Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Mullins Nativity Scene Dispute Continues
In a small town in South Carolina, a woman named Kimberly Byrd put up a small Nativity scene in a public parking lot to make the area feel festive for Christmas.
The mayor, Miko Pickett, told her to take it down because he thinks it's not right to have religious symbols in public places.
But Kimberly refused, saying that the Nativity scene is an important part of Christmas celebrations.
The scene is just a small part of the decorations that include things like wreaths, lights, Santa Claus, and a snowman.
Kimberly and her team paid for all the decorations themselves.
The mayor is worried about the law, but Kimberly believes the scene should stay up.
Kimberly Byrd, chair of the Mullins Beautification Committee, refused to remove a Nativity scene from a public parking lot despite orders from Mayor Miko Pickett.
The Nativity scene is part of larger Christmas decorations that include wreaths, lights, Santa Claus, and a snowman.
The decorations were funded out of pocket by volunteers to create a festive 'Hallmark movie' vibe for the town's first Christmas season.
Mayor Pickett cited separation of church and state concerns as the reason for ordering the Nativity scene's removal.
Byrd believes the Nativity scene is an important part of Christmas celebrations and should remain up.
- Who
- Kimberly Byrd (Beautification Committee Chair) and Miko Pickett (Mayor)
- What
- Dispute over a Nativity scene in a public parking lot
- When
- During the town's first Christmas season
- Where
- Mullins, South Carolina
- Why
- Mayor cited separation of church and state concerns
- Location
- Mullins, South Carolina
- Key Figures
- Kimberly Byrd, Miko Pickett
- Issue
- Separation of church and state
- Nativity Scene Size
- 3-by-4-foot
- Funding Source
- Out of pocket by volunteers