South Carolina town defies mayor, keeps Nativity scene in Mullins marketplace

A small South Carolina town is at the center of a holiday display dispute after a local committee refused to remove a Nativity scene from a market parking lot, despite an order from the mayor to take it down. The standoff in Mullins highlights the ongoing tension over how religious symbols fit into public spaces during the Christmas season.

Kimberly Byrd, who runs the Mullins Beautification Committee, said her team spent about two weeks decorating the city’s new marketplace area for its first Christmas season, aiming for a look akin to a Hallmark movie. In addition to a snowman, wreaths, lights and Santa Claus, the group also placed a 3-by-4-foot Nativity scene that Byrd described as central to the holiday display. Shortly after their work began, Byrd said she received a text from Mayor Miko Pickett asking that the Nativity be removed from the public parking area, citing concerns about residents of other faiths and beliefs. Byrd said the request stunned her and that the Nativity’s presence had become a point of pride for many in a faith‑driven community.

A Nativity display in Mullins, South Carolina, December 2025. (Kimberly Byrd)

In a public statement posted Nov. 26, Pickett said she asked only that the Nativity be removed from the public parking area, arguing that a religious symbol on public property violated the establishment of church and state. Byrd countered that she was prepared to keep the display in place and remove the other decorations if the Nativity was taken down. "Christ is why we celebrate Christmas," Byrd said. "I really thought she would probably change her mind or come back and say, ‘I’m sorry, I made a mistake. Let’s have a meeting about this,’ but nothing."

Byrd said she has since received broad support from within Mullins and from outside the community. "I never thought I’d have to do anything like this," she said. "But at the end of the day, we have to stand for what we believe in and what is right." Pickett did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The issue has drawn attention from national voices who frame the dispute as part of a broader debate about religious symbols and public life during the holidays.

Mullins councilman Albert Woodberry told ABC15 News that he believes the Nativity should remain up for the season, saying, "Yes, I’d like for it to stay until the season’s over with. Kids pass here, people come through to see it, so it’s okay. It should not be a problem for it staying up." Woodberry added that he had not spoken directly with the mayor about the issue, but expressed support for keeping the display in place for the holidays.

The legal framing of such displays has roots in Supreme Court precedent. In Lynch v. Donnelly (1984), the Court ruled 5-4 that a Nativity scene could coexist with secular elements as part of a broader holiday display on public property, upholding that context. Still, the Mullins dispute underscores how communities navigate the line between religious expression and government endorsement as Christmas symbolism remains a hotbed of contention.

Becket, a religious liberty law firm, this week awarded Byrd its 2025 Tiny Tim Toast for her actions, calling attention to broader concerns about the role of faith in public life. Mark Rienzi, Becket’s president, praised Byrd for her stance and described the award as a nod to citizens who stand up for their beliefs amid increased scrutiny of religious displays on government property.

The Mullins case remains unresolved, with supporters urging the display to stay while opponents warn against any appearance of state endorsement of religion. For now, the Nativity sits in a public space that many residents see as a community focal point for the season, while others call for a return to a more secular, inclusive approach to holiday celebrations. The town’s story has become a touchstone in the broader national conversation about Christmas displays and the balance between faith and government.