The tale behind our moniker, The Stolen Bell Distillery, is a captivating saga that intertwines love, determination, and a touch (okay a lot) of mischief. Set against the backdrop of the Canadian wilderness in the late 19th century, this story begins in the picturesque town of Donald, BC, where the promise of a bell set hearts ringing.

In 1885, St. Peter's Church stood proudly in Donald, its steeple adorned with a bell gifted by the generous Baroness Angela Burdett-Coutts, one of England's wealthiest women. As the Canadian Pacific Railway made plans to relocate its headquarters to Revelstoke, the people of Revelstoke eagerly anticipated the arrival of the coveted church, promised to them as a symbol of faith and community.

However, fate had other plans in store. Rufus Kimpton, a former resident of Donald, had a different vision. Driven by love for his wife, who held the church dear to her heart, Rufus orchestrated a daring plan. With St. Peter's Church, bell included, set for westward shipment, Rufus rerouted it south to Windermere via the Columbia River—a bold act that would later earn the church the nickname 'The Stolen Church'.

As St. Peter's Church made its journey upriver, fate intervened once more. During a stop in Golden, BC, the bell mysteriously vanished from the steamship—a twist of fate that would cement the church's newfound notoriety. Despite Rufus Kimpton's belated realization of the bell's disappearance, the church, now bereft of its cherished bell, found its home in Windermere, where it still stands today as St. Peter's Anglican Church.

Meanwhile, the purloined bell found itself nestled in Golden's St. Paul's Anglican Church, where it remained for decades, a silent witness to the events that had unfolded.

Remarkably, in the 1950s, residents of Windermere embarked on a daring mission to reclaim the stolen bell—marking the third and final heist in this captivating tale. However, in a surprising turn of events, the bell was promptly returned to its rightful place in Golden's St. Paul's Anglican Church, where it remains to this day as a symbol of resilience and perseverance.

As we embark on our journey at The Stolen Bell Distillery, we pay homage to the spirit of adventure and determination that defined the early pioneers of Golden, BC. Just as Rufus Kimpton dared to defy convention and forge his own path, so too do we embrace our rich history as we craft new tales for the ages. Join us as we raise a glass to the enduring legacy of The Stolen Bell and the spirit of innovation that continues to inspire us today.