The legacy of Sizewell Hall

Counties Senior Evangelist Victor Jack shares the story of Sizewell Hall Christian Centre and its 50 year celebration.

Sizewell Hall is a Christian conference and campaing centre and part of our trust deed stats: “For the purpose of advancing the Christian faith.“ Sizewell Hall is next to the nuclear power station, but I like to think that our place is the real power station where lives are changed for the better by the power of God.

The strapline for our ministry is Psalm 115:1 “Not unto us, not unto us, but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.”

In September, we celebrated our 50th anniversary, and the current trustees have been offered the opportunity to purchase the property; now, they need to raise £2 million within the following year. This is quite a challenge and very similar to the one I faced when I launched the project with only £40 in the bank. Our God is able.

God has blessed Sizewell Hall over the last half-century. Many adults have become Christians here and have been baptised in the sea. Many young people have also become committed Christians and are now serving as youth leaders in churches and secular organisations. Others have become Christian ministers in the UK, while some have gone on to become missionaries overseas.

Marriages have also been healed in the relaxed atmosphere of this place, and many young people have met their marriage partner here, and I have had the privilege of conducting three weddings in the Hall.

A book could be written about the lives that have been changed in this place. One man came a few weeks after he had been released from prison. He committed his life to God and was so grateful to God for the change in his life that he came back to the Hall for a week and, to help, he rebuilt part of the sea wall.

Another woman, whom we knew well, was very cynical about her husband’s decision to become a Christian. So, we invited her to Sizewell for the weekend. Early on, she went down to the beach and shook her fist at God and said: “Send in an extra big wave and I will believe in you.”

God didn’t send a big wave, but during a later talk, God so clearly challenged her that she broke down in tears and committed her life to God. He transformed it.

We have been wonderfully protected over the years with no serious accidents in the grounds, except for one tragic event that took place when my younger brother Ian drowned in the sea on 16 August 1981. While the memory of that is still painful, God has created within me reservoirs of compassion and empathy for others who are going through tragic experiences.

My involvement at Sizewell Hall began in 1964, when, with my wife, Meg, I returned to Suffolk to be involved in Christian ministry through Counties.

On one of my prayer trails, I believe God put the desire in my heart to establish a conference and camping centre in Suffolk. Later, an artist, who had asked permission to paint Sizewell Hall, discovered it was empty and contacted us.

I got in touch with Stuart Ogilvie, the owner, who immediately let us view the hall. He agreed we could rent the property. He didn’t even ask for references from responsible people or even the bank. However, he died from a heart attack, but this started our long association with his son, Glen Ogilvie, who was so supportive. The Hall was ideal, as there were 32 bedrooms in the Hall, 30 acres of grounds, and four cottages available to use.

We set up a group of trustees to support us, and when they visited the Hall, they fell in love with it and its situation by the sea. Also, a businessman I knew, Earnest Childs, who was one of Counties Trustees for many years, was involved with property. He looked over the building to advise us. While we were talking in the library, he took a jump and declared it was sound. He immediately offered to contribute £1,000, which was a considerable amount of money in 1974 (£9564 today).

After 13 years of neglect, we knew we were facing a huge task and would need the support of others to refurbish the building and sort out the overgrown grounds. We had a lot of volunteers, many from local churches, who worked enthusiastically on the project. There was a job for everyone. Farming friends brought tractors and trailers and chainsaws to help clear the debris that was lying everywhere. I won’t ever forget the sight of one woman on her hands and knees using a knife to remove the accumulated calcium in one of the toilets.

They were wonderful days of hard work, great camaraderie, and where we formed friendships that have continued to this day.

The financial challenge was immense, as the entire building needed to be rewired. Also, much of the plumbing had to be replaced, and a new industrial boiler was installed. In addition, the whole interior also needed to be decorated from top to bottom.

We managed it, and the first house party took place as scheduled in May 1975. Within weeks, the venue was nearly fully booked. And within a year, we had reservations covering the next two. In the early years, groups travelled from London, Liverpool, and Birmingham.

The financial cost was huge, but every month, by God’s providence, sufficient funds came in to pay every bill. Some came from trusts, but over fifty per cent came from individuals who wanted the project to succeed.

I thank God for His excellent provision and the fantastic team of people who made the work possible. Although I had the privilege of setting up the centre here, it only developed through the efforts of many volunteers, dedicated managers, a committed Council of Management, a wonderful secretary, and the considerable support and encouragement of my dear wife, Meg.

It’s a place of rest and renewal. We all tend to live busy lives, and most of us do not take enough time off to recharge our batteries. We need to follow the example of Jesus.

There was a moment in the life of Jesus and of His disciples when they were so busy that they didn’t even have time to stop and eat. Jesus turned to his men and said: “Come with me, by yourselves, to a quiet place and get some rest.” Jesus would say to us and to our church groups: “Come with me, to Sizewell Hall, a quiet place, and get some rest.”

The great blessing of coming is that, for a while, we can leave behind all those things that disturb and distress us and be renewed in our love for God, returning home refreshed and encouraged.

To find out more about booking at Sizewell Hall, you can either call the officer at 01728 830715 or email office@sizewellhall.org.uk.