The Revd Samuel Brian Thomas: 1935-2022
Baptist minister who served in Leicester and retired in Dorset, but never forgot his Welsh roots
Samuel Brian Thomas was born in Swansea South Wales to Christian parents - Samuel and Beatrice. He was educated at Downhill School and after passing his 11plus, he went to Bishop Gore Grammar School.
The family worshipped at Downhill Baptist Chapel and Brian became a Christian at the age of 13, while listening to Stanley Ford at a meeting held at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Swansea; he was baptised aged 14.
Brian knew from an early age that the Lord was calling him into Baptist ministry and so he started to go to the lay preacher's school. On a Sunday he would attend various churches in and around Swansea where he would take the devotions alongside a trained minister.
After taking his A-levels, Brian applied to Cardiff Baptist College and started his ministerial training aged 18. After three years he was called to Horeb Baptist Chapel in Nantymoel, South Wales, and he was ordained and inducted there on 6 September, 1957.
On Easter Monday, 21 April 1957, before he finished college, Brian went to a Christian Endeavour convention and it was there he met his wife-to-be, Beryl Margaret Randel. He was so sure that she was "the one", that he went home and told his mum he had met the future Mrs BM Thomas. They were to marry on 10 May 1958, and stood side by side for just two days short of their 64th wedding anniversary.
After marrying, Beryl soon became involved in all aspects of church life and was a constant support to Brian in his ministry. They were blessed with a daughter, Linda, in January 1960.
They stayed in Nantymoel until May 1965, when they moved to Usk Baptist Church, Monmouthshire (Gwent). Alongside church duties, Brian also became honorary chaplain to the local agricultural college and the manse door was always open to students, several of whom would also attend church on Sundays. Brian was an active member of the local community and would help in lots of ways, including delivering meals-on-wheels to local residents - he would stop for a quick chat and provided friendship to many. A number of "waifs and strays" would find their way to the manse where they would receive food and blessing before moving on - hopefully to better things.
Along with a group of other Baptist ministers, Brian started the East Gwent Fellowship of Baptist Churches and began preaching at a number of smaller, local chapels. He would often have to play the organ or piano as well as conduct the service.
In 1978 Linda went to Leicester University to study pharmacy and shortly after, Brian was invited to preach at Aylestone and Stocking Farm churches in Leicester. Having accepted the call to become their minister, he was inducted there in 1979. Aylestone Baptist Church (ABC) grew in membership numbers, but sadly Stocking Farm suffered severe vandalism and break-ins before eventually being burnt down.
Brian never forgot his Welsh roots and he was delighted to become chaplain to The Leicester Welsh Society; he was also an active governor to two local schools.
"ABC" was a very lively church and the members and children put on a number of musicals such as Pharaoh to Freedom, Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Great Than Gold, and many more. Christmas would see everyone taking part in a pantomime and Brian loved to be centre stage!
Brian and Beryl eventually retired to West Moors, Dorset and moved into a lovely bungalow, which was made possible by the Retired Baptist Ministers Housing Organisation. They joined United Church, Ferndown, and once again became involved in church activities; Brian joined the diaconate, regularly took services and conducted funerals and weddings, while Beryl organised church lunches, led women's meetings and enjoyed the activities of the young peoples' groups. They played an active part in the life of daughter Linda and their three grandchildren, with Brian often fulfilling the role of unpaid taxi driver.
Brian has battled with cancer for two years, and sadly on 8 May, 2022, with his wife and daughter at his bedside, he heard the words 'Well done thou good and faithful servant' and went to be with his Lord he had served for so many years.
LMP