Rainy River Covenant Church Builds New Church
History of Rainy River:
| History of Rainy River | Rainy River Church | New Building |
The Evangelical Covenant Church of Rainy River, Ontario, Canada is in the process of building a new church facility.The proposed new Evangelical Covenant Church is located in the town of Rainy River, Ontario. Marking the border between North-Western Ontario and Minnesota, is the 
longest river for it's width in Canada, the beautiful Rainy River, which flows into *Lake of the Woods. In the mid 1700's and 1800's the river was used as a fur trading route, with
many trading centres along her banks. One such post was the Hudson Bay
Company where on this land stands the present day* 'Oak Grove Tourist Camp. 
Today we remain a paradise for the sportsman; hunting black bear,
*white tail deer and other wild game. Rainy River has since become renowned for it's Bird Watching, attracting birders from afar.
In 1801 Alexander McKenzie wrote " This is one of the finest rivers in the
Northwest". For over a century , travellers have penned glowing
descriptions of the natural beauty and *fishing capabilities of the area. We
continue today with excellent fishing of sturgeon, bass, northern pike, and
walleye on the river. We still host one of the largest Walleye Tournaments
in Ontario every fall. | RRWT |
The first settlers built homes as early as 1874, and soon after there was a
great influx of immigrants. At that time there were several Indian settlements on the river using a burial area known as the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre. The Ojibway or Chippewa Indians often encamped at "The Pines" two miles downriver and where for many years were to be seen the Indian graves.
During our *Centennial "The Pines" was open and available to campers. At that time a small *sawmill was brought to the town site and in 1898 the sawmill was bought by The Beaver Mills Lumber Company. The old town which sprang up around the mill was known as Beaver Mills. You can still see evidence of these times in the name of our largest grocery store, Beaver Mills, as well as our town mascot, Millie the Beaver.
With the completion of the intern
ational *railway bridge in 1901, came the
Canadian National Railroad and station. The railroad equipment was way-billed to Rainy River), not Beaver Mills, and thus this point on the railroad was designated as Rainy River. The name stuck.
Several churches began to spring up along with a little log school house
which has long been replaced by the present day Riverview Elementary School and *Rainy River High School.
With the growing town came businesses, a skating rink, and baseball field. The town soon incorporated, planned a cemetary, police headquarters, recreational area (Hannam park) and Clubs began to develop, such as the Athletic Association now know as the Recreation Board. (pic of Recreation Centre) The local newspaper, Rainy River Record, was developed and continues today with two local papers, including the Westend Weekly.
With the boom of Rainy River the old Beaver Mills name was gone, and the
largest of homes began to appear. The town incorporated in 1904 and took it's crest a beaver encircled by a wreath of maple leaves with the appropriate motto "Industry". 
Since that time it's growth was rapid, yet healthy, and of a permanent
nature. In late Sept. of 1910 fires raged west of Baudette, Minnesota. Soon
the fires reached the town, the winds shifted with burning brands blown
across the river, setting the lumber piles afire. The people rushed to their
boats on the river for safety while the Rat Portage Mill was reduced to
ashes. It was never rebuilt. With the vast devastation of the area forests
it's not a wonder that the Rainy River Lumber Company moved its mills to
Fort Frances, Ontario.
Since the days of the dog sled races on Main Street the town has continued to push forward. The operating businesses are a credit to the owners and the town, and speak well for the industry of the people.
Several active organizations such as the Hospital Auxiliary, Senior's Depot, Rainy River Legion, Community Centre Recreation Board, Curling Club, Library, and several churches continue to flourish.
History of Rainy River Evangelical Church: |
History of Rainy River | New Building |
The present Evangelical Covenant Church (pic) had it's start over 60 yrs.
ago when in 1943 Vivian Smith acting upon the encouragement of the Covenant churches of Fort Frances and Baudette was able to organize a local group in Rainy River. This small company, just seven in number, met in a private home. At that time the Northwest Mission Association of the Evangelical Covenant Church of America took official responsibility and support. In 1944 the group rented a building on Main Street where Sunday School was held weekly and Vivian's Bible School in the summers. Some financial assistance was also obtained from two Minneapolis churches. In 1946 the Evangelical Covenant Church of Rainy River was ordained with 13 charter members. The present church building was purchased and dedicated in 1965. It has continued to grow in members and programs.
New Building Needed
| History of Rainy River | Rainy River Church |
The need for a new church building was di
scussed in 1992 when it was evident that the facilty was not meeting the required needs of the growing
congregation. Stepping out in faith, The Leadership Team appointed
a new Building Committee in 2003. Our goal in building the new church is to:
- Build it to the Glory of God for the advancement of His kingdom and glory in the Rainy River District.
Provide much needed classroom space within the church
Larger, safer parking lot
Provide a wheel chair accessible facility for people to come and worship
God
Offer a community building that can be a venue for large gatherings;
weddings, funerals, concerts, conferences, etc.
Mark 10:27 "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
With fundraising events that brought the community together along with
generous donations enough money has been raised for Phase one: the Purchase of land and the shell of the building erected.
The impressive new building is 152'x 80" with a drive through canopy over
the front entry. The inside has been insulated with vapour barrier & strapping has been applied to the walls. The hydro has been run, and the septic field is in. We are greatly encouraged by all that has taken place, and give God all the praise and glory! We continue to move forward with anticipation. Our new church is wheelchair accessible, features a sanctuary seating 240 people, a central fellowship area, wheel chair accessible washrooms, administration area, multiple classrooms, kitchen, and
multi purpose area, (pot luck dinners and youth activities) and an outside area composed of flat playfields and trees.
We need your prayers. 
We're anxious to hold services in our new church and sing praises to our
faithful Lord. However, before we can do that, we need to continue in the task that God has given us. The interior portion of the building must be completed.
Neh. 8:10 "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Although our numbers are small we are a dedicated people to do God's work. Presently we offer an Alpha program, Youth Group, Leadership
and Worship Teams, Fellowship Bible Coffee, Prayer Meetings twice weekly, Men's Breakfast, Ladies Fellowship, Sunday School for both adults and teens, Teen Canoe Trip, Summer Vacation Bible School, Summer Camp Programs, Retreats, Missions Support, visits to Young Star House for wayward teens, Apples of Gold for young girls, and Apple Cores for young boys, and a weekly quilting group for ladies and we wish to expand into further programs.We have a dire need to provide even more programs for youth, adults and senior citizens in the community . 
Our goal is to spread the word of Jesus through future programs such as becoming a Cantagious Chrisitan, Drama Group , Musical Groups ,Men's Mentoring Program , Mission's Presentations and Musicians, and many more.
Our future looks promising, and with your prayers and financial assistance we can all make it happen.
Church Building Updates: 
September 25, 2007: We poured the floor, what an undertaking. A professional cement crew came in from Manitoba to level and work the cement as if was delivered. Many trucks from Baudette, Minnesota, delivered cement all day. Using pumps they poured the cement as the crew leveled and smoothed it. The floor looks fantastic. 
October 1, 2007: We had our first church service in the new building, on the cement floor. It was wonderful to spend time in the place that so much hours have been spent. Chairs and tables were delivered and Pastor Mark Mast preached and Pastor Gordon shared. Everyone hung around after the service and had lunch.
January 16, 2007: Since out last report we 
have gyproced the ceiling and four walls, intalled electricity, intalled the furnace and are preparing for partitions walls, insulated ceiling. Things are moving along. Praise God we are presently debt free. As God provides we move ahead. Thank you all for your prayers and generous support.
A special thank you for the teams that have travelled to Rainy River giving up their time to help us out with our church project. Youth from Drenthe Christian Reformed Church, Zeeland, Michigan came during the summer months and not only help lay steel and pipes for the floor of our church but doing jobs for the town. This fall parents from the same church came and helped with gyproc on all the walls. Thank you, thank you.
May 23, 2008: We forged ahead during the last month, getting much work completed. The Inspector was pleased with the work thus far. The architect w
as also on site and was impressed with all the work to standards. The electrical inspection has also been done with that being passed as well to day.
Many, many people have come on board, including youth, and we are blessed with the help both from within our church family and from ALL who come from outside out church as well. We are gaining momentum as we complete room by room of walls, insulation, gyp roc and paint. We are finishing up the building of walls and now the rooms beginning with the kitchen are being painted. The ladies met to discuss kitchen plans, and the Building Committee has also met to discuss further issues, incliding the decorating. The kitchen has been painted green with the cupboards being built as we speak. We've entered negotiations with a drywall finisher for the central area. The men are presently finishing plastering tghe library and it won't be long until we are in the painting stage for that room. We have a volunteer to do up the library shelves for us also. 
The other class rooms are being insulated and gyp rocked as we go along, so there is presnently work in that area. We also need people for cleanup and to provide lunches. If you can be of help, our work parties continue throughout the week days with the main focus being Wednesdays and Saturdays.