As a 135-year-old family-owned business, Tally’s Religious Gifts and Church Supplies on Pontiac Avenue has had many platforms for selling products over the years. From the days when Irish immigrants would enter Patrick Tally’s Catholic book store and emigration agency to today where customers can order religious items in-store and online, the shop has expanded and evolved over the past century. To make the online shopping experience easier for customers, Tally’s recently launched its new user-friendly website.

Tally’s was first established in 1879, after Patrick emigrated from Ireland and settled in Providence in 1854. Today’s store provides religious supplies for churches and community members throughout New England. PJ and Tom Tally – who run the store today – are the family’s fifth generation of owners. PJ, 58, joined the business in 1986 and said over the last 40 years, the business has used the internet to reach religious communities.

Originally located in Providence, Tally’s moved to Cranston in 2005 in order to have a bigger showroom and warehouse space. They provide religious items for Catholics and protestant denominations and, since they provide for a number of Spanish speaking churches, offer customer service that can assist English and Spanish speakers.

PJ said the website works together with the retail store and individuals can see the store’s entire catalog online. He said over the last couple years the store has seen an increase in web sales. While the store mostly serves New England communities, PJ has seen orders from Mississippi, California, West Virginia and Florida.

The store sells items for baptism and first communion, along with bibles, figurines and medals with patron saints on them. Tally’s bestselling items are candles for church altars and bread and wine.

PJ said the business knew what people expected from a website and from the administration side, the old webiste was difficult to navigate. Some of the features with the new system include churches being able to save their information in the system and have an order bill their account. There are more delivery options and people can save money on shipping charges.

During the pandemic, the store’s showroom closed for two months. When they reopened their doors in May, Tally’s was surprised by the number of shoppers. Since churches across the state had switched to virtual options, many people were setting up their own prayer space within their home and came to Tally’s to purchase statues and other items.

The store is gearing up for Palm Sunday, after a shipment of palms arrived at their Plainfield Pike warehouse from Florida. Churches will purchase the palms which will be used April 10. After Easter, the store will remain busy since the first communion season is coming up.

Tally’s new website can be visited at https://tallys.com/.