Scripture Haven, a local, independently owned Christian bookstore in College Station, aims to uphold its mission of spreading the word of Christianity and its values through the sale of Christian books and items. (Rhett Brady/Community Impact)
Scripture Haven, a local, independently owned Christian bookstore in College Station, aims to uphold its mission of spreading the word of Christianity and its values through the sale of Christian books and items.
At a glance
Founded by Linda and Gary Moore, Scripture Haven has operated in College Station for more than 55 years and reveres itself as the oldest independent Christian bookstore in Texas. The store sells Bibles, Christian media, clothing, knick-knacks and other religious items and gifts.
With Gary’s passing in 2022, Linda took over the store’s operations. However, even with the title of the oldest Christian bookstore in the state, the Moores always kept their service of the Lord’s word as the number one priority.
“I don’t think quite a lot about the title of ‘longest independently owned Christian bookstore in Texas’ often; I’m just glad we’re here to help the community and churches,” Linda said. “That’s what matters more than any title we have.”
Scripture Haven has been faith-based books to choose from. (Rhett Brady/Community Impact)
The background
After the couple and their children moved to College Station in the 1970s and joined a local Methodist church, the Moores’ connection to Christianity strengthened. Shortly after, Moore said her husband had a vision of his mission to spread the word of Jesus, a story which she recalls just as vividly as the day she was told.
“He had a vision while he was driving, and it was just for a minute, but it was a black circle, and in it was a Christian bookstore,” Moore said. “He wanted to pursue that and went in for counseling, and then it lay for about 10 years.”
After those 10 years, Gary never lost his calling to continue the mission, and that’s when the business’s first location was established in South College Station.
“We went to a local business that had been praying that God would send someone their way to buy that store, and then we moved to a strip mall before that area was booming,” she said. “God provided because we hardly had any money to start out with.”
After some soul searching and receiving guidance from scripture at a Christian convention in Fort Worth, the business continued at its original location for a few years before the mall started to ask the Moores to move into a storefront in the 1980s.
“We moved into the mall on Thanksgiving Day in 1983, and the police actually came and questioned us about why we were moving things out of the original building,” Moore said. “It was 1,000 square feet and we’ve moved several storefronts in the mall, but we've been in the mall ever since.”
Scripture Haven also has many different faith-based goods available. (Rhett Brady/Community Impact)
Looking back
Moore had many fond memories of guests and signings over the years. One particular guest didn’t leave any fans missing in action.
“Chuck Norris wrote a book, and this was one of the few stops he made for a signing,” she said. “He visited here with his chaplain to meet some individuals who were handicapped before the main signing. We had one man who was terminal, and it was his wish to meet Chuck Norris, and he spent 30 to 45 minutes back here meeting and praying with them.”
Norris packed the mall with fans who wanted to sign all kinds of memorabilia and merchandise, but he made it a point to treat everyone with respect and care.
“We had a table set up at the end of the store, along with the mall setting up things for lines, and he was here from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 a.m. the next morning,” Moore said. “I was told that the line went out of our store, zig-zagged in front, and went all the way down to where Sears used to be and wrapped around back to the food court. He never moved from there the whole time.”
Moore said her late husband and employees have made some of the rough times worth it. Being able to support her employees monetarily and as a faith-based business was important to the Moores.
“We had two single mothers who came through with young children, and I feel like that was another mission of Scripture Haven,” she said. “I also don’t know how many college students have come through this store and worked for us. We worked with a lot of college students because our hours used to be much longer. The employees are just as important as our customers to us.”
Going forward
Moore has continued to operate the store since her husband’s passing. It was originally uncertain, but she said it was God’s plan to keep going.
“I thought about selling the place, but it didn’t work out because it wasn’t in God’s plans for me,” she said. “I am here still. He has provided and the cash flow is good. We went through years when cash flow was tight, but our customers tell us every day that they’re so thankful we’re here and that they don’t want us to go away. I don’t want to close the store, and I would love for the Lord to send somebody my way and continue from where I left off.”
The bookstore owner offered advice to those who feel a calling to start a business, and while it isn’t easy, they should keep their mission at the forefront and be patient.
“It takes time and commitment,” Moore said. “For something like a Christian bookstore, it’s about service, the people and their lives. It’s very rewarding in that aspect. We made a decent living from it, but it’s not big bucks either. In the end, it’s about the ministry.”
Before you go
Located in Post Oak Mall by the women’s Dillard's, Scripture Haven is open to all those looking for faith-based goods, except on Sundays. The store is one of the oldest in the mall and sees many customers every day.
