OUR STORY

Riverside was planted in September 2009 by a small group of individuals with a heart for the city of South Bend. During the first six years, we met in rented church buildings and schools. In 2015, we began gathering at the Beacon after we finished converting it from an old bowling alley into a community center. From the beginning, we have prioritized meeting in homes throughout the week. The heart of Riverside has always been the same—to be a deeply relational, outward-focused church that loves Jesus and people.

A large sign with the word 'The Beacon' at the top, displaying various community information including a church, a roller girls derby, and a family literacy program, in front of a building with a curved roof and landscaped bushes and trees.

Riverside is rooted on the westside of South Bend. Even as people from all over Michiana also call Riverside their church family, this westside community is an important anchor. Though a challenge at times, we view our diversity as a strength that helps us listen to each other and see the never-changing good news of Jesus from different vantage points.

A church or community gathering inside a gymnasium with a stage at the front, where a woman is speaking at a podium. There are chairs with people sitting and listening, and musical instruments like pianos and microphones on stage.

We are blessed to be part of the ongoing story of God’s faithfulness to an imperfect people seeking to follow Jesus together. There have been, and again will be, ups and downs, twists and turns. There has been, and again will be, indescribable joy and unspeakable lament. And Riverside delights in being a faith family who gets to experience it all together.

We hope that you’ll be part of this story that God continues to tell.