The Story of Ro.
Riondel Community Church
Since the early 1900’s, the Christian community in Riondel had been meeting together in public spaces, lead by pastors who served much of the communities around Kootenay Lake. In 1959, the community came together and built this beautiful, church building. They filled the church with items donated from other churches in the area and built furniture with found and donated materials. They worked together to create a place for people to gather and meet with Jesus. So the Riondel Community Church was born.
The Harbour at Riondel
Fast forward a bunch of years to the fall of 2020, when Mark and Jes Hagen (the executive directors of The Harbour and founders of the Wild Goose Collective), moved from Alberta to Riondel, to start a Discipleship School and retreat centre at the old Dutch Harbour Bible Camp. The Riondel Community Church had not been functioning for a number of years and had to make the tough decision to sell the building. Fortunately, when they heard of Mark and Jes’ vision of creating a space for people to experience restoration and closeness with Jesus, as well as how they wanted to be involved in the community of Riondel and support the people who live here, they chose to gift the church to The Harbour ministries.
Church to Coffee Shop
The ministries of the Harbour at Riondel fully intended the church building to be restored as a church again and it became very clear early on in receiving the church, that it would be difficult to find a pastor to do a church plant in Riondel. As they maintained the church property and got to know people in the community, there was a noticeable lack of places for the community to gather in and a noticeable desire for a coffee shop. It’s also very easy when running a retreat centre/discipleship school ministry - where people come to you, to not know your neighbours. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to give the community something they needed and wanted, as well as a way to be involved in the village, and a way to support the ministries at the Harbour. So, on February 23, 2022, Ro. Neighbourhood Coffee began. Jakob and Jayme Svahn were the first brave managers of this endeavour. They added their flair and expertise in laying a beautiful (and yummy) foundation for this important gathering place in the community.
This is a place for the residents of the East Shore of Kootenay Lake to find rest, friendship, and peace. Just like it was back in 1959.
Currently Ro is closed until further notice.
We have begun the search process to identify new managers for Ro,but we will be closing our doors until then.
Thank you for all of your support!
We look forward to serving you fresh coffee again soon!
“For you, O Lord, have made me glad by what you have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”
- Psalm 92:4
To Make a Donation
The proceeds from everything you purchase in our coffee shop and online, goes towards sustaining the ministries at The Harbour. We are first and foremost a ministry and if what we’re doing here is resonating with you, there’s also the option to donate directly. These donations can go toward development of the coffee shop and the Harbour property, future students of the Discipleship School (Headwaters) and they can also go to contributing to the people behind the ministries directly who all fundraise a portion of their income. If you click on the link bellow, it will take you to Canada Helps, where you can donate to the area of your choice. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you so much for being apart of this story.