The Altar Guild Easter Egg Project dates back to the inaugural year of the Guild, 1927, when the Guild started this enterprise as a money-raising project. The first year, egg models were designed by one of the Guild's newest members. In that first year approximately 200 eggs were made and sold for twenty-five cents each. The Guild reported at the 1928 annual meeting that they made a profit of $47.76.
The Easter Egg Project was on its way. The preparation would begin each year in June when the ladies gathered to select the character designs for that year's set of eggs. Many were based on fairy tales, current popular culture, ecclesiastical figures, or legends. On a Saturday near Labor Day, dozens of eggs were boiled. A chicken-wire frame was used to hold the eggs while they were spray-painted from various angles to give them a necessary protective coating. After painting the eggs, the delicate work began. Members met each Tuesday morning with glue, brushes, fabric, sequins, etc. to put the detail on the designs; they continued their work individually at home all year.
Once a few thousand hand-crafted eggs had been produced, the Guild fulfilled orders shortly before Easter each year, at which point a sample set, labeled with the year, was also donated to the church to be archived in the "egg cases." Visitors to the office wing still inevitably stop to take a look at this unique display. In 2017 the Champaign County History Museum featured the eggs in a special exhibit. Emmanuel Altar Guild Easter Eggs are a unique example of Americana right here in Champaign-Urbana!
The Easter Egg Project was on its way. The preparation would begin each year in June when the ladies gathered to select the character designs for that year's set of eggs. Many were based on fairy tales, current popular culture, ecclesiastical figures, or legends. On a Saturday near Labor Day, dozens of eggs were boiled. A chicken-wire frame was used to hold the eggs while they were spray-painted from various angles to give them a necessary protective coating. After painting the eggs, the delicate work began. Members met each Tuesday morning with glue, brushes, fabric, sequins, etc. to put the detail on the designs; they continued their work individually at home all year.
Once a few thousand hand-crafted eggs had been produced, the Guild fulfilled orders shortly before Easter each year, at which point a sample set, labeled with the year, was also donated to the church to be archived in the "egg cases." Visitors to the office wing still inevitably stop to take a look at this unique display. In 2017 the Champaign County History Museum featured the eggs in a special exhibit. Emmanuel Altar Guild Easter Eggs are a unique example of Americana right here in Champaign-Urbana!