God’s Earthly Creations in Corydon, Indiana
God’s Earthly Creations opened its doors the day of Light Up Corydon in 2020, and it’s been growing ever since. Focused on providing an in-person space to shop for Christian merchandise, owner Shelly Kendrick said she has met so many wonderful people, some just needing someone to talk to.
“I have customers that will come in that don’t even know me, and they’re telling me everything that’s going on in their life. You build a whole new circle of friends.”
“I have customers that will come in that don’t even know me, and they’re telling me everything that’s going on in their life,” she said. “You build a whole new circle of friends.”
Prior to opening the shop, Kendrick was an administrative assistant for nearly 25 years. She and her husband had been throwing different business ideas around but had never thought it would turn into a storefront.
“We were actually driving through Corydon one day and see this building for sale, and my husband’s like, ‘Hey, we should buy that building and open a Christian store,’” Kendrick said.
She said that although she’s normally not one to jump into things, they ran with it, and they’ve been gradually growing over the past five½ years.
There’s another shop under the roof as well — Lil Rap, owned by Kathy Payne — which focuses on wholesale retail silk florals. Kendrick said they moved all of Payne’s merchandise to the front end, which expands the store’s gift offerings.
There’s another shop under the roof as well — Lil Rap, owned by Kathy Payne — which focuses on wholesale retail silk florals. Kendrick said they moved all of Payne’s merchandise to the front end, which expands the store’s gift offerings.
“We have stuff that covers all age groups — all kinds of gift items,” Kendrick said. She mostly stays focused on the Christian end because that is how they began.
In terms of informing her inventory, she said she is always paying attention to what the customers are looking for.
“When you get enough people looking for something, you know what you need to add,” she said.
One of the things she said she always keeps stocked is a piece she has in her own home as well — a print on a plaque by Abraham Hunter depicting Jesus walking on water and rescuing Peter. She also loves their devotionals and cross silicone bracelets.
Kendrick posts some of their available merchandise on their Facebook page. She also posts about any upcoming events in downtown Corydon.
“It is great when everybody works together, and it helps the traffic flow. You get so many people that may see your business that didn’t know it was there before.”
“It is great when everybody works together, and it helps the traffic flow,” Kendrick said about Corydon events. “You get so many people that may see your business that didn’t know it was there before.”
Kendrick said the storefront is so much more personable, and she has heard from customers that they enjoy seeing the items in person, especially now that there are so few Christian stores in the area.
When asked what she hopes people experience at the store, she said, “I hope people feel very relaxed and welcome — comfort, ease and peace.”•
God’s Earthly Creations is located at 109 Water Street in Corydon, Indiana.
Story by Darian Decker
Photos by Michelle Hockman
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