This perennial favorite was first displayed for Christmas 1947. The little church was Otto Giese's fulfillment of a dream to help others honor Christmas. While spending the holiday season serving in the Armed Forces during WWII, Mr. Giese vowed to create something wonderful for people to enjoy at Christmas. Back in LaPorte, he did just that with the help of local carpenters, electricians, and other craftspeople.

Built of wood in the style of a typical steepled New England church, the building features a multi-national congregation of dolls, a mechanized choir that processes with tiny candles and music, and a moving minister who waves his arms and tells the story of Christmas. This is set to a veritable light show of tiny chandeliers, colored effects and spotlights. It has been largely restored and computerized over the last few years through the volunteer labor and donations of several local business owners, coordinated by Tim Barnhart of S & W Electric.

The Church will be on exhibit during the month of December and the first half of January. We invite the public to see their museum in a "Different Light." The fluorescent lights will be turned off every afternoon from 3:00 until 4:30. Come and view the collection under the warm glow of colored lights from a large variety of Christmas decorations. Take a break from the holiday bustle and enjoy a stroll through your museum, the LaPorte County Historical Society Museum.

This photo shows James Rodgers, Curator of the LaPorte County Historical
Society Museum, ready to push the button that starts the show inside the
Giese Miniature Church.

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