MANSFIELD, Ohio — Carl Cunfer, the retired Pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mansfield, decorates his home for Christmas in a very special way each year.
This year his home is watched over by 600 beautiful guardian angels.
“In addition to all the angels, I have five Christmas trees decorated. Each tree has a story,” Cunfer said.
The Christmas wonderland begins just inside the front door. All of the main rooms in the house are resplendent with Christmas trees and collections of ornaments.
“Christmas is my favorite time of year and I go all out with decorations. I enjoy having people over,” Cunfer said. “I start in November. I have collected so much over the years, I can’t possibly put everything out each year so several years ago, I started a three-year cycle.
“One year is Santa Claus, one year Nativity scenes and one year angels.”
Visitors viewed his collection of approximately 175 nativity scenes at the Linden Road Presbyterian Church’s mission house Dec. 11 through 13. His collection was part of the display of 400 nativity scenes.
His Christmas collection includes more than 600 angels, from tiny to approximately three feet tall. Each room is decorated for Christmas and includes a tree with different ornaments Cunfer has collected over the years.
“I have five trees decorated. I’m prejudiced to one of them which I call my International Tree. I have traveled to 25 countries and I always bring something for this tree,” Cunfer said.
Decorating the International Tree takes Cunfer approximately two hours.
The tree is decorated with ornaments from Hawaii, Russia, Scotland, England and many other far-off places, including ornaments from his two trips to Bethlehem.
“In 2012, I traveled to England, Scotland and Wales. I pick up anything that will fit the tree. I have an ornament of Big Ben from England, Santa in kilts from Scotland. Some are key chains and it’s always something that’s significant to the place I visit,” Cunfer said.
Not all of the ornaments come from world travel. Cunfer also gathers his Christmas ornaments at garage sales and yard sales. Ornaments are made from tin-can lids, banana leaves, acorns, lace, feathers, pinecones, straw, stained glass, corn husks and many other natural materials including clay.
Among Cunfer’s collection are a miniature Tahj Mahal, the Pyramids, a miniature clay jug with a copy of the Dead Sea Scrolls and a jug from Galilee.
The collection includes more than 175 nativity scenes, the 600 angels, many Nutcracker figures and 500-plus Santas in all sizes, including 42 pairs of Santa salt-and-pepper shakers.
“I start taking everything down on Dec. 15. I’m excited to take things down because it means I’m leaving for Florida for the winter. If it ever becomes a chore, I won’t do it anymore,” Cunfer said.
Cunfer, in his 80’s, is an Army veteran of the Korean War, has been a Mansfield resident for more than 50 years and served as a Lutheran Pastor for almost 35 years.
“There are three ways to know you’re getting old; you become forgetful … I forgot the other two,” Cunfer said with a laugh. “I host an area pastor’s breakfast each year. I enjoy having people over. Christmas is my favorite time of year.”
This year, Cunfer had an open house for friends and family plus hosted four groups for a total of 60-70 people who enjoyed his wonderful Christmas displays.
Cunfer heads to Florida on Christmas day each year.
“I leave on Christmas morning because there isn’t any traffic. Everyone is home celebrating Christmas,” Cunfer said.
As Cunfer gets ready for the annual trip to Florida, he’s already thinking about next year, the year of the Nativity scenes.