View source for Rainbow Hutterite Colony (Ile des Chênes, Manitoba, Canada)

Rainbow [[Hutterian Brethren (Hutterische Brüder)|Hutterite]] Colony near Ile des Chênes, Manitoba, was founded in 1964 as a division from the [[Elm River Hutterite Colony (Newton, Manitoba, Canada)|Elm River Hutterite Colony]]. It was a [[Schmiedeleut|Schmiedeleut]] colony. The founding minister was Elias Waldner. He was succeeded by Jonathan Hofer. The manager was Samuel Hofer, who died in 1974. Jonathan Hofer then served as both minister and manager.

Starting in early 1970s, strong conflicts between Rainbow management and some Rainbow lay-people began to emerge. When ministers were sent to investigate, they found that the leadership was most often at fault. However, attempts at mitigating the situation failed as the Rainbow leadership refused to accept the counsel. In April of 1972, the church granted permission to a splinter group within Rainbow (approx. 5 families), to establish a new colony near Macgregor, Manitoba, which became the Baker Colony.

Rainbow was never formerly dissolved but separated itself from the Hutterite Church in 1990 when the leadership refused to allow any more church ministers to come on the colony property. At this point Rainbow Colony changed its name to Rainbow Farms Ltd. Jonathan and Cornie Hofer became the registered officers of Rainbow Farms. At that time (December 1990) Rainbow had a population of approximately 36 adults. At the time Rainbow left the Hutterite community, a few more families chose to leave and join other communities.
= Additional Information =
'''Location''': Ile des Chênes, Manitoba (coordinates: 49.678889, -96.926944 [49° 40' 44" N, 96° 55' 37" W])

'''Address''': 45041 Colony Rd, Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0

'''Phone''': 204-878-2428
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[[Category:Hutterite Colonies]]
[[Category:Manitoba Hutterite Colonies]]
[[Category:Canadian Hutterite Colonies]]
[[Category:Extinct Hutterite Colonies]]