CAMBRIA - What began as a single Christmas gift evolved into a 40-year construction of a miniature village in Evadean Church's home.

Evadean received a small model of an inn from her pastor's wife about 40 years ago, and she decided to keep on collecting. Now she estimates she has around 3,000 to 4,000 pieces in her collection. Her son, Bob Church, estimates it is closer to 15,000 to 20,000.

She has one large village and two smaller villages that sit in her living room at 202 W. Vermont St. They contain churches, a railroad station, a building with Santa Claus flying over it and even commercial models such as a Menard's and a Cracker Barrel.

There are also populations of plastic pedestrians and a healthy number of street lights. Evadean said her method for finding new buildings for her collection is simple.

"When I see them and like them, I buy them," Evadean said.

In addition to purchasing the reduced-scale real estate, she said the items often come in the form of gifts from friends and family.

"It's pretty common," Evadean said. "And when I do (receive them as gifts), they're even more special."

But the best gift for her is seeing the reactions from her young visitors. She has 10 children and 32 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She said each one is in awe when they walk in and see the decorations.

"It's always good to look at the kids' faces when they see it," Evadean said.

Church said he began helping her set up the villages just before Thanksgiving. Because of his 30 years of military service, everything is placed with perfect precision.

"Everything has got to be just right," Bob said.

He said he has a lot of fond memories of Christmas growing up because of his mother's enthusiasm and his father's dedication to making Christmas just right. He said if there was ever a malfunction in the Christmas lights, his father, who passed away several years ago, would sort through hundreds of bulbs until he found the faulty one.

The importance placed on the holidays is something Evadean still feels strongly about and plans to continue as long as she can. She also said that anyone is invited to stop by if they want to appreciate the villages.

"As long as I'm around, I'm going to (collect them)," Evadean said. "I might have to build another room, though."

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com / 351-5804