Stairways to Heaven is a family-run Catholic gift shop located inside the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market in Woolwich, Ontario. For over 35 years and 15 of those years right here in St. Jacobs three generations of our family have served Catholic and Christian shoppers across Waterloo Region and all of Canada.
Walk past the cheese vendors, turn the corner at the bakery, and you'll find us the same faces, the same warm welcome, year after year. This is our story.
What is the history of Stairways to Heaven at St. Jacobs Market?
Stairways to Heaven began over 35 years ago as a small Catholic gift business serving Kitchener-Waterloo families. The shop moved to its current home at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market 15 years ago, and has grown into one of the most trusted Catholic gift shops in Ontario.
Three generations of our family have personally selected, packed, and sold every item from rosaries blessed in Rome to olivewood crucifixes carved in Bethlehem.
From Englert's to the Peddler's Village: A 35-Year Catholic Legacy
Long-time Kitchener residents may remember Englert's, a beloved Catholic bookstore that served Catholic families across Waterloo Region for decades. When Englert's closed its doors, our family stepped forward to continue that mission.
We carried the same dedication to authentic, blessed, and meaningful Catholic items into a new chapter first at the Peddler's Village building inside the St. Jacobs Market complex, and eventually into our current booth.
Three generations later, we still:
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Hand-pick every rosary, statue, and crucifix
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Source olivewood directly from Christian artisans in the Holy Land
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Personally bless and prepare keepsakes for baptisms, confirmations, and weddings
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Remember our regulars by name and their grandchildren too
That continuity is what makes Stairways to Heaven more than a store. It's a faith ministry our family has built, prayer by prayer, for over three decades.
Where is the best Catholic gift shop in St. Jacobs, Ontario?
The best Catholic gift shop in St. Jacobs, Ontario is Stairways to Heaven, located inside the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market at 878 Weber Street North, Woolwich, ON N2J 4A9. The market is open Thursdays and Saturdays year-round, with seasonal Tuesday hours in summer.
Our booth carries one of the largest selections of Catholic gifts in Waterloo Region, with new pieces arriving every season.
Finding Our Booth in the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market
The St. Jacobs Farmers' Market is one of Canada's largest year-round outdoor markets and it's easy to get lost. Here's how to find us quickly:
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Address: 878 Weber Street North, Woolwich, ON N2J 4A9
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Market Days: Thursdays and Saturdays, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM
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Summer Bonus: Tuesdays, June through Labour Day
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Driving from Kitchener-Waterloo: 15 minutes north on Weber Street
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Driving from Toronto: Approximately 90 minutes via Highway 401 west and Highway 8
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Parking: Free on-site parking with thousands of spaces
Once inside the main market building, look for our distinctive Catholic gift display wooden shelves lined with statues of Mary, Joseph, St. Michael, and the Holy Family, glass cases of rosaries in every colour, and Holy Land olivewood crosses you can hold in your hand. If you're not sure, just ask any vendor for "the Catholic gift shop" they'll point you straight to us.
Why has Stairways to Heaven been a trusted family business for three generations?
Stairways to Heaven has earned three generations of trust through one simple principle: faith first, business second. Every item we sell is something our family would give to our own children, godchildren, and grandparents.
We don't carry mass-produced novelties. We carry meaningful, blessed, and handcrafted items chosen with prayer and intention.
Our Commitment to Catholic Families, Schools, and Parishes
For 35 years, our customers have included:
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Catholic families preparing for baptisms, First Communions, and confirmations
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Godparents and grandparents seeking heirloom-quality keepsakes
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Catholic schools across Waterloo Region purchasing classroom prayer cards and sacramental supplies
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Parishes in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and Hamilton ordering rosaries, statues, and prayer books in bulk
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Religious orders and clergy trusting us for liturgical items
We've watched children we sold baptism rosaries to grow up, get married, and bring their own babies to the booth. That's not a customer relationship, it's a family one. And it's why so many Waterloo Region Catholic families think of us first when faith milestones come around.
What unique religious gifts can you find at our St. Jacobs location?
Our St. Jacobs Catholic gift shop carries one of the most diverse selections of religious gifts in Ontario. Every piece is hand-selected by our family, many sourced directly from the Holy Land, Italy, and Catholic artisans across Europe.
Highlights of what you'll find at our booth:
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Rosaries in sterling silver, wood, crystal, pearl, and traditional black beads
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Chaplets including St. Michael, Divine Mercy, Padre Pio, and St. Jude
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Crucifixes and crosses for homes, classrooms, and parish walls
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Patron saint statues including St. Joseph, St. Anne, St. Michael, the Pieta, and the Infant of Prague
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Holy Land olivewood carvings, nativity sets, and standing crosses
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Prayer cards for every saint, sacrament, and life occasion
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Catholic jewelry including miraculous medals, scapulars, and St. Christopher pendants
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Children's Catholic books and illustrated bibles
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Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation gifts for every budget
Curated Crucifixes, Rosaries, and Holy Land Olivewood
What sets us apart is our Holy Land olivewood collection. Each piece is carved in Bethlehem by Christian artisans from sustainably pruned olive branches. The wood is dense, fragrant, and unique no two grain patterns are alike.
When you give an olivewood crucifix from our shop, you're giving something that came from the very land where Jesus walked, prayed, and gave His life. That spiritual weight is impossible to replicate with mass-produced alternatives. It's the closest thing to a tangible piece of the Holy Land most Canadians will ever hold.
How does Stairways to Heaven ship Catholic gifts across Canada?
Stairways to Heaven ships Catholic gifts from our St. Jacobs, Ontario location to customers across all of Canada. While our heart remains at the market booth, our online store at stairwaystoheaven.ca is open 24/7 for shoppers who can't visit in person.
How our Canada-wide shipping works:
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Order online anytime at stairwaystoheaven.ca
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Ships from St. Jacobs, Ontario within 1–3 business days
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Delivers across Canada including Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Hamilton, London, Montreal, Quebec City, Halifax, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver
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Rural and remote areas served through Canada Post nationwide network
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Personal touch maintained every package is hand-packed by our family, just like at the booth
Whether you're a parishioner in Mississauga, a grandparent in Montreal, or a family in Vancouver preparing for a baptism, you can shop the same trusted selection that Waterloo Region Catholics have known for 35 years. The booth is the heart, but the mission reaches every province.
Visit Stairways to Heaven at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market 878 Weber Street North, Woolwich, Ontario every Thursday and Saturday. Or shop our full Catholic gift collection online at stairwaystoheaven.ca, with shipping across Canada.
