets.
Her first Nativity set was a gift from her late husband, Keith Peterson, on their first Christmas together after their marriage in December, 1961.
His gift was a large Fontanini set made in Italy which he purchased at the former Marshall Field store in Chicago.
“That set is very special since it was the one that started my collection of more than 500 sets that I now have – from large to very little,” Peterson said. “They all have to speak to me in a very special way when I purchase one.”
Peterson recalled it was 1987 or 1988 when she decided to leave the Fontanini set out in her home until Valentine’s Day…”We had a very long, cold, below zero few days and the water pipe froze and broke and spewed water on the Nativity while I was at work. I lost several pieces, but I still call it my favorite and I put it out on display. Two trips to Italy and a visit to the Fontanini Store, and I still haven’t found replacement pieces as they are no longer made like the original ones I have.”
Last year while Peterson was in Oberammergau, Germany, she purchased several hand carved Nativity sets and was able to watch the carvers at work making them. Two years ago, she purchased two additional Fontanini sets…”Many sets have been given to me by family and friends as gifts, she said. ‘Last year several people visited the display at St. Malachy and went home and came back with Nativity sets they no longer put out, and decided I should have them to enjoy. Those also will be put out this year among the rest and loved by me as well.”
Her goal of taking the time and effort to set up the display again this year “is to have people of all ages come and enjoy the display, and I hope they can feel the love and joy of Christ in Christmas,” Peterson added.