Family Christian Stores


Family Christian headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a Christian themed web retailer. Originally a retail chain, by 2008, it was the world's largest Christian focused retailer. In 2013, the chain transitioned to a non-profit before filing for bankruptcy in 2015, closing all stores in 2017 and returning as a web retailer in 2019.

History

The company was founded in 1931 by two young brothers who were first generation Americans at the start of The Great Depression. From their family farmhouse in Grandville, Michigan. Pat and Bernie Zondervan launched Zondervan Publishing House as a company committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through publishing and eventually Christian resources and products as well.
Until 1993, the chain was part of Zondervan, the Christian publishing company that owns the copyright to the New International Version of the Bible. The two companies shared the same office complex in Western Michigan. Family Christian Stores increased its size through acquisitions, including Joshua's Christian Stores and Shepherd Shoppe. Christian items and church supplies were also sold over the internet through the company website which transitioned to a new platform in the fall of 2011. Some of the larger stores in the chain hosted large in-store events including concerts for Christian artists, book signings and special events.
In 2012, the management team and a group of Atlanta based Christian businessmen purchased the company from the private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners which had been the majority owner since 1999. The new owners had the singular idea to turn it into an engine for increased Christian generosity by pledging to its customers that 100% of store profits would go towards Christian organizations and causes, preferably ministries serving widows and orphans. In December of that year, the organization was granted 501 3 status from the Internal Revenue Service, officially transforming it into a nonprofit company.
In 2015, Family Christian Stores filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and in 2017, closed all retail stores. In 2019, Family Christian Stores reopened two years after closing and became an online store.

Timeline

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