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Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru

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(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)
From the CD published by Archive CD Books

Caernarfonshire section (Vol 3) - Pages  307 - 320

See main project page

Proof read by Yvonne John (May 2008)

Chapels below;

 

Pages 307 - 320

307

(Continued) BOZRAH

wyddion fod y gynnulleidfa yn cynyddu. Er mai lle bychan sydd yma, ac ardal deneu ei phoblogaeth, y mae yn Bozrah bob amser eglwys fechan weithgar, unol, a selog dros ben. Costiodd y capel cyntaf oddeutu 200p. Yn fuan wedi ei agor gostyngwyd y cyflogau yn y chwarel, ac ymadawodd rhai gweithwyr o'r ardal nes y teimlodd y gweddill fod y ddyled yn pwyso yn drwm arnynt. Gwasgodd hyn Mr. Edwards i droi ei wyneb oddicartref i geisio cymorth. Y mae ei lyfr casglu ger ein bron, lle gwelwn iddo ymweled a llawer o eglwysi y De ar ran capel Bozrah, a dychwelyd gyda moddion i ddileu cyfran helaeth o'r ddyled. Bu Mr. Edwards bob amser yn dra gofalus ac ymdrechgar i sicrhau llwyddiant Bozrah, yn yr hyn befyd y bu yn llwyddianus i raddau helaeth, oldegid yn y flwyddyn 1860, cawn fod y capel yn cael ei adgyweirio. Chwanegwyd pedair neu bump llath at ei hyd, ac adnewyddwyd yr oll oddifewn. Costiodd hyn yn agos i 200p., ond erbyn hyn nid oes yn llawn 20p. o honynt yn aros heb eu talu. Bu yma rai brodyr teilwng o gofio am danynt. Un felly oedd Richard Evans, Waunrythallt, a'i deulu. Efe oedd un o ddiaconiaid cyntaf Bozrah. Ni welwyd neb mwy ffyddlon a selog. Yn ei dy ac yn mhob man arall byddai wrth ei fodd yn cael gwneyd rhwybeth gyda 'r achos. Cafodd lluaws o weinidogion Iesu lawer o garedigrwydd pur a dibrin ar ei aelwyd. Cyfranai yn hael at grefydd, ac y mae perarogl hyfryd ei fuchedd yn aros etto. Griffith Jones, Groeslon, hefyd, oedd ddiacon yma o gymeriad pur, ac o fywyd tra bu gyda chrefydd, wedi ei roddi yn llwyr i'w gwasanaethu.*

Mae y lle yma o'r dechreuad mewn cysylltiad ag Ebenezer, ac felly y mae yn parhau.

  

PENTIR

(Peniel chapel, Waen-pentir, Llanddeiniolen parish)

Arferid pregethn yma er cyn diwedd y ganrif ddiweddaf. Clywsom yr hybarch Mr. Williams, Troedrhiwdalar yn dyweyd iddo ef fod yn pregethu yma y flwyddyn gyntaf o'r ganrif bresenol. Byddai Mr. D. Roberts, pan yn byw yn Tynewydd, Pentir, yn pregethu yma yn aml, er nas gwyddom yn sicr yn mha le. Yn y flwyddyn 1831 adeiladwyd yma gapel, yn y rhan o'r ardal a elwir Rhiwlas, yn mhlwyf Llanddeiniolen. Galwyd ef yn Peniel. Mr. Griffith, Bethel, a ofalai yn benaf am y lle trwy y blynyddau, ond cynorthwyid ef gan bregethwyr o Fangor a Bethesda a lleoedd eraill. Costiodd y capel 160p., a bu ei ddyled yn faich arno yn hir. Lled isel fu yr achos yma am dymor maith; ond siriolodd yn fawr yn adeg y diwygiad yn 1860. Adeiladwyd yma gapel newydd yn y flwyddyn 1863, ac y mae ynddo gynnulleidfa fechan weithgar. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Griffith Roberts, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yma Medi 18fed, 1870. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar Natur Eglwys gan Mr. D. Griffith, Portdinorwig; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. R. W. Griffith, Bethel; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. W. Griffith, Amana; ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Williams Beulah. Mae Mr. Roberts yn parhau i lafurio yma. Cyfodwyd yma ddau bregethwr.

  • John Senner. Urddwyd ef yn Llansantffraid. Bu farw yn Bethesda rai blynyddau yn ol.
  • Owen Price. Ymadawodd at y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, gyda y rhai y mae etto.

* Llythyr Mr. O. Jones, Ebenezer.

Preaching occurred here before the end of the last century. We heard the venerable Mr. Williams, Troedrhiwdalar saying that he preached here during the first year of this present century.  Mr. D. Roberts, when he lived in Tynewydd, Pentir, often preached here, although we do not know exactly where.  In 1831 a chapel was built here, in the area called Rhiwlas, in the parish of Llanddeiniolen. It was called Peniel.  Mr. Griffith, Bethel, mainly cared for the place through the years, but was assisted by preachers from Bangor and Bethesda and other places.  The chapel cost £160, and the debt was a burden for a long time.  The cause was weak for a long time; but things improved during the time of the revival in 1860. A new chapel was built in 1863, and there is a small, hard working congregation.  Mr. Griffith Roberts, a student from Bala college, received a call and he was ordained here on September 18th, 1870.  On the occasion Mr. D. Griffith, Portdinorwig preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. R. W. Griffith, Bethel; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel; Mr. W. Griffith, Amana preached to the minister; and Mr. D. Williams Beulah preached to the church.  Mr. Roberts contines to labour here.

Two preachers were raised here.

  • John Senner.  He was ordained in Llansantffraid.  He died in  Bethesda some years ago.
  • Owen Price.  He left for the Calvinist Methodists, where he still resides.

 

308

CWMYGLO

(Llanrug parish)

Y prif offeryn i gychwyn yr achos yma oedd David Jones, Alltgoch, yr hwn a symudasai yma o ardal Ebenezer. Nid oedd yn aelod eglwysig, ond yr oedd yn Annibynwr selog. Dechreuwyd trwy gadw ysgol o dy i dy, yn Rhagfyr, 1852; a chan nad oedd yr un crefyddwr yn perthyn iddi nid oedd neb i ddechreu a diweddu trwy weddi. O gylch yr amser hwnw daeth Mr. Hugh Hughes (Tegai) i fyw i Pantifan, a deuai yn achlysurol i bregethu yma; a deuai Mr. Roberts, Caernarfon, hefyd yma weithiau. Cafwyd gwasanaeth ystafell perthynol i Glanydon Arms, a symudwyd yr ysgol a'r pregethu yno. Ffurfiwyd yma eglwys, ac unodd David Jones a'i deulu a hi ar ei chorpholiad, a pharhaodd yn weithgar tra y bu byw. Penderfynwyd cael capel yn y lle. David Jones a John Owen, Llwyncoed, oedd y prif offerynau i hyny. Yr oedd Gwen Owen, Llwyncoed, yn un o hen aelodau Llanrug, a chan eu bod yn deulu cyfrifol buont o gefn mawr i'r achos. Agorwyd y capel Tachwedd 18fed a'r 19eg, 1854. Aeth y draul yn 144p., a chasglwyd 30p. cyn yr agoriad. Bu yma un John Williams yn pregethu ac yn cadw ysgol dros dymor. Cafwyd yma yn adeg y diwygiad ychwanegiad mawr at yr eglwys, a llwyr ddilewyd dyled yr hen gapel. Ar sefydliad Mr. D. Oliver yn Llanberis, cymerodd ef ofal yr eglwys, ac efe oedd y gweinidog cyntaf a fu yma. Gan fod yr hen gapel yn agenu oblegid fod y ddaear dano yn ymollwng, penderfynwyd cael capel newydd mewn man mwy cyfleus. Cafwyd tir yn nghanol y pentref. Adeiladwyd y capel newydd yn y flwyddyn 1865. Costiodd  900p. Bu ei godiad yn achos o lawer o bryder, a thrwy y naill beth a'r llall bu yn hir heb ei gwblhau. Gorfu ar Mr. Oliver roddi yr eglwys i fyny oblegid fod y ddau gapel yn Llanberis yn gofyn ei holl lafur, ac y mae yr eglwys yn awr heb weinidog. Aeth yr achos gynt trwy lawer o helbulon, a byddai mân ymrysonau yn aml yn tori ar gysur yr eglwys; ond y mae pethau er's blynyddoedd wedi gwella yn fawr; a gellir disgwyl y bydd yma achos blodeuog.

Bu yma un Robert Jones yn pregethu am dymor, ond ychydig a bregethodd y tu allan i'r eglwys hon. Symudodd i Bentir, lle y bu farw y flwyddyn ddiweddaf.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Jan 2010)

David Jones, Alltgoch, who moved here from the Ebenezer area, was the main instrument for the inception of this cause.  He wasn't a church member but he was a zealous Independent. The cause started by holding a school from house to house, in December, 1852; and since there wasn't a priest who belonged to the cause there was no-one to start or end the service in prayer.  Around that time Mr. Hugh Hughes (Tegai) came to live in Pantifan, and he came to preach here occasionally; and Mr. Roberts, Caernarfon, came here sometimes too.  They obtained the services of a room in the Glanydon Arms, and the school and preaching services moved there.  A church was formed here, and  David Jones and his family joined it at its inception, and he continued to be hard working for the rest of his life.  It was decided to build a chapel there.  David Jones and John Owen, Llwyncoed, were the main instruments for this.  Gwen Owen, Llwyncoed, was one of the old members from Llanrug, and since  she was from a responsible family they were a great support for the cause.  The chapel opened on November 18th and 19th, 1854. The cost was £144, and £30 was collected before the opening.  One John Williams preached here and ran a school for a while. During the revival the church received a great many members and the debt on the old chapel was completely paid off.  On his ordination in Llanberis, Mr. D. Oliver took over the care of this church, and he was the first minister here.  Since the old chapel sagged as the land under it collapsed, it was decided to build a new chapel in a more convenient place. They obtained land in the middle of the village.  The new chapel was built in 1865. It cost  £900.  Its building caused much concern, and what with this and that it was a long time before it was finished.  Mr. Oliver had to give up the church because the two chapels in Llanberis were demanding his whole labour, and the church now has no minister. The cause had suffered many troubles, and little squabbles would break the peace of the church; but over the years thing have greatly improved; and a flourishing cause is expected.

One Robert Jones preached here for a while, but he preached very little outside this church.  He moved to Pentir, where he died last year.

 

  

LLANBERIS

 Dechreuwyd pregethu yma yn nhy un Thomas Closs, gan Dr. A. Jones, Bangor, a Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel. Derbyniwyd dau neu dri o'r ardal yn aelodau yn y Waunfawr; ac erbyn y flwyddyn 1829, yr oeddynt wedi cynyddu i naw o nifer, a ffurfiwyd hwy yn eglwys gan Mr. Griffith; Bethel. Aeth Meistri Griffith, Bethel, a Griffith, Caergybi, at T.A. Smith, Ysw., i ofyn am le i adeiladu capel yn rhywle tua chanol yr ardal. Derbyniodd y boneddwr hwy yn siriol, ac addawodd roddi lle yn agos i Gastell Padarn, ar les o 99 mlynedd, am swllt y flwyddyn o ardreth . Gosodwyd y gareg sylfaen i lawr yn y flwyddyn 1831, a phregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Mr. Caledfryn Williams. Agorwyd y capel Hydref 10fed a'r 11eg, 1832. Costiodd y capel a'r tai perthynol iddo 600p, a chyfrifid ef y pryd hwnw yr addoldy harddaf yn y wlad. Galwyd ef Jerusalem. Bu  Mr. Edward Rees, wedi hyny o Bryn Seion, yma dros ychydig. Y

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flwyddyn ar ol agor y capel daeth Mr. Rees Philpot Griffith, myfyriwr o'r Neuaddlwyd, yma i gadw ysgol, ac urddwyd ef i fod yn weinidog Mai 15fed, 1834. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar Natur Eglwys gan Mr. E. Davies, Llanrwst. Holwyd y gweinidog gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch. Dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel. Pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. Ll. Samuel, Bethesda. Bu Mr. Griffith yma yn dra defnyddiol a llwyddianus am fwy na phedair blynedd, a gadawodd yr eglwys yn 1838, i fyned i Bwllheli mewn gwedd addawol iawn. Yn y flwyddyn 1840, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Williams, yr hwn a fuasai yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa Caerfyrddin, ac urddwyd ef yma; ond ni bu ei arosiad yma and byr, ac yr oedd yr achos yn mhell o fod yn gysurus yn y tymor hwnw. Symudodd i Lanelli, sir Frycheiniog. Bu yr eglwys ar ol hyny am fwy nag ugain mlynedd heb weinidog sefydlog, a thrwy gydgyfarfyddiad gwahanol amgylchiadau disgynodd yr achos yn isel iawn. Aeth nifer fawr o'r aelodau ar un adeg gyda'u gilydd i America. Bu Meistri D. Hughes, B A., (Tredegar wedi hyny,) pan yn cadw ysgol yn Mangor, a D. Williams, Garth, Bangor, yn dyfod yma yn fisol ar wahanol adegau, ac yr oedd eu gweinidogaeth yn dra derbyniol.

Teimlid fod cynydd y boblogaeth, a'r angen am wasanaeth Saesonig yn yr haf, yn galw am gael gweinidog sefydlog; a rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Oliver, myfyriwr o athrofa Spring Hill, Birmingham, ac urddwyd ef Chwefor 17eg, 1864. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar nutur eglwys gan Mr. D. Griffith, Portdinorwig; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Griffith, Amana; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. Roberts. Caernarfon; pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog gan ei frawd. Mr. H. Oliver, B.A Pontypridd, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog. Mae Mr. Oliver wedi llafurio yma hyd yn awr gyda mesur helaeth o lwyddiant. Adeiladwyd capel newydd hardd mewn cwr arall o'r ardal, ac aeth mwy na phedwar ugain o Jerusalem yno. Talwyd dyled y capel oedd wedi bod yn hongian yn faich trwm arno am ddeugain mlynedd; a chafwyd cyfarfod Jubili i lawenhau fod y ddyled wedi ei thalu Chwefror 15fed, 16eg, a'r 17eg, 1873.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethn yn yr eglwys hon.

  • Samuel Jones. Urddwyd ef yn Maentwrog, a bu farw yn nghanol ei lwyddiant. Yr ydym wedi gwneyd cofnodiad am dano yn nglyn a'r eglwys yno.
  • Griffith Jones. Urddwyd ef yma yn 1853, ar ei fynediad i America, lle y mae etto.
  • William Phillip Williams. Bu yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa Aberhonddu, a bwriadai fyned i Awstralia i wasanaethu, ond cymerwyd ef yn glaf o'r frech wen, a bu farw. Yr oedd yn ddyn ieuangc a fawr hoffid gan bawb, ac yn bregethwr sylweddol.
  • Griffith Williams. Urddwyd ef yn Rhosllanerchrugog, a bu farw yn ienangc. Daw ei hanes yno dan ein sylw.
  • John Rowland Roberts. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Caerfyrddin, ac urddwyd ef yn Aberhosan, lle y mae etto.
  • Robert Roberts. Mae yn awr yn weinidog yn Henryd.

Mae yr hen frawd John Pritchard yma yn hen bregethwr yn nglyn a'r eglwys, ac o fewn ychydig flwyddi i gant oed.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (April 2012)

Preaching started here in the house of one Thomas Closs, by Dr. A. Jones, Bangor, and Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel. Two or three from the area were accepted in Waunfawr; and by 1829, the numbers had increased to nine, and they were formed into a church by Mr. Griffith; Bethel. Messrs Griffith, Bethel, and Griffith, Holyhead, went to see T.A. Smith, Esq., to request a place on which to build a chapel, somewhere towards the centre of the area. The gentleman received them cordially, and promised to give them a place close to Padarn castle, on a lease of 99 years, at a rate of a shilling a year. The foundation stone was set in 1831 and Mr. Caledfryn Williams preached on the occasion. The chapel was opened on October 10th and 11th, 1832. The chapel and the associated houses cost £600, and at that time it was considered to be the most beautiful house of worship in the country. It was called Jerusalem. Mr. Edward Rees, after that from Bryn Seion, was here for a while.

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The year after the chapel was opened Mr. Rees Philpot Griffith, a student from Neuaddlwyd, came here to run a school, and he was ordained as minister on May 15th, 1834. On the occasion Mr. E. Davies, Llanrwst preached on the nature of the church. The questions were asked of the minister by Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch. The ordination prayer was given by Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel. Mr. W. Jones, Amlwch, preached to the minister and Mr. Ll. Samuel, Bethesda to the church. Mr. Griffith stayed here usefully and successfully for more than four years, and he left the church in 1838, to move to Pwllheli with promise. In 1840, a call was sent to Mr. John Williams who was a student in Carmarthen college, and he was ordained here; but his stay here was very short, and the cause was far from comfortable during that time. He moved to Llanelli, Breconshire. The church was without a settled minister for more than twenty years after that, and because of different circumstances the cause became very low. At one time, a large number of members left for America together. Messrs D. Hughes, B A., (later from Tredegar,) when he ran a school in Bangor, and D. Williams, Garth, Bangor, came here monthly on odd occasions, and their ministry was very acceptable.

It was felt that the increase in the population, and the need for a service in English in the summer, called for a settled minister; and a call was sent to Mr. David Oliver, a student from Spring Hill college, Birmingham, and he was ordained on February17th, 1864. On the occasion Mr. D. Griffith, Portdinorwig preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr. W. Griffith, Amana; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. D. Roberts. Caernarfon; his brother, Mr H. Oliver, B.A. Pontypridd, preached to the minister, and Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog preached to the church. Mr. Oliver has laboured here up till now with a measure of great success. A fine, new chapel was built in another corner of the area, and more than 80 of Jerusalem went there. The debt that had been hanging over them as a great burden for forty years was paid; and a Jubilee meeting was held to show their joy that the debt had been paid on February 15th, 16th, and 17th, 1873.

The following persons were raised to preach in this church.

  • Samuel Jones. He was ordained in Maentwrog, and died in the midst of his success. We have recorded him in the history of that church.
  • Griffith Jones. He was ordained here 1853, on his departure for America, where he still resides.
  • William Phillip Williams. He was a student in Brecon college, and he had intended going to Australia, but he was taken ill from smallpox, and died. He was a young man who was liked by everyone, and a substantial preacher.

 

310

NANTPADARN

(Llanberis parish)

Wrth weled cynydd mawr mewn adeiladu, a'r tebygolrwydd mai yma y byddai canolbath y boblogaeth, penderfynodd Mr. Oliver a'r eglwys yn Jerusalem i adeiladu yma gapel newydd. Codwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1868, ac aeth yr holl draul yn 1827p. Mae yn gapel helaeth a chyfleus, yn cael ei lenwi yn dda, ac eglwys unol a gweithgar ynddo. Baich y ddyled sydd yn gwasgu yn drwm ond gwneir ymdrech yn awr i symud ymaith ran fawr o honi. Cynhelir yma wasanaeth Saesonig bob haf er cyfleustra i'r lluaws dyeithriaid o bob cwr sydd yn tynu yma i fwynhau y golygfeydd rhamantus o gylch, ac i yfed awelon adfywiol y mynyddoedd. Gan nad yw yr achos ond ieuangc, nid oes unrhyw ddigwyddiad neillduol yn nglyn ag ef i'w gofnodi. Cynhaliwyd Cymanfa sir Gaernarfon am y flwyddyn 1871 yma, ac yr oedd y cynnulliadau oll dan arwyddion o wenau y Nefoedd.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Oct 2009)

With the great increase in building, and the likelihood that this is where the centre of the population would be, Mr. Oliver and the church in Jerusalem decided to build a new chapel here. It was built in 1868, and the whole debt was £1827. It is an extensive and convenient chapel, which is well filled, with a united and hard working church in it.  The burden of the debt is very pressing but an effort is being made now to remove a great deal of it.  An English service is held every summer for the convenience of the multitude of strangers from all corners who hoard here to enjoy the romantic views around us, and to drink in the revitalizing breezes from the mountains.  Since the cause is still young, there is no specific event to note.  Caernarfonshire Cymanfa (assembly) was held here in 1871, and all the assemblies were under the signs of Heaven's smile.

 

DOLYDDELEN

(Dolwyddelan parish)

Mae Dolyddelen yn un o'r llanerchau mwyaf swynol yn y wlad. Mae ar ochr ddeheuol Arfon, ac yn terfynu ar siroedd Meirionydd a Dinbych, ac y mae y mynyddoedd uchel yn sefyll o'i amgylch i'w gysgodi. Er mai ardal fechan, fynyddig, neillduedig ydyw, etto y mae enwogrwydd wedi ei osod ar y fro oblegid mai yma y ganwyd ac y magwyd rhai o dywysogion y pulpud Cymreig. Y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd a gafodd yr afael cyntaf ar yr ardal, ond y mae yr Annibynwyr yn pregethu yma yn achlysurol er dechreu y ganrif bresenol. Arferai Mr. Azariah Shadrach gyrchu yma yn yr adeg yr arosai yn Llanrwst, a thalai swllt i hen wraig yn y pentref bob tro y deuai yma am gael pregethu wrth ddrws ei thý. Morris Jones, Chwarel, oedd un o'r rhai cyntaf i bregethu yma gydag un math o gysondeb. Pregethai mewn lle a elwir Mynhadog. Bu pregethu hefyd yn Brynmoel, Fron, a'r Ffridd. Meistri D. Robert, Bangor; D. Griffith. Bethel; E. Davies, Trawsfynydd; J. Roberts, Capel Garmon; W. Williams, Wern; Robert Daniel, ac eraill yma. Ffurfiwyd yr eglwys yma yn y Ffridd gan Mr. Roberts, Bangor, yr hwn hefyd a weinyddodd ar y cymundeb cyntaf. Nis gallasom gael allan i sicrwydd pa bryd y bu hyn ond yr oedd ryw bryd cyn y flwyddyn 1817, canys yr oedd yn flaenorol i'r diwygiad mawr, fel ei gelwid, ac yn y flwyddyn hono y  torodd y diwygiad hwnw allan .##[see after p312]  Profodd y gynnulleidfa fechan yma oddiwrth

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effeithiau y diwygiad grymus hwnw. Teimlent ar ol hyn fod eisiau lle i adeiladu capel atnynt, ond buont hyd y flwyddyn 1826 heb ei gael. Mr. John Roberts, Capel Garmon, a ofalai yn benaf am danynt yn yr adeg yma. Cafwyd tir ar les o gant ond un o flynyddoedd, a chostiodd yr adeilad o gylch 150p. Agorwyd ef Tachwedd 2i1, 1826. Yn mhen blynyddoedd rhoddodd Mr. Roberts ei weinidogaeth i fyny, ac ymddibynai yr eglwys ar gynorthwy y gweinidogion cylchynol. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Jones, Llystyn, pregethwr cynorthwyol perthynol i Bethesda; ac urddwyd ef yma yn y flwyddyn 1839. Nid arosodd yma yn hir. Symudodd i Benmorfa, ac wedi hyny ymfudodd i America. Ar ol bod am rai blynyddau heb weinidog rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Evan Lewis, o Lanwrthwl, ac urddwyd ef yma Awst 30ain, 1849. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar Natur Eglwys gan Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog; holwyd y gweinidog gan Mr. P. Griffith, Llanrwst; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. T. Edwards, Ebenezer; pregethwyd i'r aweinidog gan Mr. T. Evans, Llanwrthwl, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel. Llafuriodd Mr. Lewis yma am bum' mlynedd nes y symudodd i Carmel, Languwg, sir Forganwg, ac wedi hyny ymfudodd i Awstralia. Yr oedd dyled yn aros ar y capel er yr adeiladwyd ef, ond yn y flwyddyn 1851 penderfynwyd llwyr ddileu y ddyled. Yr oedd yr achos erbyn hyn wedi cryfhau yn fawr, a phendeifynwyd cael capel newydd. Agorwyd ef yn mis Medi, 1860. Aeth y draul yn 400p., ond erbyn Mawrth, 1870, yr oedd y ddyled.............

312

........wedi ei llwyr ddileu. * Rhoddwyd galwad.i Mr. Richard Mawddwy Jones, Bagillt, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1870. Mae yma achos blodeuog, a'i afael yn myned gryfach gryfach yn yr ardal o flwyddyn i flwyddyn.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yma.

  • John Pritchard. Mae yn awr yn Llanberis, ac wedi cael byw i oedran teg.
  • Richard Jones. Yn Ebenezer yr aeth i'r gyfeillach, ond yma y dechreuodd bregethu. Mae yn awr yn Llanidloes.
  • John Williams, Caecoch. Mae yn weinidog yn Salem, Llanbedr.
  • David Owen. Coedmor. Ymfudodd ef i America.
  • William Giiffith. Treuliodd ei oes yn Nolgellau, ac yr ydym wedi rhoddi gair o grybwylliad am dano yn nglyn a'r eglwys yno.
  • William Evans. Bu farw rai blynyddoedd yn ol yn Bagillt, Bydd genym ychydig i'w ddywedyd am dano pan ddeuwn at yr eglwys yno.

Yr ydym wedi crybwyll am eraill a fagwyd yma yn nglyn a'r eglwysi lle y dechreuasant bregethu.

* Llythyr Mr. Thomas Williams, Fron

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##(p310) Cymerir yr hanes a ganlyn allan o bregeth ar "Ddiwygiad Crefyddol" gan Mr. Thomas, Liverpool a gyhoeddwyd yn 1859, ac awdurdod yr awdwr dros ei chywindeb ydyw Mr John Williams, Caecoch, yr hwn a anwyd ac a fagwyd yn y Fron, Dolyddelen.
"Rhyw ychydig gyda deugain mlynedd yn ol yr oedd yr achos Annibynol yn cychwyn yno mewn tý bychan, a elwid y Fron. Ymwelid a'r lle yn achlysurol gan bregethwyr enwog y dyddiau hyny, ac yn mhlith eraill daeth Mr Williams, o'r Wern, heibio. Am ei fod yn wr enwog a'i fam yn Fethodist, ac yn gyfeillgar a John Williams, hen flaener, a hen bregethwr parchus wedi hyny gyda'r Methodistiaid, gwthoddwyd ef i gapel y Methodistiaid i bregethu. Yr oedd hyny yn beth pur hynod y pryd hwnw, pan nad oedd y teimlad brawdol sydd yn bresenol rhwng y ddau enwad pwysig yma. Pregethai Mr. Williams oddiar y geiriau hyny, 'Os chwychwi gan hyny, a chwi yn ddrwg, a fedrwch roddi rhoddion da i'ch plant chwi, pa faint mwy y rhydd eich Tad o'r nef yr Ysbryd Glân i'r rhai a ofynant ganddo.' A'r mater y pregethai arno oedd gwaith yr Ysbryd Glân. Ymdriniai a natur ei waith - yr angenrheidrwydd am dano

-y sicrwydd y ceir ef. &c., ac wedi ymdrin a'r mater yn athrawiaethol, tröai yn ei ddull syml at y bobl, a dywedai, 'Wel, beth fyddai i chwi gytuno i'w gael o. Dydach chwi ddim ond rhyw ddau enwad bach yma, beth feddyliech chwi am ei gael o i achub y plwy yma o'i gwr. Ië, ond sut y cawn ni o? Wel unwch a'ch gilydd i gynal cyfarfod gweddi yma. Dechreuwch yn un pen i'r plwy, ewch o dý i dý, ac i bob tý lle y cewch chwi ddrws agored, ac mi wn nad oes yma yr un tý nad agora ei ddrws i gyfarfod gweddi. Gwnewch hyny yn neges i bob gweddi am i Dduw ddod yma i achub. Os na bydd o wedi dod erbyn i chwi fynd trwy y plwy unwaith, ewch rownd wedi hyny; ond os byddwch chwi o ddifri yn ei chylch hi chwech chwi ddim mynd i haner y plwy unwaith na bydd Duw wedi dwad atoch.' Yr oedd yno hen ferch ddigrefydd yn gwrando, ac yn meddwl y gwnai y crefyddwr bob peth a ddywedai y pregethwyr; aeth i siop John Williams, prynodd ddwy ganwyll, gwell na'r canwyllau brwyn fyddai hi yn arfer losgi, fel y byddent yn barod erbyn i'r cyfarfod gweddi ddyfod i'w thý. Wythnos ar ol wythnos yn myned heibio - dim son am dano ; mis ar ol mis yn pasio - dim byd yn debyg iddo. Yn mhen rhyw flwyddyn galwodd yr hen ferch yn siop John Williams a gofynai, 'Pryd yr ydach chi yn myned i gael y cwarfod gweddi hwnw?' ' Pwy gwarfod gweddi, dwad?' 'Ond y cwarfod gweddi hwnw ddeudodd Mr. Williams, o'r Wern, oedd i fod o dý i dý yma.' 'Pwy dydyn nhw yn malio dim mwy beth ddeudith Williams, Wern, wel di, na peth ddeudai ina.' 'Wel wir, rydw i wedi prynu dwy ganwyll yn ych siop rwan ers blwyddyn, gan ddysgwyl i chi ddwad, ac wedi myned i'r gwely lawer noson yn y twllwch heb i cynu nhw, rhag ofn i chi ddod, a finau heb yr un ganwyll.' 'Yr wyt ti' 'Ydw wir.' 'Wel wir y mae bai mawr arnom ni.' Y noson hono aeth John Williams i'r society, crybwyllodd y peth wrth y cyfeillion, a phenderfynwyd siarad a'r ychydig oedd yn y Fron yn addoli. Erbyn iddynt ddyfod at eu gilydd, gwelwyd fod yno ddigon i gynal dau gyfarfod gweddi; a phenderfynwyd i un fintai ddechreu yn un pen i'r plwyf, a'r llall yn y pen arall i'r plwyf, gan obeithio cyn y buasent wedi cyfarfod, y buasai Duw wedi dyfod atynt. Ar y pryd yr oedd diwygiad nerthol wedi tori allan yn Beddgelert, cymydogaeth gyfagos; aeth dau o fechgyn gwyllt Dolyddelen tuag yno gyda amcan i gael sport wrth weled y bobl yn neidio; ond fe dorwyd ar eu sport, ymaflodd Ysbryd Duw yn eu calonau, a dychwelasant dan neidio a moli Duw eu hunain. Daeth un o'r ddau ar ol hyn yn 'weinidog cymhwys y Testament Newydd' Goddeithiodd y fflam yn mlaen i Dolyddelen - dadseiniai y bryniau cylchynol gan sain gweddi a mawl- death crefydd yn destyn siarad cyffredinol, ac ychwanegwyd ugeiniau o bobl i'r Arglwydd. Ac yn y diwygiad hwnw y death 'y tywysog a'r gwr mawr hwnw yn ' Jones, Llanllyfni, at grefydd; ac un o'r geiriau a ddywedai John Jones pan yn myned i lawr i ddyfnder yr afon oedd, 'Mae yr hen gyfamod wnes I a Duw rhwng creigiau Dolyddelen er's deugain mlynedd yn ol yn dal yn saff heddyw.' "

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Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Oct 2009)

Dolyddelen is one of the most charming glades in the country. It is on the south side of Arfon, and borders on the counties of Merioneth and Denbigh, and the high mountains stand around it to shelter it. Even though it is a small, mountainous area, set apart, yet its fame has elevated it since it was here that some of the princes of the Welsh pulpit were born and raised. The Calvinist Methodists first took a hold of the area, but the Independents preached here occasionally since the beginning of this century.  Mr. Azariah Shadrach used to come here when he stayed in Llanrwst, and he paid an old lady in the village a shilling every time he came here in order to preach in front of her house. Morris Jones, Chwarel, was one of the first to preach here with anything like regularity. He preached in a place called Mynhadog. There was preaching in  Brynmoel, Fron, and Ffridd.  Messers D. Robert, Bangor; D. Griffith,  Bethel; E. Davies, Trawsfynydd; J. Roberts, Capel Garmon; W. Williams, Wern; Robert Daniel, and others came here. A church was formed here in Ffridd by Mr. Roberts, Bangor, who also officiated at the first communion. We cannot find out accurately when this was but it was sometime before 1817, since it was before the great revival, as it was called, and in that year the revival broke out. ##[see footnote after p312] This small congregation experienced

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the effects of that powerful revival.  After this they felt that they needed a place to build a chapel, but they did not have one until 1826. Mr. John Roberts, Capel Garmon, was the main one to care for them during this time. Land was obtained on a lease of ninety-nine years, and the building cost about £150.  It was opened on November 2nd, 1826.  After some years Mr. Roberts gave up his ministry, and the church depended on the help of ministers from the area. A call was sent to Mr. William Jones, Llystyn, a lay preacher belonging to Bethesda; and he was ordained here in 1839.  He did not stay here long.  He moved to Penmorfa, and after that he emigrated to America. After spending some years without a minister a call was sent to Mr. Evan Lewis, from Lanwrthwl, and he was ordained here on August 30th, 1849. On the occasion Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog preached on the Nature of the church; the questions were asked of the minister by Mr. P. Griffith, Llanrwst; the ordination prayer was given by Mr. T. Edwards, Ebenezer; Mr. T. Evans, Llanwrthwl preached to the minister, and Mr. D. Griffith, Bethel preached to the church.  Mr. Lewis laboured here for five years until he moved to Carmel, Llanguwg, Glamorganshire, and after that he emigrated to Australia.  A debt remained on the chapel since its erection, but in 1851 it was decided to completely eradicate it.  The cause had by now strengthened greatly, and they decided to build a new chapel.  It was opened in September, 1860. The debt came to £400, but by March, 1870, the debt.............

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........ had been completely deleted. * A call was sent to Mr. Richard Mawddwy Jones, Bagillt, and he started on his ministry here before the end of 1870. There is a flourishing cause here, and its hold is stronger and stronger on the area from year to year.

* A letter from Mr. Thomas Williams, Fron

The following persons were raised to preach here.

  • John Pritchard. He is now in Llanberis, and has lived to a fair age.
  • Richard Jones. He went to the fellowship in Ebenezer, but it was here he started preaching. He is now in Llanidloes.
  • John Williams, Caecoch. He is a minister in Salem, Llanbedr.
  • David Owen. Coedmor. He emigrated to America.
  • William Griffith. He spent his life in Dolgellau, and we have mentioned him in connection with that church.
  • William Evans. He died some years ago in Bagillt. We will have something to say about him when we get to that church.

We have mentioned others who were raised here in connection with the churches where they started preaching.

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##(Footnote p310) The following history is taken from a sermon on "Diwygiad Crefyddol" (Religious Revival) by Mr. Thomas, Liverpool which was published in 1859, and Mr John Williams, Caecoch, who was born and raised in Fron, Dolyddelen, attested to its accuracy."Some forty years ago the Independent cause started there in a small house, called the Fron.  Famous preachers of those days visited there, and amongst others Mr Williams, from the Wern, came along. Since he was a famous man and his mother was a Methodist, and friendly with John Williams, an old deacon, and a respected old preacher after that with the Methodists, he was refused permission to preach to the Methodists.  That was an unusual thing at that time, when no fraternal feelings existed between those two important denominations.  Mr. Williams preached from these words, 'If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!' And his subject was the work of the Holy Spirit.  He dealt with the nature of his work - the need for him

-the assurance he would have. &c., and after dealing with the matter in a doctrinal way, he would turn in his simple manner towards the people, and say, 'Well, what if you agree to accept it. You are nothing but two little denominations here, what would you think about achieving it to save the parish from its corner.  Yes, but how would we get it? Well unite together to hold a prayer meeting here. Start at one end of the parish, go from house to house, and to every house where you get an open door, and I know there isn't one house that would not open its door to a prayer meeting. Make that a message in every prayer that God comes here to save. If He hasn't come by the time you've gone through the parish once, go around again; but if you are earnest enough about it you will not go half way through the parish before God comes to you.' There was an old unreligious woman listening, who thought that the faithful would do everything the preachers said; she went to John Williams' shop, bought two candles, better ones than the rush-candles she usually burnt, so that they were ready for the prayer meeting to come to her house. Week after week went by - no sign of them; month after month passing - nothing like them. After about a year the old woman called in John Williams' shop and asked, 'When are you going to hold that prayer meeting?' ' What prayer meeting?' 'That prayer meeting Mr. Williams, from the Wern, said was to be from house to house here.' 'They don't care what Williams, Wern, says, nor what I say.' 'Well really, I bought two candles in your shop a year ago, expecting you all to come, and have gone to bed many a night in darkness and not lit them, in case you came, and I would not have a candle at all.' 'Did you' 'Yes I did.' 'Well really, we are at fault here.'  That evening John Williams went to the society, he mentioned the matter to the friends, and it was decided that they should talk to the few who were worshipping in the Fron.  By the time they came together, it was noted that there were enough people to hold two prayer meetings; and it was decided that one group should start from one end of the parish, and the other at the other end of the parish, hoping that before they met, that God would come to them.  At the time a powerful revival had broken out in Beddgelert, a nearby neighbourhood; two of Dolyddelen's naughty boys had gone there with a view to having fun watching the people jumping; but their fun came to an end, God's Spirit took hold of their hearts, and they returned home jumping and praising God themselves. One of the two became a 'qualified minister of the New Testament' after this. The flame was set onwards to Dolyddelen - the surrounding hills echoed with the sound of prayer and praise - religion became a general talking point, and scores of people were added for the Lord.  And in that revival the 'prince and great man' Jones, Llanllyfni, came to the faith; and one of the words that John Jones said when going down to the depths of the river was, 'The old covenant I made with God between the rocks of Dolyddelen forty years ago is still safe today.' "

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BETTWSYCOED

Ymddengys mai Mr. A. Shadrach oedd y cyntaf o'r Annibynwyr i bregethu yn yr ardal hon. Pregethwyd llawer yn Glynlledoer, Pantyrhyddod, Tynewydd, Pentre du, ac Ysgubor y Pyllau. Coflëir gan rai sydd etto yn fyw am Meistri Williams, o'r Wern, a Davies, Trawsfynydd, yn pregethu ar un prydnawn Sabboth yn Ysgubor y Pyllau. Bu pregethu lled gyson yn y Pentre du am flynyddoedd, ac y mae rhai sydd yn fyw yn cofio yn dda y drafferth a gafwyd i gasglu digon o arian i dalu am helaethu ffenestri tý Hugh Roberts, er gwneyd y lle yn fwy cyfleus at addoli. Adeiladwyd y capel cyntaf yma trwy lafur William Hughes, Gartherydd, Daeth ef oddiwrth y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd trwy briodi un o aelodau yr eglwys Annibynol yn Maentwrog; ond dychwelodd eilwaith at ei hen frodyr. Agorwyd y capel yn y flwyddyn 1842. Bu yr achos fel llin yn mygu am amser maith, a'i ddyled yn pwyso yn drwm arno; ac o dan y baich y buwyd hyd y flwyddyn 1868. Bu y lle mewn cysylltiad a Dolyddelen, dan weinidogaeth Meistri W. Jones ac E. Lewis, ac wedi hyny mewn cysylltiad a Threfriw dros dymor gweinidogaeth Mr. J. R. Williams. Yn y flwyddyn 1868, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Thomas Evans, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yn weinidog i'r eglwys hon a'r eglwys yn Siloam, Capel Garmon, Medi 29ain a'r 30ain, y flwyddyn hono. Gweinyddwyd yn y ddau le gan Meistri R. Thomas, Bangor; R. W. Roberts, Pentrefoelas; J. Williams, Caecoch; M. D. Jones, Bala; D. Price, America; O. Evans, Llanbrynmair, a D. Evans, Rhosymedre (brodyr yr urddedig); W. Roberts, Liverpool; a J. Peter, Bala. Mae Mr. Evans yn parhau i lafurio yma gyda graddau dymunol o lwyddiant. Teimlodd y cyfeillion fod yr hen gapel yn rhy fychan, ac yn hollol anheilwng o'r llanerch brydferth y safai ynddo a'r adeiladau hardd o'i gylch Adeiladwyd yma gapel newydd gwych dros ben, gydag ysgoldy eang odditano, a thý helaeth yn nglyn ag ef. Costiodd y cwbl 1200p., ac y mae 520p. o'r ddyled wedi ei thalu, ac y mae ysbryd penderfynol yn yr eglwys i lwyr ddileu y gweddill. Rhoddodd y boneddwyr haelionus Samuel Morley,

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Ysw., A.S., a Syr Titus Salt, 100p. bob un ato. Mae yr eglwys yn rhifo yn awr 90 o aelodau.* Yn mysg amryw sydd wedi bod yn ffyddlon i'r achos yma dylid crybwyll yn arbenig am Robert Roberts, Pool Mine, aelod gwreiddiol o un o eglwysi Mr. Williams, o'r Wern. Daeth yma yn oruwchwyliwr ar wraith mwn. Efe fu y prif offeryn i gadw y drws yn agored yma am flynyddoedd; ac o'i ddyfodiad yma hyd ei farwolaeth nid oedd neb a deimlai yn fwy dros yr achos yn ei holl ranau. Bu farw yn fuan wedi codi y capel presenol, ond y mae ei goffadwriaeth yn perarogli yn yr ardal hyd y dydd hwn.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Oct 2009)

It appears that Mr. A. Shadrach was the first Independent to preach in this area. A great deal of preaching took place in Glynlledoer, Pantyrhyddod, Tynewydd, Pentre du, and Ysgubor y Pyllau. Some who are still alive remember Messrs Williams, from the Wern, and Davies, Trawsfynydd, preaching on one Sunday afternoon in Ysgubor y Pyllau. Preaching took place fairly regularly for years in Pentre du, and some who are still alive remember the trouble they had to raise enough money to pay for extending the windows of Hugh Roberts' house, to make it a more convenient place for worship. This first chapel was built through the labour of William Hughes, Gartherydd.  He came from the Calvinist Methodists by marrying one of the members of the Independent church in Maentwrog; but he returned again to his old brothers. The chapel opened in 1842. The cause was like a smoking taper for a very long time, with its debt a heavy burden on him; and they were under this burden until 1868. The place was connected with Dolyddelen, under the ministry of  Messrs W. Jones and E. Lewis, and after that in connection with Trefriw during the term of Mr. J. R. Williams' ministry. In 1868, a call was sent to Mr. Thomas Evans, a student from Bala college, and he was ordained as a minister of the church and the church in Siloam, Capel Garmon, on September 29th and 30th, that year. In both places Messrs R. Thomas, Bangor; R. W. Roberts, Pentrefoelas; J. Williams, Caecoch; M. D. Jones, Bala; D. Price, America; O. Evans, Llanbrynmair, and D. Evans, Rhosymedre (the brothers of the ordained); W. Roberts, Liverpool; and J. Peter, Bala officiated. Mr. Evans continues to labour here with a degree of success. The friends felt that the old chapel was too small, and quite unworthy of the beautiful glade it stood upon and the fine buildings around it.  An excellent new chapel was built here, with a schoolroom underneath it, and a large house connected to it. The total cost was £1200, and £520 of the debt has been paid, and there is a determined spirit in the church towards deleting the rest of the debt. The generous gentleman, Samuel Morley,

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Esq., M.P., and Sir Titus Salt, gave £100 each towards it. The church now has 90 members.*  Amongst several who have been faithful to this cause we should mention especially Robert Roberts, Pool Mine, an original member of one of Mr. Williams, from the Wern's church. He came here as an overseer in the mineral works. He was the main instrument in keeping the door open here for years; and from his arrival here until his death no-one felt more for the cause in all its parts. He died soon after the present chapel was built, but his memory fragrances the area till this day.

*Mr. T. Evans, Bettwsycoed's letter.

TREFRIW

Dechreuwyd pregethu yma cyn diwedd y ganrif ddiweddaf mewn lle a elwir Cwmanog, o fewn haner milldir i'r prentref. Meistri W. Hughes, Bangor; B. Jones, Pwllheli ; J. Powell, Rhosymeirch; J. Griffith, Caernarfon ; a W. Hughes Brynbeddau, oeddynt yr Annibynwyr cyntaf a bregethodd yn y broydd hyny. Wedi dyfodiad Mr. Daniel Evans i Fangor, cyrchai yntau yn fynych i'r ardal, a thrwy ei gymhelliad ef y death Mr. Azariah Shadrach i lafurio yn y wlad yma, ac urddwyd ef yn Llanrwst yn y flwyddyn 1802. Daeth Mr. Shadrach i fyw i Drefriw, a chymerodd hen weithdy yn y pentref gan un o'r enw David Owen, dan ardreth o ddau gini yn y flwyddyn, er mwyn pregethu a chadw ysgol ynddo. Dyma yr addoldy cyntaf yn y lle. Mesurai bymtheg troedfedd wrth ddeg troedfedd, ac nid oedd ond tua saith troedfedd o uchder. Nid oedd ond Mr. Shadrach ei hun a thair chwaer yn proffesu crefydd yn y lle. Jane Thomas, Cwmanog; Mary Groom, ac un arall nad yw ei henw genym. Teimlai Mr. Shadrach awydd mawr am gael un dyn atynt, a mawr oedd ei lawenydd pan ddaeth Rowland Hughes, Tynycoed, i mewn atynt. Nid oedd y lle y pregethid ynddo ond gwael iawn, ac aeth yn fuan yn rhy gyfyng, oblegid yr oedd doniau poblogaidd Mr Shadrach yn tynu sylw mawr. Helaethwyd pum' troedfedd yn ei led trwy dyna i lawr y palis coed oedd rhyngddo a'r fynedfa wrth ei ochr, ac ychwanegu hono ato. Darlunir y capel fel hyn gan un a fu ynddo lawer gwaith, - "Gallasai dyn byr gyrhaedd ei fargod y tu allan. Un ffenestr oedd iddo, ac nid oedd hono yn dair troedfedd bob ffordd na phosibilrwydd i'w hagor i ollwng ychydig o awyr i mewn. Yr oedd tair rhan o bedair o'r llawr yn bridd ac yn bantiau a brynian mawrion. Byddai y bobl fyrion yn ymdrechu eu goreu i sefyll ar y bryniau, a'r rhai tal yn tosturio wrthynt fynychaf trwy sefyll yn y pantiau. Palmant oedd y rhan arall o'r llawr, sef llawr yr entry, ac felly y cafodd fod ar hyd y blynyddoedd am ei fod yn rhagori ar y rhan. arall, ac yn dal wrth ei ysgubo heb fyned yn dyllog." +  Gorfodwyd y gynnulleidfa i aros yma am ddeuddeng-mlyneddl-ar- hugain oblegid nas gallesid cael tir i adeiladu ei well. Llufuriodd Mr. Shadrach yma a thrwy yr holl wlad  yn ddyfal, fel y cawn achlysur i sylwi pan ddeuwn at hanes Llanrwst, hyd y flwyddyn 1806, pryd y symudodd i Dalybont, sir Aberteifi.

Bu yr eglwys yma ar ol hyny yn dibynu ar gynorthwy gweinidogion a phregethwyr y sir ac eraill hyd y flwyddyn 18l0, pryd yr urddwyd  Mr. Lewis Powell, myfyriwr o athrofa Gwrecsam, yn Llanrwst, Medi 21ain, y flwyddyn hono. Bu Mr. Powell yma yspaid tair blynedd yn lled lwydd-

*Llythyr Mr. T. Evans, Bettwsycoed.       + Mr. Henry Jones, Tanycelyn.

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ianus, ac yna symudodd i'r Crwys, gerllaw Abertawy. Y flwyddyn ganlynol daeth Mr. Peter Griffith, myfyriwr o athrofa Gwrecsam yma, ac urddwyd ef yn Llanrwst. Nid oedd nifer yr aelodau yma ar ei ddyfodiad ond tua dwsin, ond yn y flwyddyn 1820 cafwyd yma ddiwygiad grymus, pryd yr ychwanegwyd amryw at yr eglwys. Ymadawodd yn y flwyddyn 1824 i Penyclawdd, gerllaw Abertawy. Yn y flwyddyn 1826, daeth Mr. Evan Davies (Eta Delta), myfyriwr o'r Drefnewydd, i gymeryd gofal yr achos yn Llanrwst, Trefriw, a Nantyrhiw. Urddwyd ef Chwefror 8fed, 1827. Gwnaed llawer cynyg o bryd i bryd i gael tir i adeiladu y capel, ond yn aflwyddianus hollol hyd y flwyddyn 1832. Dichon nad annyddorol fyddai talfyriad o hanes yr amgylchiadau o dan ba rai y llwyddwyd. Yr oedd y tir yn eiddo Arglwydd Willoughby De Eresby, ac yr oedd pob cais wedi ei wneyd trwy ei oruchwylwyr. Un diwrnod daeth ei Arglwyddiaeth i Drefriw i weled rhai o'i denantiaid, a chyfarfyddodd. Mr. Hugh Hughes, Tynewydd, ag ef yn ymyl yr hen gapel. Er nad oedd Mr. Hughes yn aelod yr oedd yn selog dros yr achos, a meddyliodd mai dyma yr adeg i gael sylw y boneddwr at y capel. Ceisiodd ganddo droi i mewn i'w weled, ac wedi myned i mewn ceisiodd ganddo fyned i'r pulpud; ac wedi ei gael yno gofynodd " Pa fodd yr hoffai efe bregethu i lond y capel o'r fath le,?" Atebodd ei Arglwyddiaeth, "nad oedd yn gyfaddas mewn un modd, a bod yn rhaid iddynt gael ei estyn cyhyd arall." Diolchodd Mr. Hughes yn fawr iddo, a phenderfynwyd yn ddioed i chwalu yr hen gapel, ac adeiladu un newydd. Aed at ei oruchwyliwr i ofyn caniatad i'w godi yn uwch, ond gwrthodwyd hyny; ni cheid ei godi na'i ledu, ond yn unig estyn ei hyd. Yr unig beth gan hyny oedd i'w wneyd oedd ei suddo i lawr ryw lathen i'r ddaear, a rhoddi llawr coed arno, a gris i fyned i lawr o'r dews iddo, yr hyn a barodd i lawer un dyeithr gael cam gwag. Gwnaed ef yn ddeuddeg llath wrth chwech oddifewn, ac eisteddleoedd drwyddo, ac er ei fod yn tra, rhagori ar yr hen dý etto yr oedd yn mhell o fod yn un cysurus i bregethu a gwrando ynddo. Wedi cael capel newydd penderfynwyd cael cymundeb yn rheolaidd yn y lle, oblegid hyd yn hyn yr oedd pawb yn myned i Lanrwst i gymundeb. Yn y flwyddyn 1834, ymadawodd Mr. Davies i Lanerchymedd. Wedi hyny yn 1836, daeth Mr. Lewis Everett, Llangwyfan, yn weinidog i'r tair eglwys, a bu yma hyd y flwyddyn 1844, pryd y dychwelodd yn ol i Langwyfan. Bu ei weinidogaeth ef yma ar un adeg yn dra llwyddianus. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Everett bu yr eglwys am yn agos i chwe' blynedd heb weinidog, hyd y flwyddyn 1850, pryd y rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. W. Caledfryn Williams i ddyfod yma o Aldersgate Street, Llundain. Yn mhen blwyddyn wedi ei ddyfodiad torwyd y cysylltiad rhwng yr eglwys hon a Llanrwst, yr hwn oedd wedi parhau er cychwyniad yr achos. Ar ol bod flynyddoedd yn amddifad o weinidog rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John E. Williams, gwr ieuangc o Lanegryn, ac urddwyd ef yma Chwefror lleg, 1857. Pregethwyd ar Natur Eglwys gan Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog. Holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. W. Roberts, Pentrefoelas. Dyrchalwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Davies, Henryd. Pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. J. Owen, Llanegryn, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. R. Thomas, Bangor. Byr fu tymor ei weinidogaeth ef yma. Yn 1859, rhoddodd yr eglwys i fyny ac aeth i Lanrwst i fyw, lle y terfynodd ei yrfa yn y flwyddyn 1865.

Yn y flwyddyn 1860, llwyddwyd trwy gynorthwy Lewis Pugh, Ysw.,  Dolgellau, i gael ychydig o dir er adeiladu capel newydd. Dechreuwyd

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addoli ynddo Mawrth 31ain, 1861. Mae yn dý cryf a hardd, yn mesur 42 troedfedd wrth 30 troedfedd. Costiodd 560p., ond y mae ei ddyled oll wedi ei thalu. Yn Rhagfyr 1864, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Griffith, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef Ebrill 19e, 1865. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar Natur Eglwys gan Mr. H. Ellis, Corwen. Holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd. Dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. W. Griffith, Llanharan (tad yr urddedig). Pregethwy i'r gweinidog gan Mr. H. Oliver, B.A., ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. J. Roberts, Conwy. Mae Mr. Griffith wedi llafurio yma hyd yn awr, ac y mae golwg lwyddianus ar yr achos.

Codwyd yma ddau bregethwr.

  • William Roberts, Garth. Yr ydym eisioes wedi cyfeirio ato yn hanes Groeslon, Mon.
  • Griffith Jones, Talyllyn. Bu farw heb bregethu ond ychydig.*.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Dec 2009)

Preaching started here before the end of the last century in a place called Cwmanog, within half a mile of the village. Messrs W. Hughes, Bangor; B. Jones, Pwllheli ; J. Powell, Rhosymeirch; J. Griffith, Caernarfon ; and W. Hughes Brynbeddau, were the first Independents to preach in those vales.  After the arrival of Mr. Daniel Evans in Bangor, he often travelled to the area, and with his encouragement Mr. Azariah Shadrach laboured in this country, and he was ordained in Llanrwst in the year 1802.  Mr. Shadrach came to live in Trefriw, and he took an old workshop in the village from one David Owen, under a rent of two guineas a year, in order to run a school in it.  This was the first house of worship in the place.  It measured fifteen feet by ten feet, and it was only seven feet in height.  Only Mr. Shadrach himself and three sisters professed their faith in the place.  Jane Thomas, Cwmanog; Mary Groom, and one other whose name we do not have.  Mr. Shadrach felt a great need to add one man to the company, and his joy was great when Rowland Hughes, Tynycoed, came to them. The place where preaching took place was very poor, and it soon became too small, because Mr Shadrach's popular gifts attracted much attention. It was extended by five feet in width through pulling down the wooden partition that was between it and the entrance by its side, and adding that onto it. The chapel was described by one who had been inside it many times, - "A short man could reach the eaves on the outside. It had one window only, and that one was just three feet square and it was impossible to open it to let a little fresh air in.  Three quarters of the floor was of soil and was very undulating.  The short people tried their best to stand on the hills of the undulations, and the tall ones usually took pity on them and stood in the valleys.  The other part of the floor, the floor of the entrance, was paved and was left as it was over the years as it was better than the other part, and by brushing remained so without becoming full of holes." + The congregation had to stay here for thirty two years because they could not obtain land to build a better building.  Mr. Shadrach laboured diligently here and throughout the whole country, as we will see when we come to the history of Llanrwst, until the year 1806, when he moved to Talybont, Ceredigion.

After that, this church depended on the support of the ministers and preachers of the county and others until the year 18l0, when  Mr. Lewis Powell, a student from Wrexham college, in Llanrwst, was ordained on September 21st , that year.  Mr. Powell stayed here for just three years quite successfully

+ A letter from Mr. Henry Jones, Tanycelyn.

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and he then moved to Crwys, near Swansea. The following year  Mr. Peter Griffith, a student from Gwrecsam came here, and he was ordained in Llanrwst.  There were no more than a dozen members here when he arrived, but in 1820 there was a powerful revival here, when several were added to the church. He left in  1824 for Penyclawdd, near Swansea.  In 1826, Mr. Evan Davies (Eta Delta), a student from Newtown, came to take care of the cause in Llanrwst, Trefriw, and Nantyrhiw.  He was ordained on February 8th, 1827.  Many bids were made from time to time to obtain land to build the chapel, but they were unsuccessful until  1832.  Perhaps an abbreviated story of the circumstances of its success might not be uninteresting.  The land belonged to Lord Willoughby De Eresby, and all claims had been made through his overseers.  One day his Lordship came to Trefriw to see some of his tenants, and he met Mr. Hugh Hughes, Tynewydd, near the old chapel. Even though Mr. Hughes was not a member he was zealous for the cause, and he thought that this was the time to bring the chapel to the gentleman's attention.  He attempted to draw him inside to see, and once inside he enticed him into the pulpit; and once he got him there he asked " How would he like to preach to a full chapel like this?" His Lordship answered, "that it was not suitable at all, and that it needed to be extended again."  Mr. Hughes thanked him greatly, and it was decided immediately that the old chapel should be demolished, and a new one built. They went to the overseer to request permission to build it higher, but the request was refused; they were not allowed to raise the roof nor to widen it, but to extend its length only.  The only thing to do then was to dig down about a yard into the ground, and to put a wooden floor on it, and a step to go down into it, which many a stranger lost his footing on.  It was built as twelve yards by six within the building, with seating throughout, and even though it far excelled on the old building it was a long way from being comfortable to preach and to listen in. Once they had a new chapel it was decided to hold a regular communion in the place, because up till then everyone went to Llanrwst to communion. In 1834, Mr. Davies left for Llanerchymedd. After that in 1836, Mr. Lewis Everett, Llangwyfan, came as the minister over the three churches, and he was here until 1844, when he returned to Llangwyfan. His ministry was at one time very successful.  After  Mr. Everett left, the church was without a minister for close to six years, until 1850, when a call was sent to Mr. W. Caledfryn Williams to come here from Aldersgate Street, London. Within a year of his arrival the connection between this church and Llanrwst was severed. It had been in existence since the beginning of the cause. A call was sent out to Mr. John E. Williams, a young man from Llanegryn after years of being without a minister, and he was ordained here on February 11th, 1857. Mr. W. Ambrose, Porthmadog preached on the nature of the church.  The questions were asked by Mr. W. Roberts, Pentrefoelas.  The ordination prayer was given by Mr. J. Davies, Henryd. Mr. J. Owen, Llanegryn preached to the minister, and Mr. R. Thomas, Bangor preached to the church. His ministry here was short.  In 1859, he gave up the church and went to Llanrwst to live, where he ended his career in 1865.

In 1860, with the help of Lewis Pugh, Esq.,  Dolgellau, they succeeded in obtaining some land to build a new church. They began worshipping

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there on March 31st, 1861.  It is a strong, fine house, measuring 42 feet by 30 feet.  It cost £560, but the whole debt has been paid.  In December 1864, a call was given to Mr. William Griffith, a student from Brecon college, and he was ordained in April 19th, 1865. On the occasion Mr. H. Ellis, Corwen preached on the nature of the  church.  The questions were asked by Mr. H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd.  The ordination prayer was given by Mr. W. Griffith, Llanharan (the ordained's father). Mr. H. Oliver, B.A preached to the minister and Mr. J. Roberts, Conwy preached to the church.  Mr. Griffith has laboured here until now, and there is a successful air to the cause.

Two preachers were raised here.

  • William Roberts, Garth. We have already referred to him in the history of  Groeslon, Anglesey.
  • Griffith Jones, Talyllyn.  He died before he'd preached for long.*

*Most of the above history was taken from a paper in the possession of  Mr Griffith, Tref-rhiw, which was read by him in the quarterly meeting in Bontnewydd, September 23rd, 1866.

 

SALEM, LLANBEDR

(Llanbedr-y-cennin parish)

Mae y capel yma yn ardal Llechweddisaf, yn mhlwyf Llanbedr-y-cenin. Dyma yr addoldy Ymneillduol cyntaf a godwyd yn y parth yma o'r wlad. Bu rhai o'r Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn cyd-addoli a'r Annibynwyr cyn iddynt godi capel iddynt eu hunain. Dechreuwyd yr achos yn Mhorthllwyd, tua rnilldir a haner yn nes i Drefriw. Mae yr hen dý, i'w weled etto, ond ei fod mewn adfeilion. Nid oedd ond tý bychan tô gwellt, yr agosaf at Gonwy i bont Porthllwyd. John a Grace Jones oedd enwau yr hen bobl oedd yn byw yma y pryd hwnw. Yr oedd Mr. A. Shadrach. Mr. T. Evans, Bangor, Mr. W. Hughes, Brynbeddau, a Mr. J. Griffith, Caernarfon, yn mysg y rhai a bregethent yma y pryd hwnw, ac nid oes sicrwydd pa un a'i Mr Shadrach a'i Mr. Griffith a ffurfiodd yr eglwys yma, ond beinir i hyny gymeryd lle yn fuan ar ol y flwyddyn 1803. Adeiladwyd capel yma yn y flwyddyn 1808. Galwyd ef Salem. Prynwyd y tir am 20p. gan Owen Williams, Bronygadair, a dyddiad y weithred ydyw Awst 20fed, 1808. Mesurai wyth llath wrth ddeuddeg, ac yr oedd y drws yn ei dalcen, a'r pulpud yn ei ochr. Y prif ofteryn i godi y capel oedd Mr. William Jones, myfyriwr o Athrofa Gwrecsam, yr hwn a ddaethai i'r ardal i lafurio ar gais Mr. Jones o Gaer, a'r hwn yn benaf oedd yn ei gynal. Agorwyd y capel yn rhydd o ddyled, ond cafwyd yr holl help i hyny trwy lafur Mr. Jones gan gyfeillion oddi allan. Dywed Elizabeth Roberts, Tynycae, yr aelod hynaf yn yr eglwys, i Mr. Jones gael 60p. gan ryw foneddiges at y capel, ond nid yw yn gwybod ei henw, na pha le yr oedd yn byw. Urddwyd Mr. W. Jones yma yn y flwyddyd 1809, a thueddir ni i feddwl mai ar yr un adeg yr agorwyd y capel. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri J. Lewis, Wrecsam; G. Lewis, Llanuwchllyn; T. Jones, Dinbych; W. Williams, Wern; J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair; a J. Lewis, Bala. Bu yr achos yn hir fel llin yn mygu yn nghanol tywyllwch y wlad. Yn y flwyddyn 1819 nid oedd nifer yr aelodau ond deunaw, a menywod oeddynt gan mwyaf. Am dymor bu Mr. Thomas Jones, wedi hyny o Benmynydd, Mon, yma yn cadw ysgol, ac yn pregethu yn gynorthwyol i Mr. W. Jones, gan fod maes ei lafur yn cyrhaedd oddiyma hyd Lanfairfechan. Bu Mr. Jones yn byw yn yr ardal

*Cymerwyd y rhan fwyaf o'r hanes uchod allan o bapur o eiddo Mr Griffith, Tref-rhiw, a ddarllenwyd ganddo yn nghyfarfod Chwarterol Bontnewydd, Medi 23ain, 1866.

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yma hyd y flwyddyn. 1816, pryd y symudodd i Dwygyfylchi i fyw, ond parhai i ofalu am yr eglwys yma fel o'r blaen hyd nes y cymerodd Mr. Lewis Lewis ofal yr eglwys hon mewn cysylltiad a'r Henryd. Urddwyd ef yn Henryd, Medi 14eg, 1825. Darfu ei gysylltiad a'r eglwys hon rai blynyddau cyn iddo ymadael a Henryd. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Price, o Lanwrtyd, ac urddwyd ef yma Hydref 28ain, 1830. Gweinyddodd Meistri E. Davies, Llanrwst; J. Roberts, Capel Garmon; ac A. Shadrach ar yr achlysur. Ni bu yma yn hir; symudodd i Dalybont, Sir Frycheiniog; ond cyn hir gwaelodd ei iechyd, a bu farw. Bu yr eglwys ar ol hyn am flynyddoedd heb neb i'w bugeilio, hyd nes y llwyddasant i gael gan Mr. John Williams, Caecoch, i gymeryd eu gofal. Urddwyd ef yma Gorphenaf, 1840. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri J. Roberts, Capel Garmon; W. Jones, Dolyddelen; L. Everett, Llanrwst; a W. Thomas, Dwygyfylchi. Bu dyfodiad Mr. Williams yma yn adfywiad mawr i'r achos. Lluosogodd y gynnulleidfa, a derbyniwyd amryw o'r newydd. Ad-drefnwyd y capel, yr hwn oedd wedi myned yn adfeiliedig. Tua'r flwyddyn 1850 helaethwyd ef drwy estyn pedair llath at ei hyd. Cafwyd mynwent hefyd, a thalwyd 20p. ithalwyd 20p. i William Williams, Tydu, am y tir. Aeth yn rhy gyfyng drachefn, fel y bu raid estyn pedair llath arall ato tua'r flwyddyn 1861, a gwnaed eisteddleoedd ar godiad o'r tu ol i'r pulpud. Cyn pen deng mlynedd drachefn penderfynwyd cael capel newydd mewn man mwy cyfleus yn yr ardal. Rhoddwyd y tir yn rhad gan deulu Tydu. Mae yn gapel hardd a chryf, gwerth 800p , ac eistedda 400 o bersonau ynddo. Agorwyd ef Mai 28ain a'r 29ain, 1872. Mae Mr Williams yn parhau i lafurio yma gyda derbyniad mawr, ac y mae yr achos mewn cystal gwedd ag y gwelwyd ef ar un adeg yn ei hanes.

Bu yma lawer o ffyddloniaid yn nglyn a'r achos o'r dechreuad. Coffheir yn barchus am Ann Rodric, yr hon oedd yn nodedig am ei duwioldeb; a llawer gwaith y rhoddodd fywyd o orfoledd yn y cyfeillachau crefyddol gan mor angerddol oedd ei theimlad. Robert Roberts, Caetail, oedd Gristion nodedig. Yr oedd yn gadarn yn yr ysgryrhyrau, a bu o wasanaeth mawr fel cerddor. John Williams, Felin; Richard Thomas, y Gell; a William Dafydd, Bwlchycae, oeddynt yn golofnau yr achos yn mysg y to cyntaf. Dafydd Jones, Ty Capel, oedd gymeriad hollol wreiddiol, ac y mae adgofion difyrus am ei atebion ai ddywediadau ffraethbert ar gof llawer o bregethwyr a ymwelent â'r lle yn ei dymor. Yr oedd ganddo ofal mawr am yr achos. Bu farw yn mis Ionawr, 1860, yn 73 oed.*

Codwyd yma ddau bregethwr.

  • Thomas Roberts. Addysgwyd ef yn Athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yn Llanddeusant, Mon, lle y mae etto.
  • John A. Davies. Dygwyd ef i fyny yn Athrofa y Bala, ac y mae yn gweinidogaethu yn Nantglyn, Rhiw, a Llansanan., lle yr urddwyd ef.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Dec 2009)

This chapel is in the area of  Llechweddisaf, in the parish of  Llanbedr-y-cenin.  This is the first non-conformist house of worship to be raised in this district.  Some of the Calvinist Methodists were worshipping alongside the Independents before they built a chapel for themselves.  The cause started in  Porthllwyd, about a mile and a half closer to Trefriw.  The old house is still to be seen, but it is a ruin. It was just a little thatched house, the nearest to Conwy to the bridge at Porthllwyd.  John and Grace Jones lived here at that time.  Mr. A. Shadrach. Mr. T. Evans, Bangor, Mr. W. Hughes, Brynbeddau, and Mr. J. Griffith, Caernarfon,  were amongst the ones who preached here at the time, but it is not certain whether it was Mr. Shadrach or Mr. Griffith who formed a church here, but it is considered that this took place soon after 1803.  This chapel was built in 1808. It was called Salem.  The land was bought for £20 by Owen Williams, Bronygadair, on August 20th, 1808.  It measured eight yards by twelve, with the door at the gable end, and the pulpit at the side.  The main protagonist for the building of the chapel was Mr. William Jones, a student from Gwrecsam college, who came to the area to labour at the request of  Mr. Jones from Chester, who was its main supporter.  The chapel opened, free of debt, but  all this came about through the labour of  Mr. Jones by friends outside the church.  Elizabeth Roberts, Tynycae, the oldest member in the church said, that Mr. Jones received £60 from some lady towards building the chapel, but she did not know her name, nor where she lived.  Mr. W. Jones was ordained here in 1809, and we tend to think that the chapel was opened at the same time. Messrs J. Lewis, Wrecsam; G. Lewis, Llanuwchllyn; T. Jones, Denbigh; W. Williams, Wern; J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair; and J. Lewis, Bala officiated at the service.  The cause lasted a long time as a taper smoking in the darkness of the country.  In 1819 there were eighteen members only, and most of them were women. For a while Mr. Thomas Jones, after this from Penmynydd, Anglesey, came here to run a school, and to preach occasionally for  Mr. W. Jones, since his field of labour reached from here to Llanfairfechan.  Mr. Jones lived in this area

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until 1816, when he moved to Dwygyfylchi to live, but he continued to care for this church as before until Mr. Lewis Lewis took over the care along with Henryd.  He was ordained in Henryd, September 14th, 1825.  His connection with this church came to an end some years before he left Henryd. A call was given to Mr. David Price, from Llanwrtyd, and he was ordained here on October 28th, 1830. Messrs E. Davies, Llanrwst; J. Roberts, Capel Garmon; and A. Shadrach officiated on the occasion.  He wasn't here long; he moved to Talybont, Breconshire; but before long his health deteriorated, and he died. The church then had no one to shepherd it for years, until they succeeded in obtaining Mr. John Williams, Caecoch, to take care of them.  He was ordained in July, 1840.  On the occasion Messrs J. Roberts, Capel Garmon; W. Jones, Dolyddelen; L. Everett, Llanrwst; and W. Thomas, Dwygyfylchi officiated. The arrival of  Mr. Williams brought a great revival to the cause here. The congregation multiplied, and many new people were accepted. The chapel was re-organised, since it had become a ruin. About 1850 it was extended by four yards in its length. A graveyard was added too, and £20 was paid to William Williams, Tydu, for the land.  Again, it became too small, so that another four yards had to be added to it in about 1861, and a sitting area was made on a risen part behind the pulpit.  Before ten years had passed again it was decided that a new chapel should be built in a more convenient place in the district.  The land was given freely by the  Tydu family. It is a beautiful, strong chapel, worth £800, and it holds 400 people. It was opened on May 28th and 29th, 1872.  Mr Williams continues to labour here with great acceptance, and the cause is in as good a condition as ever it was in its history.

There were many faithful connected to this cause from the start. We remember Ann Rodric respectfully, she was notable for her godliness; and many times she added living rejoicing to the religious fellowships as her feelings were so intense. Robert Roberts, Caetail, was a notable Christian.  He was strong in his appreciation of the scriptures, and he was of great service as a musician.  John Williams, Felin; Richard Thomas, y Gell; and William Dafydd, Bwlchycae, were pillars of the cause amongst the first generation. Dafydd Jones, Ty Capel, was a completely original character, and many preachers who visited the place during his time have memories of his humorous answers and his witty sayings.  He cared greatly for the cause. He died in January, 1860, at 73 years old.*

Two preachers were raised here.

  • Thomas Roberts. He was educated in Bala College, and was ordained in Llanddeusant, Anglesey, where he still resides.
  • John A. Davies. He was educated in Bala College, and he ministers in Nantglyn, Rhiw, and Llansanan, where he was ordained.

 *Mr. T. Roberts, Llanddeusant's article.

SOAR

(Llanbedr-y-cennin parish parish)

Cangen yw Soar o Salem. Sai ar fynydd uwchlaw Salem, yn nghyfeiriad Capel Curig. Adeiladwyd y capel cyntaf yn y flwyddyn 1828. Mesurai chwech llath ysgwar. Costiodd 80p. John Jones, Fachell, oedd  y  prif offeryn i'w godi. Yn 1867 codwyd yma gapel newydd mewn man

 *Ysgrif Mr. T. Roberts, Llanddeusant.

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mwy cyfleus a sychach na'r hen Soar. Mae yn wyth llath ysgwar. Costiodd 160p. Gweithiodd yr ardal yn dda gyda chodiad y capel newydd. Mae yma achos llewyrchus o'i faint, ac Ysgol Sabbothol weithgar. Mae y lle o'r dechreuad mewn cysylltiad a Salem, ac felly y mae yn parhau. Crybwyllir enwau Dafydd Owen, Caregyffordd; Rowland Jones, yr Hafod; a J. Roberts,  Pyllduhen, fel y rhai mwyaf blaenllaw gyda'r achos. Codwyd yma ddau bregethwr.

  • John Jones, Fachell. Dechreuodd bregethu yn 1841. Ymfudodd i America, lle y bu yn dra defnyddiol.
  • Evan Evans, Cwmeigia. Dyn da ydoedd, a phregethwr cymeradwy, Yr oedd yn aiddgar iawn fel dirwestwr. Bu farw yn nghanol ei ddyddiau, trwy ddamwain yn y gwaith, Ebrill 30ain, 1854, yn 37 oed. Claddwyd ef yn mynwent Salem.*

*Llythyr Mr. W. Griffith, Trefriw.  

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Dec 2009)

Soar is a branch of Salem.  It stands on a mountain above Salem, in the direction of Capel Curig.  The first chapel was built in  1828.  It measured six yards square.  It cost £80.  John Jones, Fachell, was the main instrument in raising it.  In 1867 a new chapel was raised in a more convenient and

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drier place than the old Soar.  It is eight yards square. It cost £160.  The area worked hard in the opening of the new chapel.  Of its size, there is a successful cause here, and the Sunday school is very hard working.  This place has, from the start, had a connection with Salem, and this continues.  The names of  Dafydd Owen, Caregyffordd; Rowland Jones, the Hafod; and J. Roberts, Pyllduhen, are mentioned as the most prominent in the cause.

Two preachers were raised here.

  • John Jones, Fachell. He started preaching in 1841. He emigrated to America, where he was very useful.
  • Evan Evans, Cwmeigia. He was a good man, and an approved preacher. He was an enthusiastic abstainer. He died in the flower of his days, as a result of an accident in the works, on April 30th, 1854, at 37 years old.  He was buried in Salem cemetery.*

*Mr. W. Griffith, Trefriw's letter.

BRWYNOG

(Siloh chapel, at Dolgarrog in Llanbedr-y-cennin parish)

Mewn amaethdai y cyfarfyddir yma i addoli er dechreuad yr achos. Mae mewn llanerch uchel, ryw dair milldir o Drefriw, heb fod yn mhell o lyn Cowlyd. Dechreuwyd cynal moddion crefyddol yma mor foreu a'r flwyddyn 1814, trwy offerynoliaeth Elin Jones, merch Cwmanog, yr hon a briododd â John Roberts, Brwynog Uchaf. Deuai aelodau Trefriw yma i gynal cyfarfodydd gweddio, ac yn achlysurol deuai rhai o bregethwyr cynorthwyol Bethesda yma i bregethu. Pan y byddai y tywydd yn rhy ystormus i gael pregethwr, nac i neb o Trefriw allu dyfod i fynu i gadw cyfarfod gweddi, cynhalient ysgol ddwywaith y Sabbath, oblegid nad oedd yma etto aelodau crefyddol i gynal y moddion. Yn y flwyddyn 1828 cafwyd yma ddiwvgiad grymus, ac yr oedd Robert Roberts, mab Brwynog Uchaf, a William Griffith, mab y Pant, yn mysg y dychweledigion cyntaf. Mae y blaenaf yn awr yn ddiacon yn Nhrefriw, ac heb golli gwres ei gariad cyntaf. Ffurfiwyd yma eglwys o ugain neu bump ar hugain o aelodau, ac y mae yr achos yn parhau yma hyd yn awr. Symudwyd y moddion o'r Brwynog Uchaf, i'w gynal yn olynol yn y Brwynog Isaf, y Garegwen, a'r Pant; ond yn awr Brwynog Isaf yw cartref mwyaf cyffredin yr arch. Bu y lle yn hir dan ofal Mr. J. Williams, Caecoch; ond wedi iddo ef fethu cyrchu yma, Mr. Griffith, Trefriw, sydd yn gofalu yn benaf am y lle. Bu llawer o siarad am gael capel bychan i'r ardal, a hyderir y llwyddir i'w gael. Mae yma achos bychan siriol iawn; a'r gwanwyn diweddaf cafwyd yr hyfrydwch o dderbyn pedwar o ddynion ieuaingc yn gyflawn aelodau. +

 + Ysgrif Mr. T. Roberts, Llanddeusant.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2010)

From the beginning of the cause people would meet in farm buildings to worship.  It is in a high glade, about three miles from Trefriw, not far from Llyn Cowlyd (Cowlyd Lake). Religious services started here as early as 1814, Elin Jones, a daughter of  Cwmanog was instrumental in arranging this, she married John Roberts, Brwynog Uchaf.  The members of Trefriw came here to hold prayer meetings, and occasionally some of the lay preachers from Bethesda would come here to preach.  When the weather became too stormy for a preacher to come, or for anyone from  Trefriw to come to a prayer meeting, they held a school twice on the Sunday, since there weren't yet any members to hold the services.  In 1828 a powerful revival took place, and Robert Roberts, the son of Brwynog Uchaf, and William Griffith, the son of  the Pant, were amongst the first to return.  The former is now a deacon in Trefriw, but hasn't lost the heat of his first love. A church of twenty or twenty five members was formed, and the cause continues up to now.  The services were moved from  Brwynog Uchaf,  to be held in Brwynog Isaf,  Garegwen, and Pant; but now Brwynog Isaf is the usual home of the membership.  The place was under the care of Mr. J. Williams, Caecoch for a long time but when he failed to travel here, Mr. Griffith, Trefriw, generally takes the care. Many talk of building a small chapel for the area, and we are confident they will be successful. There is a small, very cheerful cause here; and last spring they had the joy of accepting four young men in full membership. +

  + Document from Mr. T. Roberts, Llanddeusant.

 

DWYGYFYLCHI

Ysgrifenwyd hanes yr achos yma gan y diweddar Mr. E. Edmunds, i'w ddarllen yn un o Gyfarfodydd Chwarterol y sir; a rhoddwn y rhan gyntaf ohono yma fel yr ysgrifenwyd ef ganddo. Mae wedi ei ysgrifenu yn goeth a gofalus, a bydd yn dda gan lawer ei ddarllen yn ei briod-ddull ef.

" Y mae yn ymddangos nad oedd pregethu rheolaidd gan yr Ymneillduwyr yn yr ardal uchod yn flaenorol i'r flwyddyn 1794. Ac fel y gallesid disgwyl yr oedd sefyllfa foesol a chrefyddol y trigolion oherwydd hyny yn dra isel, fel ag yr ydoedd yn y rhan fwyaf o ardaloedd y pryd

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hwnw. Nid oedd gan y bigolion nn fantais i ymwneyd a phethau crefydd nac i glywed yr efengyl, ond y cyfryw a geid yn eglwys y plwyf, ac oherwydd hyny yr oedd y bobl yn dra anwybodus a choelgrefyddol. Byddent ar ol dyfod allan o'r gwasanaeth eglwysig ar y Sabbothau yn ymroddi i chwareu pêl ar dalcen yr hen eglwys, ac i yfed a chyflawni gwahanol weithredoedd annuwiol eraill i ddiweddu y Sabboth. Cof genyf i un hen frawd ddywedyd wrthyf unwaith, fod nifer o bobl ieuaingc yn chwareu pêl ar dalcen yr eglwys un Sabboth wedi iddynt ddyfod allan o'r gwasanaeth boreuol, a phan yr oeddynt yn nghanol eu digrifwch ymddanghosodd yr hen frawd crefyddol Evan Thomas, Tyddyndu, iddynt, a gwaeddodd allan, ' Pa hyd ynfydion y cerwch ynfydrwydd?' a chafodd ei eiriau y fath ddylanwad arnynt hyd nes y dychrynasant ac y ffuisant ymaith, ac o hyny allan anfynych iawn y clywid eu swn yn chwareu yn y lle hwnw, a darfyddodd yr arferiad annuwiol yn llwyr yn dra buan. Yr aelodau cyntaf yn y lle uchod oeddynt Evan Thomas, Tyddyndu, a'i wraig Sarah Morris, ynghyd a Jane Thomas, chwaer i'r dywededig Evan Thomas. Ymddengys mai aelod yn eglwys Annibynol Beaumaris ydoedd Sarah Mortis cyn iddi ymbriodi ag Evan Thomas. Yr oeddynt yn arfer myned i Caegwigin bob mis i gvmundeb o dan weinidogaeth Mr. William Hughes. Y mae yn debyg mai mewn amaethdy o'r enw Trwynyrwylfa y bu pregethu cyntaf gan Ymneillduwyr yn y plwyf. Pan y deuai pregethwr o unrhyw enwad byddai yn cael rhoddi pregeth yn Trwynyrwylfa, ac yn cael llety iddo ei hun ai anifail yno. Eaw y tenant ydoedd William Jones, taid i Mr. William Jones, presenol o'r Brynmor, a Mrs. Hughes, Trwynyrwylfa. Ond pan dynwyd Trwynyrwylfa i lawr i'w ail-adeiladu yr oedd wedi tywyllu ar yr ychydig flyddloniaid am le i bregethu; ond yn y cyfwng fe ddaeth Evan Thomas yn mlaen ac addawodd ei dý sef Tyddyndu, at eu gwasanaeth, a chafodd ei recordio i'r pwrpas hwnw; ac yno y buwyd yn dwyn y gwaith yn mlaen hyd nos yr adeiladwyd yr hen gapel Annibynol cyntaf, yr hwn a alwyd yn Horeb. Ymddengys fod Horeb wedi ei adeiladu oddeutu y flwyddyn 1813. Sefydlwyd yr eglwys a ymgyferfydd yn Horeb yn yr amaethdy uchod, sef Tyddyndu, gan Mr. Daniel Evans, pan yn gweinidogaethu yn Mangor, a bu Mr. Evans yn gofalu yn flyddlawn am yr eglwys fechan hon, oblegid deuai yno yn fisol tra y bu yn aros yn Mangor. Byddai Mr. Evans yn arfer dyfod i weinyddu yr ordinhad o swpper yr Arglwydd yn fisol i Lanfairfechan, Henryd, a Dwygyfylchi, a phregethai yn y tri lle y Sabboth hwnw,  ond ymgyfarfyddent oll yn un o'r lleoedd  hyn i gymuno bob mis,a hyny ar gylch. Bu yr achos am rai blynyddoedd yn y lleoedd hyn, ar ol i Mr. Evans ymadael o Fangor, heb neb neillduol yn golalu am dano.  Rhyw un a ddeuai ar dro a fyddai yn gweinyddu yr ordinhadau. Yn mhen amser ar ol ymadawiad Mr. Evans ymunodd eglwys Dwygyfylchi â'r ychydig gyfeillion oedd yn Salem, Llanebedr; Henryd, a Llanfairfechan i roddi galwad i Mr. William Jones, yr hwn ydoedd y pryd hwnw yn efrydydd yn Athrofa Wrexham. Ac ar anogaeth Mr Jones o Gaer, a'i addewid i wneyd rhywbeth at ei gynal yn y lleoedd hyn, cydsyniodd a'u cais. Urddwyd ef i'r weinidogaeth yn Salem, Llanbedr, yn y flwyddyn 1809. Yr oedd i ofalu am y pedair eglwys uchod ar y cyntaf, a bu am flynyddoedd yn gwasanaethu iddynt ar ychydig iawn o gyflog, oherwydd fod yr eglwysi o dan ei ofal yn dra gweiniaid. Yr oedd yn byw yn ystod yr amser hwnw yn Salem, Llanbedr, ond symudodd o Salem i fyw i Dwy-

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gyfylchi oddeutu y flwyddyn 1816, a pharhaodd yr eglwysi o dan ei ofal fel o'r blaen hyd nes y daeth eraill i gymeryd gofal Salem a Henryd, ag y darfyddodd yr achos yn Llanfair. Erbyn hyn nid oedd ganddo ond Dwygyfylchi yn unig o dan ei ofal. Llafuriodd yn ddiwyd lawn yn yr ardaloedd hyn hyd y flwyddyn 1838, pryd yr analluogwyd ef i gyflawni ei swydd gan henaint a methiant, ac wedi rhoddi i fynu ei ofal eglwysig yn hollol treuliodd weddil1 ei oes yn yr ardal hon. Bu farw mewn tangnefedd ar y 13eg o Fai, 1849, yn 49 mlwydd oed.

" Ymddengys fod diwygiad wedi tori allan yn ystod gweinidogaeth Mr. Jones, oddeutu y flwyddyn 1834. Yr oedd cyfarfod blynyddol yn cael ei gynal y flwyddyn hono ar yr adeg arferol, ac ar ddiwedd y cyfarfod galwyd cyfeillach yn ol; Nid ymddanghosai fod neb wedi aros ar ol ar y cyntaf, ond tra yr oedd rhai o'r brodyr yn rhoddi gair o gynghor i'r eglwys, dyma ddrws yr addoldy yn cael ei agor, a dau o'r newydd yn dyfod i fewn o dan deimlad dwys oherwydd eu pechodau, ac yn dymuno cael aros yn y tý, a chael eu hymgeleddu gan Sion. Yr oeddynt wedi meddwl myned adref heb aros yn y gyfeillach y noswaith hono, ond aeth mor galed arnynt wedi iddynt fyned allan, fel y bu yn rhaid iddynt droi yn ol ac anturio i fewn, er yn ofnus a chrynedig. A gallwn fod yn sicr mai da iawn gan Sion eu gweled. Bu dyfodiad y rhai hyn, a dylanwad y cyfarfod hwnw, ynghyd â dylanwad y weinidogaeth feunyddiol, yn effeithiol i dueddu llawer eraill i droi eu hwynebau at yr Arglwydd, ac i ymofyn am le yn ei dý, ac enw yn mlith ei bobl. Nid oedd yr achos ond gwan mewn cydmariaeth yn flaenorol i'r amser hwn, ac nid oedd ond un dyn ieuangc yn perthyn i'r eglwys, ond chwanegwyd ar yr adeg hon lawer o ieuengctyd ac eraill at yr eglwys, a bu yn ddechreu cyfnod newydd yn hanes crefydd yn y plwyf. Y mae amryw o'r rhai a ymunodd y pryd hwnw yn aros etto gyda chrefydd, rhai wedi meirw, ac eraill wedi troi i'r byd ac wedi gadael yr achos goreu.

Wedi i Mr. Jones roddi ei ofal gweinidogaethol i fynu, rhoddodd eglwys. Horeb alwad yn y flwyddyn 1839 i Mr William Thomas, yr hwn a fuasai yn fyfyriwr yn Marton. "Cydsyniodd a'r alwad, a neillduwyd ef i'r weinidogaeth yn Horeb ar y 6ed o Awst, 1839, a gweinyddodd Meistri T. Griffith, Rhydlydan; H. Pugh, Mostyn; Ll. Samuel, Bethesda; Dr. Jones, Bangor; D. Price, Penbontfawr; W. Rees, Dinbych; ac amryw eraill. Bu Mr. Thomas yn aros yn Dwygyfylchi am rai misoedd cyn ei ordeinio, ac yn ystod y misoedd hyny torodd diwygiad nerthol allan a dychwelodd llawer iawn at yr Arglwydd. Ymddengys mai rhywbryd yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1839 y torodd diwygiad allan. Yr oedd Mr. Thomas yn pregethu un nos Sabboth gyda'i egni a'i ddifrifoldeb arferol, ac yr oedd yn eglur iawn fod dylanwad neillduol yn cydfyned a'r weinidogaeth, oblegid yr oedd yr effeithiau yn ddwys ac yn ddwfn lawn; ac ar y diwedd pan alwyd gyfeillach yn ol, yr oedd o ugain i ddeg-ar-hugain wedi aros ar ol. A'r noswaith hono, yn nghanol y llawenydd a'r gorfoledd mawr, yr atebodd Mr. Thomas yr alwad. Darfu i'r arwydd rhyfedd hwn fod llaw yr Arglwydd gydag ef ei gynorthwyo i ddyfod i benderfyniad i aros yn eu mysg, er mawr lawenydd i'r eglwys. Parhaodd y diwygiad. am rai misoedd yn dra nerthol, a chwanegwyd yr amser hwnw rai ugeiniau at grefydd yn y lle, ac y mae y rhan fwyaf o honynt yn aros hyd heddyw ac ar y blaen gyda'r achos goreu. Yr oedd yr achos yn dra gwan mewn cydmariaeth hyd yn bresenol, ond trwy y diwygiad hwn cafodd crefydd afael

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dra thyn ar yr ardalwyr, ac yn neillduol Annibyniaeth, ac y mae wedi cadw ar y blaen ar bob enwad arall yn y plwyf o hyny hyd yn bresenol. Yn amser Mr. Thomas yr ail adeiladwyd Horeb, sef yn y flwyddyn 1840. Yr oedd in werth oddeutu 300p; ond yn anffodus, yn fuan wedi iddo gael ei adeiladu digwyddodd fyned yn amser gwan iawn ar y gweithiau, ac oherwydd hyny gorfu ar lawer ymadael o'r ardal, yr hyn a barodd i'r cyfeillion fyned yn dra digalon, am fod dyled drom yn aros ar yr addoldy. Ond aeth Mr. Thomas i Lundain a manau eraill i gasglu ato, a bu yn dra llwyddianus, ac felly galluogwyd i fyned yn mlaen yn ddibrofedigaeth. Llafuriodd Mr. Thomas yn ddiwyd, ymdrechgar, a llwyddianus iawn yn y lle, ac yr oedd yn gryn brofedigiaeth ran yr eglwys ei golli pan yr ymadawodd i gymeryd gofal yr eglwys Annibynol yn Beaumaris yn y flwyddyn 1844.

Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Thomas, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. George Peurt, efrydydd yn Athrofa y Bala, yr hwn a urddwyd i'r weinidogaeth yno yn Awst, 1845. Yn mhen ychydig fisoedd ymaflodd yn ei gyfansoddiad, fel y y symudwyd ef cyn pen blwyddyn gan Arglwydd y cynhauaf oddiwrth ei waith at ei wobr. Cafodd yr eglwys golled neillduol yn marwolaeth Mr. Peurt, a hefyd yn fuan ar ol hyny yn symudiad yr hen frawd duwiolfrydig, ffyddlon, a selog, John Roberts, Cigydd, Nantyglyn, o'r wlad hon i America. Yr oedd yr hen frawd hwn yn enwog mewn duwioldeb, a thrwy hyny yr oedd ei ddylanwad yn fawr iawn mewn ystyr grefyddol ar drigolion y plwyf. Yr oedd wedi dechreu pregethu cyn iddo ymadael, ac ymwelodd a llawer o'r eglwysi cylchynol ychydig cyn ei ymadawiad, gan gynghori a phregethu; ac y mae adgofion melus o'r ymweliadau hyn yn aros yn fyw yn meddyliau llawer hyd y dydd hwn.Yr ydym yn deall hefyd na ddarfu croesi Môr y Werydd ddiffodd ei sel nac oeri ei cariad, ond gweithiodd yn America yr un mor ffyddlon a selog gydag achos ei Dduw ag yr yddoedd wedi gwneuthur yma, ac yn y diwedd machludodd haul ei fywyd yn ddisglaer i gyfodi mewn gwlad na fachluda yn dragywydd. Wedi marwolaeth Mr Peurt, rhoddodd eglwys Horeb alwad i Mr. Edward Stephen, efrydydd yn Athrofa v Bala, a neillduwyd ef i'r weinidogaeth yn haf y flwyddyn 1847. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri I. Jones,Llanrwst; M. Lewis, Bangor; W. Jones (yr hen weinidog); D. Griffith, Bethel; R Parry, Conwy; Ll.Samuel, Bethesda; a W. C. Williams, Caernarfon. Cyhoeddwyd y cyngor a rhoddwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. Parry, Conwy, yn y Dysgedydd am Medi, 1847. Llafurodd Mr. Stephen yn ddiwyd iawn gyda'r canu yn yr ardal, ac yn ei amser a thrwy ei ymdrechiadau ef codwyd y canu i sylw neillduol yn y lle.  Bu hefyd yn ymdrechgar iawn gyda'r ysgol Sabbothol, yr hon a ddygwyd i agwedd a chyflwr tra effeithiol yn ei amser, fel ag yr oedd yn ysgol Sabbothol luosog ac ymdrechgar. Yr oedd cyn ddyled yn aros ar Horeb pan y cymerodd Mr. Stephen ofal yr eglwys, ond trwy ei ymdrechion ef a'r eglwys, yr oedd wedi ei llwyr dalu cyn pen dwy flynewdd, oblegid yr ydym yn cael ei bod wedi ei symud ymaith yn llwyr tua dechreu y flwyddyn 1850. Ymddengys fod nifer yr aelodau yr amser yr ymgymerodd Mr. Stephen a'r weinidogaeth oddeutu 150, a bu cynydd graddol ar yr eglwys yn ei amser ef. Bu yn llafurus yn eu plith am oddeutu naw mlynedd, a symudodd yn y flwyddyn 1856 i gymeryd gofal yr eglwysi yn Carmel a Bethlehem. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Stephen, rhoddodd eglwys Horeb alwad i Mr. John Jenkins, efrydydd yn Athrofa Aberhonddu.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (April 2012)

 The history of this cause was written by the late Mr. E. Edmunds, to be read in one of the Quarterly Meetings of the county; and we place the first part of it here just as he wrote it. He has written carefully and clearly, and many will be pleased to read it in his own idiom.

"It apears that the non-conformists did not have regular preaching in this area before 1794. And as can be expected the moral and religious situation of the people as a result of this was quite low, as was the situation in most of the areas at that time.

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These residents did not have an advantage in dealing with religious things nor in hearing the gospel, except for the few who are found in the parish church, and therefore the people were ignorant and sacreligious. They would come out of the church service on Sundays and would play ball against the apex of the old church, and would drink and perform different ungodly deeds to end the Sabboth. I remember once being told by one old brother, that several young people were playing ball against the chapel apex one Sunday morning after coming out of the chapel after the morning service, and when they were in the middle of their fun the old religious brother Evan Thomas, Tyddyndu, appeared in front of them and he shouted out, 'How long will madmen love madness?' and his words had such an effect on them that they took fright and fled, and from that time it was very rarely that the noise of their playing was heard in that place, and the ungodly practice stopped completely soon after. The first members in the above place were Evan Thomas, Tyddyndu, and his wife Sarah Morris, along with Jane Thomas, the sister of the said Evan Thomas. It appears that Sarah Morris was a member of Beaumaris Independent church before she married Evan Thomas. They used to go to Caegwigin every month to communion under the ministry of  Mr. William Hughes. Apparently, it was in a farmhouse called Trwynyrwylfa that the non-conformists first started preaching. When a preacher of any denomination came he would be allowed to give a sermon in Trwynyrwylfa, and would have lodgings for himself and his animal there. The name of the tenant was William Jones, the grandfather of Mr. William Jones, at present from Brynmor, and Mrs. Hughes, Trwynyrwylfa. But when Trwynyrwylfa was pulled down to be rebuilt it looked dark for the few faithful for a place for preaching; but in the midst of their trouble came Evan Thomas and promised his house, Tyddyndu, for their service, and it was recorded for that purpose; and there the work carried on until the night the first old Independent chapel was built. It was called Horeb. It appears that Horeb was built around 1813. The church that met in Horeb in Tyddyndu farmhouse was formed by Mr. Daniel Evans, while he was ministering in Bangor and Mr. Evans cared for this little church faithfully, as he came here monthly while he stayed in Bangor. Mr. Evans used to come to administer the ordination of the Lord's supper monthly in Llanfairfechan, Henryd, and Dwygyfylchi, and he preached in those three places on that Sabboth, but they all met in one of those places to commune every month as a circuit. The cause stayed in these places for some years, after Mr. Evans left Bangor, with no specific person to care for it. Someone happening to pass by would minister the ordinations. In time after Mr Evans left, Dwygyfylchi church united with the few friends that were in Salem, Llanebedr; Henryd, and Llanfairfechan to send out a call to Mr. William Jones, who was at that time a student in Wrexham college. And, encouraged by Mr Jones from Chester, and his promise to do something towards supporting these places, he agreed to their offer. He was ordained to the ministry of Salem, Llanbedr, in 1809. He was to care for the four churches above at first, and he ministered to them for years on a very small amount of salary, because the churches under his care were very poor. He lived during that time in Salem, Llanbedr, but moved from Salem, to live in

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Dwygyfylchi around 1816, and the churches under his care continued as before until others came to care for Salem and Henryd, and the cause in Llanfair came to an end. By now he had only Dwygyfylchi alone under his care. He laboured diligently in these areas until 1838, when he was unable to complete his post by old age, and he gave up his church care completely. He spent the rest of his life in this area. He died in peace on May 13th, 1849, at 49 years old.

"It appears that a revival broke out during Mr Jones' ministry, around 1834. An annual meeting was being held that year at the usual time, and at the end of the meeting a fellowship meeting was called; it appears that nobody stayed after the first, but while some of the brothers were giving a word of advice to the church, the church  door opened, and two new people came in feeling very emotional because of their sins, and wanting to stay in the house to be upheld by Zion. They had thought of going home and not staying for the fellowship that night, but they felt so awful when they they went outside, that they had to turn back and venture in, even though they were afraid and shivering. And we can be quite sure that  Zion was glad to see them. The appearance of these, and the influence of that meeting along with the influence of the regular ministry was effective in a tendency for many others to turn their faces to the Lord, and to request a place in His house, and a name amongst his people. The cause was quite weak before this, and only one young man belonged to the church, but at this time many young people and others were added to the church, and a new period started in the history of the church in the parish. Several of the ones who joined at that time are still here in faith, some have died, and others have turned to the world and have left the best cause.

After Mr. Jones gave up the ministerial care, Horeb church gave a call in 1839 to Mr William Thomas, who was a student in Marton. "he agreed to the call, and he dedicated himself to the ministry in Horeb on 6th August, 1839, and Messrs T. Griffith, Rhydlydan; H. Pugh, Mostyn; Ll. Samuel, Bethesda; Dr. Jones, Bangor; D. Price, Penbontfawr; W. Rees, Denbigh; and several others officiated. Mr. Thomas stayed in Dwygyfylchi for some months before he was ordained, and during those months a powerful revival broke out and very many returned to the Lord. It appears that it was sometime at the beginning of 1839 that the revival broke out. Mr. Thomas was preaching one Sunday evening with his usual intensity and energy, and it was clear that there was a special influence in the midst of the ministry, because the effects were intense and very deep; and at the end, when the fellowship was called back, there were between twenty and thirty who had stayed. And it was that evening, along with the joy and  praise, that Mr. Thomas accepted the call. This strange sign that the Lord's hand was with him helped him come to a decision to stay in their midst, which caused great joy in the church. The revival continued for some months very powerfully, and at that time some scores were added to the religion in the place, and most of them continue today and is one of the strongest causes. The cause was quite weak in comparison with now, but through this revival religion took hold

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of the people of the area, and especially on the Independents and it has stayed ahead of every other denomination in the parish from then till now. It was during Mr. Thomas' time  that Horeb was rebuilt, which was in 1840. Its value was about £300; but, unfortunately, soon after it was built the works in the area had a financial slump, and because of this, many had to leave the area, and this disheartened the friends, because the church debt was so much of a burden. But Mr. Thomas went to London and other places, and was very successful, and so they could continue with their plans without worrying. Mr. Thomas laboured diligently, and very successfully in the place, and it was a great sorrow to the church when he left them to take up a post in Beaumaris Independent church in 1844.  

After  Mr. Thomas' departure, the church sent out a call to Mr. George Peurt, a student in Bala college, and he was ordained there in August 1845.  Within a few months he was caught by an illness in his constitution, and he was moved away by the Lord of the harvest from his work to his heavenly prize. The church was very shocked by the death of Mr. Peurt, and this worsened soon after that in the emigration of the godly, faithful, zealous old brother, John Roberts, butcher, Nantyglyn, to America. This old brother was well known for his godliness, and because of that his influence was great in a religious sense on the people of the parish. He had started preaching before he left, and he visited many of the circuit churches a little before his departure, advising and preaching; and there are still memories of those visits. We also understand that crossing the Atlantic did not extinguish his zeal nor cool his love, but he worked just as faithfully and zealously with his Lord's cause as he had when he was here, and at the end, the sunset of his life was so bright to rise in a country where the sun will never set. After Mr Peurt died, Horeb church sent a call to Mr. Edward Stephen, a student from the college in Bala, and he was chosen for the ministry in the summer of 1847. On the occasion Messrs I. Jones,Llanrwst; M. Lewis, Bangor; W. Jones (the former minister ); D. Griffith, Bethel; R Parry, Conwy; Ll.Samuel, Bethesda; and W. C. Williams, Caernarfon officiated. The council was announced and Mr. Parry, Conway gave to the congregation, in the Dysgedydd for September 1847.  Mr. Stephen laboured diligently with the singing in the district, and in his time, and through his endeavours the singing arose to an amazing level in the place. He was also very hard working in the Sunday school, which was brought to a very effective condition during his time, so that it had multiplied and was dedicated. There had been an old debt on Horeb when Mr Stephen took the care of the church, but through his and the church's efforts, it had been paid completely before two years were up, since we have reason to understand that it had been completely repaid by the beginning of 1850. It appears that the number of members there when Mr Stephens took over the ministry was about 150, and there was a gradual increase in the church during his time. He laboured amongst them for about nine years, and he moved in 1856 to take the care of the churches in Carmel and Bethlehem. After Mr. Stephen left, the church in Horeb sent out a call to Mr. John Jenkins, a student from Brecon college.

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He was ordained to the ministry in 1858.  Messrs W. Roberts, the Classics Professor  at Brecon college; C. Guion, Brecon; R. Parry, Llandudno ; E. Stephen, Tanymarian ; N. Stephens, Sirhowy; and W. Jenkins, Brynmawr officiated at the occasion. A powerful revival was experienced here during the term of  Mr. Jenkins' ministry, and many were added to the church. At this time the church felt inclined to build a chapel at the western end of the parish, and a few persons took it upon themselves to do the work and it wasn't done in the most regular manner, and a chapel was built within a mile of the village of Llanfair. Mr. Jenkins was here till the end of 1860, when he moved to take the care of the church in Holywell."

Within less than a year and a half after the departure of Mr. Jenkins, a call was sent to Mr. Evan Edmunds, a student from Brecon college, and he was ordained the last Monday in June 1862. On the occasion Messrs E. Stephen, Tanymarian; W. Thomas, Beaumaris; J. Jenkins, Holywell; C. Jones, Dolgellau; W. Roberts, the Classics Professor at Brecon; H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd ; W. Ambrose, Porthmadog ; N. Stephens, Liverpool; R. Thomas, Bangor; and J. Rowlands, Henryd officiated. The year  Mr. Edmunds was ordained, this church built a chapel in Penmaenmawr, and it was called Salem. It was opened in 1863, and several members from Horeb went there peacefully and started the cause, and the two places were for some years under Mr. Edmunds' care. Mr. Edmunds laboured diligently here, and with great appreciation, and the cause held its own throughout all the years of his ministry. His health failed gradually and he died on November 18th, 1872, at 39 years old. The church has now sent out a call to Mr. Caleb Williams, a student from Nottingham college, and he intends to settle here.

Many of the faithful have been connected with this cause from time to time. We mentioned Evan Thomas and Sarah Morris, Tyddyndu before. They were the forerunners of religion in the area. Richard Jones, Tymawr, was a quiet man, much approved of, in his day. William Jones, Greiglwyd, who was diligent and faithful for a long time. He suffered the burdens and heat of the day. He was a leading deacon, and was an able disciplinarian. Margaret Roberts, Caecudd, was one of the first members here, and continued faithfully to the end.

These persons were raised to preach,

  • John Roberts, Nantglyn. He emigrated to  America. We have already mentioned this excellent man.
  • Robert Jones. The son of the old minister. He has given up preaching for years.
  • Mark Roberts. He is now connected with the church in Gerizim.
  • John Williams. He was educated in Bala college. He was ordained in St Asaph. He emigrated to America.
  • William Williams. He was brought up in Bala college. He emigrated to America. He attended Yale college , and he has now been ordained to the ministry.

 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

WILLIAM JONES. He was born in Birmingham, in 1769. His father was a Welshman, but his mother was English. He spent his early days

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in the Pennal area, near Machynlleth, and ministered with Mr. a Mrs. Pugh, Llugwy, and he attended the religious fellowship, Machynlleth where he was accepted as a member, where all Pennal's members were accepted in those days. Apparently he started preaching in Machynlleth, even though we did not find his name amongst the preachers who were raised in that church. He was for while in the college in Wrexham, but he was a lot older when he went there. He went there with the encouragement of Mr. Jones of Caerleon, to labour in the large area from Llanfairfechan to Llanbedr, which had been left with no-one to labour there, since the departure of Mr. Daniel Evans from Bangor. He was ordained in Salem in 1809 when he was 40 years old. It was during his time there, and through his labour that Horeb, Dwygyfylchi was built, and he was the main person to labour to build Henryd. In 1824 he concentrated his efforts on Dwygyfylchi, and he kept hold of his connection with the church until 1838, when he was forced by illness to give up. He lived for more than ten years after that; and he died on May 13th, 1849, at 80 years old.  Mr. Jones was a shrewd and sensitive man, he was careful as a minister, and notable for his godliness. He wasn't eloquent as a preacher, but was always  simple and evangelical; and it wasn't easy to find his like to deal with the experiences of the saints. His name remains as a sweet perfume in the land, and memories of him are blessed.

GEORGE PEART. He was born in Llansanan, Denbighshire. We have failed to find his birthdate; and we know nothing of his early life. He was accepted as a member in Llansanan, and that is where he started preaching, and he went from there to Bala college where he stayed for some years. He received a call from Horeb, Dwygyfylchi, and was ordained there in August, 1845. He was a tall, slim young man, with a strangeness in his appearance that was sure to attract attention. He was commended greatly for his religiousness, and he stood tall in the sight of the church in Horeb. He preached earnestly, at length, and in a laboured fashion, which was too much for his weak nature to cope with. He deteriorated gradually, and he moved to Llanrwst, but after a long confinement he died on May 4th, 1846, and was buried in Llansanan churchyard.

EVAN EDMUNDS. He was born in Maesclawddffridd, in the parish of Trawsfynydd, Merionethshire, on February 2nd, 1833. He was accepted as a member of the church in Dolgellau when he was 15 years old, and that is where he started preaching. After he'd received his formative education he was accepted by Brecon college, in the summer of 1858. He spent four years there, and he earned the repect and trust of his teachers and his fellow students. He was correct and exact in all ways, and was notable in his care for the smallest things. He accepted a call from the church in Horeb, Dwygyfylchi, and he was ordained there in June 1862. That year Horeb church built Salem church and had formed a church there and both were under his care until 1869, when he gave up Salem; but he kept his connection with Horeb.

Mr. Edmunds was a sensitive and intelligent man, having read a great deal and possessed  a clear comprehension, and a unique judgement to form his own views about all that he read. He was noted by his reasoning and slowness, and always researched everything before accepting it, and not

like the credulous who believed every word. He was faithful and careful like a shepherd, and he trod his path blamelessly, amonst the people under his care. He never ever hurt anyone, not through his unseemly behaviour nor unsuitable words.

He was unequal in his caution. He was one of deep and intense feelings, so that everything edging on unkindness was close to his heart; it wasn't easy for him to walk on by. He did not possess the elements of a popular preacher, but he was very acceptable to the intelligent listeners, who could be satisfied by simple truths. Even though they weren't dressed with excellent flowery sayings, nor were they delivered with energy and eloquence; though we are convinced it would have been more satisfying for all the listeners had there been more energy in his ministry.

He was never strong in body, but his health deteriorated greatly in his latter years; and for the last months of his life he languished in the feebleness of consumption. He was shown a great deal of tenderness by the people he cared for in Horeb, and he felt a strong loyalty towards them till  the end.  He died on November 18th, 1872, at 39 years old. He was buried on the following Friday in Dwygyfylchi cemetry, and a great crowd of the bereaved had come together; and almost all the ministers of the Union of North Caernarfon ministers were present as well as others who had come there to show their respect for his memory.

  

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