There’s something about the white limestone found in Jerusalem that makes a huge impression on everyone who visits. For one family, it became a ministry and a business.
In this video recorded at the 2014 ICCFA convention and expo, Penny Martin, President of Holy Land Stone, talks about how her husband Jim was inspired by the sight of Jerusalem at sunset, it’s limestone walls reflecting the golden light. He wanted a souvenir of the stone as a tangible reminder of his visit to the Holy Land.
His enthusiasm for Jerusalem stone launched the business, and the death of her mother-in-law gave birth to the Jerusalem Stone Comfort Cross®. Penny’s brother-in-law Michael took one of their small crosses and sliced it lengthwise into two crosses – one to be placed in the casket with the deceased and the other held as a keepsake.
Penny and Jim started the business crafting the stone quarried in the hills of Jerusalem in their kitchen and garage. From that humble start, they currently sell to stores, churches and organizations throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The rock is quarried in Israel and each item is hand made in America.
In addition to the more than 600 standard hand-crafted products, they do custom work and personalizing for churches, profit/not-for-profit organizations and individuals. Besides the Comfort Cross, the company makes jewelry, plaques, Judaica and Catholic gifts and other items. At the ICCFA expo, they also featured angel heart-shaped keepsakes for the loss of a child and Jewish stars of Jerusalem stone.
Find out more at the Holy Land Stone website, www.HolyLandStone.com.