ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – The “Largest Nativity Set in the World” can be found at a home in Central Florida — along with an assortment of other strange surprises.
Drivers passing through Altamonte Springs along East Altamonte Drive have likely passed by this home without even noticing.
However, those who turn onto Jackson Street will find the nativity set posted front-and-center along the roadway.
While the nativity scene is gated off on private property, a sign posted in front claims that it’s 2 feet taller than “the largest nativity set currently recorded in the world, located in Mexico.”
The owners, Joe and Morgan Voker, told News 6 they purchased the set, which belonged to the Holy Land Experience before the theme park property was bought by AdventHealth.
“My brother-in-law who hates statues sent me a Facebook Marketplace link to the ‘Largest Nativity Set in the World.’ He sent it as a joke (for) next Christmas. That was like three or four years ago…” Morgan Voker said. “We got it from a guy who used to work for Holy Land for used, so we got it indirectly.”
Aside from the nativity set, they also managed to get their hands on an olive tree, a statue of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus, and a model of the stone Jesus was believed to have prayed at in the Garden of Gethsemane before his death.
The Vokers’ home is also highlighted by a line of marble statues erected along the roadway out front.
Drivers turning from Jackson Street onto Amanda Street can see them all lined up as they drive past, highlighted by the cavalcade of Christmas decorations that the Vokers put up.
There’s also a stone carving of Jesus’ face, which was made to look as though it watches you as you go by.
Video taken by News 6 shows the optical illusion in action.
[WATCH THE VIDEO BY CLICKING IN THE MEDIA PLAYER BELOW]
Even the large fountain found in the couple’s yard — installed entirely by themselves — was originally owned by the Holy Land Experience.
“The (Holy Land) property was being bulldozed, so all of this was just going to go into a landfill,” Joe Voker said. “We saved it from the landfill and kept its life going.”
On the flip side of the property at the intersection of Jackson Street and Depugh Street, passersby can spot a sign that reads, “JESUS IS WATCHING (And The Cameras Are Too…).”
According to the Vokers, a nearby “trap house” had frequent issues, including a shooting, and a piece of artwork on their property had been graffitied.
After painting over it, they chose to put up a surveillance camera system, along with the posted warning. Since then, they said they haven’t experienced as many issues with vandalism.
But perhaps the neatest part of the Vokers’ homestead is the empty lot out back.
While unassuming, Joe Voker said they’re planning to build a lazy river attraction akin to the lazy river found at the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World.
The attraction is expected to stretch across the property, with animal statues — a score from an estate sale — being placed around the river.
“We’re waiting on stuff that takes a long time with the county,” Joe Voker said. “There’s a utility easement we have to vacate, and then we have to join parcels. It took two years just to get a surveyor to survey the property and put on the correct verbiage for the county.”
The Vokers explained they’d like to extend the lazy river to the nearby community, though there could be challenges.
“It’ll be for everybody. We have to figure out how to legally do that so it’s not some sort of liability burden on us…” Joe Voker said. “It’s going to have to be some kind of membership thing or something like that because otherwise you just have a bunch of people on your property, and you can’t have someone falling or something goofy like that.”
While the property is decked out in plenty of statuesque artwork and holiday decorations, that’s not all there is to it. The couple also helps organize a local Christmas parade, which is scheduled for Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. It will start near the couple’s home at Jackson and Amanda streets and then travel down New Amanda Street.
To participate, you can call or text 407-342-1153.
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