Courtesy photo
By Megan Lewis
For the Sidney Daily News
In 2006, Ann Stidd started Silver Cross Catholic Store in Fort Loramie. Driven by the desire to sell authentic Catholic goods and books, she decided to open the business. In 2021, Ann and Missy Bennett began conversations about the sale of the store. Missy and her husband, Jim, purchased the store that November.
Silver Cross Catholic Store sells an array of authentically Catholic religious materials like rosaries, Miraculous Medals, chapel veils, prayer booklets and candles, Saint coins and medals, and baptismal items.
Along with religious supplies, they sell books, bibles, CDs, and DVDS. The store provides items for Sacraments of the Church, including Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Orders and Matrimony. Silver Cross also provides bereavement gifts. They also sell gift items like greeting cards, home décor, prints, mugs, jewelry, blankets, socks, and scarves.
The store’s children and baby section has an assortment of books, games, and toys for all ages. Some products sold are from Catholic Coffee Heavenly Roasts, Salt and Light by Sami, The Catholic Pipe Company, and Eileen’s Natural Soap and Essentials, Domestica Woodworks, Caritas Dei, Populate Heaven, Abundantly Yours, Bettinger CNC, Hazel & Honey, Prayerful Lives, Catholic Sprouts, Emily Wilson Ministries, Journeys Revealed Ministries, Ad Jesum Per Mariam Rosaries, Timmerman Woodworking, Art on Maple and SJA Custom Catholic Creations.
The store hosts a women’s ministry called Wine, Women, and Jesus and a men’s ministry called Bible, Bourbon and Bros. Both groups meet on the second Tuesday of the month, with women meeting in odd months and men at the even months. The store also hold book studies with varying topics and timelines.
The name itself has a personal meaning to the locals of Fort Loramie. In 1872, a solid silver nine inch long and six inch wide artistic cross was found where the Loramie store and station were from 1769 to 1783. This was taken as a sign that Peter Loramie, as the first white man in the area, was a messenger of the gospel. The cross is currently displayed at the Fort Loramie Wilderness Trail Museum and in the company’s logo.
