The candles here get a Reiki charge and a singing bowl blessing before they ever reach a shelf. Yes, really.
And they glow inside a Victorian Gothic church that first opened its doors back in 1896.
The old sanctuary now holds crystals, tarot decks, loose incense and handmade body oils. There’s even an apothecary station for mixing herbs.
I like how the building’s old bones make every shelf feel a little more mysterious.
This New Jersey shop also hosts moon gatherings, mediumship classes and drum ceremonies downstairs. One shopper compared the place to a museum.
Another happily called it a second church, which feels about right.
I can’t imagine a better home for a store built around intention and calm. So what does a church full of candles and curiosities actually feel like on a Saturday afternoon?
An Old Church With A Brand-New Calling
Houss Freya Apothecary sits inside a Victorian Gothic church built in 1896, and the building wears its age proudly. Folks in Montclair, New Jersey, have long known it simply as the old church.
The shop moved into this historic home in June 2024. Before that, it had already built a loyal following around town for several years.
So what exactly is it? Google lists it as a metaphysical supply store, but that label feels a bit too tidy.
It’s a shop, a workshop space and a wellness center rolled into one.
Shelves carry crystals, intention candles, incense, cleansing tools, books and jewelry. You’ll also find tarot cards, greeting cards and even clothing.
Upstairs feels like a curated treasure room with soaring church character.
Downstairs, the lower level hosts classes, ceremonies and gatherings throughout the year. It all adds up to a place you can browse for ten minutes or linger in for hours.
The shop holds a 4.9-star rating across more than 200 Google reviews. That’s a pretty strong sign this conversion from pews to potions has landed well with the people who visit.
The Woman Whose Family Roots Shape Every Shelf
Behind every candle and jar stands Daysi De Dios, the owner and self-described creatrix of Houss Freya. She brings more than a decade of experience to the work.
Her approach draws on a lineage of curanderas and shamans rooted in her Mesoamerican culture. That heritage gives the shop a personal backbone that a chain store simply can’t copy.
Daysi works from her own recipes. She blends natural elements, universal frequencies and ancestral practices into products meant to support intention work and daily rituals.
Plenty of shoppers mention her by name, which tells you she isn’t a faraway owner. She has built a team around her too, with friendly staff members who help newcomers find their footing.
The overall goal is a welcoming, judgment-free space for spiritual exploration. You don’t need to know your moonstone from your quartz to feel comfortable here.
One longtime shopper described the new church location as a fitting expansion of the community the staff had already created. That feels like the heart of the story.
The building got bigger, but the warmth came along for the move.
Candles That Get A Full Spa Day Before You Meet Them
Candles come up more than anything else when people talk about this shop. Fifty-five mentions on Google, to be exact, so the reputation clearly isn’t an accident.
Each one is handmade in Montclair using sustainable, U.S.-sourced soy wax. They’re cruelty-free and non-toxic, with no animal products in the mix.
The famous intention candles combine crystals, herbs and essential oils. Some versions are double-wicked with petroleum-free cotton wicks for a fuller glow.
Now here’s the part that makes people do a double take. Certain candles are charged with Reiki energy and blessed with a sound bath from Tibetan singing bowls.
They’re also cleansed with sage grown in a sacred garden. That’s a lot of care for something you’ll eventually light on your kitchen counter.
Smaller mini ritual candles are available too, which makes them handy for gifts or first-timers. Whether you buy into the energy side or simply love a beautiful candle, these make an easy souvenir from a New Jersey day trip.
Fair warning, though. Choosing just one may take longer than you planned.
Body Oils, Shower Melts And A Spray Called Sweetheart
Body oils earned their own spot in the conversation, with shoppers praising them again and again. Some people even wear the sprays and oils as their daily perfume.
One fan favorite is the Sweetheart spray. Another shopper adores Aura Armor so much they wished it came in gallon tubs, which might be the highest compliment a body product can get.
The lineup stretches well beyond oils. Expect shower melts, bath salts, intention body washes, attraction roll-on oils and smudging sprays for clearing a room.
Sacred Space is one smudge spray that gets a happy shout-out. There’s also something called enchanted dust, which sounds straight out of a storybook.
Many products are made right in the store, including balms, soaps and oils. An apothecary station lets you see herbs mixed up close, which adds a fun, hands-on feeling.
And the loose incense? One shopper got steered toward it by staff and called it a new favorite for evening meditation.
If you like small-batch goodies with a story behind them, this corner of the shop deserves a slow lap.
Arched Windows, Gothic Drama And Museum Vibes
Shoppers keep reaching for the same word: museum. The interior looks dressed for a storybook, with striking artwork and a medieval mood that suits the old stone walls.
High ceilings and church windows give the space room to breathe. Instead of cramped aisles, you get a layout that people describe as thoughtfully organized and easy to explore.
That matters more than you’d think. A shop packed with crystals, decks and jars can feel overwhelming fast, yet this one invites wandering.
The Victorian Gothic bones do plenty of the decorating on their own. Add candles, crystals and jewelry, and the whole room feels like a cabinet of curiosities scaled up to cathedral size.
Families sometimes come just to see it. One shopper brought several relatives purely because the space felt breathtaking, and called it well worth the drive.
Around Halloween, the spooky-chic decor makes it a great stop for fun seasonal finds. Any other time of year, it’s still a treat for the eyes.
Bring your camera, and maybe a little patience. Your companions may stop at every display.
Tarot, Mediumship And A Very Old Kind Of Cleansing
Curious about what the cards might say? Houss Freya keeps a team of readers on hand, offering several styles of readings for different questions.
Options include tarot, mediumship and Akashic records sessions. Birth-chart and astrological readings are also part of the mix, depending on the practitioner.
Prices vary by the type of reading and the reader you choose. That flexibility makes it easier to try a session without committing to something big.
Daysi herself offers Limpias, a traditional cleansing service. It uses tools like sound, smoke and egg to help release stagnant energy.
Shoppers often describe the readers in glowing terms. One person even said they travel two hours to visit and would gladly drive farther.
Aura readings and psychic readings also pop up in conversation about the shop. If you’ve never booked a reading before, the welcoming staff can help you figure out a good starting point.
Think of it as a calm, judgment-free spot to ask the big questions. Or the small ones.
Nobody’s checking which kind you bring.
Drum Circles, Witch Crafternoons And Kids Meditation Downstairs
Workshops rank among the most talked-about features here, and the calendar shows why. The lower level of the church has become a busy hub for classes and ceremonies.
Past offerings include Shamanic Journeys, Sacred Drum Ceremonies and Somatic Healing sessions. There have also been cacao ceremonies and gatherings for moon cycles and seasonal changes.
Some events lean playful. Witch Crafternoons sound like the most charming way to spend a Sunday, and an Automatic Writing workshop opened with a guided meditation.
Intro to Mediumship classes have their own fans. A six-hour Reiki certification has appeared on the schedule too.
Families get a seat at the table with Kids Meditation and Crystal Easter Egg Hunts. That’s a sweet way to introduce younger visitors to mindfulness.
The shop also hosts a Consignor Coven, showcasing handmade goods from other local makers. It’s one more way this New Jersey business supports its creative neighbors.
Events change often, so check the shop’s social media before planning around one. Sign up early if something catches your eye, since popular sessions can be easy to miss.
Where To Find It And When The Doors Swing Open
You’ll find the shop at 205 Glenridge Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042. It sits in the Upper Montclair area, easy to reach for folks across Essex County and beyond.
Hours run Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Thursday shifts later, from noon until 8 PM, which suits after-work browsing.
Friday stretches from 10 AM to 7 PM. Saturday runs 10 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday wraps up a little earlier at 5 PM.
Mondays are closed, so don’t plan your visit around one. Event days may have their own schedules, so it’s smart to check ahead.
Price points vary nicely, from small items like greeting cards to bigger crystal and candle purchases. You can browse for free and spend as much or as little as you like.
Can’t make the drive? The shop offers online ordering with shipping or in-store pick-up.
Pair your stop with a stroll around Montclair. One shopper loves mixing finds here with bath bombs from Dollymoo just down the street, which sounds like a lovely little self-care errand.
A Shop That Feels Like Somebody’s Favorite Third Place
Calling a store your third place says a lot. One shopper did exactly that, and another called Houss Freya a second church.
That warmth seems to be the real draw. Staff members get named for their kindness, and newcomers with zero metaphysical knowledge still describe feeling welcome.
Spiritual seekers will obviously find plenty to love. But history fans, candle lovers and gift shoppers can enjoy a visit just as much.
The building alone makes the trip worthwhile. A church from 1896, filled with art and glowing shelves, is a rare kind of New Jersey outing.
People of different faiths and backgrounds share this space comfortably. One mystic Christian shopper even praised how the shop brings everyone together.
Is it for everyone? Probably not every single person.
Yet anyone with an open mind and a little curiosity should find something that sparks joy.
So grab a friend and swing by Montclair on a weekend afternoon. Worst case, you leave with a gorgeous candle and a great story about shopping in a church.
Best case, you find your own new favorite corner.
