Ethically sourced coffee, social innovation and real relationships have seen a church café in St Ives grow ‘year on year’.

The Garden and The Sanctuary are two café spaces run by St Ives Church. Since writing about our last visit in May 2023, staff have increased opening hours and it now runs all year round.An A board pointing the way to the cafe.

Daniel Lawther, Business Manager and Pioneer Minister, has overseen the café for the past five years and said it is popular with both local people and visitors.

The team work hard to ensure all the products are sold as high quality and sourced as sustainably as possible.

Daniel said: “All our coffee, cake and cream teas are of the highest quality and ethically procured. It is a key to developing kingdom culture and all aspects of the supply chain are driven by social impact and innovation.

A board with bars of cake on it.“What we supply takes into account how we are impacting creation and the people thousands of miles away – the farmers growing the product.”

Its main coffee provider Holy Food is an example of Kingdom enterprise, whose procurement helps to break the cycle of poverty and marginalisation, whilst also offering barista training to prison leavers and individuals facing social challenges.

The café is a fundraising resource for the church but also an instrument to demonstrate God’s love for the community.

Daniel said: “We pray and ask what the spirit wants to do in that space. Every day is very different, and you never know who you will be interacting with.

“We have a whole range of people visiting – families, young people, elderly, locals. It is a whole spectrum.

“We have been seeing year on year growth at the café.

“As our reputation has increased, we are becoming busier each year. God is doing more and more and that is great.

“We believe in what we do, but it is really in God’s hands.”A view over a garden and out to sea. A seagull stands on a wall in front of a picnic bench.

Daniel said the cafe is also a place for ‘curious minds’ wanting to ask more about Christianity.

He said: “People are naturally curious. People ask questions. We attempt to extend authentic Christian hospitality; it is a big part of what we do.

“We do get questions and so it is a good opportunity to chat to people, build relationships and hopefully plant the seed.”

The café now runs April-October outside and moves indoors from November to March. This year the café team will be trialling opening both spaces through different times of the summer months. It also offers a takeaway option.

To find out more visit: The Cafe | St Ives Church