Four years ago, a member of the Swift Presbyterian Church in Foley approached Derek and Jane Capsis about creating some sort of art with the windows in the sanctuary of the church.

“Lynn Aspray came to us several years back,” Jane said. “She wanted something where the sun could come through. She knew we were both involved in art, so we began to think.”

Derek came up with the idea to put canvas on frames and he would paint pictures on the canvas.

“He decided to paint one with the angel talking to Mary and then one with the shepherds in the field,” Jane says.

And the rest is history.

There are five panels on each side of the church. Two panels are four feet by six feet with a three-by-eight foot semicircle on top. There are two additional sections on either side of the main panel set.

These murals are displayed in the windows of the church after Thanksgiving and remain in place until after Christmas.

To view the panels throughout the week, call the church office at 251-943-8367 to schedule a viewing.

“To me, Christmas is the birth of Christ,” Derek said. “Sure, I’ve got shows I watch on TV every year I love that don’t have anything to do with Christ, but they’re for spirit. These (murals) are Christmas to me.”

Derek is giving back to the Creator that gave him his gift.

“I want to give back to the community and give thanks to God for this talent,” he said. “This is a little tribute anyway. He gave me something I can use until the day I die. Maybe I can show a little appreciation for that gift.”

Founded in 1907, Charles A. Swift donated the lumber to construct Swift Presbyterian Church. At this time, the only way to the church was by way of Wolf Creek. Today, in addition to the original chapel, Swift Church includes classrooms, offices and a sanctuary. The 8 a.m. service is still held in the chapel and the 10 a.m. service is held in the sanctuary.

Swift Presbyterian would like to welcome the public to their Christmas Eve service Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The church is located at 23208 Swift Church Road in Foley.