To Stan Winman, 64, it feels as if he’s always been putting up the Christmas lights at Praise Tabernacle, a local church located at 330 Park Ave. The display, which has close to 200,000 lights, wraps around the church and has an archway for cars to drive under. Winman starts hanging lights in early October and the display will stay up through the first week of January.

Winman, who’s been a part-time staff member for the church for the past eight years and is a Scituate resident, said the display has been held at the Park Avenue site for 10 years. Prior to that, the church was located in a small church on Magnolia Street and the parish would rent out Cranston East and West stadiums to show their displays.

“We have always done a Christmas show every year, but when we came here [Park Avenue], we were able to do our Christmas show here,” said Winman in a Friday interview.

The church kicks off its lighting on the first Wednesday before Thanksgiving. There are food trucks, horse drawn wagon rides and trailer rides. Santa will arrive by fire truck and the church will have its fire pits lit.

“We’ve been expanding it ever since we’ve been here,” Winman said. “We like to try to sprinkle in the true meaning of Christmas through the lighting we do – which is the gift of God.”

Winman and staff member Leoneo Quionze put up the lights together.

“It’s quite intense,” Winman said.

With weather as their main challenge, the two put together a noteworthy display. On an average night, hundreds of people will visit the display that is kept on from 4:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Winman said the majority of people come between Thanksgiving and Christmas and dwindles after that point.

In addition to the archway for cars, there are several pathways that allow individuals to walk amongst the lights. There are a couple hundred displays around the building, and Winman tries to create different themes each year. This year, there is a North Pole theme with penguins on one side and bears on another as well as a reindeer area. Next year, he plans to create a snowmen theme and expand the nativity scene – which are currently featured on each side of the building.

Throughout the season, music will play around the building and there will be hot chocolate and cookies for families. Winman added that the church will also host several activities throughout the holidays including a candy cane hunt. gingerbread house contest and Christmas karaoke night.

He added that Praise Tabernacle hosts the lights display to bless the local community. He said community members appreciate the display, and it’s very rewarding to see the excitement on the children’s faces when families drop by.

As for next year’s lights, Winman is already preparing and has some in stock for next year. 

Jan. 5 will be the last night that lights will be on. Some of Winman’s favorite lights include two signs: “Jesus is the reason for the season” and “Wise men still seek him.”

“Christmas is about the greatest gift – His son Jesus. That’s why we celebrate Christmas and it’s through him we have everlasting life” Winman said, quoting John 3:16 and Romans 6:23.