The individual Genuki parish pages already have details of extant data of non-conformist chapels in Glamorgan which have extant records deposited in a public archive - largely based on the content of Nonconformist Registers of Wales published by the National Library of Wales in 1994.
The purpose of this project is to expand on this data - to include chapels that don't have such extant records - and are therefore currently not recorded at all on Genuki - the aim being to compile as complete a list as possible of non-conformist chapels in each parish together with as much information about each one that can be gathered together from a variety of sources.

I, or other volunteers, will create an initial list for each parish from sources available - and then (hopefully) expand this by requests to the members of the Glamorgan mailing list - taking specific parishes in turn with responses to pass through the Glamorgan list

Not an exhaustive list but I anticipate a range of data to include;

• The existence of a chapel at certain dates, the name of the minister, the denomination
• The date a chapel was established/built/extended, an exact address, OS grid reference, membership numbers
• Whether a chapel had its own graveyard, and if there are any known records if so
• Extant baptism, marriage, burial records not already recorded, including any known to be still with the chapels themselves
• The date a chapel closed
• Any publication relating to a chapel
• Any online site or photographs relating to a chapel
• An example of a non-Genuki chapel database can be seen on Cwmgors/Gwauncaegurwen

The sources of data might be;

• Marriage certificates
• Obituaries, newspaper reports, articles in journals
• Local history books, including any histories of the chapels themselves
• Trade Directories eg Kellys, Pigots
• Personal knowledge/research
• Copyright must be born in mind - simple facts such as OS grid references, addresses, denominations, when a chapel was built/rebuilt etc are OK to take (in my opinion) but don't copy/paste data generally

Each parish will have a separate chapel database page, with chapels grouped by denomination
The source type of each item of data will be shown e.g personal; marriage cert; name of book etc

(For an explanation of the various non-conformist denominations see Wales - Genealogy Help Pages )

The names of volunteers who assisted with particular parishes are shown on those pages

Gareth Hicks Sept 2005

Sources

This is an initial list, there will be others - e.g those linked from the existing parish page

Online

• The Chapels Recording Project in Wales (RCAHMW)
• Dissent in the Counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth by Hywel D Emanuel, National Library of Wales journal, Vol VIII/4, Winter 1954. Although not every GLA parish has an entry
• History of the Methodists in West Glamorgan by The Rev. W Samlet Williams 1916 (Index) This source applies to Calvinistic Methodist Chapels (now the Presbyterian Church of Wales)
• Glamorgan FHS - the publications lists etc
• Online Commercial & Residential Directories as appropriate to a particular parish - apart from what may already be on Genuki, see also the Historical Directories site
• Independent Chapels of Wales: History Books and Pamphlets by Huw Walters.
• Glamorgan Bibliography on Genuki
• Congregational marriage registers at GLA Archives
• The Cambrian Index - The index data is obviously limited , there may be more available via the online contact address
• Glamorgan Record Office in Cardiff hold most extant parish church and non-conformist chapel records, these are listed on their site (click ' history of your family' on main page and scroll down to the end of the next page)

Books/cds etc

I have;

• My Ancestors were Congregationalists in England and Wales, by D J H Clifford, SOG, 1992.
• Kelly's Directory, South Wales 1895 - the Archive CD Books Cd
• Kelly's Directory, South Wales 1910 - the Archive CD Books Cd
  (The earlier C19th directories only seem to have useful coverage of larger towns as far as chapels are concerned)
• Jones, I.G. & Williams, D. The Religious census of 1851 : A Calendar of the returns relating to Wales, Vol 1, South Wales. UWP, Cardiff, 1976

I don't have;

• My Ancestors were Methodists by William Leary, SOG, 3rd ed. 1999
• My Ancestors were Baptists, by Geoffrey Breed, SOG, 4th ed.

There is also;

• Chapel Photographic Survey of West Glam Chapels. Held at West Glam Archives Swansea (D/D CPS).

[Last Updated : 17 May 2007 - Gareth Hicks]

(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees and John Thomas; published in 1871+.

These 8 chapel histories were extracted by Gareth Morgan from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Feb 2008)  - no translations

The main project page is on /big/wal/ChurchHistory/Indchapels#Glamorgan

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

SPLOTLANDS, ROATH, CAERDYDD

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 433)

Achos Saesonig yw hwn hefyd. Dechreuwyd ef trwy gydweithrediad gweinidogion ac eglwysi Ebenezer, Charles- street, a Hannah-street. Teimlid er's blynyddau fod angen am achos crefyddol yma gan fod yr ardal yn boblog iawn ac ar gynydd yn barhaus. Sefydlwyd yma Ysgol Sabbothol fel cangen o ysgol Charles-street, yn yr ysgoldy Brutanaidd yn Comet-street, rai blynyddau yn ol, dan arolygiad Mr. Thomas Evans, un o ddiaconiaid Charles-street. Trwy ei lafur a'i ffyddlondeb ef, ac eraill a gydweithredent ag ef, aeth yr ysgoldy gydag amser yn rhy fychan i gynwys yr Ysgol Sabbothol. Er cynllunio a darparu effeithiolach moddion addysg a chyfleusderau crefyddol i'r ardalwyr, cyfarfyddodd amryw gyfeillion yn yr ysgoldy ar yr ail ddydd o Fai, 1870, pryd y nodwyd y personau canlynol i fod yn bwyllgor adeiladu: - sef Meistri J. Waite, B. A., Charles-street; J. M. Evans, Ebenezer; J. Davies, Hannah-street; Thomas Evans, R. Meyrick, Rees Enoch, John Price, Andrew Fulton, Thomas Wibber. J. E. Billups, ac eraill. Cymerwyd tir yn uniongyrchol ar ystad Arglwydd Tredegar at adeiladu. Ar y 27ain o Fedi, 1870, gosodwyd y garreg sylfaen i lawr gan y diweddar H. O. Wills, Ysw., Bristol. Anerchwyd y gynnulleidfa ar yr achlysur gan wahanol weinidogion y dref. Adeiladwyd yma gapel hardd a chyfleus, yn cynwys tua phum' cant o eisteddleoedd. Traul yr adeiladaeth oedd 1,740p. Cynaliwyd cyfarfodydd yr agoriad Ebrill 28ain, 1871, pryd y gweinyddwyd gan Meistri J. Baldwin Brown, B.A., Llundain; J. Waite, B. A., J. Davies, a W. Watkiss, Caerdydd, a'r Proffeswyr Morris, Aberhonddu, a Hartland, Bristol. Llwyddodd y pwyllgor i gasglu chwe' chant o bunau at draul yr adeiladaeth erbyn dydd yr agoriad. Ar y 24ain o Awst, 1871, ffurfiwyd yma eglwys, pryd yr ymunodd dau-ar-bymtheg o aelodau yr eglwysi cymydogaethol yn eglwys Annibynol yn y Ile newydd hwn. Yn mis Tachwedd, yn yr un flwyddyn, rhoddwyd galwad unfrydol i Mr. D. L. Jenkins, Trefgarn, a'r hon y cydsyniodd, ac y mae wedi dechreu ei weinidogaeth yma er yr ail Sabboth o Ionawr, 1872. Ar y seithfed-ar-hugain o Fawrth, cynaliwyd cyfarfod ei sefydliad, pryd y gweinyddwyd gan weinidogion yr eglwysi Annibynol yn Nghaerdydd, a Mr. H. Oliver, B.A., Casnewydd. Erbyn hyn y mae nifer yr Ysgol Sabbothol wedi dyblu, yr aelodau a'r gwrandawyr yn lluosogi yn gyflym, a golwg ryfeddol o obeithiol ar yr achos.

Mae yr enwad Annibynol yn nhref Caerdydd, a'i Maesdrefi, yn y saith mlynedd diweddaf, wedi gosod allan agos dair-mil-ar-ddeg o bunau ar gapeli ac ysgoldai, yn y drefn ganlynol : - helaethiad Mount-stuart, 650p.; adgyweiriad Ebenezer, 900p.; adeiladu Hannah-street, 4,150p; prynu y Music-hall, yn Wood-street, a'i droi yn addoldy, 3000p.; capel Canton, 1,500p.; capel Roath, 1,740p., ac ysgoldai Charles-street, 1,100p. Os yw sel ac ysbrydolrwydd yr eglwysi hyn yn gyfatebol i'w gweithgarwch a'u haelioni gyda phethau allanol crefydd, ac yr ydym yn credu ei fod, mae llwyddiant dirfawr yn sicr o ddilyn eu hymdrechion, a miloedd o eneidiau i gael eu hennill at y Gwaredwr yn y lleoedd hyn.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

 This is also an English cause. It started through co-operation between ministers and the churches of Ebenezer, Charles St and  Hannah St. It had been felt for years that there was a need for a religious cause here as the area was very populous and consistently increasing. A Sunday school was established here some years back as a branch of Charles St school, in the British School in Comet St, under the supervision of Mr Thomas Evans, one of the deacons at Charles St. Through his labours and loyalty, and others who worked with him, the school became in time too small to hold the Sunday school. Although laid out to effectively provide matters educational and religious  to the local residents, some friends met in the school house on the second day of May 1870, when the following persons were recorded as a building committee; - namely Messrs J. Waite, B. A., Charles-street; J. M. Evans, Ebenezer; J. Davies, Hannah-street; Thomas Evans, R. Meyrick, Rees Enoch, John Price, Andrew Fulton, Thomas Wibber. J. E. Billups, and others. They immediately took some building land on the estate of Lord Tredegar. On the 27th of Sept 1870, the late H O Wills Esq, Bristol,  laid the foundation stone. Various ministers of the town addressed the congregation on the occasion. They built here a beautiful and convenient chapel, to hold almost 500 seats. The building cost £1740. The opening meeting was on 28th April 1871, those officiating were Messrs J. Baldwin Brown, B.A., London; J. Waite, B. A., J. Davies, and W. Watkiss, Cardiff, and the Professors Morris, Brecon, and Hartland, Bristol. The committee succeeded in collecting £600 towards the cost of the building by the opening day. On 24th August 1871, they formed a church here, when 17 members of neighbouring churches joined the new Independent chapel in this place. In November, in the same year, they gave an unanimous call to Mr D L Jenkins, Trefgarn, which he accepted, and he began his ministry here on the second Sunday in January 1872.  On the 27th of March was held his installation ceremony, when the ministers of the Independent churches in Cardiff officiated, with Mr H Oliver, B.A, Newport. By this time the numbers  in the Sunday school have doubled, and the members and listeners increasing quickly, and the cause has a wonderfully hopeful outlook.

The Independent connection in the town of Cardiff, and its suburbs, in the last 7 years, has laid out almost £13,000 on chapels and school houses, as follows; - enlarging Mount - stuart, £650;  repairing Ebenezer £900; building Hannah St £4150; buying the Music hall in Wood St, to turn into a school house, £3000; Canton chapel £1500; Roath chapel £1740; and schoolhouses in Charles St £1100. If the ardour and enthusiasm of these churches is proportionate to their activity and generosity with matters outside religion, and we think they are, then great success is sure to follow, and thousands of souls will be gained for the Redeemer in these places.

MOUNT-STUART, CAERDYDD

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 428)

Yr oedd amryw gyfeillion er's blynyddau yn teimlo fod angen capel Cymraeg yn rhywle yn agos i'r Docks, ond oblegid fod dyled yn aros ar Ebenezer oedid myned yn ei gylch. Yn y flwyddyn 1856, ymgymerodd tri o aelodau Ebenezer a'r gorchwyl, sef Meistri T. B. Evans, D. Jones, a T. Davies, a chafwyd darn o dir gan oruchwyliwr Ardalydd Bute, yn Mount-stuart-square, y fan lle y saif y capel presenol. Dechreuwyd adeiladu yn Hydref, 1857. Mesurai y capel 52 troedfedd wrth 40 troedfedd, ond nid oedd oriel ynddo. Costiodd 1,100p. Agorwyd ef Mai 23ain a'r 24ain, pryd y gweinyddwyd gan Meistri D. Rees, Llanelli, ac H. Jones, Caerfyrddin. Y Sabboth cyn yr agoriad, daeth Mr. Lewis Powell ac eglwys Ebenezer yma, ac wedi i Mr. Powell bregethu, gweinyddwyd yr ordinhad o Swper yr Arglwydd. Cadwyd y gwasanaeth yn yr ysgoldy o dan y capel. Gollyngwyd 38 o aelodau trwy lythyrau o Ebenezer, ac ar y 30ain o Fai, corpholwyd hwy yn eglwys yn y capel newydd gan Mr. Moses Ellis, Mynyddislwyn. Bu yr ychydig aelodau yma yn ffyddlawn a haelionus, fel yr oedd raid iddynt fod gan fod y baich yn drwm. Cyfranai mwy nag un o honynt bunt y mis, bob mis am flynyddau at y weinidogaeth, a gwnai eraill yn gyffelyb yn ol eu hamgylchiadau. Ymddibynai yr eglwys am y blynyddoedd cyntaf ar weinidogaeth achlysurol, ond sicrheid gwasanaeth y pregethwyr goreu a ellid gael. Ond yn gynar yn y flwyddyn 1863, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Davies, Aberaman, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma yn mis Mehefin. Nid oedd nifer yr aelodau pan sefydlodd Mr. Davies yma ond tua 70, ac yr oedd tua 550p. o ddyled yn aros. Siriolodd yr achos yn fawr wedi dyfodiad Mr. Davies yma, a chynyddodd yr aelodau a'r gwrandawyr. Penderfynwyd codi y capel yn uwch, a rhoddi oriel ynddo, a gwnaed ef yn hardd iawn, a chostiodd y cyfnewidiad 621p., ond talwyd y cwb1 erbyn diwedd cyfarfodydd yr agoriad, y rhai a gynaliwyd yn Hydref, 1864. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1866, meddyliwyd am dalu y 550p. oedd yn aros ar y capel cyn gosod oriel ynddo a'i ad-drefnu, a'r bwriad oedd rhoddi blwyddyn at y gorchwyl, ond trwy gael eu calonogi gan Mr. Samuel Morley ag addewid o 100p., yr hon a roddwyd i Mr. Davies ar ei ymweliad a Llundain, os gwneid y gwaith mewn tri mis, ymroddodd Mr. Davies a'r eglwys ati o ddifrif, a gwnaed y gorchwyl yn yr amser byr hwnw, ac felly cliriwyd yr holl ddyled. Yn haf 1868, trwy gefnogiad Mr. Davies, aeth ychydig nifer o'r aelodau yma i ddechreu achos ar y Morfa, mewn lle a elwir y Grange, ac yn fuan wedi hyny rhoddodd Mr. Davies ofal yr eglwys hon i fyny, gan gymeryd yn gwbl at yr achos Saesonig yn Hannah-street, yr hwn a sefydlasid ganddo. Aeth amryw deuluoedd cyfrifol at y Saeson ar ymadawiad Mr. Davies, yr hyn a effeithiodd i fesur ar yr eglwys. Wedi dybynu dros dymor ar help gweinidogion dyeithr, yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1869, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Joseph Farr, Croesoswallt, yr hwn a ddechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma y mis Mawrth canlynol. Bu Mr. Farr yma yn dderbyniol a chymeradwy hyd ddechreu yr haf hwn, (1872), ond y mae yn awr wedi derbyn galwad o'r Tabernacle, Aberdar, ac y mae ar symud yno. Anaml y ceir eglwys o'i nifer wedi casglu yn gyffelyb i'r hyn a gasglodd yr eglwys hon o'i sefydliad. O ddechreu 1858 hyd 1872, casglodd at bob achos 4,491p. 7s. 7c., ac ni bu ei rhifedi ar unrhyw adeg yn ei hanes uwchlaw 130. Heblaw y rhai a grybwyllwyd yn nglyn a chychwyniad yr achos, bu Cadben J. Rowlands o wasanaeth mawr fel diacon ac ysgrifenydd yr eglwys, ac y mae gwasanaeth J. Morgan fel diacon a blaenor y gan yn haeddu ei goffau. Er fod agos yr holl rai a fu a'r llaw flaenaf yn ei gychwyniad, ac a fu yn brif gefnogwyr iddo wedi symud i leoedd eraill, y mae yr achos yn parhau i ddal ei dir, a hwyrach fod cystal gobaith o'i flaen am y dyfodol ag a fu mewn un cyfnod blaenorol yn ei hanes. Nis gellir disgwyl yma gynnulleidfa fawr, oblegid y mae yr iaith Seisnig wedi dyfod yn genllif dros y dref, ac yn yr iaith hono y gellir disgwyl gwneyd y daioni mwyaf i luaws y boblogaeth.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

Some friends had thought for years that there was a need for a Welsh chapel somewhere near to the Docks, but because there was an outstanding debt on Ebenezer it went no further. In 1856, 3 members of Ebenezer took on the task, namely Messrs T. B. Evans, D. Jones, and T. Davies, obtained a piece of land from Lord Bute's estate manager, in Mount - stuart Square, the spot where the present chapel stands. Building began in Oct 1857. The chapel measured 52ft by 40ft, but with no gallery. It cost £1100. It opened on 23/24th May, officiating were Messrs D. Rees, Llanelli, and H. Jones, Carmarthen. The Sunday before the opening, Mr Lewis Powell and Ebenezer church came here, and after Mr Powell had preached, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered. The service was held in the schoolhouse under the chapel. 38 members were released by letters from Ebenezer, and on the 30th May, the church was formalised in the new chapel by Mr Moses Ellis, Mynyddislwyn. The few members here were faithful and generous, as they had to be as the burden was heavy. More than one of them contributed a pound a month, every month for years, towards the ministry, as did others according to their circumstances. The church relied in the early years on occasional ministers, but obtained the services of the best ministers they could. But early in 1863, they gave a call to Mr John Davies, Aberaman, and he began his ministry here in the June. The number of members when Mr Davies arrived was about 70, and there was about £550 of debt remaining. The cause perked up considerably after Mr Davies came here, and the numbers of members and listeners increased. They decided to raise the chapel higher, and install a gallery, and make it very beautiful, and the alterations cost £621, but they repaid the whole lot by the end of the opening meetings, which were held in Oct 1864. At the start of 1866, they thought of repaying the £550 outstanding on the chapel before putting a gallery in it and altering it, the plan was to allow a year for the job, but through the encouragement of Mr Samuel Morley's pledge of £100, which he gave to Mr Davies on a visit to London, provided they did it within 3 months, Mr Davies and the church devoted themselves to it earnestly, annd finished the task in that short time, and thus cleared the whole debt. In the summer of 1868, with the backing of Mr Davies, a small number of members went off to start a cause on the Morfa, in a place called the Grange, and soon after that Mr Davies gave up the care of this church, to give all to the care of the English  cause in Hannah St, which he founded. A few  families amenable to the English followed him, and this had a measure of effect on the church. Having depended for a while on the assistance of strange ministers, at the end of 1869, they gave a call to Mr Joseph Farr, Croesoswallt, who began his ministry here the following March. Mr Farr was here acceptably and creditably until the start of this summer (1872), but has now received a call from Tabernacle, Aberdare, and is moving there.

 Seldom is seen a church of their numbers which has collected  as much as this church has collected since its formation. From the start of 1858 until 1872, it collected for every purpose £4491.7.7, and its numbers haven't been over 130 at any time in its history. Apart from those mentioned in connection with the foundation of the cause, Cadben J Rowlands was of great service as a deacon and secretary of the church, and the service of J Morgan as a deacon and leader is worthy of recording.  Although nearly all those who took a leading role in the setting up of this cause, and were main supporters of it, have left for pastures new, the cause continues to hold its own, and perhaps there is as much optimism before them for the future as at any previous time in their history. We can't expect a large congregation here, because the English tongue has spread like a torrent across the town, and in that language can be seen to do the greatest good for the majority of the population.

CANTON, CAERDYDD

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 431

 Mae Canton tua milldir i'r gorllewin o dref Caerdydd, ac yn awr yn dref lled fawr ei hun. Yr oedd amryw o aelodau Ebenezer yn cyfaneddu yma ac yn cynal Ysgol Sabbothol, cyfarfodydd gweddio, a phregethu achlysurol yn y Ile flynyddau cyn ffurfio eglwys yma. Byddai gweinidogion Ebenezer, Mr. A. W. Jarvis, ac eraill, yn pregethu yma yn fynych mewn gwahanol anedd-dai. Yn 1867, ar anogaeth Meistri J. Davies, a J. M. Evans, yr hwn oedd newydd ymsefydlu yn Ebenezer fel gweinidog, cafodd cynifer o aelodau eglwysig ag a gyfaneddent yn y lle hwn, ac a foddlonent ymadael a'r fam-eglwys, eu corpholi yn eglwys Annibynol. Rhoddasant alwad i Mr. T. C. Williams, o athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yma Mehefin 18fed a'r 19eg, 1867. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Roberts, un o athrawon yr athrofa yn Aberhonddu; holwyd y gefyniadau gan Mr. J. Griffiths, Llanwrtyd; gweddiwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Jones, Pentyrch; traddodwyd y siars i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Davies, Caerdydd, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. J. M. Evans, Caerdydd. Pregethwyd yma hefyd gan Meistri W. Edwards, Aberdar; Gwesyn Davies, Penywern; H. Oliver, B.A., ac eraill. Yn fuan wedi urddiad y gweinidog, Ilwyddwyd i gael tir at adeiladu capel, yr hwn a orphenwyd ac a agorwyd yn 1868. Mae yn gapel hardd a chyfleus iawn, mewn lle hynod fanteisiol. Costiodd rhwng pob peth bymtheg cant o bunau. Wedi cael y capel yn barod, cyfododd yma anhawsder gyda golwg ar yr iaith yn mha un y buasai yn oreu dwyn y gwasanaeth yn mlaen. Gan fod rhai yn yr eglwys nad oeddynt yn deall y Gymraeg o gwbl nis gallasai gwasanaeth yn yr iaith hono fod o un budd iddynt hwy, a chan nad oedd y Cymry yn foddlon i wasanaeth Saesonig, a bod nifer dirfawr o drigolion y lle yn Saeson, barnodd Mr. Williams a'r rhai a ystyrient fod angen am sefydlu achos Saesonig yn y lle, mai eu dyledswydd oedd cymeryd lle arall yn y gymydogaeth at gynal gwasanaeth Saesonig, ac felly gadawyd y capel i'r Cymry. O'r pryd yr ymadawodd Mr. Williams yn 1870, hyd Mai, 1872, bu yr eglwys Gymreig yn y capel yn ymddibynu ar weinidogaeth achlysurol. Yn awr y mae Mr. J. W. Morris, Llanharan, wedi derbyn galwad ac wedi dechreu ei weinidogaeth yma.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

Canton is about a mile west of Cardiff town, and is now a fairly large town itself. Several members of Ebenezer lived here and held a Sunday school, prayer meetings, and occasional preaching in the place for years before a church was formed here. The ministers from Ebenezer, Mr A W Jarvis, and others, frequently preached here in different dwelling houses. In 1867, with the encouragement of Messrs J Davies, and J M Evans, who had recently been installed as a minister at Ebenezer, as many church members as lived in the place, and were (foddlonent/willing?) to leave the mother church, came to form an Independent church. They gave a call to Mr T C Williams, from Brecon College, and he was ordained here on 18/19th March 1867. Mr W Roberts, one of the teachers from Brecon College, preached on the nature of a church; questions were asked by Mr J Griffiths, Llanwrtyd; the ordination prayer given by Mr J Jones, Pentyrch; the charge to the minister delivered by Mr J Davies, Cardiff; and to the church by Mr J M Evans, Cardiff.  Preaching also by Messrs W. Edwards, Aberdar; Gwesyn Davies, Penywern; H. Oliver, B.A., and others. Soon after ordaining the minister, they were successful in obtaining some land to build a chapel, this was completed and opened in 1868. It is a very beautiful and convenient chapel, in a notably advantageous place. It cost through everything £1500. After getting the chapel ready, there arose a difficulty with the language as to which one would best to take the service  in. As there were some in the church who didn't understand Welsh at all, a service in that language would be of no use to them, and the Welsh weren't prepared to have the service in English, and a large section of the residents of the place were English, Mr Williams and others who considered that there was a need for an English cause in the place, decided that their duty was to take another place in the neighbourhood to hold English services, and thus left the chapel to the Welsh. From when Mr Williams left in 1870 until May 1872, the Welsh church in the chapel relied on occasional ministers. Now Mr J W Morris, Llanharan, has accepted the call snd has started his ministry here.

CANTON, (SAESONIG)<

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 431)

Fel y nodwyd yn yr hanes blaenorol, darfu i Mr. T. C. Williams, a'r rhan o'r eglwys yn Canton oeddynt dros wasanaeth Saesonig, adael y capel i'r Cymry yn 1870, a myned allan i ddechreu achos Saesonig. Rhentiwyd capel perthynol i'r Wesleyaid ac yno y mae y gwasanaeth yn cael ei ddwyn yn mlaen hyd yn bresenol. Cafodd yr eglwys ieuange hon yn fuan ar ol ei ffurfiad ei cholledu yn fawr trwy symudiad rhai o'r aelodau mwyaf dylanwadol a defnyddiol i ardaloedd eraill. Colled fawr iddynt oedd symudiad Mr. Thomas Lloyd Davies i Abertawy, ac eraill i fanau eraill. Pa fodd bynag, y mae yr achos yn myned rhag ei flaen, ac yn ennill tir yn raddol er pob anfantais. Ar gychwyniad yr achos penderfynodd y gweinidog a'r eglwys i wneyd eu goreu i gasglu y crwydriaid i dy, a lledaenu dylanwad yr achos trwy ymdrechion i wneyd daioni y tu allan i'r capel yn gystal ag ynddo. Y mae yma Ysgol Sabbothol flodeuog, a llyfrgell ragorol wedi ei hagor mewn cysylltiad a hi er mwyn yr ieuengetyd. Y mae cerddoriaeth gysegredig hefyd yn cael sylw neillduol yma. Y mae aelodau y gynnulleidfa yn rhanu bob wythnos tua phum' cant o draethodau crefyddol o dy i dy yn yr ardal, ac felly mae ugeiniau o deuluoedd nad ydynt yn mynychu unrhyw le o addoliad yn cael cyfle i wybod ffordd iachawdwriaeth. Trwy y moddion hyn y mae rhai o wythnos i wythnos yn cael eu tueddu i ddyfod i wrandaw yr efengyl. Mae yma arwyddion gobeithiol am achos llewyrchus gydag amser, ond bydd raid i'r cyfeillion weithio eu ffordd trwy lawer o anfanteision am dymor.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

As noted in the preceding history, Mr T C Williams, and the section of the church in Canton which wanted an English service, left the church to the Welsh in 1870, and went off to start an English cause. They rented a chapel belonging to the Wesleyans and that is where their services have taken place  until the present day. This young church suffered a great loss soon after it was formed through some of the most helpful and influential members moving to other districts. A big loss was the moving  to Swansea of Mr Thomas Lloyd Davies, and others to different places. However, the cause is moving forward, and is gradually gaining ground despite every disadvantage. At the start of the cause the minister and church decided to do their best to gather stragglers to the house, and spread the influence of the cause through their efforts to do as much good outside the church  as inside it. There is here a flourishing Sunday school, and an excellent library has been opened in connection with it for the youngsters. Sacred music also gets particular attention here. Members of the congregation are every week distributing about 500 religious compositions from house to house in the district, and therefore scores of famlies that don't attend any  place of worship are getting the opportunity to find the way to salvation. Through these methods there are some who from week to week are being encouraged to come to listen to the gospel. There are hopeful signs of a prosperous cause here with time, but the friends will have to work their way through many disadvantages for a while.

GRANGE TOWN, CAERDYDD

(Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

 (Vol 2, p 432)

Achos Saesonig yw hwn. Dechreuwyd ef yn 1867, gan Mr. John Davies, gweinidog Hannah-street. Cymerodd Mr. Davies ystafell yma at gynal Ysgol Sabbothol, a moddion crefyddol eraill, y rhai a gynelid yn rheolaidd ar y Sabboth a nosweithiau o'r wythnos. Yn fuan wedi dechreu cynal moddion rheolaidd yma, cafodd eglwys fechan ei ffurfio. Wedi ffurfiad yr eglwys, yn unol a chynghor Mr. Davies, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. T. George, Llancurwg, i ymsefydlu yma fel gweinidog. Bu Mr. George yn llafurio yn y Ile gyda derbyniad a pharch hyd ddiwedd y flwyddyn 1871, pryd y derbyniodd alwad oddiwrth yr eglwys yn y Dinas, Cwmrhondda, ac y symudodd yno. Mae yma Ysgol Sabbothol lewyrchus, a chystal cynnulleidfa ag a ellid ddisgwyl wrth ystyried mai mewn ystafell anghyfleus y cynelir y gwasanaeth. Mae yr achos ieuange hwn wedi dyoddef yn fawr o eisiau capel, ac ofnir y bydd raid aros am flynyddau etto cyn cael un, am mai gwr ieuange dan ei oed yw perchenog y tir, ac nas gellir cael les nes y delo i'w oed. Mae y gymydogaeth yn cynwys tua dwy fil o drigolion, a'r boblogaeth yn cynyddu yn gyflym. Os Ilwyddir i gael capel, y mae gobaith am achos llwyddianus yma.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

 This is an English cause. It was started in 1867, by Mr John Davies, minister at Hannah-St. Mr Davies took a room here to hold a Sunday school, and other religious matters, and these were regularly held on Sundays and week days. Soon after starting to hold regular events here, a small church was formed. After that, together with and advised by Mr Davies, they gave  a call to Mr T George, Llancurwg, to move here as minister. Mr George laboured in the place with acceptance and respect until the end of 1871, when he received a call from the church at Dinas, Cwmrhondda, and moved there. There is here a flourishing Sunday school, and as good a congregation  as can be expected when one considers that services are held in an inconvenient room. This young cause has suffered much through lacking a chapel, and it is feared will have to wait for some years yet before having one, as it is an under age young man  who owns the land, and they can't have a lease until he comes of age. The neighbourhood consists of about 2000 residents, and the population is fast growing. If it succeeds in getting a chapel, there is hope for a successful cause here.

WOOD STREET, CAERDYDD

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 432)

Dechreuwyd yr achos hwn yn y flwyddyn 1868, dan yr amgylchiadau canlynol : - Yr oedd Mr. W. Watkiss yn weinidog cynnulleidfa o Ddiwygwyr Wesleyaidd, yn Charles-street. Ar un Sabboth hysbysodd y gynnulleidfa ei fod yn rhoddi ei weinidogaeth i fyny yno am nad oedd yn gallu cydweithredu yn ddymunol a rhai personau o ddylanwad yn y gynnulleidfa. Gan fod mwyafrif dirfawr yr aelodau a'r gwrandawyr yn selog iawn drosto ef, ac yn anfoddlon iddo ymadael a Chaerdydd, cymhellasant ef i bregethu y Sabboth canlynol yn y Music Hall, yn Wood-street, a'r hyn y cydsyniodd. Daeth yno dorf ddirfawr o'r dosbarth gweithiol i'w wrandaw, a phenderfynwyd o hyny allan i gynal gwasanaeth rheolaidd yno. Rhentiwyd y Music Hall fel lle addoliad. Ffurfiwyd yno eglwys, ac aeth pob peth yn mlaen yn anghyffredin o lwyddianus, ac yn mhell tuhwnt ddisgwyliadau y gweinidog a'r bobl. Yn y flwyddyn 1869, wedi ymgynghori a Mr. Davies, Hannah-street, a Mr. Waite, Charles-street penderfynasant uno a'r enwad Annibynol. Prynwyd y Music Hall, a chyfaddaswyd ef i fod yn dy addoli. Rhoddwyd tair mil o bunau am dano, ac yr ydym yn deall fod haner y ddyled wedi ei thalu. Tuag at hyny cafwyd swm da o'r pum' mil a addawsai Mr. S. Morley at adeiladu capeli Saesonig yn Nghymru. Mae yr addoldy hwn yn cynwys dros bymtheg cant o eisteddleoedd, ac y mae yn cael ei lenwi bob Sabboth. Mae yma argoel am achos anghyffredin o lewyrchus.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

This cause began in 1868, in the following circumstances; - Mr W Watkiss was the minister of a congregation of Reforming Wesleyans, in Charles-St. On one Sunday he notified the congregation that he was giving up his ministry there as he could not work pleasantly with some influential persons in the congregation. As the great majority of members and listeners were quite keen on him, and were unwilling for him to leave Cardiff, he was urged to preach on the following Sunday in the Music Hall, in Wood St, and he agreed to this. A great crowd came there from the religious community to listen, and decided then and there to hold  services regularly there. They rented the Music Hall as a place of worship. They formed a church there, and things went ahead very successfully, and far beyond the expectations of the minister and people. In 1869, after consultation with Mr Davies, Hannah St, and Mr Waite, Charles St, they unanimously decided to call themselves Independent. They bought the Music Hall, and modified it as a house of worship. They gave £3000 for it, and we understand that half the debt has been repaid. Towards that they had a good sum from the £5000 that was left by Mr S Morley to build English chapels in Wales. The place has over 1500 seatings, and it is filled every Sunday. The outlook here is for an extraordinary prosperous cause. HANNAH STREET, CAERDYDD

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 429)

Cafodd yr eglwys a gyferfydd yn y capel hwn ei dechreuad dan yr amgylchiadau canlynol : - Mr. John Davies, y pryd hwnw, gweinidog yr eglwys Gymreig yn Mount Stuart Square, yn teimlo fod angen dirfawr am ychwaneg o achosion Saesonig i'r Annibynwyr yn nhref gynyddol Caerdydd, lle y mae o leiaf bedwar o bob pump o'r trigolion yn siarad yr iaith Saesonig, a rentiodd ystafell yn Patrick-street am ugain punt y flwyddyn o rent, ac a ddechreuodd bregethu yno yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1866. Sefydlwyd yno Ysgol Sabbothol, a phob math arall o foddion crefyddol dan arolygiaeth Mr. Davies, ac yn lled fuan ffurfiwyd yno eglwys o bedwar-ar-ddeg o aelodau, at yr hon y mae ychwanegiadau cyson wedi bod hyd yn bresenol. Wedi Ilawer o drafferth cafwyd darn cytleus o dir at adeiladu capel yn Hannah-street, gan Ardalydd Bute, ar les o 99 o flynyddau, am yr ardreth blynyddol o chwe' phunt a deg swllt. Mehefin 11eg, 1867, cynaliwyd cyfarfod er gosod i lawr garreg sylfaen yr addoldy newydd. Y diweddar H. O. Wills, Ysw., o Gaerodor, a neillduwyd i gyflawni y ddefod o osod y garreg. Cyn iddo fyned trwy y ddefod, cyflwynodd Mrs. Davies, gwraig y gweinidog, lwy arian (trowel) iddo. Yr oedd Mr. Samuel Morley, Mr. Henry Richard, Mr. J. C. Gallaway, M.A., Llundain; Dr. Rees, Abertawy, a llawer o weinidogion yn wyddfodol, ac yn anerch y gwyddfodolion Iluosog ar yr achlysur. Yn hwyr, yr un dydd, cynaliwyd cyfarfod cyhoeddus yn nghapel Charles-street, dan lywyddiaeth Mr. Morley, pryd y cafwyd addewidion am lawer o symiau anrhydeddus at y capel newydd. Mehefin 10fed, 1868, agorwyd y deml brydferth, pryd y traddodwyd pregethau gan Meistri Thomas Jones, yn awr o Abertawy, a Ll. D. Bevan, LL.B., Llundain. Mae ysgoldy eang odditan y capel, a chwech o wahanol ystafelloedd, yn nghyd a Vestries, a phob cyfleusderau eraill. Costiodd y cwb1 4,150p., a bwriedir tynu y ddyled i lawr erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn hon i 800p., ac felly bydd y gweinidog llafurus a'r gynnulleidfa ieuange hon mewn pedair blynedd wedi casglu y swm mawr o 3,350p. at eu haddoldy. Er fod yr achos dan ofal Mr. Davies o'i ddechreuad, anfynych yr oedd ef yn gallu pregethu i'r gynnulleidfa tra y bu yn weinidog i'r eglwys yn Mount Stuart Square. Wedi agoryd y capel newydd gwnaeth ef ei feddwl i fyny i roddi gofal yr eglwys Gymreig i fyny a chyfyngu ei lafur i'r achos Saesonig, ac felly dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth rheolaidd yma yn Gorphenaf, 1868.

Mae y capel wedi ei osod dan ofal pymtheg o ymddiriedolwyr, y rhai a wneir i fyny o dri o weinidogion a deuddeg o leygwyr. Cydnabydda Mr. Davies gyda diolchgarwch y cymorth a'r gefnogaeth a gafodd yn ei anturiaeth bwysig gydag adeiladaeth y capel a chychwyniad yr achos, gan Meistri Billups, Dr. Edwards, Captain Rowlands, John Evans, G. F. Atkins, J. O. Jones, T. Davies, James Marychurch, ac eraill. Y diaconiaid yma ydynt Meistri W. Manning, G. Down, J. Rowlands, a T. Davies. A blaenor y gan a chwareuwr yr organ yw Mr. W. Marychurch. Mae yr aelodau yn awr yn 84 o rif, y gynnulleidfa tua 400, yr Ysgol Sabbothol yn 250, a'r capel yn un o'r addoldai harddaf a mwyaf cyfleus yn y dref, ac yn cynwys tua saith gant o eisteddleoedd. Mae pob peth yma yn awr mor llewyrchus a dymunol ag y gellid disgwyl, ond yn unig fod iechyd y gweinidog defnyddiol ac anwyl mor wanaidd nes ei analluogi i gyflawni ei waith fel yr arferai wneyd. Mae gweddiau beunyddiol ei bobl a'r eglwysi yn gyffredinol am ei adferiad etto i'w iechyd arferol, ac yr ydym yn hyderu yr atebir hwynt yn estyniad ei oes a'i ddefnyddioldeb. Pa fodd bynag y gwel yr Arglwydd yn dda wneyd gyda golwg ar ei was ffyddlon yn y dyfodol, y mae genym achos diolch yn wresog am iddo ei nerthu a'i lwyddo mor anghyffredin hyd yn bresenol.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

The church that met in this chapel started in the following circumstances;- Mr John Davies, at the time minister at the Welsh church in Mount Stuart Square, felt that there was a great need for several English Independent causes in the growing town of Cardiff,  where 4 out of 5 residents spoke English, and he rented a room in Patrick St for £20 pa rent, and began to preach there at the start of 1866. They established a Sunday school there, and every other type of religious activity, under the supervision of Mr Davies, and fairly soon formed a church of 14 members, and this has steadily increased to the present day. After some difficulty they had  a piece of land to build a chapel in Hannah St, from Lord Bute, on a lease of 99 years, for the annual rate of £10.6s  On June 11th 1867 they held a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the new chapel. The late H O Wills, Esq, of Bristol, was assigned to fullfil the ritual of laying the stone. Before he went through the ceremony, Mrs Davies, the minister's wife, presented him with a trowel.  Mr. Samuel Morley, Mr. Henry Richard, Mr. J. C. Gallaway, M.A., London; Dr. Rees, Swansea; and several ministers attended, and addressed the large crowd gathered for the occasion. Later, the same day, they held a public meeting in Charles St chapel, under the presidency of Mr Morley, when they received many pledges for honorary amounts for the new chapel. On 10th June 1868, they opened the lovely temple, when sermons were delivered by Messrs Thomas Jones, now in Swansea, and Ll. D. Bevan, LL.B., London. There is a large schoolhouse underneath the chapel, with 6 separate rooms all with Vestries, and every other facility. The whole lot cost £4150, and it is intended to pull this debt down to £800 by the end of the year, and thus the industrious minister and young congregation will have collected the vast amount of £3350 within 4 years towards their place of worship. Although the cause was under the care of Mr Davies from the outset, he was seldom able to preach to the congregation whilst  minister at the church at Mount Stuart Sq. Having opened the chapel he made his mind up to give up the care of the Welsh church to confine his labours to the English church, and thus began his regular ministry here in July 1868.

The chapel was set up under the care of 15 trustees, who were made up of 3 ministers and 12 laymen. Mr Davies recognised with gratitude the assistance and support he received in the important project of building the chapel and starting the cause from Messrs Billups, Dr. Edwards, Captain Rowlands, John Evans, G. F. Atkins, J. O. Jones, T. Davies, James Marychurch, and others.  The deacons here are Messrs W. Manning, G. Down, J. Rowlands, and T. Davies.And the leader of the singing and player of the organ is Mr W Marychurch. The members now number 84, the congregation about 400, the Sunday school 250, and the chapel one of the most beautiful and convenient in the town, and containing some 700 seating.  Everything here now is as prosperous and pleasant as it could be, apart from the fact that the health of their helpful and loved minister is so poor that it stops him carrying out his work as he used to. The daily prayers of his people and the churches are universal for his recovery to normal health, and are confident that this will extend his life and usefullness. However the good Lord's will bears down on his faithful servant in the future, we have a cause most thankful for his strength and extraordinary success until the present time.

CHARLES STREET, CAERDYDD

Proof read by David Rowlands (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 429)

Yr oedd rhai o aelodau yr hen gapel yn Womanby-street yn teimlo er's blynyddau nad oedd un gobaith am gyfodi achos Annibynol effeithiol a theilwng o dref fawr a chynyddol Caerdydd yn y capel hwnw, oherwydd anghyfleusdra y lle, ac amrywiol achosion eraill, gan hyny penderfynodd nifer o honynt yn y flwyddyn 1853, ymadael yn heddychol a'r hen le, a dechreu achos newydd mewn lle arall. Cymerasant hen addoldy y Wesleyaid yn Old Church-street. Buont yno am ddwy flynedd, ac yna symudasant i Neuadd y dref yn 1855, ac yno y buont nes gorphen adeiladu y capel yn Charles-street. Dechreuwyd adeiladu y capel yn Tachwedd, 1854, ac agorwyd ef Gorphenaf 5ed, 1855. Traddodwyd pregethau ar yr achlysur gan Dr. Vaughan, y pryd hwnw o athrofa Lancashire, a Mr. D. Thomas, B.A., Bristol. Maint y capel yw 75 troedfedd wrth 38 oddifewn i'r muriau. Y mae ysgoldy helaeth odditano, ac amrywiol ystafelloedd cyfleus yn perthyn iddo. Costiodd 2,900p., a gorphenwyd talu y ddyled yn 1866. Yn 1862, gosodwyd oriel yn y capel, yr hyn a gostiodd 212p., ac felly costiodd yr addoldy hwn rhwng pob peth dros dair mil a chan' punt. Y gweinidog cyntaf yma oedd Mr. R. T. Verrall, B.A., o New College, Llundain. Dechreuodd ef ei weinidogaeth yma Medi 18fed, 1853, a symudodd oddiyma yn 1861. Dilynwyd Mr. Verrall gan Mr. Joseph Waite, B.A., o East Cowes. Dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma y Sabboth cyntaf yn Mai, 1862, ac y mae yn parhau i lenwi ei le yma gyda, pharch a dylanwad mawr.

Mae yr eglwys hon yn awr yn cynwys 200 o aelodau, ac yn eu mysg amryw o'r dynion mwyaf parchus a dylanwadol yn Nghaerdydd. Mae hwn wedi bod yn achos Ilwyddianus iawn oddiar ei gychwyniad hyd yn bresenol. Heblaw amryw o'r aelodau sydd yn arfer eu doniau fel pregethwyr achlysurol, y mae y tri canlynol o'r aelodau yn darparu ar gyfer y weinidogaeth: -

• W. J. Jupp. Yr hwn sydd yn fyfyriwr yn yr Athrofa OrlIewinol yn Plymouth.
• William Lloyd. Myfyriwr yn yr athrofa yn Nghaerodor.
• B. N. Freme. Myfyriwr yn athrofa Springhill, Birmingham.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

Some of the members of the old chapel in Womanby St had felt for some years that there was no hope for raising an effective Independent cause and worthy of  the large and growing town of Cardiff in that chapel, because of the inconvenience of the place, and sundry other reasons, in as much that a number of them decided in 1853, to peaceably leave the old place, and start a new cause somewhere else. They took on the old schoolhouse of the Wesleyans in Old Church St. They were there for 2 years, and then moved to the town hall in 1855, and remained there until finishing building the chapel in Charles St. They began to build the chapel in November 1854, and it opened  July 5th 1855.Sermons were delivered on the occasion by Dr Vaughan, then at Lancashire College, and Mr D Thomas, B.A, Bristol.  The size of the chapel is 75ft by 38ft between the walls. There is a roomy schoolhouse under it, with sundry handy rooms with it. It cost £2900, and they finished repaying the debt in 1866.  In 1862, they installed a gallery in the chapel, and this cost £212, so that the place cost with everything more than £3100. The first minister here was Mr R T Verrall, B.A, from New College, London. He began his ministry here on Sept 18th 1853, and he moved from here in 1861. Mr Verrall was followed by Mr Joseph Waite, B.A, from East Cowes. he began his ministry here on the first Sunday in May 1862, and he continues to fulfill his role here with respect and great influence.

This church now comprises 200 members, and among them some of the most respected and influential men in Cardiff. This has been a mosty successful cause from its inception to the present. Apart from the several members who customarily demonstrate their prowess as occasional preachers, the three following members are preparing for the ministry;-

• W. J. Jupp. A student at the Western College in Plymouth
• William Lloyd. A student at Bristol College
• B. N. Freme. A student at Springhill College, Birmingham,

(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees and John Thomas; published in 1871+.

These chapel histories were extracted by Gareth Morgan from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Feb 2008)  - no translations

The main project page is on /big/wal/ChurchHistory/Indchapels#Glamorgan

Proof read by Melanie Stark (March 2008)

CWMBWRLA  (Swansea parish)

(Vol 2, p 80)

Pentref ychydig gyda milldir o Abertawy, ar y ffordd i Lanelli a Chaerfyrddin, yw Cwmbwrla. Yr oedd gan eglwys Ebenezer ysgoldy at gadw Ysgol Sabbothol a chyfarfodydd gweddio yn Mhentrefgethin, ychydig yn nes i fyny i'r wlad, er's llawer o flynyddau, a phan gymerodd perchenog y tir feddiant o hwnw, adeiladwyd ysgoldy yn Nghimbwrla yn 1844, yr hwn a agorwyd Awst 12fed a'r 13eg, yn yr un flwyddyn. Pregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri D. Rees, a T. Roberts, Llanelli; W. Jones, Abertawy; E. Roberts, Cwmbychan; T. Bowen, yn awr o Bendaran; T. Thomas, Abertawy; E. G. Williams, Ysgetty, a W. Morris, Glandwr. Cadwyd Ysgol Sabbothol, cyfarfodydd gweddio, pregethu achlysurol, ac ysgol ddyddiol yn yr ysgoldy hwn hyd y flwyddyn 1861, pryd y ffarflwyd yma eglwys Annibynol. Gollyngwyd 50 o aelodau o Ebenezer i ffurfio yr eglwys newydd, a gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Mr. E. Jacob, yr hwn oedd yn awr wedi rhoddi gofal Ebenezer i fyny, ac ar symud i Ebley. Cawn y nodiad canlynol gyda golwg ar ffurflad yr eglwys hon yn y Diwygiwr am Hydref, 1861: -  "Yn ddiweddar, wrth weled fod preswrylwyr yr ardal yn amlhau yn fawr, penderfynwyd sefydlu achos rheolaidd yn y lle. Unodd ychydig frodyr gweithgar y dref a'r rhai oedd yn byw yno, yn y cynyg er dyogelu yr amcan teilwng hwn, a choronwyd eu llafur a llwyddiant. Cydweithredodd y Parch. W. Humphreys, Cadle, yn wresog yn yr ymdrech; a chan ei fod yn byw yn yr ardal, mae yn addaw cydweithredu etto. Nos Sabboth, Medi 8fed, 1861, cafodd y Parch. E. Jacob yr hyfrydwch o ffurflo eglwys yn y lle, yn cynwys yn nghylch 50 o aelodau. Derbyniwyd ar y pryd wyth o rai newyddion, ac y mae o ddeg i bymtheg etto yn y gyfeillach heb eu derbyn. Bwriedir adeiladu addoldy hardd yno mor fuan ag y byddo yn gyfleus. Mae golwg obeithiol iawn ar yr achos ieuangc yn ei gychwyniad." Dewiswyd Mr. Humphreys yn weinidog yn fuan ar ol hyn, a pharhaodd i gyflawni ei weinidogaeth yn wir effeithiol hyd derfyniad ei fywyd defnyddiol. Yn haf 1862 gosodwyd careg sylfaen y capel gan Mr. E. Griffiths, Abertawy, a phregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Mr. Daniel, Mynyddbach, a Dr. Rees, Abertawy. Cyn-naliwyd cyfarfodydd agoriad y capel newydd Mawrth 29ain, 30ain a'r 31ain, 1863, pryd y pregethodd Meistri J. Thomas, Bryn; W. Morgan, Maesteg; Dr. Rees, Abertawy; J. Roberts, Castellnedd; D. Jones, Cwmafon; T. Davies, Siloa; I. Mathews, Castellnedd; D. Evans, Llansawel; H. Evans, Penbre; E. Evans, Treforis; J. Rees, Canaan; T. Davies, Treforis, a T. Thomas, Glandwr. Traul yr adeiladaeth oedd 700p., a chasglwyd erbyn diwedd cyfarfodydd yr agoriad 200p. Yn y flwyddyn 1864, gosodwyd oriel yn y capel a chynaliwyd cyfarfodydd agoriad drachefn ar orpheniad y gwaith hwnw, Tachwedd 13eg a'r 14eg, pryd y pregethodd Meistri J. Rees, Cwmaman, Aberdare; H. Evans, Penbre; W. Griffiths, Llanharan; I. Evans, Maendy; I. Thomas, Bryn, a J. Joseph, Llanelli. Gorphenaf 9fed, 1869, bu farw y gweinidog llafurus, Mr. Humphreys, er dirfawr dristwch a cholled i bobl ei ofal. Wedi bod tua blwyddyn ar ol marwolaeth Mr. Humphreys yn ymddibynu ar weinidogaeth achlysurol, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Jones, New Tredegar, yr hwn a ddechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma yn Medi, 1870. Mae Mr. Jones a'r bobl yn cydweithredu yn ddymunol, a phob arwydd y bydd ei lafur yn y lle yn llwyddianus. Er fod y capeli Zoar, Pentre-estyll, Ebenezer, Capel Sion, Glandwr, a'r capel hwn, oll o fewn llai na milldir i'w gilydd, y mae yma ddigon o drigolion i'w llenwi oll, a digon yn ngweddill i'r enwadan eraill.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL (Not extracted fully)

WILLIAM HUMPHREYS. Ganwyd ef yn nghymydogaeth Glandwr yn y flwyddyn 1822. ..............................

Translation by Heulwen Jenkins (Oct 2008)

Cwmbwrla is a village about a mile from Swansea, on the road to Llanelli & Carmarthen. For  many years Ebenezer had a schoolhouse for Sunday School & prayer meetings in Pentregethin, a little nearer the countryside, & when the owner gave possession of the land, a schoolhouse was built in Cwmbwrla in 1844, which opened August 12th & 13th, the same year. On that occasion preachers were Messrs. D. Rees & T. Roberts, Llanelli; W. Jones, Swansea; E. Roberts, Cwmbychan; T. Bowen, Pendaran; T. Thomas, Swansea; E.G. Williams, Sketty & W. Morris, Landore. Sunday School, prayer meetings, occasional preaching & daily school were held in the schoolhouse until the year 1861, when a Congregational Church was formed here.  50 of Ebenezer's members left to form the new church & Mr. E. Jacob, who had now given up the care of Ebenezer & moved to Ebley,  officiated on the occasion. We have the following note on the formation of this church in The Revivalist (Diwygiwr) for October, 1861:- " Lately, seeing that the inhabitants of the area were increasing greatly, it was decided to establish a normal cause in the place. A few of the town's industrious brothers joined with some who lived there, to try & secure this worthy purpose, & their work was crowned with success. Mr. W. Humphreys, Cadle, cooperated fervently in the endeavor; & because he lived in the area, he still cooperates.

On Sunday night, September 8th, 1861, Mr. E. Jacob had the pleasure of forming a church in the place, consisting of about 50 members. Eight new members were received at the time, &  there are from ten to fifteen in the fellowship not yet received. It is intended to build a beautiful building there as soon as it is convenient. There is a very hopeful look on the young cause in it's beginning." Mr. Humphreys was chosen as minister shortly after this, & he continued to perform his ministry with real effect until the end of his useful life.  In summer 1862 the foundation stone of the chapel was laid by Mr. E. Griffiths, Swansea, & Mr. Daniel, Mynyddbach, & Dr. Rees, Swansea preached on the occasion. The new chapel's opening meetings were held on March 29th, 30th & 31st, 1863, when Messrs J. Thomas, Bryn; W. Morgan, Maesteg; Dr. Rees, Swansea; J. Roberts, Neath; D. Jones, Cwmavon; T. Davies, Siloa; I. Matthews, Neath; D. Evans, Llansawel; H. Evans, Pembrey; E. Evans, Morriston; J. Rees, Canaan; T. Davies, Morriston & T. Thomas, Landore preached. The debt for the building was £700, & £200 had been collected by the end of the inauguration  meetings. In 1864, a gallery was put in place & opening meetings were again held at the end of that work, November 13th & 14th, when Messrs. J. Rees,  Cwmamman, Aberdare; H. Evans, Pembrey; W. Griffiths, Llanharan; I. Evans, Maendy; I. Thomas, Bryn & J. Joseph, Llanelli, preached. On July 9th, 1869, the painstaking minister, Mr. Humphreys, died, a huge sadness & loss to the people under his care. After depending on occasional preaching for about a year after Mr. Humphreys' death,  a call was made to Mr. David Jones, New Tredegar,  who started his ministry here in September 1870. Mr. Jones & the people work well as a team, with  every sign that his work here will be successful. Although the chapels Zoar, Pentre-Estyll, Ebenezer, Capel Sion, Landore & this chapel, are all within less than a mile of one another, there are enough inhabitants to fill them all, & enough surplus for the other denominations.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ( Not extracted fully)

WILLIAM HUMPHREYS He was born in Landore in 1822 .............

HOREB, TREFORIS (Llangyfelach parish)

(Vol 2, p 82)

Yr oedd Mr. Thomas Davies, gweinidog y capel hwn, wedi bod yn bregethwr cynorthwyol parchus yn yr ardal ers amryw flynyddau, a nifer o'i gyfeillion yn awyddus am ddyogelu ei wasanaeth yn yr ardal fel gweinidog, ac i'r dyben hwnw cymhellasant ef i uno a hwy i gyfodi achos newydd. Cydsyniodd a'u cais, a phregethodd yn ei dy ei hun ar yr ail Sabboth yn Ebrill, 1842. Y Sabboth canlynol pregethodd yn nhy John Evans, Edward-street, a pharhawyd i gynal y moddion yn y ty hwnw am dri mis. Yna ardrethwyd swyddfa hen waith y Clundu, am yr ardreth flynyddol o dair punt. Yn y lle hwnw corpholwyd yr eglwys, ac urddwyd Mr. Davies gan y brodyr heb alw un gweinidog i gymeryd rhan yn y gwasanaeth. Er nad oedd yr achos hwn yn rhwygiad o unrhyw eglwys, etto, gan iddo gael ei gychwyn heb ymgynghori a'r eglwysi a'r gweinidogion cymydogaethol, nid ystyrid ef y pryd hwnw yn achos rheolaidd, ac felly penderfynodd y brodyr urddo eu gweinidog eu hunain. Tua yr amser hwn cafwyd darn helaeth o dir at adeiladu capel a chladdu y meirw gan L. W. Dillwyn, Ysw., am yr ardreth o swllt y flwyddyn. Hyd y les yw mil and un o flynyddoedd. Traddodwyd pregeth ar y sylfaen yn mis Hydref, 1842, gan Mr. D. Davies, gweinidog y Bedyddwyr yn Abertawy. Yn nghyfarfod Calan, Castellnedd, yn 1843, rhoddwyd cais at y cyfeillion yn y lle hwn i osod eu hunain dan nawdd Cyfarfod Chwarterol y sir, a chydymffurflo a threfn arferol yr enwad gyda golwg ar urddiad eu gweinidog. Cydsyniwyd a'r cais, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod urddiad Mr. Davies Gorphenaf 24ain, 1843, pryd y gweinyddwyd gan y Meistri W. Thomas, Glais; D. Jones, Clydach; E. Griffiths, Abertawy, a J. Davies, Mynydd bach. Rhwng muriau y capel, yr hwn oedd y pryd hwnw heb ei y cynaliwyd y cyfarfod hwn. Cyn gynted ag y gosodwyd tô a ffenestri i'r capel aeth y gynnulleidfa iddo. Yn raddol gorphenwyd ef trwy osod eisteddleoedd &c. ynddo. Ebrill 7fed, 1844, y dechreuwyd cynal gwasanaeth rheolaidd ynddo, pryd y pregethodd Mr. W. Rees, o athrofa Lancashire, yn awr offeiriad Llanboidy. Yn mhen tua blwyddyn ar ol hyn bu raid gosod oriel ynddo, oherwydd fod y gynnulleidfa wedi myned yn rhy luosog i lawr y capel i'w chynwys. Rhagfyr 10fed a'r lleg, 1845, cynaliwyd cyfarfod agoriad ar ol gorphen yr oriel, a phob peth arall perthynol i'r adeilad, pryd y cymerwyd rhan yn y gwasanaeth gan y Meistri P. Griffiths, Alltwen; W. Morgans, Troedyrhiw; W. Thomas, Rock; J. Evans, Crwys; E. Jacob, Abertawy; E. Watkins, Canaan; W. Morris, Glandwr, ac eraill.  Maint y capel hwn oedd 36 troedfedd wrth 31 o fewn y muriau. Traul yr adeiladaeth, trefnu a chau oddiamgylch y fynwent &c., oedd rhwng 600p. a 700p., a thalwyd y cwbl trwy ymdrechior diattal y gweinidog a'i bobl ffyddlon. Erbyn y flwyddyn 1869 yr oedd y capel hwn wedi myned yn rhy fychan fel y bu raid ei dynu i lawr ac adeiladu un llawer helaethach. Gosodwyd careg sylfaen y capel newydd prydnawn dydd Sadwrn, Awst 28ain, 1869, gan Miss Hughes, (Moffudd Glantawy,) yn newydd torf fawr o edrychwyr, y rhai a anerchwyd gan y Meistri F. Samuel, a, Dr. Rees, Abertawy; R. Rowlands, Llansalmet; W. Cuthbertson, B.A., Bishop Stortford, a J. Davies, Caerdydd. Rhoddodd Miss Hughes 20p., a'i thad, R. Hughes, Ysw. 10p., at drawl yr adeiladaeth. Gorphenwyd y gwaith ac agorwyd y capel Rhagfyr 3ydd, 4ydd a'r 5ed, 1870. Pregethwyd yn nghyfarfodydd yr agoriad gan Dr. Rees, Abertawy; y Meistri J. Davies, Taihirion; E. Griffiths, Abertawy; J. Roberts, a J. Mathews, Castellnedd; T. Johns, Llanelli; R. Morgans, Glynnedd; R. Morgans, Aberafan; J. Ll. Jones, Crwys, a J. Thomas, Bryn. Mae y capel hwn yn un o'r rhai harddaf yn yr holl ardal, ac ysgoldy eang odditano. Costiodd tua 2,300p., ac y mae y gynnulleidfa ffyddlon wedi casglu 700p. o'r swm hwn Yn y ddwy flynedd ddiweddaf. Maint y capel prydferth hwn yw 55 troedfedd wrth 45.

Mae Mr. Davies er dechreuad yr achos yma yn 1842, wedi derbyn dros 1200 o aelodau i'r eglwys. Rhai o honynt yn hen iawn a rhai yn ieuaingc iawn. Erbyn hyn y mae tua 300 o honynt wedi marw, a chanoedd eraill wedi cael eu gwasgaru gan Ragluniaeth i wahanol ardaloedd a gwledydd. Nifer y gynnulleidfa yn bresenol, rhwng aelodau a gwrandawyr yw tua 500. Yn mysg y ffyddloniaid a fuont feirw gellid enwi David Jones, Tanyard; David Jones, Gwehydd; John David, David John, Jonah Francis, Mary Anne Hopkin, Martha Rees, Hannah Davies, gwraig y gweinidog, a Mary Charles.

Y pregethwyr a godwyd yn yr eglwys hon ydynt y rhai canlynol: -

• John Davies, gweinidog yr eglwysi yn y Taihirion, Bronllwyn, a'r Efail-isaf, Morganwg.
• Samuel Jones, gynt o Benmorfa, sir Gaernarfon.
• Lot Jenkins, yr hwn a urddwyd yn Pomeroy, Ohio, America, ac a symudodd oddiyno i St. Clairs, yn nhalaeth Pennsylvania, lle y bu farw yn mlodau ei ddyddiau er mawr alar i bobl ei ofal a'i frodyr yn y weinidogaeth.
• William Thomas. Ymfudodd yntau i'r America, ac yno ymunodd a'r Wesleyaid.
• Thomas Davies. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Lancashire, a chafodd ei urddo yn Runcorn, ond ymfudodd yn fuan oddiyno i South Australia, lle y mae yn bresenol.
• William Davies. Y mae ef yma etto yn bregethwr cynorthwyol defnyddiol.

Rhif yr aelodau yma yn awr yw tua dau gant a haner, ac y mae golwg lewyrchus ar yr achos. Mae llwyddiant mawr fel y gwelir wedi bod ar lafur Mr. Davies yn y lle hwn, ac y mae y ffeithiau a goffawyd yn llefaru yn gryfach dros weithgarwch yr eglwys a'r gweinidog nag unrhyw ganmoliaeth a aliwn ni ei roddi.

Translation by Heulwen Jenkins (Nov 2008)

Mr. Thomas Davies, the minister of this chapel, had been a helpful & respected preacher in the area for many years, & a number of his friends were eager to secure his service in the area as a minister, & to that end they persuaded him to join them to raise a new cause. He agreed to their request, & preached in his own house the second Sabbath in April, 1842. The following Sabbath he preached in John Evans' house, Edward Street, & continued in this manner in that house for three months. Then they rented the office of the old Clyndu works, for £3 per year rent. The church was incorporated there, & Mr. Davies was ordained by the brothers without calling one minister to take part in the service, although this cause hadn't split from any church, still, because it started without consulting with the churches & ministers of the neighbourhood, it wasn't considered then to be a regular cause, & so the brothers determined to ordain their minister themselves. About this time they had an extensive piece of land to build a chapel & bury the dead from L. W. Dillwyn, Esq., for one shilling a year rent. The length of the lease is one thousand & one years. A sermon was delivered on the foundation October, 1842 by Mr. D. Davies, Baptist minister in Swansea. In New Year meeting in Neath in 1843, a request was made to the friends here to locate themselves under the patronage of the county's Quarterly Meetings, & to conform with the customary organisation of the sect in respect of the ordination of their minister. They agreed to the request, & held an ordination meeting for Mr. Davies July 24th, 1843, when it was ministered by Messrs. W. Thomas, Glais; D. Jones, Clydach; E. Griffiths, Swansea, & J. Davies, Mynyddbach. This meeting was held between the chapel walls, which were not finished at that time. As soon as they attached a roof & windows to the chapel, the congregation went to it. Gradually it was finished through placing seats etc. in it. April 7th, 1844, they started to hold a normal meeting in it, when Mr. W. Rees, from Lancashire College, now priest in Llanboidy, preached. About a year after this it was necessary to build a gallery in it, because the congregation was too numerous for the floor of the chapel to hold them. December 10th & 11th, 1845, they held an opening meeting after completing the gallery, & everything else pertaining to the building, when, taking part in the service, were Messrs. P. Griffiths, Alltwen; W. Morgans, Troedyrhiw; W. Thomas, Rock; J. Evans, Three Crosses; E. Jacob, Swansea; E. Watkins, Canaan; W. Morris, Landore, & others. The size of this chapel was 36 feet by 31 feet inside the walls.

The building's expense, arranging & enclosing the cemetery etc., was between £600 & £ 700, & the lot was paid through the hard work of the minister & his faithful people. By the year 1869, this chapel had gone too small & it had to be pulled down & build a much more extensive one. The foundation stone for the new chapel was laid Saturday afternoon, August 28th, 1869, by Miss Hughes, Glantawe, in front of a large crowd of onlookers, who were addressed by Messrs. F. Samuel & Dr. Rees, Swansea; R. Rowlands, Llansamlet; W. Cuthbertson, B. A., Bishop Stortford & J. Davies, Cardiff.  Miss Hughes gave £20, & her father, R. Hughes, Esq. £10 towards the building's expense. The work was finished & the chapel opened December 3rd, 4th & 5th, 1870. In the opening meetings preachers were Dr. Rees, Swansea; Messrs. J. Davies, Taihirion; E. Griffiths, Swansea; J. Roberts & J. Matthews, Neath; T. Johns, Llanelli; R. Morgans, Glynneath; R. Morgans, Aberavon; J. Ll. Jones, Three Crosses & J. Thomas, Bryn. This chapel is one of the most beautiful in the area, with a spacious schoolhouse below. It cost towards £2,300, & its faithful congregation collected £700 of this sum in the last two years. The size of this beautiful chapel is 55 feet by 45.

Mr. Davies, since the start of the cause here in 1842, has admitted over 1200 members to the chapel. Some of them very old & some very young. By now  towards 300 of them have died & hundreds more scattered by Providence to different areas & countries. The present number of the congregation, between members & listeners is about 500. Amongst those faithful who died we can name David Jones, Tanyard; David Jones, Gwehydd; John David, David John, Jonah Francis, Mary Anne Hopkin, Martha Rees, Hannah Davies, the minister's wife, & Mary Charles.

The preachers raised in this church are the following:-

• John Davies, the minister of the churches in Taihirion, Bronllwyn, & Efail Isaf, Glamorgan.
• Samuel Jones, formerly of Penmorfa, Caernarvonshire.
• Lot Jenkins, who was ordained in Pomeroy, Ohio, America, & moved from there to St.    Clairs, in Pennsylvania province, where he died in the flowers of his days to the sorrow of people in his care & his brothers in the ministry.
• William Thomas. He emigrated to America & then went to the Wesleyans.
• Thomas Davies. Was educated in Lancashire College, & was ordained in Runcorn, but he emigrated shortly from there to South Australia, where he is at present.

The number of members here now are about two hundred & fifty, & the cause is flourishing. As seen, Mr. Davies'work has been very successful here, & the facts remembered  speak stronger about the activity of the church & the minister than any praise we could give.

Y GLAIS  (Llansamlet parish)

(Vol 2, p 93)

Mae y capel hwn yn y cwr uchaf o blwyf Llansamlet, ar ymyl y ffordd sydd yn arwain o Glydach i Gastellnedd. Fel y nodasom yn hanes Clydach, dechreuwyd yr achos hwn gan nider o aelodai Hebron, Clydach, y rhai a lynasant wrth Mr. William Thomas, pan drowyd ef o'r weinidogaeth yn y lle hwnw. Bu yr eglwys fechan hon yn ymgynnull i addoli mewn annedd dy, o'r enw Cefnygarth, o'i dechreuad yn y flwyddyn 1834, hyd 1841, pryd yr adeiladwyd capel y Glais. Mr. William Thomas fu yn gweinidogaethu yma o'r dechreuad hyd y flwyddyn 1847, pryd yr ymadawodd o'r ardal. Yn 1848, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Rees, mewn cysylltiad a Charmel, Llanguwg, a bu yr eglwys dan ei ofal ef hyd y flwyddyn 1853. Dilynwyd Mr. Rees yma yn yr un flwyddyn gan Mr. David Evans, mewn cystyllaid a Chlydach. Ar ymadawiad Mr. Evans, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. E. Owen gan y ddwy eglwys yn Nghlydach a'r Glais, ac efe ydyw y gweinidog yma er y flwyddyn 1861. Gan fod y gynnulleidfa yn cynyddu bu raid tynu y capel cyntaf i lawr yn 1865, ac adeiladu yr un presenol. Mae hwn yn gapel hardd ac o wnenthuriad cadarn, cynwysa tua 400 o eisteddleoedd, ac nid oes ond ychydig o ddyled yn aros arno.

Cafodd y personau canlynol eu cyfodi i bregethu yn yr eglwys hen: -

• G. Morgan. Dechreuodd bregethu yn y flwyddyn 1860. Ar ef gorphen ei amser yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ymsefydledd yn weinidog ar yr eglwys Gymreig yn Stockton-on-Tees, lle y mae hyd yn bresenol.
• Thomas J. Rees. Dechreuodd bregethu yn 1869. Mae yn bresenol yn yr ysgol gyda Mr. Jones, Penybontarogwy, yn parotoi i fyned i'r athrofa:
• Mathew Griffiths. Dechreuodd ef bregethu gyda'r Wesleyaid, ond y mae er's tua dwy flynedd wedi ymuno a'r eglwys hon, at yn bregethwr cynorthwyol derbyniol yma.
• Joseph Griffiths. Dechreuodd bregethu yn y flwyddyn 1879.

Bu Richard Thomas, Danycoed; David Jones, y gof, a William Baker, Yr  hwn a grybwyllasom yn hanes Clydach, yn aelodau selog ac yn ddaconiaid defnyddiol yn yr eglwys hon o ddechreuad yr achos hyd derfyn eu hoes.

Mae yr achos yma yn awr mewn agwedd lewyrchus iawn, a chan fod poblogaeth yr ardal yn debyg o gynyddu am flynyddau etto, mae yn dra sicr y bydd yma eglwys luosog iawn cyn pen nemawr o flynyddau.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL (Not extracted fully)

WILLIAM THOMAS. Ganwyd ef tan y flwyddyn 1806. Yn ardal Penygroes, sir Penfro. .................

Translation by Heulwen Jenkins (Nov 2008)

This chapel is in the highest corner of Llansamlet parish, at the edge of the road which goes from Clydach to Neath. As we noted in the story of Clydach, This cause was started by a few members of Hebron, Clydach, those who stuck to Mr. William Thomas, when he turned from the ministry there. This small church congregated to worship in a dwelling-house, by the name of Cefnygarth, from the start in 1834, until 1841, when Glais chapel was built. Mr. William Thomas ministered here from the start until 1847, when he left the area. In 1848 a call was made to Mr. John Rees, in conjunction with Carmel, Llanguicke (Llangiwg), & the church was in his care until 1853. Mr. Rees was followed here the same year by Mr. David Evans, in conjunction with Clydach. On Mr. Evans' departure, a call was given to Mr. E. Owen by the two churches in Clydach & Glais, & he is the minister here since 1861. As the congregation was growing the first chapel had to be pulled down in 1861. This is a beautiful chapel & of strong construction, holding about 400  seats, & there's only a small debt still owing.

The following persons were raised to preach in this church:-

• G. Morgan. Started preaching in 1860. On finishing his time in Brecon College, he established himself as minister of the Welsh chapel in Stockton-on-Tees, where he is still.
• Thomas J. Rees. Started preaching in 1869. He is presently in school with Mr. Jones in Bridgend, preparing to go to college.
• Matthew Griffiths. Started preaching with the Wesleyans, but two years ago he joined this church, as an acceptable assistant preacher.
• Joseph Griffiths. Started preaching in 1879.

Richard Thomas, Danycoed; David Jones, the Smith, & William Baker, who we mentioned in the story of Clydach, were ardent members & useful deacons in this church from the start of the cause to the end of their lives.

The cause here is now in a flourishing phase, & as the population of the area is likely to increase for a number of years yet, it is almost certain there will be many churches here before many years.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES (Not extracted fully)

WILLIAM THOMAS. was born by the year 1806.  In the area of Penygroes, Pembrokeshire ............

BIRCHGROVE  (Llansamlet parish)

(Vol 2, p 95)

Pentref bychan, ond yn cynyddu yn gyflym, yw Birchgrove, ar lechwedd prydferth yn mhlwyf Llansamlet, tua milldir i'r gogledd o Bethel, ac ychydig yn fwy na milldir i'r de o'r Glais. Mae wedi cael ei enw oddi wrth y fferm, ar ran o ba un y mae wedi ci adeiladu. Wrth weled y lle hwn yn cynyddu yn ei boblogaeth, darfu i Mr. J. Rees, gweinidog Canaan a Bethel, yn 1862, adeiladu ysgoldy cyfleus yma at gadw ysgolion dyddiol a Sabbothol, yn nghyda chyfarfodydd gweddio a phregethu achlysurol. Llwyddodd y gwaith da yma i gymaint o raddau fel y barnodd Mr. R. Rowlands, a'i bobl yn Bethel, mai doeth fuasai corpholi yr aelodau breswyliant yn Birchgrove yn eglwys Annibynol, yr hyn a wnaed Hydref 18fed, 1868. Aeth yr ysgoldy yn rhy fychan i gynwys y gwrandawyr, ac felly penderfynwyd adeiladu capel. Cafwyd y tir ar les o 999 o flynyddau am un pupuren yn y flwyddyn gan Mr. Smith, Birchgrove. Agorwyd y capel newydd y Sul a'r Llun, Hydref  15ed a'r 16eg. 1871. Mac yn adeilad tlws dros ben, yn mesur 36 troedfedd wrth 36 dros y rauriau, ac wedi ei wneyd yr nu hyd a lled mewn trefn iddo gad ei helaethu wrth ychydig o draul pan y byddo galwad am hyny. Y draul oedd rhwng 600p. a 700p. Y mae tua 200p. o'r swm hwn wedi eu talu. Mae pob sail i ddisgwyl y bydd yn  fuan achos cryf iawn yn y lle prydferth hwn. Mae yr eglwys hon dan ofal Mr. Rowlands mewn cysylltiad a'r fameglwys yn Bethel. Bu Mr. Griffiths, Abertawy yn pregethu yn fisol yma er dechreuad yr achos hyd yn bresenol, ac y mae yn debyg o wneyd hyny etto tra y parhao ei nerth.

Translation by Heulwen Jenkins (Oct 2008)

Birchgrove is a small village, but  increasing quickly, on the beautiful hillside in Llansamlet parish, about a mile to the north of Bethel, a little more than a mile to the south of Glais.

It's had its name from the farm, on part of which it's built. On seeing this place increasing in popularity, Mr. J. Rees, minister of Canaan & Bethel, built a convenient schoolhouse here to hold daily & Sunday school, together with prayer meetings & occasional preaching. This good work succeeded to such an extent that Mr. R. Rowlands, & his people in Bethel, decided it would be wise to incorporate an Independent Church for the members living in Birchgrove, which was done October 18th, 1868. The schoolhouse became too small to hold the listeners, & so they determined to build a chapel. They had the land on a 999 year lease  for a peppercorn a year by Mr. Smith, Birchgrove. The new chapel was opened Sunday & Monday, October 15th & 16th, 1871. It is an exceptionally pretty building, measuring 36 feet by 36, & made length & breadth so that it could be extended for little expense when there is a call for it.  The cost was between £600 & £700.

About £200 of this has been paid. There is every basis to see it will soon be a very strong cause in this very beautiful place. This church is under the care of Mr. Rowlands in conjunction with mother church in Bethel. Mr. Griffiths, Swansea, preached here monthly from the start of the cause until the present, & he will probably do that while he has the strength.

(History of the Welsh Independent Churches) By Thomas Rees and John Thomas; published in 1871+.

These 8 chapel histories were extracted by Gareth Morgan from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Feb 2008)  - no translations

The main project page is on /big/wal/ChurchHistory/Indchapels#Glamorgan

Proof read by Melanie Stark (March 2008)

PORTHYCAWL (Newton Nottage parish)

(Vol 2, p 371)

Gan fod masnach fawr a chynyddol yn cael ei dwyn yn mlaen yn y lle hwn, ac argoelion y bydd yma lawer o filoedd o drigolion yn mhen ychydig flynyddau, a bod llawer o'r trigolion presenol, yn enwedig yr ieuengctyd, yn fwy hoff o'r Saesoneg nag o'r Gymraeg, barnodd Mr. Davies, Caerdydd, ar ol ymgynghori a Mr. Isaac Jones, gweinidog yr eglwys yn y Drefnewydd, fod y lle yn un cyfaddas lawn i ddechreu achos Annibynol Saesonig ynddo, a chymeradwyodd yr ardal i sylw S. Morley, Ysw., A.S., fel lle addas iddo ef osad allan ran o'r pum' mil punau a addawsai at adeiladu capeli Saesonig yn Neheudir Cymru. Dechreuwyd adeiladu y capel yn Mehefin 1870, and ni chafodd ei lwyr orphen cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1871. Ar y Sul, Chwefror 18fed, 1872, y cynaliwyd y gwasanaeth crefyddol cyntaf yn yr adeilad newydd, pryd y pregethodd Mr. W. Jones, Heol y Castell, Abertawy, y boreu a'r hwyr i gynnulleidfaoedd lluosog. Y ddau Sabboth canlynol pregethodd Mr. S. L. Phillips, Castellnedd, a Mr. J. B. Jones, B.A., Penybont, Mawrth 18fed, 1872, corpholwyd yma eglwys o ddeg o aelodau. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri I. Jones, Drefnewydd, a J. B. Jones, Penybont. Yr ydym yn deall yn awr fod pump eraill wedi eu hychwanegu at yr eglwys fechan fel y mae rhif yr aelodau yn bresenol yn bymtheg. Ar ffurfiad yr eglwys rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Watkin Joseph, gweinidog ieuangc parchus yn nghyfundeb y Trefnyddion Calfinaidd, a dechreuodd ei lafur yma fel gweinidog Annibynol Ebrill 7fed, 1872, ac ar yr 16eg o'r un mis cynaliwyd cyfarfod ei sefydliad. Pregethodd Meistri I. B. Jones, B.A., ar natur eglwys; T. Rees, D.D,  Abertawy, ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog, a B. Williams, Canaan, ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys; pregethwyd hefyd. yn ystod y dydd gan Mr. Thomas, Glandwr, a Mr. Davies, Maesteg. Mae yma arwyddion tra gobeithiol am achos cryf a llwyddianus gydag amser. Mae y capel yn sefyll mewn man cyfieus lawn, ac yn adeilad prydforth dros ben, o gynlluniad Mr. Thomas, Glandwr. Trawl yr adeiladaeth oedd 500p., ac y mae tua 200p. o'r swm yma wedi eu talu yn bared, a diau nad erys y gweddill yn hir i fod yn faich ar nab.

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Feb 2009)

Because business was great and increasing in this place and promising that within a few years there would be thousands of inhabitants, and because lots of the present inhabitants, especially the younger ones, were more fond of English rather than Welsh, Mr Davies (Cardiff) decided, after consulting Mr Isaac Jones the minister in Newton, that the place was very suitable to start an English Independent cause in. He recommended to Mr S Morley, MP that the area was a place suitable for him to set aside a part of the five thousand pounds that had been promised to build English chapels in South Wales. The building of the chapel started in June 1870, but it was not finished before the end of 1871. On Sunday 18th February 1872 the first religious service was held in the new building, when Mr W Jones (Heol y Castell, Swansea) preached in the morning and in the evening to big congregations. On the two following Sundays Mr S L Phillips (Neath) and Mr J B Jones BA (Penybont) preached and ten members were admitted to the church here. Ministering on the occasion  were Messrs. I Jones (Newton) and J B Jones (Penybont). We understand now that five others had been added to the small church so that the number of members at present is fifteen. On the formation of the church a call was sent to Mr Watkin Joseph, a young respected minister in the Order of Calvinists and he started his work here as an Independent minister on April 7th 1872, and on the 16th of that month a meeting was held for his induction. Preaching were Messrs. I B Jones BA on the nature of the church, T Rees DD (Swansea) on the duties of the minister and B Williams (Canaan) on the duties of the church; preaching also during the day were Mr Thomas (Glandwr) and Mr Davies (Maesteg). There were rather hopeful signs here that the cause would be strong and successful with time.  The chapel stands in a very suitable place and the building is very beautiful from the plans of Mr Thomas (Glandwr).  The cost of building was £500 and around £200 of this sum has already been paid, and it is certain that it will not be long before the rest is not a burden to anyone.     

TREORCI (Ystradyfodwg parish)

(Vol 2, p 358)

Mae y lle hwn yn sefyll rhwng Bodringallt a Threherbert yn Nghwm-rhondda. Cynhelid moddion crefyddol mewn ystafell perthynol i dafarndy yn y lle, gan nifer o aelodau perthynol i Dreherbert a Bodringallt oedd yn byw yma. Yn Awst yn y flwyddyn 1865, ffurfiwyd yma eglwys fechan, o aelodau Bodringalit yn benaf. Gweinyddwyd ar achlysur ffurfiad yr eglwys gan Mr. D. Richards, Caerphili, a Mr. T. Lloyd, Bodringalit.. Codwyd yma gapel eang a ehyficus, yr hwn a alwyd y Tabernacl. Yn gynar yn y flwyddyn 1867, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. E. Gurnos Jones, myfyriwr o athrofa Caerfyrddin, ac urddwyd ef Mehefin 18fed a'r 19eg. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Morgan, Caerfyrddin; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. J. Davies, Taihirion; dyrchafwyd yr urddweddi gan Mr. W. Williams, Hirwaun; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. R. Thomas, Gurnos, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Price, Aberdar. Mae Mr. Jones yn parhau i weinidogaethu yma, ac y mae yn y lle erbyn hyn gynnulleidfa gref a lluosog; a chan ei fod yn lle canolbarthol yn y cwm y mae yma argoelion ffafriol gyda golwg ar y dyfodol.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef John Howells, sydd yn awr clan addysg, yn parotoi i fyned i'r athrofa.

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Sept 2008)

This place stands between Bodringallt and Treherbert in Cwm Rhondda. Religious services were held in a room belonging to the public house here, with a number of members from Treherbert and Bodringallt who live here. In August 1865 a small church was formed mainly from Bodringallt members. The occasion of forming the church was led by Mr D Richards (Caerphilly) and Mr T Lloyd (Bodringallt). A large and comfortable chapel was built here and called the Tabernacle. Early in 1867 a call was sent to Mr E Gurnos Jones, a student of Carmarthen college, and he was ordained on June 18th and 19th. On the occasion Mr W Morgan (Carmarthen) preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr J Davies (Taihirion); the prayers for ordination were raised by Mr W Wliiams (Hirwaun); the sermon to the minister was given by Mr R Thomas (Gurnos) and to the church by Mr D Price (Aberdar). Mr Jones continues  to minister here and the congregation is strong and numerous; and because the place is in the midst of the valley there are favourable signs for the outlook in the future.

BLAENLLECHAU  (Ystradyfodwg parish )

(Under Ferndale on chapels' database on Genuki)

 (Vol 2, p 359)

Nid oedd yn y cwm yma ddeng mlynedd yn ol ond congl anghysbell lle y trigai ryw ddeugain o gynfrodorion yr ardal, yn ddyeithr i'r byd, ac heb wybod ond ychydig am y byd mawr y tu allan. Pan y dechreuwyd agor am lo yma, ac i nifer o grefyddwyr ddyfod i'r ardal, ymunasant a'u gilydd i gynal moddion crefyddol, a chan mai Wesleyaid oeddynt gan mwyaf, yn ol ffurf yr enwad hwnw y dygid y gwasanaeth yn mlaen. Dechreuwyd cynal moddion Sabbothol yn niwedd 1862, yn nhy Morgan Hopkin, arolygwr y gwaith; and yn Ionawr, 1863, cymerwyd ystafell perthynol i Glynrhedynog Inn, ac yno y buwyd hyd fis Medi, pryd y rhoddwyd ystafell eang perthynol i swyddfa y gwaith at eu gwasanaeth gan D. Davies, Ysw., Blaengwawr. Buwyd yma am ddeuddeg mis yn cynal gwasanaeth Sabbothol ac wythnosol, a'r achos yn myned rhagddo yn obeithiol. Dechreuwyd adeiladu capel yn Ebrill, 1864, yr hwn a elwid y Capel bach, ac o gylch yr adeg yma, oblegid rhyw dramgwydd, ymadawodd y rhan fwyaf o'r Wesleyaid, ac ar y .15fed o Fai, corpholwyd yr eglwys yn ol y drefn Annihynol, gan Mr. D. Price, Siloa, Aberdar. Agorwyd y capel Medi laf. Ar yr achlysur gweinyddwyd gan Meistri D. Price. H. Hughes (Tegai), W. Edwards, S. Davies, Aberdar; R. Rowlands, Aberaman, a J. Morgan, Cwmbach. Nid oedd rhif yr aelodau ond 20 pan yr aethant i'r capel newydd. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Lot Lake, ac urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 30ain, 1866, pryd y gweinyddwyd gan Meistri J. Davies, Cwmaruan, a D. Jones, Hermon; a chyn diwedd y flwyddyn hono yr oedd rhif yr aelodau yn 72. With weled yr achos yn myned rhagddo, meddyliwyd am gael gwell capel, ac mewn gwell lle ac yn mis Gorphenaf 1867, gosodwyd i lawr sylfaen y capel presenol, a elwir Capel Trerhondda, ac agorwyd ef Mai 3ydd a'r 4ydd, 1868. Rhoddwyd 100p. at y capel newydd gan D. Davies, Ysw., un o berchenogion y gwaith, a bu Mr. Lake yn egniol yn casglu trwy y sir, a gweithiodd yr eglwys yn rhagorol gartref. Bu Mr. Lake yma hyd fis Mawrth, 1870, pryd y derbyniodd alwad o Langenech, Sir Gaerfyrddin, ac y symudodd yno; ac er hyny  y mae yr eglwys yma heb weinidog. Dyoddefodd yr achos yma yn fawr, fel lle newydd, oddi with arafwch masnach y blynyddoedd a aeth heibio; a gwnaed rhwyg mawr yn y lle gan y ddamwain alaethus a gymerodd le yma; ond y mae yma olwg siriol, er y cwbl, ar yr achos, a hyderwn fod dyfodol llwyddianus yn ei aros.

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Sept 2008)

There was nothing in this valley ten years ago except a remote corner with the dwellings of some forty of the original inhabitants of the area, unfamiliar with the world,and knowing only a little of the big world outside. When it started to open for coal here,and a number of believers came to the area, they joined together to hold religious gatherings, and because the Wesleyans were in the majority, after forming this denomination the service came along. Sunday meetings began to be held at the end of 1862,  in the house of Morgan Hopkin, superintendent of the works; and in January 1863, a room was taken belonging to Glynrhedynog Inn, and they were there until June, when a bigger room was given by D Davies Esq., Blaengwawr, belonging to the work's office for their service. They were there for 12 months holding a weekly Sunday service, and the cause progressed along. The church was hopeful. A chapel was started to be built in April 1864, this was called Capel Bach, and from the surrounding area, because of some obstacle, most of the Wesleyans left, and on the 15th of May the church was incorporated into the  Independent Movement by Mr D Price, Siloa, Aberdar. The chapel opened on June 1st. On the occasion Messrs. D Price, H Hughes (Tegai), W Edwards, S Davies (Aberdar), R Rowlands (Aberaman), and J Morgan (Cwmbach) officiated. Although there were only 20 members when they went to the new chapel. A call was sent to Mr Lot Lake, and he was ordained on 30th July 1866,when the officiating ministers were Messrs. J Davies (Cwmaruan) and D Jones (Hermon); and before the end of the year the number of members had grown to 72. Seeing the cause going along, thought was given to a better chapel in a better place and in July 1867 the foundations were laid for the present chapel, named Capel Trerhondda, and it was opened on May 3rd and 4th 1868. One hundred pounds was given to the new chapel by D Davies Esq., one of the owners of the works, and Mr Lake was strenuous in collecting throughout the county,  and he made the church a splendid home. Mr Lake was here until March 1870 when he received a call from Llangenech, Carmarthenshire, and he moved there; After that the church was without a minister. The cause here suffered greatly, like a new place, from the slowing of the years' business that passed by; and a big split was made in the place by the tragic accident that occurred here; but there is a cheerful outlook here for the cause, after everything, and confidence that a successful future is awaiting.

LLANSANTFFRAID-AR-LAI (St Bride's super Ely parish)

 (Vol 2, p 367)

Yr hyn a achlysurodd ddechreuad yr achos hwn, fel y nodasom yn hanes Taihirion, oedd i'r eglwys yn y lle hwnw wrthod rhoddi galwad Benjamin Morgan. Penderfynodd tua phedwararddeg o'r aelodau er hyny gael B. Morgan yn weinidog iddynt, ac i'r dyhen hwnw adeiladasant gapel bychan yn mhentref Llansantffraid. Agorwyd y capel ar y dydd cyntaf o Fai, 1834, ac ar yr un dydd urddwyd B. Morgan yn weinidog y lle. Nid oedd un gweinidog yn cymeryd rhan yn y gwasanaeth ond Mr. W. James, Caerdydd, a Mr. David Thomas, Llanfaches. Cafwyd arian at adedadu y capel gan Mr. Edward Llewellyn, Tynewydd, yr hwn oedd yn aelod yn y Taihirion. Yn y flwyddyn 1838, rhoddwyd yr eglwys yn rhydd o'r thlyled gan Mr. E. Turberville Llewellyn, ac felly, cafodd y frawdoliaeth fechan ei chapel yn ddiddyled yn dra buan. Er siomedigaeth i'w bleidwyr aeth B. Morgan yn rhy anheilwng ei fachedd yn mhen tua blwyddyn a haner ar of ei urddiad i gael ei oddef yn weinidog nac yn aelod eglwysig. Wedi ei ddiarddeliad ef, rhoddodd yr eglwys ei hun o dan ofal Mr. John Lewis, Taihirion, a bu dan ei ofal ef a Mr. Daniel Jones, Tresmiwn, hyd y flwyddyn 1838, pryd y cymerwyd ei gofal gan Mr. David Davies, Taihirion. Bu Mr. Davies yn weinidog yma hyd 1848, Pan y rhoddodd ei ofal i fyny wrth ymgymeryd a gofal yr eglwys Gymreig yn Nghaerodor. Yn y flwyddyn 1850, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Benjamin Lewis , mewn cysylltiad a Zoar, Llanfabon. Bu y lle dan ei ofal ef nes iddo ymfudo i'r America yb 1852. Wedi hyny buwyd yn ymddibynu ar weinidogaeth achlysurol hyd 1854, pryd y rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Russell, mown cysylltiad a'r Eglwysnewydd. Bu Mr. Russell yn llafurio yma, gyda chymeradwyaeth nodedig hyd fis Medi, 1857, pan yr analluogwyd of gan gystudd. Yn y cystudd hwnw collodd ei lafur, ac y mae o'r pryd hwnw hyd yn awr yn fud. Dilynwyd Mr. Russell yma, ac yn yr Eglwysnewydd, gan Mr. John Lloyd James, o athrofa Caerfyrddin. Urddwyd Mr. James yn Chwefror, 1860, a bu yn llafurio yn ddiwyd yn y cylch hwn hyd 1869, pryd y symudodd i Dowlais i gymeryd gofal yr eglwys Saesonig yno. Nid oes un gweinidog sefydlog wedi bod yma er pan yr ymadawodd Mr. James. Eglwys a chynnulleidfa fechan o angenrheidrwydd sydd ymagan nad yw poblogaeth yr ardal ond teneu. Yn ddiweddar prynwyd darn o dir yn ymyl y capel at gladdu y meirw. Costiodd 65p., ac y mae y cyfeillion yn awr yn ymegnio i dalu y ddyled hon.

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Feb 2009)

This cause was started, as was noted in the history of Taihirion, when the  church in that place refused to give a call to Benjamin Morgan. Around fourteen of the members decided nevertheless to have B Morgan as their minister, and to that purpose they built a small chapel in the village of St Bride's Super Ely. The chapel was opened on the first day of May 1834 and on the same day B Morgan was ordained as minister of the place. There was not only one minister taking part in the service but Mr W James (Cardiff) and Mr David Thomas (Llanfaches). Money was had for the building from Mr Edward Llewellyn (Tynewydd) who had been a member of Taihirion. In 1838 the church was cleared of debt by Mr E Turberville Llewellyn and therefore the small brotherhood had their church debt-free very quickly. Unfortunately for the members B Morgan became too unworthy in his conduct about a year and a half after his ordination to be allowed to remain as minister or as a member of the church. After his expulsion the church gave itself to the care of Mr John Lewis (Taihirion) and it was under his care and that of Mr David Jones (Bonvilston) until 1838 when the care of the church was taken by Mr David Davies (Taihirion). Mr Davies was minister here until 1848 when he gave up his position to undertake the care of the Welsh church in Bristol. In 1850 a call was sent to Mr Benjamin Lewis, in connection with Zoar, Llanfabon. The place was under his care until he emigrated to America in 1852. After this it was dependent on occasional ministry until 1854 when a call was sent to Mr William Russell in connection with Whitchurch. Mr Russell worked here with great approval until September 1857 when he became incapable throufh illness. In this illness he lost his ability to work and from that time until now he is dumb. Mr Russell was followed here, and in Whitchurch, by Mr John Lloyd James from Carmarthen college. Mr James was ordained in February 1860 and he worked diligently in this region until 1869 when he moved to Dowlais to take the care of the English church there. Not one established minister has been here since Mr James left. The church and small needful congegation are  split because the population of the region is dwindling. Lately a piece of land close to the chapel has been purchased to  bury the dead. It cost £65 and now the friends are working energetically to pay this debt.

BETHLEHEM, PENTYRCH

(Vol 2, p 368)

Yr oedd amryw o aelodau yr eglwys yn y Taihirion yn byw yn ymyl gwaith haiarn Pentyrch, ac yn cadw cyfarfodydd gweddio, Ysgol Sabbothol, cyfeillachau crefyddol, a phregethu achlysurol, mewn anedddai er y flwyddyn 1820, os nad cyn hyny ond gan nad oeddynt dros o ddeuddeg i bymtheg o rif, ni buont yn ddigon anturiaethus i adeiladu capel hyd tua y flwyddyn 1831 neu 1832. Y pryd hwnw adeiladwyd capel bychan, yr hwn a alwyd Bethlehem, a chafodd pedwararddeg o aelodau ollyngdod o'r Taihirion i ddyfod yma i ymffurfio yn eglwys. Darfu i rai o aelodau y Groeswen, a gyfaneddent yn yr ardal, ymuno a hwy. Mr. David Jones oedd y gweinidog yma, mewn cysylltiad a'r Taihirion, ond yn mhen ychydig gyda blwyddyn wedi agoriad y capel, darfu ei gysylltiad ef a'r ddau le, a symudodd i ardal Abertawy, ac yn fuan wedi hyny cymorodd ofal yr eglwys yn Nghlydach. Dilynwyd ef yn y Taihirion a Bethlehem gan Mr. John Lewis, yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1834, a bu yma hyd ddechreu 1837. Yn niwedd yr un flwyddyn, urddwyd Mr. David Davies, i fod yn weinidog yn y Taihirion ac yma, ond darfu ei gysylltiad of a'r ddau le yn gynar yn y flwyddyn 1838. Wedi hyny buwyd yn agos ddwy flynedd yn byw ar weinidogaeth achlysurol. Yn nechreu 1840, urddwyd Mr. Lemuel Smith i weinidogaethu yn y Taihirion a Bethlehem. Wedi dwy flynedd o lafur llwyddianus bu farw y gweinidog ieuangc a gobeithiol hwn. Wedi marwolaeth Mr. Smith, rhoddodd eglwys Bethlehem ei hun dan ofal Mr. John J ones, mewn cysylltiad a'r Rhydri, a than ei ofal ef y mae wedi bod er's dengmlyneddarhugain bellach, a'r achos wedi ychwanegu nerth mawr yn nhymor ei weinidogaeth. Cafodd y capel ei helaethu ddwywaith yn y tymor hwn, ac y mae yma fwriad yn bresenol i adeiladu capel newydd helaethach a phrydferthach. Mae yma yn awr eglwys gymharol luosog a chref iawn, wrth ystyried fod eglwysi o'r un enwad yn agos iddi yn mhob cyfeiriad. Nid ydym yn gwybod am ddim nodedig a gymerodd le yn hanes yr eglwys hon amgen nag iddi gael ei bendithio a mesur helaeth o'r adfywiad grymus a deimlwyd yn y rhan fwyaf o eglwysi Cymru yn 1859, a'r flwyddyn ganlynol.

Cafodd y personau canlynol eu cyfodi i bregethu yma :-

• Daniel John Rees. Dechreuodd bregethu yn y flwyddyn 1834, ac yn fuan wedi hyny yrafudodd i America. Nid ydym yn gwybod ychwaneg o'i hanes.
• William Russell. Dechreuodd yntau bregethu yn 1834. Urddwyd ef yn yr Eglwysnewydd a Llansantffraidarlai.
• William Rees. Dechreuodd bregethu yn 1853, ac yn fuan wedi hyny ymfudodd i'r America.
• Joseph Millward a ddechreuodd bregethu yn 1858, ac y mae yma etto yn bregethwr cynorthwyol defnyddiol a chymeradwy.
• David Jones, mab Mr. Jones, y gweinidog. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac y mae yn awr yn weinidog yn Nghwmrhos a Thretwr, Brycheiniog.
• John Evans a ddechreuodd bregethu yn y flwyddyn 1866. Bu am ychydig amser ar ei draul ei hun yn athrofa y Bala, ac ymfudodd oddi yno i'r America.

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Feb 2009)

Several members of the church in Taihirion lived close to the Pentyrch Iron Works and were holding prayer meetings, a Sunday School, religious fellowship meetings and occasional services in homes since 1820, if not before that, but because they were no more than 12 or 15 in number they were not sufficiently adventurous to build a chapel until around 1831 or 1832. At that time they built a small chapel, which was called Bethlehem, and 40 members from Taihirion were released to come here to form a church. Some of the members left Groeswen and settled in the region and joined them. Mr David Jones was the minister here in connection with Taihirion but after around one year of the opening of the chapel he ended his connection with the two places and moved to the region of Swansea, and soon after that he received a call from the church in Clydach. He was followed in Taihirion and Bethlehem by Mr John Lewis at the start of 1834 and he was here until the beginning of 1837. At the end of that year Mr David Davies was ordained to be minister in Taihirion and in this place, but he ended his connection with the two places early in 1838. After that for almost two years they had only occasional ministry. At the start of 1840 Mr Lemuel Smith was ordained to the ministries in Taihirion and Bethlehem. After two years of successful work the young and promising minister died. After the death of Mr Smith the church in Bethlehem gave itself to the care of Mr John Jones, in connection with Rudry, and it has been under his care for the next thirty years and the cause has gained great strength during the time of his ministry. The church has been enlarged twice in this period and it is intended presently to build a new bigger and more handsome chapel.The church is now comparatively numerous and very strong, considering that there are churches of the same denomination close to it in all directions. We do not know of anything notable that took place in the history of this church other than it did not have the blessing in any large measure  from the strong revival which was felt in most parts of the churches in Wales in 1859 and the following years.

The following people were raised to preach here:-

• Daniel John Rees. He started preaching in 1834 and soon after that emigrated to America. We do not know anything else of his history.
• William Russell. He started preaching in 1834. He was ordained in Eglwysnewydd and St Bride's Super Ely.
• William Rees. He started preaching in 1853 and soon after that he emigrated to America.
• Joseph Millward. He started preaching in 1858 and is here now as a useful and approved assistant preacher.
• David Jones, the son of Mr Jones the minister. He was educated in the college at Brecon and is now minister in Cwmrhos and Tretower, Breconshire.
• John Evans. He started preaching in 1866. He was for some time at his own expense in the college at Bala. He emigrated from there to America.

BETHESDA, TONGWYNLAS  (Whitchurch parish)

(Vol 2, p 369)

Cangen yw yr eglwys hon o Bethlehem, Pentyreh, a than yr un weinidogaeth a'r fameglwys y mae wedi bod o ddechreuad yr achos hyd yn bresenol. Yr oedd amryw o aelodau Bethlehem yn cyfaneddu yn mhentref Tongwynlas, ac mewn canlyniad i'r adfywiad yn 1859, lluosogodd eu rhif i gymaint o raddau fel y teimlasant awydd am ddechreu achos yma. Cymerasant ystafell gyfleus at gynal moddion crefyddol yn 1859. Buont yn addoli yno hyd Mehefin, 1861, pryd yr agorwyd y capel. Mae y capel yn un helaeth, hardd, a chyfleus. Yr oedd golwg ryfeddol o obeithiol yma y pryd hwnw, ond yn fuan wedi hyny aeth masnach yr ardal yn farwaidd, fel y gwasgarwyd llawer o'r aelodau o'r gymydogaeth. Lled wan yw yr eglwys yn bresenol, ac nid yw y gwrandawyr ond ychydig mown cymhariaeth. Mae yn sicr pe cedwid y gwasanaeth yn unig yn yr iaith Saesonig y byddai y gynnulleidfa yn llawer lluosocach, gan fod y rhan fwyaf o ieuengctyd yr ardal yn hoffach o'r iaith Saesonig nag o'r Gymraeg.

Y pregethwyr a gyfodwyd yma ydynt, Methusalem Jones, mab Mr. Jones, y gweinidog, yr hwn sydd yn awr yn weinidog yr eglwysi yn Nhrehafod, a'r Tynewydd, Cwmrhondda, a T. R. Jenkins, yr hwn a ddechreuodd bregethu yn 1871, ac sydd yn awr dan ofal Dr. Pan Jones, Mostyn, yn parotoi gyferbyn a myned i athrofa.

Translation by Maureen Saycell (May 2009)

This is a branch of Bethlehem, Pentyrch, and has always been under the same ministry. Many members of Bethlehem lived in Tongwynlais and following the revival of 1859, numbers increased to the point that there was an urge to start a cause here. They rented a room suitable for worship in 1859. They continued to worship there until June 1861 when the chapel was opened. The chapel is large, handsome and convenient. At that time there was hope for the future, soon the industries in the area deteriorated and many moved away. The current church is weak, and the listeners are comparatively few. If services were held only in English the church would be much healthier as most of the young are happier using English in preference to Welsh.

Those raised to preach here are -

• METHUSALEM JONES - son of Mr. Jones, minister - now a minister at Trehafod and Tynewydd, Cwmrhondda.
• T. R. JENKINS - began preaching 1871, now in the care of Dr. Pan Jones, Mostyn, preparing for College.

SOAR, ABERDAR

(Vol 2, p 369)

Nifer o bobl a ymneillduasant o eglwys y Wesleyaid Cymreig a ddechreuasant yr achos hwn yn y flwyddyn 1852. Prif gynorthwywr yr eglwys hon oddiar ei ffurflad cyntaf hyd yn bresenol, yw David Davies, Ysw., Maesyffynon. Y gweinidog cyntaf yma oedd Mr. William Jones, yn awr o Elim, Tredegar. Bu Mr. Jones yn gofalu am yr arch yma tra y bu yn trigo mewn pabell, ond wedi adeiladu y capel yn 1858, gan nas gallasai wasanaethu y lle hwn a Thredegar yn effeithiol, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Stephen Davies, myfyriwr yn athrofa Caerfyrddin, ac urddwyd ef yma yn 1858. Parhaodd Mr. Davies yn ei gysylltiad bugeiliol a'r eglwys hon nes iddo pa ngwanwyn y flwyddyn 1866, dderbyn galwad o Peniel, Sir Gaerfyrddin, a symud yno. Ar ol ei ymadawiad ef bu yr eglwys am yn agos i flwyddyn yn ymddibynu ar weinidogaeth achlysurol. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1867, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Davies, Pontygof, Mynwy, a'r hon y cydsyniodd, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma yn mis Mawrth, y flwyddyn hono. Mae Mr. Davies yn parhau i lenwi ei gylch yn effeithiol yma, ac yr ydym yn hyderu fod blynyddoedd lawer o ddefnyddioldeb yn ei aros yn y lle hwn.

Nid 'yw yr eglwys hon yn lluosog iawn, ond y mae yn un ragorol o weithgar yn ol ei rhif. Mae y capel yn adeilad hardd, yn cynwys tua chwe' chant o eisteddleoedd, ac agos yn rhydd o ddyled.

Yr unig un, cyn belled ag y gwyddom ni, a gyfodwyd yma i bregethu, ydyw Mr. Evan Evans, gweinidog yr eglwys Annibynol yn Mhenderyn, Brycheiniog.

It was a number of people seceding from the Wesleyan Welsh church who began this cause in 1852. The mainstay of this church from its inception until now has been David Davies Esq, Maesyffynon. The first minister here was Mr William Jones, now at Elim, Tredegar. Mr Jones took care of this place whilst he lived in a tent, but after the chapel was built in 1858, as he could not effectively service this place and Tredegar, they gave a call to Mr Stephen Davies, a student at Carmarthen College, and he was ordained here in 1858. Mr Davies continued in his sheperding role here until  the Spring of 1866 when he accepted a call from Peniel, Carmarthen, and moved there. After he left the church here was for almost a year reliant on occasional ministers. At the start of 1867 they gave a call to Mr John Davies, Pontygof, Monmouthshire, which he agreed to, and he began his ministry here in March of that year. Mr Davies continues to fulfill his role efectively here, and we are confident that there are many years of usefullness in his staying here.

This church isn't very numerous, but it is admirably industrious across its membership. The chapel is a beautiful building, convenient for about 600 seating, and almost free of debt.

The only one, as far as we know, who was raised here to preach, is Mr Evan Evans, minister of the Independent church in Penderyn, Breconshire.

MOUNTAIN ASH  [BETHANIA]  (Llanwonno parish)

(Vol 2, p 339)

Mae y lle hwn yn ngwaelod plwyf Aberdar, nid oedd yma flynyddau yn ol ond ychydig dai, ond erbyn hyn y mae yn lle mawr a phoblogaidd, a gweithfeydd yn ymagor ar bob llaw. Gwnaed cynyg ar sefydlu achos yma, a Chorpholwyd nifer o bersonau a ymadawsant a'r Bedyddwyr yn eglwys yn y lle tua'r flwyddyn 1844. ond ymddengys mai o ddynion yr oedd y cwbl, a diflanodd yr achos yn fuan. Yn y flwyddyn 1850, pan y dechreuwyd agor gwaith glo ac adeiladu tai yma, yr oedd yn mysg y dyfodiaid rai dynion crefyddol, y rhai a deimlent yn awyddus am gael moddion gras yn y lle. Dechreuasant gynal Ysgol Sabbothol a chyfarfodydd gweddi o dy i dy, ac yn y flwyddyn 1851, cymerasant weithdy cryddion a ddigwyddodd fod yn wag, ac erbyn hyn yr oeddynt yn cael ambell i bregethwr yn achlysurol o Aberdar, Cwmbach, a Throedyrhiw. Yr oedd Mr. John Jones, Rhydybont- ond adnabyddir yn well fel "Jones, Llangollen "- erbyn hyn wedi symud i Ferthyr i fwy a gwahoddwyd ef gan yr ychydig enwau oedd yma i bregethu iddynt; a chyda'i addewidion teg yr adeiladau gapel iddynt, llwyddodd i gael ganddynt roddi galwad iddo yn weinidog-ond deallasant yn fuan nad oedd pob peth yn amgylchiadau Mr. Jones yn foddhaol, a pharodd hyny rwyg blin yn yr eglwys fechan. Aeth tua deuddeg a honynt i Cwmbach, a llai na hyny oedd ar ol gyda Mr. Jones, heblaw ei deulu ei hun, ond parhai i bregethu i'r ychydig a ddeuai i'r gweithdy ato, a dechreuodd adeiladu capel newydd. Arferai Mr. Henry Lewis, Cwmbach, ddyfod i lawr i bregethu i'r rhai oedd yn aelodau gydag ef, rhai a gyfarfyddent i addoli yn nhy gwraig weddw o'r enw Mari Richard. Parhaodd pethau fel hyn dros dymor; ond yn y flwyddyn 1853, gadawodd Mr. Jones y wlad yn ddirgelaidd am America, gan adael y capel ar ei haner, a'r hyn a wnaed arno heb dalu am dano. Buy capel am naw mis yn sefyll fel yr ydoedd, a pherchen y tir yn dal ei hawl ynddo nes y digolledid ef am y defnyddiau a roddasai ato. Llwyddodd Meistri W. Edwards a D. Price, Aberdar, i gael gan y ddwy gangen i fyned at eu gilydd, ac ymgymeryd a chwblhau y capel a myned i mewn iddo; a Mr. Edwards, Aberdar, yn benaf fu yn bwrw golwg dros yr achos yn yr adeg helbulus yma. Agorwyd y capel, yr hwn a alwyd yn Bethania, Ionawr 30ain a'r 31ain, 1855, ac yr oedd holl draul ei adeiladiad yn 320p., a chasglwyd 60p. o'r swm hwnw ar ddydd yr agoriad. Yn mysg y rhai oedd fwyaf gweithgar gyda'r achos yn ei gychwyniad, yr oedd Daniel Rowlands, o Glynnedd; Morgan Morgan, o Libanus; John Thomas, o Benybont-ar-ogwy; David Davies, o'r Cymer, a David Williams, o Lanfabon. Ar ol hyny, tuag amser adeiladu ac agor y capel, daeth y personau canlynol yn mysg eraill yma, y rhai oedd flaenllaw gyda phob peth :-Ebenezer Jones, o'r Cwmbach; John Griffith a William Morgan, o Fynyddisiwyn; Thomas Fisher, David Rees, a Leonard Thomas, o Maesteg; Rees Thomas, o Aberdar, a Thomas Williams, o Lanybri; ac yr oedd gwragedd gan rai o honynt, y rhai a gymerasant lawer o boen er mwyn yr achos. Daeth John Griffith yma hefyd, yr hwn sydd wedi bod bellach am dymor hir o wasanaeth mawr i'r achos yn y lle, fel aelod defnyddiol, ac fel pregethwr cymeradwy.

Cyn hir wedi agor y capel, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Thomas Llewelyn, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef Awst 2i1, 1855. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. J. Davies, Aberaman; holwyd y gotyniadau gan Mr. D. Price, Aberdar; dyrchafwyd yr urddweddi gan Mr. J. Thomas, Salem, Aberdar; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. D. Williams, Caerdydd, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Edwards, Aberdar.* Nid oedd yma ond 50 o aelodau pan urddwyd Mr. Llewelyn, ond y mae yr eglwys yn awr yn rhifo 360, a'r Ysgol Sabbothol o'r un nifer agos. Aeth y capel cyntaf yn rhy fychan, fel y bu raid adeiladu un arall yn mesur 50 troedfedd wrth 40 troedfedd; ac yr oedd y draul yn.950p., ac aed drachefn i 200p. a draul i adeiladu ysgoldy; ond y mae yr holl ddyled erbyn hyn wedi ei thynu o dan 250p.

Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef John Herbert, ac y mae yn awr bregethwr cynorthwyol yn Zoar, Castellnedd.

Bendithiwyd yr eglwys yma ag adfywiadau grymus. Derbyniwyd yma 105 yr un nos Sabbath yn 1866, a thua 100 arall mewn ychydig fisoedd. Yn 1869 drachefn derbyniwyd o 80 i 100, ac y mae llawer o honynt yn aros etto. Mae y rhai sydd yn cofio y lle ugain mlynedd yn ol yn synu fad gwaith mor fawr wedi ei wneyd mewn tymor cymharol fyr. " O'r Arglwydd y daeth hyn, a rhyfedd yw yn ein golwg ni."

*Diwygiwr, 1855 Tu dal 313

Translation by Gareth Hicks (May 2009)

This place is at the bottom end of Aberdare parish, a few years ago there were just a few houses here, but by now there is a large population here, with works opening all over. They attempted to establish a cause here and formalise into a church a number of people who left the Baptists, around 1844, but it seems that o ddynion yr oedd y cwbl ?, and the cause soon vanished. In 1850, when they started to open coal mines and build houses here, there were amongst the incomers some religious men, and some who were desirous of having the means of grace in the place. They began to hold Sunday school and prayer meetings from house to house, and in 1851, took a shoemaker's workshop, which happened to be empty, and by this time were getting the occasional preacher from Aberdare, Cwmbach and Troedyrhiw. Mr John Jones, Rhydybont -  better known as "Jones, Llangollen" - had by then  moved to Merthyr to live, and the few of connection here invited him  to preach to them; and with the reasonable prospect of a chapel being built, succeeded in getting him here to give him a call as minister - but soon realised that not everything in Mr Jones's circumstances was satisfactory, and that continued as a distressing rift in the small church. Some 12 of them left for Cwmbach, and less than that remained with Mr Jones, apart from his own family, but he continued to preach to the few who came to the workshop to him, and began to build a new chapel. Mr Henry Lewis, Cwmbach, used to come down to preach to those who were members with him, those who met to worship in the house of a widow called Mari Richard. Matters went on like this for a while; but in 1853, Mr Jones mysteriously left the country for America, leaving the chapel on half, and without paying for what had been done. The chapel stayed this way for 9 months, and the owner of the land maintained his claim to it until he was compensated for the materials he had he had given him. Messrs W. Edwards and D. Price, Aberdare managed to get the 2 branches to come together, and undertake to finish the chapel and move into it; and it was mainly Mr Edwards, Aberdare, who kept his eye on the cause throughout this troublesome time. The chapel opened, which they called Bethania, on January 30/31st 1855, and the whole building cost was £320, and they collected £60 of this on the opening day. Amongst those most active with the cause at the beginning, were Daniel Rowlands, from Glynnedd; Morgan Morgan, from Libanus; John Thomas, from Benybont-ar-ogwy; David Davies, from the Cymer, and David Williams, from Lanfabon. After that, about the time of the building/opening of the chapel, the following persons came here amongst others, the ones who were to the fore in all things;- Ebenezer Jones, from Cwmbach; John Griffith and William Morgan, from Fynyddisiwyn; Thomas Fisher, David Rees, and Leonard Thomas, from Maesteg; Rees Thomas, from Aberdar, and Thomas Williams, from Lanybri; and some of these had wives, the ones who suffered much  for the cause. John Griffith came here too, who has gone the furthest for a long time in the service of the cause in the place, as a helpful member, and creditable preacher.

Not long after opening the chapel, they gave a call to Mr Thomas Llewelyn, a student at Brecon College, and he was ordained here on 2 August 1855. On the occasion, Mr J Davies, Aberaman, preached on the nature of a church; questions were asked  by Mr D Price, Aberdare; the ordination prayer given by J Thomas, Salem, Aberdare; a homily to the minister by J D Williams, Cardiff; and to the church by W Edwards, Aberdare. *  When they ordained Mr Llewelyn, there were only 50 members here, but the church now numbers 360, and the Sunday school almost as many. The first chapel became too small, so they built another one measuring 50ft by 40ft; and the cost was £950, with again £200 to build the schoolhouse; but the whole debt has by now been reduced to under £250.

One preacher was raised here, namely John Herbert, and he is now an assistant preacher in Zoar, Neath.

This church was blessed by a powerful revival. They admitted 105 (members) here on one Sunday in 1866, and about another 100 within a few months. In 1869 again they received  80/100, and many of them are still here. Those who remember the place 20 years ago consider that a great work has been done here within a comparatively brief time. "This came from the Lord, and he is mysterious in our sight."

 *Diwygiwr, 1855 p313

South Wales

Population 593,607

Extracted by Gareth Hicks, June 2004

The original table also included data based on the number of places actually open for worship at each period of the day, this has not been extracted.

[Last Updated : 4 June 2004 - Gareth Hicks]

Ieuan Gwynedd Jones. National Library of Wales journal. 1978, Winter Volume XX/4

Extracted onto the pages of GENUKI with the kind permission of the National Library of Wales

This is a complete extract of this article (Gareth Hicks May 2003)

AT the consecration of Llanddeiniol new church in October 1835 the Reverend John Hughes, vicar of Llanbadarn Fawr (and later Archdeacon of Cardigan) preached from the text 'Surely I will not go into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I

AT the consecration of Llanddeiniol new church in October 1835 the Reverend John Hughes, vicar of Llanbadarn Fawr (and later Archdeacon of Cardigan) preached from the text 'Surely I will not go into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep unto mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob' (Psalm 132, 2-5). 1  In the course of his sermon the reverend gentleman drew analogies between a Jerusalem bereft of its temple and a deanery of Llanbadarn Fawr sorely lacking places of worship and he could, given the circumstances, be forgiven his rhetoric and rhodomontade. In fact, if there was one thing the deanery did not lack in the 1830s it was places of worship, and the Victorian era in this district was all era of extreme religiosity. As we shall see, churches were added from time to time, but basically what we have to observe during that period is the reconstitution of church life, its inward adaptation and its outward reconstruction in the face of changing circumstances.

It would not be difficult to show that this part of Cardiganshire was in some important yet mysterious respects deeply religious. The contribution of Cardiganshire as a whole to the religious life of Britain has been enormous, and one which is probably almost as old as the coming of Christianity itself. The furthest ecclesiastical point in the vast parish of Llanbadarn Fawr --- sixteen long and heavy miles from the parish church --- is the chapelry of Yspyty Cynfyn with its ancient church set like an exotic jewel in a Celtic stone circle. The name Llanbadarn itself sends the mind reeling back through the centuries to its foundation in the Age of the Saints and to its role as a cathedral and abbey church under the native dynasties, while the name 'Yspyty' reminds us of the existence of that indigenous Cistercian House of Strata Florida whose influence, cultural and religious, on this part of its domaine was immense throughout the centuries. One thinks of the Methodist Revivals of the eighteenth century, and it is a peculiarity of that extraordinary continuing experience that one of its epicentres was at Llangeitho, and that the southern part of the county, within the immediate influence as it were of that little village, continued to spawn out a succession of revivals long after the other religious centre at Trevecca had lost its heat and been dampened in the formal life of an academic institution. And not only the southern part of the county. The most astounding revival of Victorian times in a succession of revivals long after the other religious centre at Trevecca had lost its heat and been dampened in the formal life of an academic institution. And not only the southern part of the county. The most astounding revival of Victorian times in Wales began only a few miles from here at Tre'rddol and Ystumtuen, Bontgoch and Pontrhydygroes, and Yspyty Ystwyth in 1858-9. And the last great Welsh revival --- that of 1904-5 likewise began in the southern seaside parishes of the county.

We might allude also to other remarkable facts to show the religious vigour of these parts. Here is the home of Tractarianism in Wales, and Llangorwen was the first Tractarian church in Wales. 2  Indeed, the Ecclesiologist proclaimed it to..................

................ be 'a church as it should be ... One of the most complete and successful imitations of ancient models that the present age has produced' . 3  It was no accident that it should have been founded here and I hope to show that much that was characteristic in its worship was already present in the worshipping customs of many other churches. Then, going off in another direction, one could point to the long and honourable educational activities of churchmen in these parts. Ystrad Meurig, just to the north of the deanery, was famous for its grammar school long before and long after Bishop Burgess founded Lampeter in 1826. Indeed, one wonders where the Anglican Church would have recruited their priests in Wales if it had not been for the readiness of North Cardiganshire men to enter the church. Archdeacon David Evans (a Llanrhystud man) in his Recollections published in 1904, actually lists 59 men who had to his knowledge entered the ministry from that one parish in his own lifetime, and the Rev. Lewis Evans told his cousin, Isaac Williams, of Cwmcynfelin that 'there are more young men educated for Holy Orders from Llanfihangel Geneu'r Glyn and neighbourhood than any other given locality in Wales'. 4  One would need to know what was the quality of the education they received, but the fact that Rowland Williams---'Bunsen's reviewer' in Essays and Reviews   --- was Vice-Principal at Lampeter from 1850 to 1862 should give us pause, as also should the fact that it was still customary for young men who could not afford the £50 fees of Lampeter to go much more cheaply to Ystrad Meurig or (sometimes the best alternative) to a Dissenting Academy.

I stated at the beginning that the main problem facing the church in the deanery was not merely or mainly a shortage of churches. This was certainly the case when the movement for reform of the church began in the early 1830s. The main problems then and for a considerable time after were the inexorable facts of dilapidation. With the exception of the Chapel of St. Michael's in the borough of Aberystwyth and new buildings to serve new districts, such as Llangorwen (1841), Elerch (1868), St. Mary's Aberystwyth (1873), Penrhyncoch (1881) and Trinity (1886), 5  the activity was confined to rebuilding or reconstructing existing churches, or, in a few cases, carrying out extensive repair works. Dilapidation was the curse of the church in North Cardiganshire. This was true throughout rural Wales, as 5  the activity was confined to rebuilding or reconstructing existing churches, or, in a few cases, carrying out extensive repair works. Dilapidation was the curse of the church in North Cardiganshire. This was true throughout rural Wales, as the Incorporated Church Building Society had come to recognize by 1851. 'Many of the churches in Wales are in a much more dilapidated condition than any in England, and yet, like those in the latter country, are susceptible of complete restoration'. 6   Of the 14 churches and chapels in the deanery in the early 1830s, no less than 12 were either completely rebuilt or otherwise heavily restored on account of the desperately poor state of the fabric. 'Damp and uncomfortable', 'in a state of disrepair', 'very dilapidated' --- these are the reasons one finds in Vestry Books, in Faculties petitioned for and granted, and in articles of consecration. 7

This raises some interesting questions. To what extent were these churches in fact as bad as they were stated to be? There is always a subjective element in judgments of that kind, and fashion and changing sensibilities exert an influence. The Visitation Queries and Answers, both Wardens' and Ministers', often give ..............

.................. the impression that all is well with the fabric, yet a few years later a church has disappeared and a new one built because of the alleged dilapidation, dampness or inconvenience of the old. There is no denying that most were in a very bad way. Archdeacon David Evans in his book of recollections 8  describes how cold and uncomfortable was Llanrhystud, with its shuttered windows, its earth-floor 'Mixed with the bones of our ancestors', its few pews and cruelly hard benches. Moreover, they had been like this for many, many years, and one suspects that they were no worse and no better at the beginning of the nineteenth century than they had been at the beginning of the eighteenth. One would not wish to play down the dilapidations endemic in the churches of the region, but at the same time one might suggest that the sudden and sustained burst of restoration should be regarded as an indicator of a deep change in fashion. People's apprehension of reality changes, as does their ideal of religious behaviour. That is to say, church restoration is a symptom of cultural change --- of rejection of the old and the acceptance of the new.

One sees this from time to time in the petitions for faculties for reconstruction. What exactly is meant by 'Unfit for divine service' in the Llanddeiniol petition of 1833. 9  Or old St. Michael's in 1831 --- when at the previous episcopal visitation the wardens declared the building to be satisfactory? 10  One suspects that incumbents were looking for ways of getting rid of the old box pews in order to replace them with benched open pews. By the mid-Victorian years this is quite clear. Llanilar was entirely reconstructed in order to make it 10  One suspects that incumbents were looking for ways of getting rid of the old box pews in order to replace them with benched open pews. By the mid-Victorian years this is quite clear. Llanilar was entirely reconstructed in order to make it possible to perform modern liturgical forms of service. 'Pews badly made originally, now out of repair, uncomfortable to sit in and most inconvenient for kneeling --- a general wish on the part of the congregation for open seats and a better arrangement of the whole internal fittings, especially, of the chancel. The space around the altar being so limited by the pews ... as to render difficult a reverent receiving of the Holy Communion; and above all, to render the building generally more worthy of them to whose service is dedicated'. 11  Here we have a religious or liturgical revolution, with its popular undertones, demanding a reconstruction of the internal arrangements along more democratic, or religiously equal, lines. But Mr. Parry of Llidiarde, the local squire, insisted on a first choice of eight sittings for himself and four for his servants! The plans for the new church at Yspyty Ystrad-meurig were criticized for leaving too narrow a step at the altar for the priest to kneel at. 12  That was towards the end of the century and by then the aspirations and changing fashions of the few at the beginning of the century had become the accepted norm of the many.

Equally an obsession with Victorian clergymen and laymen was the pressing need to provide accommodation where it was needed. This was a problem aggravated by the enormous size of the parishes. The 14 churches served an area of 174,000 acres. Llanbadarn Fawr itself covered 52,750 acres, Llanfihangel Geneu'r Glyn 32,825, and Llanfihangel y Creuddyn 22,553. The boundaries, of course, were medieval and represented the enclosing of territories sufficient to provide the incomes for incumbents (and in some cases for the appropriators..................

........................ of the livings, for there were no rectories, as we shall see). For centuries these vast hill parishes had supported their sparse pastoral populations and the parish churches and the few chapels of ease had supplied such means of grace as was demanded. Demand changed in response to the operation of two main forces, the one physical, the other spiritual. The first was the growth and the redistribution of population, and possibly it was the redistribution which was of most immediate relevance to the clergy. 13 The villages, especially those in the valley bottoms and in the coastal region almost certainly expanded, but much more serious was the appearance of entirely new communities settled around the lead-mines. Most of these were situated in areas very distant from the parish churches, as in Cwmsymlog, Goginan, Ystumtuen, Cwm Ystwyth, the hinterland of Talybont, and Elerch, and other places. There was an obvious need for chapels of ease in strategic places. The other factor was equally powerful, namely, the demand being made for the means of religious worship. The nonconformists were the quickest off the mark : indeed, it was they, and particularly the Calvinistic Methodists, who created the demand in the first place --- who stimulated that enormous ly, the demand being made for the means of religious worship. The nonconformists were the quickest off the mark : indeed, it was they, and particularly the Calvinistic Methodists, who created the demand in the first place --- who stimulated that enormous hydroptic thirst for spiritual things which periodically exploded in revivals and which by mid-century had resulted in an extraordinary chapel-building activity throughout the deanery. (In an area exactly continuous with the deanery there were by 1905 no hydroptic thirst for spiritual things which periodically exploded in revivals and which by mid-century had resulted in an extraordinary chapel-building activity throughout the deanery. (In an area exactly continuous with the deanery there were by 1905 no less than 105 chapels and schoolrooms) . 14

Hence, the response of the church from the 1830s onwards. Capel Bangor, built in exactly the style of Eglwysfach, was opened in 1839 to accommodate the growing communities of the neighbourhood, mainly leadminers from nearby Goginan and the slopes of the Ystwyth. Llangorwen in 1841, as is well known, was sui generis, but it is important to note that the petition of Matthew Davies Williams of Cwmcynfelin and Wallog pleaded the inadequate means of religious instruction to the demands of the populous and increasing parish of Llanbadarn Fawr. 15  St. Peter's, Elerch was built by Lewis Gilbertson and his family for the same reason --- the means of religious worship being inadequate in a valley busily being exploited for its lead. 16  St. Mary's, Aberystwyth was built for the Welsh population --- to enable the authorities to achieve what was always a major aim of the Welsh hierarchy in the Victorian church, namely, to keep the two languages separate. 17  St. Mathew's, Borth was opened in 1879 --- in this case a direct response to the building of the railway and an investment in seaside-resort business. 18  Penrhyncoch, consecreated in 1881 was situated like a Norman castle at the ancient crossroads into and out of the mine-bearing valleys. 19  Finally, Trinity in Aberystwyth in 1886-8, 20 and the new St. Michael's in 1890. 21 Of these, Eglwysfach (in 1855), Elerch (1868), Trinity (1887) and Penrhyncoch (1901) 22 were made into District Chapelries, so that by the end of the century the deanery had no less than 18 places of worship and in addition was holding services in some other unconsecrated buildings, such as the school at Penparcau. 23

None of this undoubted increase in efficiency was accomplished without cost, and here the church faced what was undoubtedly its greatest obstacle, poverty.

Apart, perhaps, from the town of Aberystwyth itself, the deanery was probably the poorest part of the county and one of the poorest in Wales. Its economic resources were small and the wealth that was produced exceedingly unevenly divided. 'The inhabitants of the parish', wrote the incumbent of Llanafan, Rev. D. E. Jones to the Church Building Society in December 1836, 'with the exception of a few persons hereinafter named, are persons of low and narrow circumstances in life, being either employed in the mine works, or as labourers under Agriculturists of the neighbourhood. The seven or eight farmers in the parish are of limited means, excepting one Proprietor ... 24  Dr. Turner, the Medical Officer of the Privy Council reported in 1866 that 'the children pine for want of food as soon as weaned', and gave it as his opinion that were it not for the prevailing mild weather the people would all die. 25

Poverty of the masses, however, was something distinct from the poverty of the Church: the two were linked only in that their causes were not singular but common, and insofar as the Church given the prevailing religious climate of nonconformity, could

Poverty of the masses, however, was something distinct from the poverty of the Church: the two were linked only in that their causes were not singular but common, and insofar as the Church given the prevailing religious climate of nonconformity, could not look to the general population for assistance. It could look only to its own resources and to the assistance it could expect from its natural allies, the gentry. These latter, where they were patrons and impropriators, in any case had a legal obligation as well as a religious duty to assist. In North Cardiganshire, as in the county generally, lay patrons outnumbered ecclesiastical patrons but by no stretch of the imagination can they be said to have fulfilled their duties with a proper regard for the on as well as a religious duty to assist. In North Cardiganshire, as in the county generally, lay patrons outnumbered ecclesiastical patrons but by no stretch of the imagination can they be said to have fulfilled their duties with a proper regard for the spiritual welfare of their inferiors. The advowsons of new churches were always kept within the church itself or vested in ecclesiastical persons. 26

Much more serious was the poverty due to the alienation of tithes to laymen. There was only one rectory in the deanery worth only £93: all the livings were impropriated and only one of these to an ecclesiastical corporation --- (the end result being the same, of course). The most notorious of the lay impropriators was the family of Chichester from Devonshire, who owned the tithes of no less than nine of the parishes. From these he derived £5,411 annually in tithes. The total income of the incumbents of those nine livings was £1,127 --- an average of  £125 p.a., ranging from a high of £221 to a low of £88. Most of this income came from Queen Anne's Bounty or from parliamentary grants: Chichester's contribution in fixed stipends (payable out of his those nine livings was £1,127 --- an average of  £125 p.a., ranging from a high of £221 to a low of £88. Most of this income came from Queen Anne's Bounty or from parliamentary grants: Chichester's contribution in fixed stipends (payable out of his £5,411 from tithes) amounted to not more than about £60 or £70 per annum.   27  So far as I have been able to discover J. B. S. Chichester gave not a penny to any of the work of reconstruction and renovation and repair . 28

Chichester influence on the deanery was therefore of critical importance and had maleficent effects. It was poverty caused by his depredations that was the underlying cause of the far too numerous pluralities that existed. Eight of the livings were plural livings, 29  and not until towards the end of the century had this necessary evil been removed and each parish provided with its own resident priest. It accounted also for the poor state of the fabric to which we have alluded, and ..........

................when one considers the great amount of money spent in the restorations and rebuildings we can appreciate that for this to have happened while the deanery was steadily being milked of its substance by Chichester must have involved a tremendous effort on the part of clergy and laymen. Local gentry were very generous, especially the Pryse family of Gogerddan: the Powells of Nanteos less so, perhaps: they insisted on the full market price when negotiating the transfer of the land to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for the third St. Michael's. But the bulk of the money in the outlying parishes came by voluntary subscriptions, by grants from the Church Building Society, and from the profits of various fundraising community actions. After 1856 the raising of Church rates was no longer attempted in the deanery. 30  A few figures will show what was happening. In the deanery as a whole between 1840 and 1876 a total of £19,660 had been spent on church building and restoration, and of this sum no less than £19,170 had been raised by voluntary subscription, £285 from the Church Building Society and £200 (at Llancynfelyn) by a church rate (in 1834?) . 31  So, this poor county accomplished what was virtually a complete rebuilding and restoration programme out of its own resources, and when we consider the enormous amplitude of nonconformist places of worship going up at the same time, or themselves being rebuilt and restored, it will sufficiently be understood that my original claim about the religiosity of the county holds good.

The fact that two of the new churches were virtually erected, furnished and partially endowed by private families does not affect the argument. Llangorwen and Elerch were wholly untypical in their origin and style. They were certainly deeply untypical

The fact that two of the new churches were virtually erected, furnished and partially endowed by private families does not affect the argument. Llangorwen and Elerch were wholly untypical in their origin and style. They were certainly deeply untypical of the prevailing theological climate of the deanery. The Rev. Owain Jones has argued in his book on Isaac Williams and in his articles on Tractarianism that there was little that was accidental in the location here of these tractarian churches, but that, on the contrary, there existed a powerful tradition, albeit confined to a few families, of High Churchmanship dating from the Jacobitism of the early eighteenth century. 32  The evidence he adduces is not entirely convincing. A study of the Visitation returns for the whole century indicates that by the early nineteenth century at least (returns of 1807) institutions such as monthly communions, more than one service per Sunday, week-day services, and services (sometimes with communion) on the main festivals were pretty common. This reflected not a High Church tradition but a strong evangelical one and was probably as much a response to Methodistical demands for the regularity of the sacrament as an inbred High churchmanship. Moreover, what on the surface appear to be Tractarian innovations on deeper reflection turn out to be unconscious survivals from the Roman Catholic past. It is necessary always to remember the regularity of the sacrament as an inbred High churchmanship. Moreover, what on the surface appear to be Tractarian innovations on deeper reflection turn out to be unconscious survivals from the Roman Catholic past. It is necessary always to remember that religious development always produces its own forms of social competition, and there is no doubt that this provided a powerful motivation in the reconstruction movement. I have illustrated this theme from the history of the rebuilding of the second St. Michael's, and there is no need to amplify here. 33  Nor should one forget that once the physical presence of the Williamses and Gilbertsons had been removed................

................the churches they had built and endowed soon reverted to a more socially acceptable style of public worship. Some differences remained and traditions survived, but they were minor and quite superficial. Today, we can admire and be thankful for the buildings: but buildings alone cannot perpetuate a revolution.

We can therefore understand the true significance of the movement as a whole in the Victorian era. Mainly, I think, it was highly symptomatic of a profound change in the church's conception of itself. It started as a church in a very religious society, the causes of whose religiosity are probably to be found deep in the social changes being endured by the people as a whole, and in organized movements standing outside and often in opposition to it. It had contributed much to the religious life of the county, but the initiatives had moved elsewhere. It had been slow to analyze the nature of its role in a society which demographic and economic forces were rapidly changing, and slow to adapt even when the consequences of these changes became apparent. It ended by being a church virtually on the voluntary principle, and so far as its social role was concerned not very different from that of the chapels. This, after all, was a reflection of the deep community of the region itself. There is something slightly grotesque in the idea that a few wealthy men could come into this ancient county from outside and by introducing a new theology change its nature in a generation or so. Methodism was an indigenous thing: that was its strength, and its values were those of the people among whom it spread. In the end it is people who make theology.

But finally, it ended as a church most beautifully equipped in its fabric. We should think not only of the great architects: of Underwood, Butterfield, Ritchie and Seddon : we should think also of the common people who so readily responded to a religious ideal of decency, modesty, and quiet, assured beauty. Looking at Elerch Church who can fail to see how richly Butterfield must have responded to the genius of the place? Its harmony goes deep and there is a powerful repose in the way that it lies on the land. North Cardiganshire imposes itself on its buildings, and in the end it is people and history that remain.

IEUAN GWYNEDD JONES

Aberystwyth

Notes;

I N.L.W., SD/C/119. Draft consecration dated 6 October 1835.

2 On Tractarianism in Wales, see O. W. Jones, Isaac Williams and his circle (London, 1971) and the same author's article 'The Mind of Robert Raikes', journal of the Historical Society of the Church in Wales, XVIII (1968). See also D. Eifion Evans, 'Mudiad Rhydychen yng Ngogledd Sir Aberteifi', ibid., iv (1954), pp. 45f .

3 Quoted in O. W. Jones, op. cit., p. 96.

4 ibid., p. 104.

5 For details of the building and consecration of these churches see N.L.W., SD/C/150 (Llangorwen, 16 December 1841), SD/C/76 (Elerch, 29 June 1868), SD/C/11 (St. Mary's. Aberystwyth, 3 June 1873), SD/C/224 (Penrhyncoch, 14 June 1881), SD/C/8, 9, 11 (Holy Trinity Aberystwyth, 10 August 1886, 29 November 1888 and 31 May 1899).

6   Incorporated Church Building Society, Third Quarterly Report, 1850-1, pp. 11-12.

7 For example, N.L.W., SD/F/330, Llanfihangel-Geneur'-Glyn, 8 May 1884 for Vestry Minute; SD/F/450, Llanychaiarn, Vestry Minutes dated 12 December 1877; SD/F/399, Llanilar, Vestry Minute dated 8 May 1873; SD/F/380, Llangwyryfon, for taking down and entirely removing the old church.

8  David Evans, Adgofion yr Hybarch David Evans Arch-ddiacon Llanelwy (Lampeter, 1904), p. 7.

9 N.L.W., SD/C/120 P.

10  N.L.W., SD/C/13 s (d) and N.L.W., St. Michael's MSS and Documents, and 1807 Visitation Returns (Wardens') where they return that the fabric is in good repair.

11  N.L.W., SD/F/399/M (letter dated 2 April 1874).

12 N.L.W., SD/F/690. Faculty granted 28 December 1897.

13 Most of the townships into which the large parishes of Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanfihangel Geneu'r Glyn and Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn were divided lost population during the century. Only the townships where lead-mining was an important sector in the economy showed anything like sustained increases; for example Broncastellan, Elerch, Cwm Rheidol, Melindwr, Parsel Canol, the parish of Llanafan, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn Uchaf, and Gwnws.

14 Royal Commission on the Church of England and other religious bodies in Wales and Monmouthshire, vol. 6, pp. 29 ff. See also N.L.W., SD/S/10/1 'Statistics of Church Work, Finance and Property for the year 1899-1900'.

15 N.L.W., SD/C/150. Consecration dated 16 December 1841. Among the inhabitants who signed the petition were Matthew Davies Williams of Cwmcynfelin and Wallog, and his son, Rev. Isaac Williams, who gave the land, part of Nantcellan Fawr farm.

16  N.L.W., SD/C/76. Consecration dated 29 June 1868. Among the petitioners were Rev. Lewis Gilbertson, Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, of Cefn-gwyn, whose family gave the land.

17 N.L.W., SD/C/11. Consecration dated 3 June 1873.

18 N.L.W., SD/C/27. Consecration dated 15 September 1879.

19 N.L.W., SD/C/224. Consecration dated 14 June 1881.

20 N.L.W., SD/C/8-9-10. Consecration of the three main stages of building dated 10 August 1886, 29 November 1888 and 31 May 1899.

21 N.L.W., SD/C/145. Sentence of consecration dated 30 September 1890.

22 N.L.W., SD/OC/49 (Eglwys-fach, dated 27 November 1854); SD/OC/108 (Elerch, dated 14 September 1868); SD/OC/148 (Holy Trinity, dated 12 July 1877); SD/OC/163 (Penrhyncoeh, dated 10 December 1901).

23 N.L.W., SD/S/10/1. See also the series SD/DS, from which the chronology and location of the use of unconsecrated places would appear to be as follows: 1834 Rhydmeirionydd (Llanfihangel Geneu'r Glyn); 1839 Aberystwyth; 1842 Borth; 1862 Elerch; 1863 Penparcau; 1863 Penrhyncoch; 1866 Llanafan; 1870 Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn; 1876 Borth (again); 1878 Llanychaiarn; 1879 Talybont; 1882 Commins Coch; 1822 Llanddeiniol: 1884 Llanfihangel Geneu'r Glyn.

24 Petition from Rev. D. E. Jones to the Incorporated Church Building Society, dated from Llanafan 27 December 1836, File No. 132225.

25 Seventh Report of the Medical Officer of the Privy Council, with Appendix, Parliamentary Papers, 1865, XXVI. , p. 498.

26  In 1835 the position was as follows: the Bishop exercised the patronage of 4 livings, a vicar of 1, and Brecknock Collegiate Church of 1 ; lay patrons owned the advowsons of 7 livings, and the inhabitants of a Chapelry 1 other. In 1900 the position was as follows: the Bishop was patron of 8 livings, a vicar of 1, ecclesiastical persons of 2, lay persons of 5, and the inhabitants of a chapelry of 1. Royal Commission on the Church of England, vol. 5, p. 190

27 For details of incomes, appropriations etc., consult Ecclesiastical Duties and Revenues Report, P.P., 1835, XXII, Table No. 4, which gives the values etc. as at 31 December 1831. For the ownership of tithes around mid-century see 'Tithes commuted and apportioned ... distinguishing those assigned to Clerical Appropriators ..., P.P., 1848, (298); details for all the parishes can be found in summary form in Ieuan Gwynedd Jones and David Williams, The Religious Census of 1851, A Calendar of the Returns Relating to Wales (Cardiff, 1976), passim.

28 There is evidence that he positively refused to subscribe to the repair of the parish church of Llanbadarn Fawr: see Rev. David Evans, incumbent, to the Incorporated Church Building Society dated from Llanbadarn 28 June 1837. Also, same to same, dated 12 March 1838 where he states that Chichester had not deigned to reply even though the chancel was in a bad state of decay.

29 In 1835, Chichester was the impropriator of Eglwys-fach, Llanafan a'r Trawsgoed, Llanbadarn Fawr, Llanddeiniol, Llanfihangel Geneu'r-glyn, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, Llangwyryfon, Llancynfelin, Llanilar, and Llanychaearn. All these, with the exception of the first and last, were held in plurality.

30 'Return of the amount of Church Rates received and expended by Churchwardens in the years ending Easter 1832, 1839 and 1854', P.P., 1857 (Session 2), XXXII (88), and 'Return of the names of all parishes in cities or parliamentary boroughs ... in which (during the last fifteen years) Church Rates have been refused, and since that time ceased to be collected', P.P., 1856, XLVIII (319).

31 'Returns showing the number of churches ... which have been built or restored at a cost exceeding £500 since 1840', P.P., 1876, LVIII (125 and 125 I).

32 O. W. Jones, op. cit., pp. 92 ff. See also D. Eifion Evans, art. cit..

33 Ieuan Gwynedd Jones, 'Religion and Politics: the Rebuilding of St. Michael's Church Aberystwyth and its Political Consequences'. Ceredigion. Journal of the Ceredigion Antiquarian Society (1973), pp. 117-130.

JONES entries

Published on CD by Archive CD Books

This is a listing of the JONES names appearing in this clerical directory; compiled by Gareth Hicks (Dec 2006)

The place names that follow a person's given names are their  locations at that time (or last known address)
The first entry is shown in full as an example of what other data is in the actual directory entry

Abbreviations used;

• [D=Deacon; C=Curate/Curacy; V=Vicar/Vicarage/Vicarial; F=Formerly; p=Priest; w=with; Gl=Glebe; l-pounds; a=acre; P=Patron; TRC=Tithe Rent Charge;Dio=Diocese;
  QAB=Queen Anne's Bounty; RSO= Railway Sub Office]

JONES, Alexander George, Yarkhill Vicarage, Hereford.-Late Scho. of Qu. Coll. Cam. B.A. 1863, M.A. 1881. D 1867, p 1868 Heref. V. of Yarkhill, Dio. Heref. 1883. (P, D. and C. of Heref ; T.R.C. Imp. 130l, V. 220l w 10 1/2 a of Gl. in hand, value 20l; Q.A.B. 80l; Gross Inc. 330l, Net 270l and Ho ; Pop. 443.) ; F Asst. Master of Heref. Cathl. Sch. and C. of St. Jo. Bapt. Heref. 1867-69; V. of Moreton-Jeffries 1869-72; C. of Yarkhill 1869-72; V. of Ballingham w Bolstone Chap. Herefs, 1872-83.

An analysis relating to extant records

This simplistic  (very) analysis is intended to indicate the approximate proportion of Independent chapels in Wales that have extant records deposited in public repositories - in each county.
Some of the sources used here are dated and are known to be 'out of date'   -  but are the only easily accessible sources available to me.
It will be noted that Source 1 was published in 1871+  - and will therefore not include chapels formed after that date.

As a comparison of sources, similar data has also been compiled for CGN only -  from Source 3.
Source 3 is said to include all chapels in  the Religious Census of 1851, plus any others which were included in Source1.

Conclusion

Of course, the overall figures only confirm what we all knew already, that our non-conformist ancestors didn't much believe in  preserving their records for their descendants in the role of future family historians.
The 'preservation average' is 42%, the separate counties ranging from 30% for RAD to 66% for DEN, I leave  readers to draw  their own conclusions from this disparity.

As a matter of additional interest, Source 2 has a note which says;
"During the 1980s an index was compiled ............ of all non-conformist causes which had ever existed in Wales ...................over 5500 chapels were listed but of these only 1350 had transferred their registers to a public repository".
This equates with an overall 24% preservation rate which is significantly worse than the average of 42% arrived at below for Independents - which implies that other non-conformist causes fared even worse in this regard.

The CGN based comparison of sources is close enough in terms of actual numbers, the % disparity is not really significant given the smallness of the numbers.

(Gareth Hicks - June 2008)

Sources

1. Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru. (History of the Welsh Independent Churches); By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)
2. Nonconformist Registers of Wales, NLW 1994 - this is a county based list of chapels with extant records in the public domain
3. The Parish Churches and Nonconformist Chapels of Wales: Their Records and where to Find them; Vol. One, Cardigan - Carmarthen - Pembroke.  By B.J. Rawlins, 1987

Key to Table

1. County
2. Total number of chapels in source 1
3. Total number of Ind. chapels in source 2 with extant records
4. Percentage of chapels with extant records by comparing columns 2 & 3
5. Total number of Ind. chapels in source 3 under CGN
6. Total number of chapels in source 3 with extant records
7. Percentage  of chapels with extant records in CGN by comparing  columns 5 & 6

Return to Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru

      January                February                March
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7             1  2  3  4             1  2  3  4
 8  9 10 11 12 13 14    5  6  7  8  9 10 11    5  6  7  8  9 10 11
15 16 17 18 19 20 21   12 13 14 15 16 17 18   12 13 14 15 16 17 18
22 23 24 25 26 27 28   19 20 21 22 23 24 25   19 20 21 22 23 24 25
29 30 31               26 27 28               26 27 28 29 30 31

       April                   May                    June
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
                   1       1  2  3  4  5  6                1  2  3
 2  3  4  5  6  7  8    7  8  9 10 11 12 13    4  5  6  7  8  9 10
 9 10 11 12 13 14 15   14 15 16 17 18 19 20   11 12 13 14 15 16 17
16 17 18 19 20 21 22   21 22 23 24 25 26 27   18 19 20 21 22 23 24
23 24 25 26 27 28 29   28 29 30 31            25 26 27 28 29 30
30

        July                  August               September
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
                   1          1  2  3  4  5                   1  2
 2  3  4  5  6  7  8    6  7  8  9 10 11 12    3  4  5  6  7  8  9
 9 10 11 12 13 14 15   13 14 15 16 17 18 19   10 11 12 13 14 15 16
16 17 18 19 20 21 22   20 21 22 23 24 25 26   17 18 19 20 21 22 23
23 24 25 26 27 28 29   27 28 29 30 31         24 25 26 27 28 29 30
30 31

      October                November               December
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa   Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
 1  2  3  4  5  6  7             1  2  3  4                   1  2
 8  9 10 11 12 13 14    5  6  7  8  9 10 11    3  4  5  6  7  8  9
15 16 17 18 19 20 21   12 13 14 15 16 17 18   10 11 12 13 14 15 16
22 23 24 25 26 27 28   19 20 21 22 23 24 25   17 18 19 20 21 22 23
29 30 31               26 27 28 29 30         24 25 26 27 28 29 30
                                              31

UK and Ireland: Church History

• The GENUKI church database is being developed to help provide information about places of worship and burial grounds.
• Steve Bulman's "The Churches of Britain and Ireland" photograph collection
• Geograph British Isles - contains many church photographs amongst its ever-growing collection.
• A listing of the various County Online Parish Clerk schemes.

• Baptist Church:
  • The General Baptists and Particular Baptists came together in 1891 to form the Baptist Union of Great Britain.  Their Baptist Handbook of 1896 is available free from Internet Archive and contains, among other things, lists of officers, member churches, ministers and personal members.
  • Strict Baptist Historical Society has an online Pastor & Chapels database, library catalogue and a brief history of the church.
  • Regents Park College - Centre for Baptist History and Heritage. 
  • Baptist Historical Society - England and Wales.
• Church of England (C of E):
  • The Church of England was a key secular (as well as religious) institution until the Victorian period.  As part of local government, it was responsible for poor relief, running local charities, and even local roads and law enforcement.  As a result, the 'parish chest' contains a lot more than just the registers of christenings, marriages and burials.  Their registers also often contain records of adherents to other (non-C of E ) religions.
  • A Church Near You - a church search facility that in many cases gives maps with current Church of England parish boundaries.
  • Church of England Record Centre - "collections held at Lambeth Palace Library".
  • The Churches Conservation Trust  (formerly the Redundant Churches Fund) protects historic churches that have been made redundant but not sold off by the C of E.
  • Clergy of the Church of England - "a relational database documenting the careers of all Church of England clergymen between 1540 and 1835".
  • The Incorporated Church Building Society's archive includes over 15,000 files relating to applications by parishes for grants from the Society 1818 to 1982. Their online database lists the archive contents and provides links to online copies of plans and drawings of many of the C of E churches.  The society is now part of the National Churches Trust.  
• Congregational Church
  • Initially known as Independents, most Congregational congregations joined the Presbyterians and other denominations to form the United Reform Church in 1972 - see Wikipedia.
• Gospel Hall 
  • List of present Gospel Hall churches
• Jews - see Jewish Records
• Lutheran
  • A History of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain (archived copy) from the Trinity Lutheran Congregation website.
• Methodist Church
  • The Primitive Methodist church was an early 19th century (1807) secession from the Wesleyan Methodist church and was particularly successful in evangelising agricultural and industrial communities at open air meetings. In 1932, the Primitive, Wesleyan and the United Methodists joined together to form the Methodist Church in Britain. Their website provides a brief history of Methodism and advice on research.
  • The Methodist Church provides a list of Other Methodist websites.
  • The University of Manchester's Methodist Archives and Research Centre provides a Guide to Methodist Resources at the University of Manchester (archived copy) and an Index of Methodist Ministers and Probationers who have Died in the Work.
  • Dwight Radford's Index to Methodist Ministers (1819-1968).
  • The Wesley Historical Society offer a guide to help you search for Methodist family records and the Dictionary of Methodism which includes, among other things, brief biographical information.
  • My Methodist History, My Primitive Methodist Ancestors and My Wesleyan Methodist Ancestors are user-contributed sites to share information and research about Methodism, including some Berkshire chapels.  
  • Englesea Brook Museum of Primitive Methodism. 
  • Methodist Heritage aims to preserve historic Methodist sites and archives; their free handbook lists over 120 sites, including chapels, libraries, archives and museums.
  • The Origin and History of the Primitive Methodist Church, H. B Kendall - Vol 1 and Vol 2 are available free from eBooks.
• Presbyterian Church
  • In 1972, the Presbyterian Church joined the Congregationalists (see above) and others to form the United Reform Church. They were influenced by Calvinism which rejected bishops and believed that the church should be governed by their ministers and members.
• Roman Catholic Church
  • The TNA have a guide to researching Catholics.  
  • Brief timeline (archived copy) of the Catholic Church in England (later the UK) from the break with Rome in 1534 until emancipation in 1829.
  • Catholic Family History Society.
  • The Catholic History Website is a partnership of societies and individuals with an interest in Catholic history in the British Isles since the Reformation.
  • Catholic National Library (archived copy).
  • Archive of the Tablet - the Catholic News Weekly, founded 1840.
• Unitarians
  • Unitarian Historical Society include an online index to obituaries of Unitarian ministers, 1800-2004, and bibliography of Unitarian congregations since 1800.