SAGINAW, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – John “JM” Kraemer has a story to tell, and it is one he’s painstakingly pieced together for the last 24 years.

“Because I have a mild form of Cerebral Palsy, I am not able to work,” Kraemer said. “Every year in January or February I take one to one-and-a-half months to build a giant church of my own design out of Legos.”

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The lifelong Michigander has been a lifelong fan of Legos, but Kraemer admits he was never good at building spaceships and the other typical Lego creations. However, Kraemer’s passion for the little plastic building blocks grew over the years, along with another aspect of Kraemer’s life – his faith in God.

“Church was the foundation of my family and every Sunday we went to Mass,” Kraemer said, speaking of his childhood. “Christ is the center of my life. It’s reflected in everything I do, especially the [Lego] projects. My faith is a foundation for how I conduct myself.”

So it just seemed natural that the 45-year-old Kraemer would combine the two big loves of his life.

“I have turned a hobby into a full-time ministry,” Kramer said.

For 24 years (or “seasons,” as he calls them), Kraemer has designed a church out of Lego pieces, then offered to display them in churches across the state. That’s 25,000 Lego pieces that Kraemer eventually transforms into a church building constructed on a 48 x 26 inch workspace. When working on his projects, he said he can spend anywhere from a couple of hours to six or seven hours each day building, depending on how smoothly construction progresses.

With each new “season,” Kraemer said there is a new story to tell.

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“I sit down with the bricks and figure out where the story is going to go,” Kraemer said. “I’m praying at the bricks and with my hands while I’m building.”

Currently, Kraemer is looking for a home for his latest creation. His previous Lego churches have been housed at Mt. Zion Catholic Pastoral Center in Flushing, All Saints Parish in Bay City, St. Athanasius in Harrison, and his home church, Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Saginaw.

For him, sharing his Lego projects is one way to encourage others.

“The project mission statement is ‘whatever disability you face, God can still use your talents,'” Kramer said. “This is a message that I live.”

Kraemer said he loves taking his projects on the road, and is looking for any parish willing to help with transportation for him and his project. He’s also ready and willing to share discussions on faith and disabilities.

“A project like this is not meant to be hidden,” Kraemer said.

For more information on Kraemer’s work, click here and here.