When I first walked into Bryn-y-groes about twenty-eight years ago the feeling was of a warm and friendly welcome in this beautiful old house. You immediately feel at home as you enter the front door, an experience that many have shared with us over the years we have been here. Bryn-y-groes has a rich history that goes back a number of centuries. The earliest information we have from the deeds dates back to 1791 when Bryn-y-groes was the centre of a large estate that included at least eighteen other dwellings and some hundreds of acres of land, said to be ‘in the parishes of Llanycil, Llanfor and Llangower’. The estate was purchased for ‘135 marks of silver,’ so its history seems to go back even further.

By 1835 mention is made of ownership by the Lloyd family, one of whom was Rev. Simon Lloyd of Plas Yn Dre (now a restaurant). From 1816-35 a blacksmith had lived in Bryn-y-groes, ‘a house adjoining the turnpike road from Bala to Dogelley’.

In 1871 the lands and dwellings were split into lots and auctioned, due to the then owners going bankrupt. The following year Bryn-y-groes was reduced to much the size it is today, along with ownership of at least two other properties. Around 1912 ownership passed to the Passingham family. They did not seem to live in the house, but it is stated that Thomas Ellis, the local MP, was tenant in Bryn-y-groes around 1915-20. He now graces the High Street near Plas Yn Dre, a far less comfortable abode! In 1937 Bryn-y-groes itself was sold to Colonel William Hamilton Hall Johnston for the sum of £2,000. He may have lived in the house prior to that date as there is a record of him purchasing 5.588 acres of land on what is now the other side of Stryd Y Fron, (this included a well which supplied water to the house), for £3,400 in November 1928. Colonel Johnston died in 1952 and the house was left to his wife. By this time the estate was of about twenty-five acres in size.

Purchasing Bryn-y-groes

The Evangelical Movement of Wales purchased Eryl Aran that stands next to Bryn-y-groes, in 1958. The oldest maps we have show that Bryn-y-groes pre-dates Eryl Aran but the latest maps retain Eryl Aran and Bryn-y-groes is no longer named! It would not be long before Rev. Gwilym Humphreys, who became the first manager of Bryn-y-groes with his wife Beth, would look over the fence from Eryn Aran and desire Bryn-y-groes for the Lord’s work. In 1960 Bryn-y-groes was put up for auction and sold in lots, the estate as we now know it of four-five acres, plus other lots of building and accommodation land. Country Life advertised Bryn-y-groes as a ‘Medium sized period house with 6-8 bedrooms, three bathrooms, garage, stables, and easily run gardens’! The EMW purchased Bryn-y-groes for £7,980, plus the well and five feet surrounding it for £20 from Mrs Johnston, who preferred to sell to the EMW rather than the possibility of a more lucrative deal with Liverpool Corporation or Trawsfynydd Nuclear Authority, who were also interested in purchasing the property.

After much seeking God in prayer, the work of God began here, with His hand in the details of the purchase, and then on until the present day. Many improvements and various extensions have taken place over the years, from cold rooms, damp mattresses, open fires to the comforts of modern living, but we believe that what we have today has come about by God’s grace, and the vision and commitment of many down through the years. It is good to note the signatures on the sale deeds: Revs. Elwyn Davies, Gwilym Humphries, Thomas Russell, Isaac D.E. Thomas, Thomas A. Pritchard, John D. Williams, John B.E. Thomas, and also Bryn Davies, and John Jones of Llanymawddwy who signed as a witness. We give thanks to God for such men.

Reflecting on Bryn-y-groes

My own reflections of Bryn-y-groes include remembering many day conferences that we attended as a family, the varied and excellent ministry we received, and enjoying the hospitality in such beautiful surroundings. But, although reluctantly at first, it was through doing EMW camps that I realised there really was no turning back! The work of camps began here in 1960 – they have been a source of remarkable blessing from God, both here and at many other venues. Generations of people return year after year expressing thankfulness to God for saving them or for their growth in grace here. Some have even been able to say, ‘I helped Auntie Bessie in the kitchen here’. Past campers, who are now parents and even grandparents, bring their children and grandchildren each summer, some appearing nearly every week with one child or another! I remember camps here with great delight. The overriding blessing is seeing those once campers now playing their part in many Christian ministries.

It’s not just about camps

The already established ministers’ conference moved here in 1961, and it is a real privilege to be among so many of the Lord’s servants. The buzz in the dining room, as much theological discussion goes on, is unparalleled. A favourite statement we often get is, ‘I have slept in the same bed as the Doctor’, but I think the bed may well have been replaced since then! Many godly men, from Wales and beyond, have ministered and taught here. God has used such conferences to strengthen, encourage and challenge churches in this country, and all over the world. We are now hosting the residential weeks of EMW’s Theological Training course, and in November, the EMW’s new initiative, a conference for new pastors was held here. The value of the opportunities for men to gather in these ways cannot be measured.

It’s not just about EMW

Bryn-y-groes exists for many other groups who come from many parts of the UK and occasionally from abroad. Many people think that when there are no camps or ministers’ conferences, nothing happens here. However, there is something going on here during most weeks of the year. Weekends are booked by church groups, student house-parties, youth groups or ladies groups, to name a few. There are occasional day conferences and we organise short-breaks for others to take advantage of. Suffice it to say that Bryn-y-groes is a very busy place that God in His mercy continues to use greatly. It is often whatever its guests make it – a place to meet with God and learn spiritually, a place for fun and holiday, a place of retreat and peaceful rest, and often they make it all three.

But it is all about God

God has provided those He has chosen to care for and manage the centre. Down the years those managing Bryn-y-groes have been so thankful to God’s people who have supported the centre prayerfully and practically. Who knows how long we will have the freedom to do the things we do? So we seek to make the best of all that God has given us now. We owe everything to God. If we have skills it is because He gave then to us. Many have been saved here, but it is God who has done that work. Many have been blessed here because of His wonderful mercy, love and grace. All the glory is the Lord’s alone.

What of the future? We fully expect God to continue to use Bryn-y-groes in all sorts of ways. For Pat and me, it seems that we live, eat, sleep and talk about little else other than ‘the work of the centre’. A job like this becomes your life. There’s no glamour here, just hard work and many blessings. And although we get very tired at times, we are thrilled to be a small part of God’s work. More than twenty-eight years ago I thought that we would one day be at Bryn-y-groes and after just nine and a half years apprenticeship at Quinta, we were here! Our personal concern for the future is that God will raise up another couple who will replace us when we retire in about three years time. We would value the prayers of God’s people for this, many have tried this type of work in various centres, including this one, and have not been able to stay for long. It needs people who are especially chosen and equipped by God for this work. Please also pray that God will enable the strategic work that has gone on over the last fifty years to continue for many years to come. Eternity alone will tell of all that God has done and will do in this place.

Dave Wilmot is the centre manager of Bryn-y-groes, Bala.

If you would like more information about staying at the centre or its history, please contact Dave Wilmot – tel: 01678 520752 or email: conferencecentre@emw.org.uk