Salisbury Cathedral has unveiled a twist on the traditional nativity in the shape of a sprawling photographic tableau featuring members of the clergy, staff and even visitors who take the parts of the holy family, the wise men and shepherds.

A cathedral stonemason appears as Joseph, a bookings agent as Mary, while Jesus is the son of a former England rugby player who happened to be in the cloisters when a baby boy was needed. A canon and guides are the wise men.

The final image, which measures 12x3 metres, is a composite of almost 150 photographs edited together and reproduced on silk panels. It will go on display to the public in the heart of the building from Saturday.

Previously the cathedral nativity has featured large papier-mache figures but this year the church decided to use people connected with the great church.

The curator, Jacquiline Creswell, said: “The final product is a very traditional scene, delivered in a non-traditional way. If you’re going to replace something traditional, you need to find a new and exciting way. I really wanted to take people connected with the cathedral and incorporate them into it.”

Fourteen people appear in the nativity scene, including an acrobat as an angel. Three sheep were also photographed for the project.

Jesus is played by four-month-old Freddie Halliday, the son of former England rugby player Simon Halliday. Freddie’s mother, Rachel, said: “It was just pure chance that we were in the cloisters when they needed a baby. He was very well behaved for the photoshoot. He loved it in fact.”

The stonemason, Christian Sullivan, 26, who appears as Joseph, said: “I think I was picked partly because I had a beard at the time. It was slightly surreal wandering around in old robes as the father of Christ.”