![]() ![]() ![]() The Fountain of Angels, Wedding Island, The Gallery and Gift Shop all make the Park experience an unforgettable one. Over the years, Sam has added much to see and do – all reflections of his faith. The beautiful grounds that surround the Chapel have been named Precious Moments Park. Around every turn are murals, angels, stained glass, and other bits of Sam’s artwork. There, he was finally able to tackle the challenge of building the chapel he had envisioned for so long. He remembers looking at the masterpiece and thinking, “Could it be that someday God might grant me the privilege of sharing what light He has given me by painting what I feel He has to say about His grace?” Sam’s dream became a reality when he moved to Carthage. He was originally inspired by the sight of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in Rome. For many years Sam had dreamed of building a chapel where he could share his faith and spread the word of God with anyone who wished to visit. Sam had no doubt that he had found his future home. Later that same day, a real estate agent showed him a house overlooking Center Creek near Carthage, Missouri. While spending the night at a hotel near Joplin, Missouri, Sam awoke with an unmistakable feeling that he was somewhere special. In February of that year, he began searching for just the right place as he drove home from a gift show in California. In 1984, Sam made a decision to settle somewhere where he could devote himself to what was truly important to him – his family and his art. We are more committed than ever to expanding the success and vision of the Precious Moments legacy. No other collection has touched as many hearts as Precious Moments, and no other group of individuals has the same love and passion for this product line as the team at Precious Moments, Inc. In 2005, a new chapter in the Precious Moments story began, as the collection “came home” to join the rest of the Precious Moments family at Precious Moments, Incorporated. Even more telling, since its opening in 1989, Precious Moments Park in Carthage, Missouri has welcomed approximately 400,000 visitors every year. Members of collector's clubs continue to be found throughout the world. The collection is now well over 1,500 pieces with new introductions offered each year. The success of the Precious Moments figurines was amazing, yet Sam never lost touch with his original purpose to create art which combined his heartfelt emotions with his abiding faith. In less than a year after their introduction, demand was overwhelming. People began to write to Sam, telling him about how the Precious Moments figurines had touched their lives in a moving and heartfelt way. The response to the collection was incredible. By the end of 1978, the first twenty-one original Precious Moments figurines were introduced to the market. It was the beginning of a phenomenon for both Sam and the gift industry. Shortly thereafter, Sam was approached by Enesco Corporation to develop a three-dimensional figurine based on his artwork titled “Love One Another.” Sam was so overwhelmed when he saw the first porcelain sample that he fell to his knees and wept. The crowd became so large that neighboring vendors came over to help the two young men write orders. They took their goods to the annual Christian Booksellers Association Convention in Anaheim and their tiny booth was filled with enthusiastic retailers wanting to order the new line. ![]() In the early 1970s, Sam and a friend, Bill Biel, started a small company to produce his Precious Moments art on a line of cards and posters, calling their company Jonathan & David. His dedication earned him a scholarship to the College of Arts & Crafts in Berkeley. A man of deep personal faith and conviction, Sam demonstrated artistic talent at an early age and, encouraged by his Mother, he pursued formal art training following his high school graduation. Today, his Precious Moments artwork is among the most recognized art in the world, sharing messages of loving, caring and sharing with collectors from around the globe. It all began more than thirty years ago when Precious Moments® creator Sam Butcher began drawing the endearing teardrop-eye children he called "Precious Moments" as gifts for family and friends. ![]()
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