TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) — A traveling nativity scene has landed at the Tippecanoe County courthouse this season.
For the past 20 years, the manger stayed mobile in one community member's truck. Jack Ruckle has been displaying the scene in his car since 1999.
This came after a lawsuit claiming the nativity scene at the courthouse violated the constitution. It brought to question the law of separation of church and state. That lawsuit was thrown out in 2016 when another lawsuit proved the courthouse belongs to the people.
Ruckle is grateful county commissioners are allowing the display again.
“They drew up a plan, we have to tear it down every night and stuff like that but this is just a start. I'm thankful that they opened it up for us to do it,” said Ruckel.
Ruckel is able to display the scene from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. He hopes that changes.
“Maybe we can, in time, just put it up for the season like it originally was,” said Ruckel. “I've lived here all my life and it has always been up until 20 years ago.”
The final day you can see the nativity scene this year is on Christmas Eve. It's located on the east side of the courthouse near the fountain. This is the second year Ruckel has been able to display the nativity scene at the courthouse.
