By Zofia Dove
It was about three years ago when I first thought about the Tea-A-Maria. I have no idea why the wish formed itself. I was already travelling through Manitoba when one day I imagined staying in an original bed and breakfast – not just any bed and breakfast, but one located in an old country church.
Perhaps it was because I had seen so many closed country churches while wandering the gravel roads of our province.
Maybe it was the nostalgia connected to communities that once gathered around these buildings, communities that are now mostly gone. Those small, empty churches stand as witnesses to better days when faith and community were closely intertwined.
To me, these historic structures are like the old grain elevators – reminders of times that may not have been easier, but were certainly simpler, when neighbours knew and helped one another.
Whatever inspired the idea, I spent years looking for a bed and breakfast in a small country church.
About two months ago, I finally spotted an advertisement on Facebook. I immediately called to inquire about booking. From that very first conversation, I felt an instant connection with the person on the other end of the phone.
I have worked with people long enough to recognize authenticity and sincerity when I hear it. Maria, the owner of the church bed and breakfast, was warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly. There was something about her voice that drew me in immediately. We connected so easily that I found myself sharing personal things with her. It felt as though I was speaking with an old friend.
We arranged my arrival and departure dates, leaving room for me to extend my stay if needed. At the time, I had no idea how important that flexibility would become.
After our conversation, I often felt like calling back and moving my visit to an earlier date. Life, however, had other plans. While attending to responsibilities and daily obligations, I found myself increasingly eager not only to escape city life but also to meet the remarkable woman I sensed Maria was.
A few days before my trip, life suddenly threw me a devastating curve. My mother, who lived in Poland, passed away unexpectedly.
To say I was heartbroken would be an understatement. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to travel and attend her funeral. The day after her burial, I was scheduled to leave for Maria and Wes’s place. Looking back, it turned out to be the second-best place I could have been while grieving such a profound loss.
The prairie landscape has always had a soothing effect on me, but this trip carried special meaning.
My mother had a degree in agriculture and spent countless hours teaching farmers about crop rotation and maximizing harvests. As I admired the green fields along the way, I thought of her – her love for the countryside and her dedication to those who worked the land. I suppose I inherited that love from her. I feel at home among the fields.
The drive west of Winnipeg took nearly two hours. Most of the journey followed Highway 2, with only the final few kilometres on gravel roads. I still vividly remember seeing tnestled among trees in a peaceful valley. It was picturesque and beautiful.he church steeple appear behind a hill,
I parked, stepped inside, and immediately felt something special. The space radiated warmth, beauty, and coziness. Near the entrance was a sign that read, “Welcome Zofia.”
I cannot begin to describe what that simple gesture meant to me.
Moments later, a tall, beautiful woman appeared from around the corner. I recognized her instantly from her vibrant voice. It was Maria.
We embraced.
Suddenly, my heart filled with an overwhelming sense of kindness and love. The feeling was so powerful it brought me to tears. Just as I had sensed during our phone conversation, I knew I was in the presence of a deeply compassionate and caring human being.
Maria had intentionally waited for my arrival so we could share breakfast together. As we sat and talked, she told me the story of the church.
Fifteen years earlier, her husband Wes had spotted the building while driving by and immediately thought, “My wife would love this place.” At the time, it belonged to another couple and was only used for special events. Although Wes showed Maria the church from outside, they never had the opportunity to go inside.
From that day on, Maria dreamed of owning it. She imagined running both a bed and breakfast and a tea house there. Every time she visited a thrift store or a garage sale, she bought teapots, holding onto her dream of one day living in that magical little church.
Then one day, she learned the property was for sale.
The elderly owners were very selective about who would inherit their beloved “baby.” When Maria and Wes came to view the property, the owners were there. The two couples met, connected immediately, and before long Maria and Wes became the chosen buyers.
To this day, Maria remains amazed at how everything unfolded, including the finances needed to make the purchase possible.
“It was God who did it,” she told me. “I had no idea how it could ever become our reality, yet I dreamed about it for years.”
As I listened, I realized something beautiful.
Maria and Wes’s dream had made mine possible.
Because their wish came true, mine did too.
I learned three lessons.
Never give up on your dreams.
Trust that the Force of Life.
God can make the impossible possible.
And remember that when your wishes come true, they don’t just benefit you – they benefit others as well.
The tranquility, beauty, and peacefulness of a Tea-Maria Café Bed and Breakfast turned out to be exactly what I needed during one of the most difficult times of my life. Maria’s hospitality, kindness, and genuine care helped soften the shock of losing my mother and brought comfort to my grieving heart.
As I reflected on those old country churches and the communities that once gathered around them, I realized something important. What helped people through loss, hardship, and grief back then is still what helps us today – human connection. That spirit is not gone. Maria created that space for me, and through her kindness and presence, I found comfort, healing, and hope when I needed it most.
There was one more serendipitous detail. Maria shared the same name as my mother. In the midst of my grief, that felt like much more than a coincidence. Looking back, it seems that Life had arranged this encounter long before I knew I would need it. Sometimes Life quietly places the right people in our path, and only later do we understand why.
If you need a break from the noise of the city, a chance to rest, or simply a place to reconnect with yourself amid the rolling hills and prairie beauty, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and book a stay in this truly unique and magical place.
To visit or book “Tea-A- Maria Cafe Bed and Breakfast” or inquire about upcoming events call 204-321- 0634
Zofia Dove is a professional keynote speaker, author and producer, host and director of series “ReDISCOVERING the beauty of Manitoba, Canada”.