Bethel, Swyddffynnon. The history of the cause.

From Seren Cymru (Star of Wales) Friday, June 19th 1953.

This section of the article translated by Delyth Wilson, March 2004

Seren Cymru was the weekly newspaper of the Welsh Baptists.
In 1953 the Editor was Prof. T. Ellis Jones and each edition cost 4 (old) pennies.)

The story of the village states that it received its name from its famous well. ("ffynnon") There was a close connection of the small village with the historic Monastery of Strata Florida (Ystrad Fflûr). Swyddffynnon lies in the centre of the area of Cardiganshire (Ceredigion) and from the pulpit of Bethel, that stands on a small hill on the edge of Cors Goch Glanteifi (literally the "Red Bog on the bank of the (river) Teifi --- now also known as Cors Caron) the word of God was proclaimed for over a century. This was the birth parish of Ieuan Brydydd Hir.

In 1820, the Rev. Thomas Jones of Caio and the Rev. W. Evans of Aberystwyth visited Swyddffynnon as missionaries for the sect (or denomination). However, this was not the first time for Baptists to come to the village. There is history of the Rev Christmas Evans preaching from the door of the upstairs or gallery of the mill ("llofft y felin" ) before this. But the first reference of baptised members here is the occasion when four were baptised in the Camddwr Fach (the little Camddwr, literally the "bent waters"), a river that runs through the village. This happened a short time after the Rev. D. D. Evans and the famous Rev. John Herring held a successful meeting in Llangeitho in the month of March of 1821. By the May of that year there were 23 members in Swyddffynnon and in June the church was accepted as a full member of the Cymanfa. (Cymanfa = assembly or council, mutates to Gymanfa. "Cymanfa ganu" is the singing festival) This Cymanfa was presided over by the Rev. Henry Davies, Llangloffan (Llangloffan in Pembs. mother church of that area and quite famous) In that early period of the history of the Cause ("Achos") they drew heavily on the help and service of the ministers of the county especially the Rev. William Evans, the minister of Bethel, Aberystwyth. Although the church (the article uses the word "eglwys") in 1821, a home for it was not built until early in 1824 and for the first 3 years they met in "llofft y felin". After seeking advice from the Quarterly Meeting and obtaining financial aid from that source, they started at once on the task of building a House to the Lord. (Ty i'r Arglwydd) A piece of land was secured from the brother William Evans, a man who was not a member of the church and on August 3rd, 1825 the building was opened. At the beginning the two brothers (in the religious sense) Robert Roberts and Edward Oliver preached regularly. Both men had attended the famous school of Edward Richard in Ystrad Meurig and after that, on the recommendation of the churches of the county, they were ordained to be ministers. In April 1827, Robert Roberts was appointed the minister of Bethel and from then onwards until 1835 he and Edward Oliver worked together to ensure the success of the small church. (chapel?) In 1835 Edward Oliver received a call to Pen-y-cae. The first endeavours met with great success and through the diligence of the members a church was established in Carmel, Pontrhydfendigaid. But following the early flourishing came a period of misfortune and from 1840 until 1851 came a great ebb in the history of the brotherhood. During these years a large number of the inhabitants of the area emigrated to the USA, and among them were many members of Bethel. The subject of the sermon given by Rev. Robert Roberts to say good bye to them was "A'r môr ni bydd mwyach" . ( The sea will not be there from now on) The tide came in again in the year 1859, the year of the great reform (y dywigiad nerthol) and the chapel numbers became great than ever before. They re-built the chapel and the signs of unusual zeal and enthusiasm were seen. The first ministry came to an end in 1870 with the death of the Rev Robert Roberts. This is how someone described him at his dissolution.

Fel dyn a chymydog (As a man and neighbour)
fe'i perchid yn wastad (he was always respected)
Gan bawb o'i gydnabod (By everyone who knew him)
fel un oedd â'i fryd (as one who had his intent)
Ar wneuthur daioni (on doing good)
ar bob amgylchiad (on every occasion)
Er nad oedd yn meddu (although he did not possess)
ar olud hyd. (wealth/riches always)
(My translation probably leaves a great deal to be desired!)

After the death of the Rev. Robert Roberts, Bethel and Carmel combined under the same ministry and in October, 1870 the Rev J. E. Griffith was established as shepherd of both chapels. However, his stay was short, and after three years he departed for Sciwen (Skiwen). They received the services of the Rev. J. T. Morgan from 1875 until the following year. He was followed by the Rev. H. Robinson, who served the chapels faithfully until 1884.

In the year 1884 a rich period in the history of the church (chapel) began when the Rev. T. R. Morgan was ordained minister. His mother was the sister of the famous missionary Dr. Timothy Richard, the man who was in China for 45 years. The Rev T. R. Morgan spent the whole of his ministerial life here and he was a good and wise shepherd for 56 years. During his term in the area, he served as the secretary of the Quarterly Meeting (Y Cyfarfod Chwarter) for 37 years. He was a good literary man (llenor) as well as being a gifted preacher and he wrote, among other things, a biography of the missionary W. R. James, who had been a member of Carmel, Pontrhydfendigaid. In his death in 1943 the chapels lost their ideal minister and many movements and societies someone willing to help. The influence of the ministry of the Rev T. R. Morgan has lasted and we can honestly say about him: "Da, was da, a ffyddlawn" (Good, good and faithful servant based on Luke 19, parable of the 10 pieces of money) For some months after this the service of the Rev. William John, who came here from the Bangor College was received. He moved from here to Trealaw. In 1950, the Rev. J. J Walters was called here from Bethel, Glyn Neath (Glam.) and he is our present minister. Everyone respects him greatly and it is expected that we will receive a period of success under his wise leadership.

There are, in Bethel three deacons, the brothers Lewis Davies, who is at present unable to attend the holy place (cysegr) (i.e. the chapel) because of illness, and the saints wish him a speedy recovery: Eben Williams and Rhys Williams, two whom have been the most faithful to the chapel, and in Ifan Rhys Williams we have the service of the ideal secretary.

Two members were raised here who became ministers; the Rev. J. D. Davies, now of Cardiff and the Rev. E. J. Williams, Solva and Felinganol (Pembs) a preacher known throughout Wales. Both are expected to the yearly festival of Bethel this year in Whitsun week, when one service will be dedicated to the unveiling of the memorial stone to Rev. T. R. Morgan. Signed: D. H. E.

[Gareth Hicks: 15 March 2004]