By Jon Perez, Catholic Saskatoon News

For three decades, Universal Church Supplies in Saskatoon has served parishes, families, and the wider community. While they have enjoyed owning the store, owners Gerry and Lisa Holst are ready to step away from the business and enjoy retirement.

The Holsts are seeking someone to purchase the business and hopefully continue serving the people who have relied on the store for years. Their priority is finding a new owner who sees the value of maintaining the store as a faith-based service to the community.

Nearly three decades ago, Lisa’s uncle and aunt, Len and Sandra Stang, who owned Universal Church Supplies in Edmonton, approached the Holsts with the idea of opening a similar store in Saskatchewan.

“Having a business which allows us the opportunity to serve the community by providing people with trusted, biblically-based resources and products that help individuals to know, love and serve God – what a blessing!” the couple says in a post on the store’s website.

Gerry Holst working at Universal Church Supplies on 2nd Avenue in Saskatoon. After 29 years operating the store, he and wife Lisa are preparing to retire. (Photo by Jon Perez, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Since opening in Saskatoon, the Holsts have been committed to serving both churches and individuals throughout the community. Their goal has always been to provide the products and resources needed for worship, ministry, faith formation, and important religious celebrations, while offering knowledgeable and personalized service.

While the store has a strong Catholic focus, the couple say the store is a valued resource for churches and congregations across many Christian denominations.

For the Holsts, Universal Church Supplies is about more than retail. Lisa says customers are grateful to have a local source for religious items that can be difficult to find elsewhere, while Gerry notes that churches rely on the store for essential worship supplies such as palms, hosts, candles and sacramental items.

Together, they see the business as an important service to the dioceses of Saskatoon, Prince Albert and the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas.

That sense of service is something the Holsts hope will continue under new ownership after their retirement.

After 29 years, Gerry and Lisa both say that they hope someone else will see the same potential they saw when they first opened the Saskatoon store and will also feel called to provide the same service to the community.

They encourage anyone with questions to contact them with any inquiries.

Lisa Holst works on a rosary at Universal Church Supplies, Since the store opened in Saskatoon it has a source for churches and individuals looking for everything from liturgical supplies to religious books, music, artwork, and gifts. (Photo by Jon Perez, Catholic Saskatoon News)

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Jon Perez is a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Saskatoon and a member of the St. Cecilia Choir. Catholic Saskatoon News is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca.

Catholic Saskatoon News is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca.