St. Francis Gift Shop celebrating 50 years of angelic service
By Sharon White | Photography by Justin Borja
Nestled among the trees at the end of Hickory Road in Temple sits a small, rustic building of wood and stone that resembles a larger sanctuary just adjacent to it. Some call it “the best kept secret in Temple.” Others know it as the St. Francis Church Gift Shop.
The shop has supported the community and the ministries of St. Francis Episcopal Church since 1970. And although the building may have changed, the shop remains staffed entirely by volunteer “Angels,” who have kept it going for the past 50 years.
The original shop, formerly housed in a small, portable building, primarily carried Bibles, prayer books, baptismal gifts, and James Avery jewelry.
“At one time, we were the largest supplier of James Avery jewelry of any church gift shop in the state,” says longtime volunteer and board treasurer Linda Frick. “People came from all around to buy James Avery merchandise. It was a huge seller. But, about 10 years ago the Avery family took over the business and began selling only through their own retail venues and larger department stores.”
Through the years the gift shop endured some lean financial times, especially after losing their James Avery account, but the ministry carried on. In 2004, a piece of property was designated by the church to construct a permanent building for the shop. At times there were paid managers, but seven years ago the gift shop board decided to take over total management. The nonprofit shop is now completely run by a team of 30 volunteers.
Gail Avots—who remembers volunteering as a teenager with her mother—is a current board member. “We try to support local artisans and offer fair trade products here,” she says. “We also go to market every month to find merchandise at the best prices. All of our profits go back into church and community outreach programs such as our ‘Tuesday Solace’ (a respite care for early Alzheimer’s patients), ‘Churches Touching Lives for Christ,’ ‘Backpack Buddies,’ ‘Feed My Sheep,’ and special ministries at the church.”
These days, St. Francis Gift Shop might be considered a chic boutique—of sorts—showcasing much more than crosses, nativities and rosaries. Shelves abound with jewelry, baby gifts, hand-woven baskets, ceramics and glassware—as well as seasonal home and garden décor items.
When Jeanne Winters joined St. Francis Church two years ago, the Angels at the gift shop adopted her straightaway.
“I’m a happy camper when I’m at the gift shop,” says Jeanne, who has a keen eye for design. She began using her decorating talents and now creates stylish, one-of-a-kind wreaths, which she donates to the shop.
Frick is ever surprised when even some residents of Temple confess to not knowing about the shop. “I’ve been working here for 45 years, and I am always amazed when—at least once a month—someone will come in and say, ‘I had no idea this gift shop existed!’”
Today, when many boutiques and retail stores are closing their doors, this humble gift shop remains five-decades strong. Thanks to a faith-filled team of dedicated Angels.
St. Francis Episcopal Church Gift Shop
5001 Hickory Road, Temple
254-774-9232
