The Centro Emmanuel was founded in 1959 as an ecumenical space for retreats and theological training. It arose from the initiative of Yvonne van Berchem, inspired by the activity of other recognized centers in Europe, such as Taizé and Grandchamp. The name is a tribute to Emmanuel Galland – Yvonne’s husband – who dedicated his life to ecumenical work in South America. To this initiative will be added the work, hand in hand, of people from the Methodist, Waldensian, Mennonite and Evangelical churches of the Río de la Plata.

Between the 60s and 70s, the Centro participated in a time of much dialogue at an ecumenical level, permeated by significant movements in the history of our region: the activity of ISAL (Church and Society in Latin America), the impact of the Theology of Liberation, exploration in the field of popular education. In the mid-80s and after a long dictatorship in Uruguay, the return to democracy gives new meaning to old dreams and generates new searches: the idea of starting an organic farm prospers.

From then on, the Centro Emmanuel continued to open doors to dialogue with the needs and problems of its time: the commitment to social, environmental and local development issues matured, topics that renew theological reflection and nourish a spirituality linked to the land.
In recent decades, the Center has been able to become a reference space for agroecological production, generating networks between families in rural areas, supporting training and the exchange of knowledge. There was also a commitment to raising awareness among the general population, in the commitment to more just ways of relating to Creation. In line with this objective, today we support social organizations, churches and educational institutions in incorporating the socio-environmental dimension as an important element for reflection and to generate concrete actions.

Complementing this work, in 2016 the Centro Emmanuel incorporated the area of Ecotheology, a dimension that weaves a bridge between socio-environmental commitment and shared faith. This has renewed our way of thinking about theological training and biblical interpretation, revitalizing intergenerational work, retreats and camps.

In 2022, the experiences on educational tours concerning environmental education and the need to improve communication, gave rise to the emergence of the area of ecological promotion.

Today we can say that at the Emmanuel Center agroecology, ecotheology and education are like three sisters who went out to sow. Each one in their own way and time, with their knowledge and their searches. They do this by sharing the fruits and embracing the earth, renewing hope in a more just world.