​What is Rough Draught Coffee House?

The mission of the RDCH is to host community events that celebrate the image of God through art and artists-- which isn't necessarily religious art.

We believe we see God at work through the creative process and the beauty of art. As such, we give thanks for those who create such wonderful works and we create spaces for them to share their gifts.

Further, we believe God is at work in and through us, even beyond our own knowing. So, we want to provide opportunities for people of the New River Valley to see how all sorts of art may work to connect them more deeply with God! 
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​We host events, from poetry readings, concerts, art installations, and workshops in order to celebrate the image of God through art and artists.

​How does our coffee "fair"?...As we create art, we also recognize God created the earth for justice and good use--so we serve fairly traded coffee from a farmer-owned co-op in Central America, and minimize waste in any way we can. 
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Next Event:

Book Release Party for Fiddling at Midnight's Farmhouse
June 16 from 7-8:30PM

Featured Artists:

Poetry by Clyde Kessler
Artwork by Kendall Kessler ​

Artists' Opportunity to Share

If you are an artist interested in sharing your gift with others through RDCH, please contact Pastor Drew using our contact form below for more information.
Open Mic Guidelines:
  • This is a family-oriented event, keep the content family-friendly
  • 3 minute maximum per person
  • This is a celebration, so upbeat poetry or short pros is suitable for this event
  • Content may include poetry or pros you wrote or that you enjoy
  • Sign-up for slots at the event

​+ Previous Events + 

November 4, 2016

It was an honor to have Bill and Chelsea Adams perform at CLC on Friday, 11/4! With decades of experience and published works, as well as talented synchronization from decades of practice, it was a beautiful and delightful evening.

​We appreciate all who attended this poetry and blues event. The duo's style offered a brilliant means to transcend into different perspectives on topics that surround us in our daily life.

​The audience engaged in conversation and questions after the show regarding what inspired their work.

August 12, 2016

Thank you to all who joined us on August 12, 2016 to hear Andrew Taylor-Troutman's talk about Narrative Medicine. Participants learned about the healing empowerment that Narrative Medicine offers. What is Narrative Medicine? It is an emergent medical discipline that focuses on the patient narrative phenomena as a platform for improving communication between medical professionals, social workers, therapists, and other caregivers.

April 30, 2016

Featured Artists:

M. Ray Allen, An Appalachian Poet in San Francisco
Parks Lanier, Appalachian Georgics and Collected Poems
​Judy Light Ayyildiz, Intervals: Appalachia to Istanbul
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October 16, 2015
​Featured Artist: Charles Swanson

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Charles is an accomplished poet, with two published collections as well as scores of selected pieces in other publications. Charles also pastors a congregation in Southwest Virginia. Below are a few samples of Charles' work. You may also find more of Charles' poetry in his After the Garden, a collection of responses to the Psalms, or in online journals such as Still. Join us for a reading as well as fairly traded coffee, homemade desserts, and an opportunity to workshop poetry with Charles!