THE STORY SO FAR
The history of the Elim church in Llanelli started in 1935 when the evangelist P.S. Brewster conducted a pioneer tent mission in the town. The preaching of the good news about Jesus made an immediate impact and many people committed to follow Jesus and began applying the teaching of Jesus Christ to how they lived, and so the Elim Church Llanelli began. The first meetings were held in the Glen Ballroom, but the work grew so rapidly that when two buildings became available in different parts of the town later in 1935, the decision was made to take both!
In this way Elim started with two chapel buildings in Llanelli, Carmel in Charles Street and Siloam in Ann Street, and Pastors Walter Urch and Gerald Ladlow were appointed to over-see the fast developing work. Two years later the Gospel Mission Hall in Island Place was bought for a £100. This hall had for many years been an independent Mission where on occasions Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones, Campbell Morgan and Graham Scroggie had preached. Thus in 1937 the two congregations were united.
During the dark difficult days of the war years, the work was maintained under the ministry of William Plowright, who often alternated his duties on the look out for incendiary bombs aimed at the busy factories and docks. 1950 saw a young man fresh from College starting his ministry at Llanelli, who was later to achieve a place in thousands of Elim hearts – Rev David Ayling.
Throughout the years a faithful witness for the gospel has been maintained, many have been won for Christ, hundreds more have been reached with the gospel and we are confident that God, who has been faithful over the past years will remain faithful.
We give thanks to God for the successive ministries of Pastors Urch, Ladlow, O. Murphy, H Greenslade, W. Powright, W. George, D. Ayling, K. Harris, G. Barker, A. Renshaw, T. Lloyd, G. Knight, R. Rees, A. Leavesley, H. Wallis, B. Watson, D. Hunt, A. Graham, D. Johnson, P. Davies, K. Tugwell, T. Brush, and S. Taylor. In March 1995 Pastor S. Taylor moved and was succeeded by Pastors Bill and Ellen Chapman. They were joined in September 2012 by Martin and Sally O’Brien.
In April 2000 the fellowship purchased Myrtle House following the demolition of the old chapel building in Island place, this was due to the redevelopment of the town, and a whole new adventure started. With the new building the church began to look for ways to be able to serve the community, always seeking to show the people of our town the love of God. As a consequence it has grown in influence and favour. This has been down to the faithful, servant hearted people who have worked hard, prayed continually and given irrationally, to see the kingdom advance and Jesus become known.
Today the church employs over 40 people, has many volunteers, all serving our community through multiple areas of service including a coffee shop/art gallery, community cafe, parents and toddlers groups, two nurseries, a friendship club, after school and holiday clubs for children, and a Foodbank. There is constant change in the life around Myrtle House, there are plans a foot to increase the number of community/small groups that meet through the week, there is currently work being done in and around the gardens so we can use them more effectively. We have an artist in residence who works across several areas of ministry, helping to develop mental and spiritual well-being through arts and crafts projects.