Lego Church Project

A 584 Word Interview with the Founder of the Lego Church Project

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Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed J.M. Kraemer, founder of The Lego Church Project via phone call on January 29th, 2024. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

It’s great to have you back J.M.! Refresh my audience how did the Lego Church Project begin?

Growing up I was always into Legos. My friends were building spaceships and I wasn’t good at that. I started building buildings and it slowly developed into me building churches and a ministry.

I’ve had a mild form of cerebral palsy, in this ministry I’m showing others that God can still use your talents.

How many blocks do you use on a project (on average)?

Between 25,000 and 30,000. There’s a lot of interior details. I have one feature at the altar that has over 150 pieces.

Do you ever keep a build constructed?

I tear down the Lego Church every year. It takes about 3 days to deconstruct.

How do you organize the Legos?

Normally, by color.

Did you ever imagine the Lego Church Project would reach the 25th year mark?

Honestly, no. To realize where I’ve been and where I’m going has been a surprise. Our society is not geared towards those with disabilities. This project has helped bring awareness and led to conversations that people with disabilities have a place in the Church.

How often do you think about the future of this project?

I think about the future all the time. I trust in the Lord’s wisdom and timing. As long as I’m doing this ministry for the right reasons, I trust the Lord will guide me. I’m open to the fact that God may shift plans.

Where do you get your supplies?

Bricklink.com

Do you put figurines inside the church?

Yes, and this season I’ll have close to 300.

Do you grow your collection of mini-figures?

I have an Amazon wishlist. People also gift me various Lego sets, and I use those min-figures.

Has Spider-Man attended Mass?

Not yet, but I do have a mini-figure of Optimus Prime. I have an R2D2 (he’s in an easy to find place for kids to notice). I like to show that if these interesting figures can be at church then there’s a place for them (the kids) at Mass too.

You mentioned last time your favorite saint was Blessed Solanus Casey. How has his intercession helped your faith life the past few years?

He has given me wisdom in ways I could not have anticipated. His intercession is more subtle. Not like a trumpet blast but like a whisper.

What’s your favorite quote of his?

I’ve found this quote impactful: “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks.”

Another quote I find insightful is:

“Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free. We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of our peace of soul. Instead, let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever He chooses to send us.”

Where can my audience find your work?

https://prayingbricks.substack.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LegoChurchProject

About J.M. Kraemer:

JM Kraemer is the the builder of the annual Lego Church Project. A disability focused ministry that is based in Saginaw Township, Michigan.

Thank you for sharing!

Building Up the Faith: An Interview with John Kraemer on the Lego Church Project

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Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed John Kraemer via phone call on December 3, 2020. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any of the integrity of the answers given.

John Kramer Lego Church Project

How the Lego Project got started?

My first project begin in 2003  and featured at Christ the Good Shepherd Church. It wasn’t until I started displaying my churches during the Christmas season (in year 4) that the Project took off.-

How do you pick the specific Catholic Church to build each year?

It has been a church of my own design. I wanted to combine the elements of modern church while keeping to tradition. I try to show the happy medium between the modern and traditional.

I try to keep things as accurate as I can. I will blend some real world elements. For examples, I have included items from Rugged Rosary (Crucifixes and Statue of Mary).

What is your favorite Lego display?

The Christmas display is one of my favorite and most important displays.

I build the displays in mid-February. It takes around a couple months for about 2-5 hours a day. I usually take a break after Easter. I usually tear down the Church at the end of the year. I sometimes save the tabernacle and ambo for later use.

Lego Church Project

How do you find inspiration with creating the Lego Churches?

Until I sit down with the bricks, I’m not quite sure where the story takes me.

I’m always looking, studying, getting ideas for what’s around me. How are things set up? Placement is everything for me.  I review my previous projects all the time.

Did you play with Legos a lot as a kid?

Yes,  while my friends were building spaceships I found myself constructing buildings. Eventually it developed into me making churches.

How does your work inspire others?

One priest was building a Vatican City and he was looking at my work to get an idea.

The Project is a prayer because it is also a reflection of where we’ve been and where we should be. My thoughts for this Christmas is an end to the pandemic.

Tell me a bit about your devotion to Blessed Solanus Casey.

The qualities that attracted him to me was his learning difficulties. His faithfulness and obedience. I learned about him as he was from Detroit and my parents grew up in Detroit. Grandma grew up across the street from the monastery. One of her wishes before he died was to see Blessed Solanus canonized.

Why is the Mass is important to you?

When we participate in the Mass we are part of something else. No matter what storms or challenges we face when we make the Mass our priority he say Jesus is our savior.

John Kraemer is a Catholic out of Saginaw, Michigan and has been building his annual “Lego Church Project” for over twenty years. With a focus on disability awareness.

It was a joy interviewing John and his work about the Lego Church Project. To learn more about his ministry follow his Facebook page at The Lego Church Project

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing!