In 1987 Cornerstone was blessed to purchase the historic, one-of-a-kind Nativity scene. It was originally owned and displayed at the O’Neil’s Department Store in Downtown Akron starting in 1947. Dear friend and longtime Cornerstone Family member, Shirley Blair Chuchu, worked at O’Neil’s for many years and negotiated on behalf of Cornerstone for the Nativity, and Cornerstone Church became the proud owners of what thousands of people remember - a bit of Akron’s history.
If you ask almost anyone over 50 years old, they will fondly tell you of their yearly pilgrimage to downtown Akron to see the Nativity set and the Christmas display windows at both O’Neil’s and Polsky’s department stores. Some will remember what seemed like a whole floor of both of these stores being designated as North Pole Akron. The Nativity Set had its place of prominence displayed on the marquee of the O’Neil’s store. Driving down S. Main Street it could be seen by everyone. It was a magical time each year and in Akron’s history.
For over 30 years Cornerstone displayed this beautiful set at our old Killian Rd. location. About 15 years ago Bruce Oberlin was given the privilege to care for and display it each year. When Cornerstone began meeting at Coventry Elementary in 2017, Coventry Township was kind enough to let us set it up in an empty lot next to their Administration Building and Fire Station on Portage Lakes Drive.
In 2020, Cornerstone purchased a building and property at 2445 S. Arlington Rd. This is now our permanent location for our church home and our Nativity each Christmas.
The Nativity is so large we are always a bit nervous if a property is large enough to properly display it and if it will get the exposure it deserves. This was a silly fear. We found that this Arlington Rd. property is the best location we have ever had. Many have remarked that this set up is the best it has ever looked. A bonus is the 100,000 plus cars that pass by it daily! We have been overwhelmed with positive feedback not only from our Cornerstone family, but also from the whole community. It brought joy to our team to hear the constant honking of cars and even buses as we strategically place each full-size figure.
Caring for this Nativity has always had a cool factor to it for several reasons. For one, we are honored to have one of Akron’s most recognizable historic relics and excited to get to display it. The other thing that made it so enjoyable is the group of volunteers that have helped set it up over the years. They are always men and women who appreciate the significance of this display and the kind of individuals we just loved to work with.
Those who know Bruce well, find him hard to work with at times. It’s in his nature to want every type of display to be done well and when he stands back and look at the final Nativity display, he wants it to be perfect. Fortunately, he is not the only one. Everyone who volunteers is full of so much pride, they strive for it to be the best possible. Lots of those individuals are pictured above, although these are just the Ministry Partners who helped us set up in 2023, there are so many who’s impact on the display will ripple through the years to come.
Usually, there is a group of men, including Bruce standing back adjusting these full-size figures and yelling out our yearly demands. “Move the camel a few inches forward!” “The shepherd needs to go a foot back!” “Adjust the lights!”...”Why can’t I see the sheep?!” As we said, an inch here, an inch there, adds up to near perfection. Before anyone goes home, it needs to be a unanimous decision that the display is perfect.
The yearly set-up of our Nativity set holds so many priceless memories of Ministry Partners who are no longer with us and those who can only join us in spirit. It has never been a hardship, but rather something we all look forward to. The camaraderie of volunteers doing something together in the cold, snow, and drizzle is priceless. Poking fun, cracking jokes, and laughing. Standing back and moving everything an inch at a time, is such a blessing to be a part of.
It will be displayed through the first week of January. It may stir a lot of memories for many of you, and create new ones for your children and grandkids. Bring your parents who have a memory of downtown Akron, and let them share with a whole new generation.
Please feel free to share this page with family and friends who may remember the O’Neil's Display. Feel free to visit, get out of your car, and take pictures along with the Nativity. Please share it on your Social Media - and when you do, share any memories you had of going downtown during this period.