Nativity on Euclid Landmark Restoration Foundation

In 1958, community leaders in Ontario felt a need to have something that would bring back a "sense of family" to Ontario.  Reverend Paul Kennedy, pastor of the First Christian Church, and several other community leaders, came together as the "Christmas on Euclid Avenue Committee"

The Christmas on Euclid Avenue Committee, under the sponsorship of the Association of Commerce and Industry (later renamed the Ontario Chamber of Commerce), established a committee to promote respect and meaning for celebrating the Christmas season. 

To this end, the committee contacted well-known artist Rudolph Vargas, a sculptor who worked for the Disney Company and specialized in religious themes.  Vargas was helped by his wife and two Hollywood scenic artists, Leslie Sandford and Jose De Soto, who painted the backdrops to have an almost three-dimensional effect. 

Wooden cutouts were created by Vargus to use as models when constructing the actual displays.  By using the models, he was able to bring the best qualities into the final process.  The wooden display cases housing the nativity scenes were built by the California Youth Authority.  Vargus took personal interest in assisting with setting up the first two displays in 1959.

All of the scenes represent thousands of volunteer-earned dollars.  The first display, the Nativity, cost almost $1,500 and was made possible through donations made by the Ontario Kiwanis Club in October 1959.  The Soroptimist Club donated the second scene, Shepherd's Adoration, which cost $1,304.50.  

Over the years, and after much planning and financing on the part of the committee, the community, and volunteers, ten additional displays were added.  By 1976 all twelve nativity scenes were completed and on display in the parkway of Ontario's famed Euclid Avenue.

In 1980, citizens and organizations donated funds to have Mr. Vargas place a plastic-type finish over each of the Biblical figures to "protect them for a lifetime".  This finish did provide some protection for many years; however, factors such as time, weather and handling of the displays have caused damage to many of the statues and the backdrops themselves. 

The focus of NOEL (Nativity On Euclid Landmark) Restoration Foundation is to restore and preserve these nativity scenes so they can be displayed and enjoyed for many generations to come.