nativity

It has now been over a decade since circumstances forced the removal of a Nativity scene set in front of the Ellwood City Municipal Building washing out 50 years of tradition in Ellwood City. In 2011, the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) threatened to sue Ellwood City if officials didn’t remove a Nativity scene that the borough had erected on the property. Ultimately, borough officials agreed to move the Nativity to a different location. Rumors circulated and claimed that FFRF was “headed to Ellwood City in busloads” and that a motorcycle gang “with the stated objective of using the motorcycles…

Update: The owner retrieved the possessions, and the borough is taking no further action. A mini-nativity scene mysteriously appeared on the Ellwood City Borough Municipal Building property near the main entrance on Lawrence Avenue. The tiny figurines were displayed in front of and on the Fireman’s Memorial. In addition, there was a sign that read “Ellwood, the city with the Nativity.” At approximately 11:15 a.m., Borough Manager Bob Villella removed the sign and Nativity and placed the items in a box. The items will be available for the owner to claim. It is unknown who placed the sign and mini-nativity…