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Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru
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(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)
By Thomas Rees and John Thomas; published in 1871+.
These 8 chapel histories were extracted by Gareth Morgan from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Feb 2008) - no translations
The main project page is on /big/wal/ChurchHistory/Indchapels#Glamorgan
Proof read by Yvonne John (March 2008)
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CARMEL, TREHERBERT (Ystradyfodwg parish)
(Vol 2, p 356)
Arferai yr Annibynwyr bregethu yn achlysurol yn nghapel y Bedyddwyr, yn Nghwm-saer-bren, ac yr oedd cyflawn roesaw iddynt pa bryd bynag y deuent heibio. Pregethodd Mr. J. Evans, Cymar, a Mr. J. Harrison, Aberdar, lawer yma. Gydag agoriad y glofeydd yn y cwm, a dyfodiad dyeithriaid i'r ardal, ac yn eu plith rai Annibynwyr, meddyliwyd am gychwyn achos Annibynol. Cynhaliwyd y cyfarfod cyntaf, o'r hwn y mae eglwys Carmel yn dyddio ei dechreuad, Mai 24ain, 1857, yn nhy Ebenezer Morris, gerllaw y fan lle y mae gwaith presenol Ynysfais. Yr oedd wyth o aelodau crefyddol yn bresenol yn y cyfarfod hwnw, sef Ebenezer Morris a'i wraig; Zephaniah Thomas a'i wraig; Thomas H. Jenkins a'i ferch; Dafydd Day, a Thomas Lewis; oll yn aelodau yn Mynyddislwyn. Pregethwyd gan Rhvs Powell, Pontypridd. Parhawyd i gynal moddion yn nhy Ebenezer Morris am dri mis-yr un ysbaid ag y bu yr arch yn nhy Obededom- a theimlai yntan ei fod wedi ei fendithio ar gyfer y ddau fyd er mwyn arch Duw. Mae yn aros yn ddiacon ffyddlon yn yr eglwys, a'i holl dy yn gwasanaethu Duw. Yn mhen tri mis yr oedd ty E. Morris yn llawer rhy gyfyng, a chymerwyd Long-room perthynol i'r Bute, ac yno y corpholwyd yr eglwys yn rheolaidd Hydref 8fed, 1857. Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod yma ar y pryd, yn yr hwn y gweinyddodd Meistri D. Jones, Efailfach; W. Williams, Hirwaun, ac E. Lewis, pregethwr cynorthwyol o Bontypridd. Nifer yr eglwys ar ei chorpholiad oedd 28, sef 19 trwy lythyrau o eglwysi eraill, 6 oddiar dir gwrthgiliad, a 3 o newydd. Aeth yr achos rhagddo yn gyflym, ac adeiladwyd capel eang yn y flwyddyn ganlynol, yr hwn a gostiodd 850p. Agorwyd ef Mawrth 20fed a'r 21ain, 1859. Yn fuan wedi cael capel meddyliwyd am gael gweinidog, a rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Abel Jones, yr hwn a fuasai yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef Mawrth 13eg a'r 14eg, 1860. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri J. Davies, Aberaman; W. Williams, Hirwaun; J. LI. James, Eglwysnewydd; T. Davies, Llandilo; D. Price, S. Davies, a J. Thomas, Aberdar; J. Rees, Moriah-Aman, a D. Williams, Glynnedd. Bu Mr. Jones yma hyd Medi, 1862, pryd y symudodd i Pentre-estyll, gerllaw Abertawy. Am ran o'r flwyddyn ganlynol cymerodd Mr. Rees, Moriah-Aman, ofal yr eglwys heb roddi i fyny ei gysylltiad a Moriah- Aman, ond rhoddodd hi i fyny yn fuan wrth weled yr eglwys yn dyfod yn alluog i gynal gweinidog iddi ei hun. Rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. R. Whittington, yr hwn a fuasai yn weinidog gyda'r Wesleyaid, a bu yma o Hydref, 1863, hyd Gorphenaf, 1865. Ychydig a ennillodd yr eglwys trwy ei chysylltiad ag ef, ac yn fuan wedi ei ymadawiad oddi yma ymunodd a rhyw gangen o'r Wesleyaid. Yn mis Mai, 1866, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. John Rees, Moriah-Aman, a chydsyniodd yntau a'r gwahoddiad, a chynhaliwyd cyfarfod ei sefydliad yr 8fed a'r 9fed o'r Gorphenaf canlynol. Ar yr achlysur gweinyddwyd gan Meistri I. Williams, Trelech; S. Davies, Aberdar; J. Morgan, Cwmbach; R. Rowlands, Aberaman; W. Edwards, Aberdar; D. Thomas, Abercanaid; R. G. Jones, Merthyr; T. T. Davies, gweinidog i'r Bedyddwyr yn Nghwmaman, a Thomas Rees, brawd Mr. Rees, a gweinidog y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn Aberaman. Bu yma ddiwygiad grymus ar ddyfodiad Mr. Rees i'r lle, pryd yr ychwanegwyd ugeiniau at yr eglwys. Aeth y capel yn rhy gyfyng, fel y bu raid ei ailadeiladu trwy draul o fwy na mil o bunau, ac agorwyd ef Ebrill 26ain a'r 27ain, 1868. Pregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri L. Probert, Ystrad; J. Rogers, Pantteg; 0. Evans, Llanhrynmair; B. Davies, Glandwr; J. Davies, Caerdydd, ac H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd. Mae yr achos wedi parhau i fyned rhagddo yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr. Rees; ac y mae yr eglwys yn nechreu y flwyddyn hon, (1872,) wedi profi mesur helaeth o adfywiad crefyddol, ac y mae dros driugain wedi eu derbyn o newydd i gymundeb yn ystod ychydig fisoedd.*
Mae yr eglwys hon wedi bod a llaw yn nechreuad yr achosion sydd yn Nhreorci a'r Tynewydd, lle y mae erbyn hyn gapeli hardd, ac eglwysi blodeuog.
Codwyd yma ddau bregethwr, sef William H. Thomas, sydd yn awr yn weinidog yn Cadle, ger Abertawy, a James Rees, brawd Mr. Rees, y gweinidog, yr hwn sydd yn pregethu yn awr er's pedair blynedd. Bu William Davies, yr hwn a urddwyd yn ddiweddar yn Nantmoel, yn aelod yma am flynyddau, ond yr oedd wedi dechreu pregethu cyn dyfod yma. Heblaw y personau a grybwyllwyd, bu yma amryw eraill nodedig o ffyddlon, ac y mae yn briodol i ni wneyd cyfeiriad parchus at Mr. R. Evans, tad-yn-nghyfraeth Mr. Rees, yr hwn a fu yn aelod defnyddiol yn. Abersychan a Maesteg, pan yn arolygydd gweithfeydd haiarn yn y lleoedd hyny, ac wedi hyny yn Aberaman, ac yn yr eglwys yma yn ddiweddarach.
* Llythyr Mr. Rees.
Translation by Steve Stephenson (Oct 2008)
The Independents used to occasionally preach in the Baptist Chapel in Cwm Saer-bren., and there was a warm welcome to them whenever they came. Mr J Evans (Cymar) and Mr J Harrison (Aberdar) often preached here. With the opening of coal workings in the valley, the coming of strangers to the area and, in their midst some Independents, it was thought to start an Independent cause. The first meeting was held in the house of Ebenezer Morris, near the place of the present Ynysfair works, and it was from this on 27th May 1857 that Carmel church dated its beginning. There were eight religious members present at this meeting, Ebenezer Morris and his wife, Zephania Thomas and his wife, Thomas Jenkins and his daughter, Dafydd Day and Thomas Lewis, all members of Mynyddislwyn. The sermon was given by Rhys Powell (Pontypridd). In this way it was continued in Ebenezer Morris' house for three months - the same period that the Ark of the Covenant was in the house of Obedodom - who thought that he had been blessed for the two lives of the Ark of God. He remained a faithful deacon in the church and all his house in the service of God. After three months the house of E Morris was much too restricted and the Long-room of the Bute was taken and the church was established here officially on 8th October 1857. A meeting was held here at the time and the preaching was by Messrs. D Jones (Efailfach), W Williams (Hirwaun) and E Lewis (assistant preacher from Pontypridd). The number in the church when established was 28, 19 through letters from other churches, 6 from backsliders and 3 new members. The cause progressed rapidly and a larger chapel was built in the following year at a cost of £850. It was opened on the 20th and 21st March 1859. Soon after getting a chapel thought was given to obtaining a minister and a call was sent to Mr David Abel Jones, who had been a student at Bala college, and he was ordained on 13th and 14th March 1860. Preaching on this occasion were Messrs. J Davies (Aberaman), W Williams (Hirwaun), J Ll James (Eglwysnewydd), T Davies (Llandilo), D Price, S Davies and J Thomas (Aberdar), J Rees (Moriah-Aman) and D Williams (Glynnedd). Mr Jones was here until June 1862 when he moved to Pentre-estyll, near Swansea. For part of the following year Mr Rees (Moriah-Aman) took charge of the church withour giving up his connection with Moriah-Aman but he soon gave it up when he saw that the church was able to support a minister of its own. The church called on Mr R Whittington who had been a minister with the Wesleyans, and he was here from October 1863 until July 1865. Some who had been converted through their connection with him soon left to join another group of Wesleyans. In May 1866 the church called on Mr John Rees (Moriah-Aman) and he accepted the invitation and a meeting was held for his induction on 8th and 9th of the following July. On this occasion preaching was by Messrs. I Williams (Trelech), S Davies ( Aberdar), J Morgan (Cwmbach), R Rowlands (Aberaman), W Edwards (Aberdar), D Thomas (Abercanaid), R G Jones (Merthyr), T T Davies (minister to the Baptists in Cwmaman) and Thomas Rees (brother of Mr Rees and a minister to the Calvanist methodists in Aberaman). This was a powerful revival on the coming of Mr Rees to the place where scores were added to the church. The chapel became too small and they had to rebuild at a cost of more than £1000. It was opened on 26th and 27th April 1868. Preaching on the occasion was by Messrs. L Probert (Ystrad), J Rogers (Pantteg), O Evans (Llanbrynmair), B Davies ( Glandwr), J Davies (Cardiff) and H Oliver BA (Pontypridd). The cause continued to grow in the ministry of Mr Rees and the church at the start of this year (1872) has proved a time of religious revival and over 60 have newly taken communion during a few months.*
This church has taken a hand in the causes in Treorci and Tynewydd, where there are now lovely chapels and blossoming churches.
Two preachers were raised here, William H Thomas who is now a minister in Cadle, near Swansea, and James Rees, brother of Mr Rees the minister who has preached here for four years. William Davies, who had been ordained in Nantmoel, has been a member here for years, but he had started preaching before he came here. Besides the persons mentioned there have been several others who have been notably faithful and it is right for us to give respectful mention of Mr R Evans, father-in-law of Mr Rees, who was a useful member in Abersychan and Maesteg while he was a an inspector of iron works in these areas, and after this in Aberaman and lately in this church.
* letter from Mr Rees
TYNEWYDD, YSTRAD RHONDDA (Ystradyfodwg parish)
(Vol 2, p 358)
Saif y capel hwn yn mlaen Cwmrhonddafawr, wrth droed y mynydd a elwir Penpych. Gychwynwyd yr achos yn Tynewydd fel cangen o eglwys Carmel, Treherbert, trwy i dri o'r brodyr, sef Richard Richards, William Rees, a John Jones, gael eu hanfon gan eglwys Carmel i gynorthwyo ychydig frodyr a chwiorydd o Flaenycwm a'r Tynewydd, i gynal Ysgol Sabbothol ar hyd y tai. Dechreuwyd yr ysgol yn Mehefin 28ain, 1868, yn nhy un Morgan Jones, oedd yn byw yn y lle, ac yn aelod ffyddlawn yn Carmel, a chynaliwyd hi yn nhai Lewis Williams a David Rees yn achlysurol. Rhif yr ysgol y Sabboth cyntaf oedd 52 - 15 o ddynion mewn oed a 37 o blant. Yn fuan ar ol hyn penderfynwyd ar gael lle cyfleus i gynal Ysgol Sabbothol, a chyfarfodydd gweddi, a phregethu, ac adeiladwyd dau dý anedd gwerth 200p., a chyfaddaswyd hwy i fod yn lle cyfleus i bregethu. Pregethwyd gyntaf yn y ty hwn Ionawr 31ain, 1869, gan William Davies, pregethwr cynorthwyol yn Carmel. Agorwyd y tý Chwefror 7fed, 1869, pryd y pregethwyd gan Meistri J. Jones, Bristol; J. W. Morris, Llanharan, ac eraill. Yn yr un flwyddyn corpholwyd yma eglwys yn 48 mewn nifer. Gweinyddwyd yr ordinhad o swper yr ArgIwydd, gan Mr. John Rees, Carmel, Treherbert, a phregethwyd gan Meistri Lewis Probert, Bodringallt, ac E G. Jones, Treorci. Pregethwyd yn fisol yma gan Mr. Lot Lake, Blaenllechau, a Mr. E. G. Jones, Treorci, ac eraill, hyd nes i'r eglwys roddi galwad i Mr. M. Jones, Trehafod, i gymeryd ei gofal, yn Awst, 1870. Cydsyniodd a'u cais i'w gwasanaethu ddau. Sabboth yn y mis. Cynaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei sefydliad ar y 4ydd a'r 5ed o Ragfyr, ,1870. Mae yr ardal yn un gynyddol, ac yn debyg o fod felly am flynyddau yn y dyfodol; felly i gyfarfod a chynydd y boblogaeth, penderfynwyd ar adeiladu capel eang a chyfleus, gan fod yr hen gapel yn thy fach yn barod. Cafwyd tir ar lecyn dewisol gan yr eglwys i adeiladu arno, ar ystad Iarll Dunraven, am ddau gini y flwyddyn ar brydles o 99 mlynedd. Dechreuwyd adeiladu yn Mai, 1871. Mae ynddo tua 600 o eisteddleoedd, a chostiodd 1000p. Mae dyfodol yr eglwys hon yn addawol iawn. Bydd ardal y Tynewydd yn boblog iawn gan fod yma y fath gyflawnder a lô agerdd, heb ond newydd ddechreu cael ei weithio.
Translation by Steve Stephenson (Oct 2008)
This chapel stands at the head of Cwm Rhondda Fawr, at the foot of the mountain which is called Penpych. The cause in Tynewydd started as a branch of Carmel church, Treherbert, through three of the brothers, namely Richard Richards, William Rees and John Jones. They were sent by Carmel church to help the brothers and sisters of Blaencwm and Tynewydd to hold a Sunday School among the houses. The Sunday School started on June 28th 1868 in the house of Morgan Jones who lived in the place and was a faithful member of Carmel. Occasionally it was held in the houses of Lewis Williams and David Rees. The number at the first Sunday School was 52 - 15 adults and 37 children. Soon after this it was decided to find a convenient place to hold the Sunday School, prayer meetings and services. Two semi detached houses had been built worth £200 and they were adapted as a suitable place to preach. The first service in this house was held on 31st January 1869 by William Davies, an assistant minister from Carmel. The house was opened on 7th February 1869 when Messrs. J Jones (Bristol), J W Williams (Llanharan) and others preached. The same year a church was incorporated here with 48 in number. The Holy Sacrament was delivered by Mr John Rees (Carmel, Treherbert) and the sermons were given by Messrs. Lewis Probert (Bodringallt) and E Jones (Treorci). Services were held this month with Mr Lot Lake (Blaenllechau), Mr E G Jones (Treorci) and others. After this the church sent a call to Mr M Jones (Trehafod) who accepted their invitation in August 1870. It was agreed to try two services a month. The meetings were started on the 4th and 5th December 1870. The area is growing and it is likely to continue to do so in the future years, therefore to meet the service of the growing population it was decided to build a larger chapel that was more convenient as the old chapel was already too small. The land was obtained in a suitable place to build on, chosen by the church, on the Charles Dunraven estate, for 2 guineas a year with a lease of 99 years. The building construction started in May 1871. It held seating for 600 and cost £1000. The future of the church is very promising. The area of Tynewydd is very populous because of the abundance of steam coal, but has only just started to operate.
EGLWYS SEISNIG YR YSTRAD (Ystradyfodwg parish)
(Vol 2, p 354)
Dechreuwyd yr achos hwn yn y flwyddyn 1869. gan Mr. L. Probert. Teimlid fod gwir angen am achos Seisnig yn rhywle yn y cwm hwn yn hir cyn i amgylchiadau ddyfod yn ffafriol i'w gychwyn. Nid oedd gan yr Annibynwyr gapel Seisnig o Gaerdydd i fyny i Dreherbert, er fod yn yr ardaloedd hyn o ddeg i bymtheng mil ar hugain o drigolion, a miloedd o'r trigolion hyn yr, gwbl analluog i ddeall a mwynhau gwasanaeth crefyddol Cymreig. Nid oedd y Saesonaeg wedi cynyddu yn y cwm hwn am fod y Cymry yn troi yn Saeson, fel y digwydda yn aml mewn hen ardaloedd ar gyffiniau Lloegr, ond am fod lluoedd o Saeson wedi mudo yma pan agorid y gweithfeydd glo gyda chyflymdra anarferol yn y cwm. Yn adeg agoriad y gweithfeydd hyn yr oedd masnach yn farwaidd iawn trwy y deyrnas yn gyffredinol, a chyflogau gweithwyr yn isel anghyffredin; ond er mwyn cael digon o weithwyr i'r ardaloedd newyddion hyn, cynygid uwch cyflogau yma nag a geid mewn manau eraill, a bu y gwahaniaeth hwn yn y cyflogau yn foddion i dynu llawer o Saeson drosodd o orllewin-barth Lloegr. Yn yr un amser hefyd yr oedd gwythieni uchaf gweithfeydd glo Mynwy yn darfod yn gyflym iawn, a'r rhai isaf yn rhy ddwfn yn y ddaear meistri allu eu gweithio a chystadlu yn y farchnad a pherchenogion gweithfeydd glo y cwm hwn. Felly taflwyd lluoedd allan o waith yn Mynwy yr adeg hono, y rhai a ddeuent drosodd gan mwyaf yma, a Saesonaeg siaradir gan y rhan luosocaf a godwyd yn ngweithfeydd glo Mynwy yn ystod yr ugain mlynedd diweddaf. O herwydd y ddau achos a nodwyd, gellir cyfrif fod yn bresenol o leiaf un rhan o bedair o boblogaeth yr ardaloedd hyn yn Saeson trwyadl. Nid oes genym ni fel enwad, ar gyfer y miloedd hyn, ond capel Seisnig yr Ystrad yn unig wedi ei ddarparu, tra y mae gan y Wesleyaid Seisnig ryw ddeg o achosion. Diameu mai yr anhawsder a deimlir vn mhob ardal i gychwyn achos Seisnig ydyw cael nucleus. Symudwyd yr anhawsder hwn yn yr Ystrad trwy i dri-ar-ddeg o aelodau ymadawedig oddiwrth y Wesleyaid Seisnig a addolent mewn tý, anedd, gynyg eu hunain i Mr. Probert yn gnewullyn eglwys Annibynol, yr hwn, wedi ymgynghori a brodyr yn y weinidogaeth, a benderfynodd eu derbyn. Corpholwyd hwynt yn eglwys gan Meistri J Davies, Caerdydd, a W. I. Morris, Pontypridd. Dechreuwyd adeiladu capel iddynt ar unwaith, yr hwn a gostiodd 420p., ac a eistedda 300 o bobl. Cyfranwyd y swm ardderchog o 150p. ato gan S. Morley, Ysw., A.S., ac 20p. gan C. Jupe, Ysw., Mere Wilts. Cymerodd agoriad y capel le yn mis Gorphenaf, 1870, a gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Proff. Morris, Aberhonddu; Mr. J. Davies, Caerdydd, a Mr. J. Waite, Caerdydd. Cynorthwywyd. Mr. Probert i adeiladu y capel ac i gychwyn yr achos gan Mr. T. Thomas, Foundry, a Mr. Elias James, dau o aelodau yr eglwysi Cymreig yn y lle. Mae y cyntaf yn aelod yn Bodringallt, ac yn ddyn gweithgar iawn. Bu yn ymdrechgar i sefydlu yr achos Seisnig yn Blaenafon cyn dyfod yma, a gweithiodd yn dda i gychwyn yr achos hwn. Mae yn parhau yn drysorydd y Building Fund. Yn Siloh, Pentre, mae yr olaf yn aelod yn bresenol, ac yn ddyn gweithgar a medrus iawn. Bu o was anaeth mawr i grefydd yn yr ardaloedd o gylch Abertawy cyn ei ddyfodiad i'r cwm hwn. Ymdrechodd lawer i dalu dyled Bodringallt, ac y mae wedi gwneuthur ei ran yn dda gyda'r achos Seisnig hefyd. Efe a gynlluniodd y capel, efe yw ysgrifenydd y pwyllgor adeiladu, ac y mae wedi pregethu amryw droion pan oedd yr eglwys fechan yn rhy wan i dalu i bregethwr am ddyfod i'w gwasanaethu. Mantais fawr i'r eglwys hon yw fod Mr. Ezekiel Rogers yn aelod o honi. Arno ef yn benaf y bu y gwaith o lanw yr areithfa hyd nes iddynt gaol gweinidog. Mae yn un o'r siaradwyr goreu a glywsom erioed, ac yn bregethwr da yn mhob ystyr; ond gan fod y bobl yn gynefin ag ef, ac yntau wedi bod mor anffodus a chael ei eni heb yr un fraich ganddo, nid oedd un gobaith y gallasai wneyd y tro yn weinidog i'r eglwys. Felly rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. D. Morgan, Penywaun, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod i'w longyfarch ef fel gweinidog yr eglwys, Ebrill laf, 1872. Nid yw yr eglwys yn bresenol yn alluog i'w gynal yn ddigynorthwy. Hyderir y ca ychydig o gyrndeithasau a gyfranant at achosion gweiniaid, ac y bydd yntau yn offerynol i blanu eglwysi yn y cwm yn gystal a chynyddu yr hon sydd wedi ei dechreu.
Translation by Steve Stephenson (Oct 2008)
This cause was started in the year 1869 by Mr L Probert. It was felt that there was a true need for for the English cause somewhere in this valley long before circumstances became favourable to start. The Independent English Chapel was nowhere between Cardiff and Treherbert, even though in this region there were thirty to thirty five thousand inhabitants and thousands of these inhabitants were totally unable to understand and enjoy Welsh religious services. The English hadn't increased in this valley because the Welsh were turning into Englishmen which usually happened in some of the old regions on the borders of England, but because crowds of Englishmen had moved here when the coal workings were opened unusually rapidly in the valley. At the time of the opening of these works the trade was very sluggish throughout the kingdom generally and the wages of workers uncommonly low, but in order to get sufficient workers to these new areas higher wages were offered than could be obtained in other regions. This difference in the wages was enough to draw lots of Englishmen across from the western parts of England. At the same time also the high seams of the Monmouth coal workings came to an end very quickly and those lower down were too deep in the troubled ground of this valley to enable working to compete in the market for the owners of the coal workings in this valley. Therefore many were thrown out of work in Monmouth at this time, and most of those came here, English was spoken for the most part in the Monmouth coal workings during the last twenty years. Because of the two causes noted it was possible to count that at least one in four of the population in this area were native English speakers. We only had, as a calling, on behalf of these thousands, one English chapel in Ystrad that had been prepared, whereas the English Wesleyans had some ten causes. Certainly it was felt that the difficulty in every region in starting an English cause was to get a nucleus. This difficulty in Ystrad was overcome by thirteen of the members from the English Wesleyans departing and worshiping in a dwelling house and offering themseves to Mr Probert as a nucleus of the Independent Church, who after conferring with the brothers in the ministry decided to accept them. The church was established by Messrs.J Davies (Cardiff) and W I Morris (Pontyridd). They started building a chapel immediately which cost £420 and was able to seat 300 people. The splendid sum of £150 was contributed by S Morley Esq., MP and £20 from C Jupe Esq. from Mere, Wilts. The opening of the chapel was accepted in July 1870, and ministered on the occasion by Prof. Morris (Brecon), Mr J Davies (Cardiff) and Mr J Waite ( Cardiff). Mr Probert was assisted in the building of the chapel and in starting the cause by Mr T Thomas (Foundry) and Mr Elias James, two of the members of the Welsh churches in the area. The first was a member of Bodringallt and a very industrious man. He was active in establishing an English cause in Blaenavon before coming here, and he worked well in starting the cause here. He continues as the treasurer of the Building Fund. The latter is presently a member of Siloh, Pentre and an industrious and skilful man. He was a very faithful servant to the order in the areas around Swansea before coming to this valley. He put a lot of effort into paying the debt of Bodringallt, and he has worked hard with the English cause here also. He planned the chapel, he was the secretary of the Building committee, and he preached occasionally when the church was too small and too weak to pay for preachers to come to services. A big advantage to this church was that Mr Ezekiel Rogers was a member of it. He was chiefly in charge of filling the pulpit until they could get a minister. He is one of the best speakers we have ever heard and a good preacher in every sense, but because the local people were accustomed to him, and he had been unfortunate in being born with only one arm, there was no hope of him being able to become a minister of the church. Therefore a call was sent to Mr D Morgan (Penywaun) and a meeting was held to congratulate him as minister of the church on April 1st 1872. The church is not presently able to be held unassisted. There is confidence of having a little mixing together and sharing to the cause of preaching, and that they will be a instrument in planting churches in the valley equally and increasing those that have already been started.
TAIHIRION (Llanilltern parish)
(Vol 2, p 362)
Nid ydym yn gwybod y flwyddyn yn gywir y dechreuwyd yr achos yn y lle hwn, na chan bwy y dechreuwyd ef. Mae yn sicr fod yma eglwys fechan mor foreu a'r flwyddyn 1760, os nad yn foreuach. Ty anedd wedi ei gyfaddasu i fod yn addoldy oedd yma ar y cyntaf. Yr oedd Samuel Price, Ysw., mab Mr. Rees Price, gweinidog yr eglwys Ymneillduol yn Mhenybont-ar-ogwy, yn aelod yma, ac yn brif noddwr yr achos er pan y daeth i fyw i'r Park, gerllaw y lle hwn, a pharhaodd felly hyd ei farwolaeth, yr hyn a gymerodd le Gorphenaf 18fed, 1777. Yr oedd Mr. Price wedi gwneyd ewyllys tua phedair blynedd cyn ei farwolaeth, yn yr hon y gorchymynai i'w weddw, a'i fab John, dalu llog dau cant o bunau at gynal gweinidogaeth Ymneillduol yn y Taihirion, cyhyd ag y gallesid cael gweinidog i bregethu yno. Cafodd yr arian hyn eu talu yn ol yr ewyllys hyd o fewn deugain mlynedd yn ol, pryd y darfu i'r etifeddion wrthod eu talu yn hwy am nad oedd Mr. Price wedi nodi yn ei ewyllys oddiwrth ba ran o'i etifeddiaeth yr oedd yr arian i ddyfod. Ymddygiad gwael o eildo dynion a ymdroent yn nghanol peth dirfawr o gyfoeth oedd hyn. Nid yn unig amlygent eu gelyniaeth at yr achos, ond hefyd dangosent yr anmharch mwyaf i'w hynafiad, yr hwn yr oeddynt yn ddyledus iddo am eu cyfoeth. Dan yr un weinidogaeth a Llanharan y bu yr eglwys hon hyd tua 1829, pryd y rhoddodd Mr. David Jones ofal Llanharan i fyny, ac y cyfyngodd ei lafur i'r Taihirion, a'r achosion newyddion a ddechreuasid ganddo yn Mhentyrch. Gwan iawn oedd yr achos yma hyd ddechreuad tymor gweinidogaeth Mr. D. Jones. Tua deuddeg oedd rhif yr aelodau pan ddechreuodd ef ei lafur yma, ond ychwanegwyd llawer at yr aelodau a'r gwrandawyr yn dra buan fel y bu raid adeiladu capel yma yn lle yr hen anedd-dy. Gan nad oedd poblogaeth yr ardal ond ychydig nid oedd angen am gapel mawr yma, ac yn neillduol wedi adeiladu Bethlehem wrth waith Pentyrch. Pan adeiladwyd y capel cafwyd lés ar y tir y saif arno am 999 o flynyddoedd, am yr ardreth o swllt yn y flwyddyn, gan Wyndham Lewis Ysw., A.S., wyr y rhag-grybwylledig, Samuel Price, Ysw. Agorwyd y capel newydd Mehefin 19eg a'r 20fed, 1822. Pregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri G. Hughes, Groeswen; R. Morris, Tredegar; B. Moses, New Inn; Thomas Davies, Cymar; W. Jones, Penybont, ac eraill. Tua y flwyddyn 1831, adeiladwyd capel bychan wrth waith Pentyrch, yr hwn a alwyd Bethlehem, a chafodd nifer o aelodau y Taihirion lythyrau gollyngdod i fyned yno i ddechreu achos. Tua yr un amser adeiladwyd ty bychan ar ochr Mynyddygarth, a alwyd Zoar, at gadw Ysgol Sabbothol a phregethu achlysurol; ond ni ffurfiwyd eglwys yno. Yn y flwyddyn 1833, rhoddodd Mr. D. Jones ofal yr eglwysi yn Taihirion a Bethlehem, Pentyrch, i fyny. Yn mhen ychydig ar ol hyny, teimlai rhai o aelodau y Taihirion awydd rhoddi galwad i un Benjamin Morgan, ond gan nad oedd mwyafrif yr eglwys drosto, methwyd cyduno, a'r canlyniad fu i bleidwyr B. Morgan ymneillduo ac adeiladu capel yn Llansantffraid-ar-lai. Yn 1834, rhoddodd yr eglwysi yn y Taihirion a Bethlehem alwad i Mr. John Lewis, yr hwn oedd ar y pryd yn genhadwr cartrefol yn Mro Morganwg. Bu ef yma am oddeutu tair blynedd, yna symudodd at y Cymry i Gaerodor. Yn y flwyddyn 1837, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. David Davies, o athrofa y Neuaddlwyd, ac urddwyd ef Tachwedd 22ain a'r 23ain, yn yr un flwyddyn. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. Isaac Harris, Mynyddbach; derbyniwyd y gyffes ffydd gan Mr. W. Griffiths, Llanharan; gweddiwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. L. Powell, Caerdydd; rhoddwyd y siars i'r gweindiog gan Mr. S. Griffiths, Horeb, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. T. Davies, Abertawy. Yn mhen ychydig fisoedd wedi ei urddiad daeth amgylchiad i gyfarfod Mr. Davies a barodd i'r eglwys dori ei chysylltiad ag ef; ond gan y barnai rhai o'r aelodau ei fod yn cael ei drin yn rhy lym, aethant allan gydag ef i ddechreu achos mewn amaethdy o'r enw y Radyr uchaf, ychydig gyda milldir o'r Taihirion. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1840, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Lemuel Smith, ac urddwyd ef Chwefror, 20fed, yn yr un flwyddyn. Traddodwyd y gynaraeth gan Mr. W. Jones, Penybont; derbyniwyd y gyffes ffydd gan Mr. L. Powell, Caerdydd; gweddiwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. Jones, Clydach, cyn-weinidog y lle; pregethwyd siars y gweinidog gan Mr. J. Hughes, Dowlais, a siars yr eglwys gan Mr. H. Jones, Tredegar. Bu Mr. Smith yn barchus a llwyddianus iawn yn y Taihirion a Bethlehem dros dymor byr ei lafur. Bu farw yn Mawrth, 1842. Yn fuan wedi marwolaeth Mr. Smith, derbyniwyd yr hen weinidog, Mr. D. Davies, yn ol, a dychwelodd yr aelodau a aethant allan ar ei ymadawiad yn ol gydag ef. Bu Mr. Davies yn Ilafurio yn y Taihirion, mewn cysylltiad a Llansantffraid-ar-lai, hyd y flwyddyn 1848, pryd y cymerodd ofal yr achos Cymreig yn Nghaerodor. Ar ol ymadawiad Mr. D. Davies, buwyd yn ymddibynu ar weinidogaeth achlysurol hyd 1851, pryd y rhoddwyd galwad unfrydol gan yr eglwysi yn y Taihirion a'r Efailisaf i Mr. John Davies, Horeb, Treforis. Urddwyd ef yma Medi 30ain, a Hydref laf, yn yr un flwyddyn. Yr oedd trefn gwasanaeth yr urddiad fel y canlyn:-Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. E. Jacob, Abertawy; derbyniwyd y gyffes ffydd gan Mr. M. Rees, Groeswen; gweddiwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. E. Griffiths, Abertawy, a phregethwyd ar y weinidogaeth gan Mr. D. Rees, Llanelli. Yn yr Efailisaf y cynhaliwyd y gwasanaeth hwn. Dranoeth, yn y Taihirion, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. G. Griffiths, Casnewydd; gweddiwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. W. Griffiths, Llanharan; pregethwyd siars i'r gweinidog gan ei frawd, Mr. T. Davies, Horeb, Treforis, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. J. Evans, Cymar. Mae Mr. Davies wedi llafurio yn y maes hwn bellach er's yn agos un-mlynedd-ar-hugain, ac wedi cael y fraint o fod yn offerynol i wneyd daioni dirfawr yma. Yn y flwyddyn 1858, rhoddodd ollyngdod i un-ar-ddeg o'r aelodau o'r Taihirion, er eu corpholi yn eglwys yn y Bronllwyn, ac y mae y ferch yno er's blynyddau bellach wedi myned lawer yn lluosocach na'r fam.
Ni bu eglwys y Taihirion yn lluosog iawn ar un cyfnod o'i hanes, ond nid oes nemawr o eglwys yn Nghymru, os oes un o'i maint hi, wedi gwneyd gymaint er Iledaenu terfynau yr achos yn yr ardaloedd o'i hamgylch. Fel y gwelsom, hi yw mam yr eglwysi yn Bethlehem, Llansantffraid-ar-lai, a'r Bronllwyn, a'r Efailisaf hefyd mewn rhan.
Yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr. David Jones, a chyn adeiladu capel Bethlehem, y bu yr achos gryfaf yn y Taihirion. Yr oedd yma yr amser hwnw gryn lawer o aelodau, ac yn eu plith rai personau nodedig am eu doniau a u gwresogrwydd crefyddol. Yn mysg y rhai hyny, dichon mai y mwyaf nodedig, ar lawer o gyfrifon, oedd James Edmunds, neu " Jim o'r Engine," fel yr adwaenid ef yn gyffredin. Gelwid ef felly am mai peirianydd ydoedd wrth ei alwedigaeth. Yr oedd y dyn hwn yn moreu ei oes, ac yn mhell yn mlaen i ganol ei ddyddiau, wedi bod yn ddyn rhyfeddol o wyllt ac annuwiol. Yr oedd yn nodedig fel ymladdwr. Byddai yn myned weithiau cyn belled a Chaerodor a'r Bath i ymladd a rhai o brif ymladdwyr Lloegr. Ond er annuwioled y treuliodd ran fawr o'i oes, cafodd ei ragflaenu gan ras Duw cyn iddo fyned i ddistryw. Un prydnawn Sabboth aeth i wrandaw Mr. David Jones, yr hwn oedd yn pregethu yn Radyruchaf. Er nad oedd dim ond rhyw gywreinrwydd anystyriol yn ei gymhell i fyned yno, cafodd achos i glodfori yr Arglwydd byth am yr oedfa hono. Gafaelodd gair ac Ysbryd Duw yn achubol yn ei feddwl. Gan ei fod wedi bod yn ddyn mor annuwiol, a bod ei dymerau yn naturiol gyffrous, cafodd dywydd ofnadwy yn " mwlch yr argyhoeddiad." Bu am dymor yn. dyoddef ingoedd angerddol, ac yn fynych yn cael ei demtio gan y gelyn i osod terfyn ar ei einioes. Aeth i'r gyfeillach grefyddol yn lled fuan, ond tra isel y bu ei brofiad am dymor. Un noson wrth fyned tua'r gyfeillach i'r Taihirion, adroddai brofiad wrth y cyfeillion a gydgerddent ag ef, oedd yn ymylu ar anobaith. Yn ddisymwth, ar ganol eu hymddiddan, trodd oddi wrthynt i gae yn ymyl y ffordd, ac aethant hwythau rhag eu blaen yn araf tua'r capel. Pan na welent ef yn dyfod i mewn ar eu hol, ofnai rhai o honynt fod rhyw ddrwg wedi digwydd iddo, neu ei fod wedi cymeryd ei demtio gan y gelyn i droi ei gefn ar grefydd. Ond cyn pen haner awr wedi iddynt eistedd yn eu lleoedd yn y capel, wele Jim yn dyfod i mewn dan ddiolch a gorfoleddu. Dywedai ei fod yn teimlo pelen o dan yn ei fynwes yr holl ffordd o'i dý nes iddo droi oddi wrth y cyfeillion i'r cae; ond yno dan y berth wrth dywallt teimladau ei galon drom ger bron yr Arglwydd, "Teimlais," meddai, " waed y groes yn diffoddi y belen dan o'm mewn, ac y mae yma dawelwch yn awr. 0 diolch." Ar hyny aeth yr holl gyfeillach i ddiolch gydag ef. Yn mhen ychydig flynyddau symudodd i ardal Mynyddislwyn, lle y bu yn aelod ffyddlon a llawn o dân, nes iddo yn ei henaint symud at ei ferch i Canton, Caerdydd, lle y bu farw er's dros ugain mlynedd yn ol. Parhaodd yn angerdd ei wres grefyddol o ddechreuad ei grefydd hyd derfyn ei oes. Aeth Mr. Powell, Caerdydd, i ymweled ag ef ychydig ddyddiau cyn ei farwolaeth, ond er eu bod yn hen gyfeillion, methodd y claf a'i adnabod. Yr oedd ei feddwl wedi anmharu gan henaint a chystudd. Cyn ymadael dywedodd Mr. Powell wrtho, " Wel, os nad ydych yn adnabod Lewis Powell, caniatewch i mi ofyn i chwi, a ydych yn adnabod Iesu Grist?" Deffrowyd ei feddwl a'i deimladau ar unwaith gyda awn y geiriau "Iesu Grist," ac atebodd, "Bendigedig fyddo Duw, ydwyf yn ei adnabod Ef, ac y mae yntau yn fy adnabod inau, ac yn glynu wrthyf hyd y diwedd." Fel hyn yr ymadawodd y pentewyn hwn a achubwyd o'r tan.
Cafodd y rhai canlynol eu cyfodi i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon:-
- Simon Simon. Yr hwn oedd yn ddyn gwir dda, ac a fu am lawer o flynyddau yn bregethwr cynorthwyol defnyddiol a derbyniol iawn. Bu farw Mawrth 5ed, 1870, yn 69 mlwydd oed.
- Evan Morgan. Bu ef am ychydig flynyddau yn weinidog yn Mhenydarran, Merthyr. Gweler ei hanes yn nglyn a'r eglwys hono.
- John Morgan, Caerdydd. Y mae ef yn aelod parchus a ffyddlon yn Mount Stuart, Caerdydd, er dechreuad yr achos yno.
Yma hefyd y derbyniwyd Mr. W. Russell, diweddar weinidog yr Egwys-newydd, a Mr. Job Miles, Bethesda, Merthyr. Hefyd y mae un Thomas Griffiths, yn awr yn bregethwr yn America, a dderbyniwyd yma yr un Sabboth a Mr. Miles.
COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL
LEMUEL SMITH. Ganwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1815. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod o'r eglwys yn Rehoboth, Brynmawr, gan Mr. D. Stephenson, pan yr oedd yn dra ieuangc. Yno hefyd y dechreuodd bregethu. Yn mhen ychydig wedi iddo ddechreu pregethu, symudodd i Dowlais ac ymaelododd yn Bethania. Yno yr oedd yn aelod pan y derbyniodd alwad o'r Taihirion. Urddwyd ef, fel y nodasom, Chwefror 20fed, 1840. Ymroddodd a'i holl egni i fod yn weinidog da i Iesu Grist, ac ennillodd serch yr aelodau a'r gwrandawyr yn y Taihirion a Bethlehem; ond gwelodd yr Arglwydd yn dda beri i'w haul fachludo a hi etto yn ddydd. Gwaelodd ei iechyd, ac ar ol ychydig gystudd bu farw Mawrth 6fed, 1842, yn 27 mlwydd oed. Claddwyd ef yn mynwent y Groeswen. Gosododd pobl ei ofal golofn hardd ar ei fedd, ac y mae y penill canlynol yn gerfiedig arni :-
" Na wylwch ddim, na fyddwch drist,
Am neb sydd wedi huno'n Nghrist;
'Does yma ond y corph o glai
Mae'r enaid fry yn llawenhau."
Dyn bychan a gwanaidd o gorph oedd Lemuel Smith. Yr oedd yn bregethwr rhyfeddol o ddoniol, ac y mae yn dra thebyg y buasai yn boblogaidd a defnyddiol pe cawsai estyniad oes. Ond gan mai ewyllys yr Arglwydd oedd ei alw ato ei hun yn mlodeu ei ddyddiau, ein lle ni yw myned yn fud a pheidio agoryd ein genau.
Translation by Steve Stephenson (Nov 2008)
We do not know exactly which year the cause started in this place, nor who started it. It is sure that there was a small church here as early as 1760, if not earlier. A dwelling house which had been adapted to be a place of worship was here at first. Samuel Price Esq., son of Mr Rees Price, minister of the nonconformist church in Bridgend, was a member here and the chief patron of the cause since coming to live in Park, nearby this place, and continued thus until his death on 18th July 1777. Mr Price had made a will about four years before his death in which it commanded his widow, and his son John, to pay interest of £200 to support a nonconformist ministry in Taihirion, as long as it was possible to get a minister to preach there. This money was paid according to the will for forty years afterwards when the heirs refused to pay them because Mr Price had not written in his will from which part of the estate the money was to come. This was bad behaviour of devious men who had come into such enormous wealth. Not only did they reveal their enmity to the cause but also showed the greatest disrespect to their ancestors, to whom they were indebted for their wealth. This church was under the same ministry as Llanharan until around 1829 when Mr David Jones gave up Llanharan and confined his work to Taihirion and the new causes which he had started in Pentyrch. The cause here was very weak at the start of Mr Jones' ministry. The number of members was around 12 when he started his work here, but very soon the members and listeners increased, so much that they had to build a chapel here in place of the old dwelling house. Because the population of the area was only small there was no need here for a large chapel, and Bethlehem was built particularly for the work at Pentyrch. When the chapel was built it had a lease of the land for 999 years at a rent of one shilling a year from Wyndham Lewis Esq. MP, grandson of the aforementioned Samuel Price. The new chapel was opened on the 19th June 1822. Preaching on the occasion were Messrs. G Hughes (Groeswen), R Morris (Tredegar), B Moses ( New Inn), Thomas Davies (Cymar), W Jones (Bridgend) and others. Around 1831 a small chapel was built for the work at Pentyrch and this was called Bethlehem, and a number of members from Taihirion had letters to release them to go to start the cause there. Around the same time a small house was built on the side of Garth mountain, which was called Soar, to hold a Sunday School and to preach occasionally; but a church was not established there. In 1833 Mr D Jones gave up the churches in Taihirion and Bethlehem, Pentyrch. Soon after that some of the members of Taihirion felt a desire to give a call to one Benjamin Morris, but because there was not a majority of the church in favour they failed to agree and the result was that the followers of B Morgan left and built a chapel in St Brides-super-Ely. In 1834 the churches in Taihirion and Bethlehem sent a call to Mr John Lewis who was at the time a home missionary in the Vale of Glamorgan. He was here for around three years, then he moved to the Welsh in Bristol. In 1837 a call was sent to Mr David Davies from Neuaddlwyd college and he was ordained on the 22nd and 23rd November in the same year. The sermon on the nature of the church was given by Mr Isaac Harris (Mynyddbach), acceptance of the confession of faith by Mr W Griffiths (Llanharan), the ordination prayer was raised by Mr L Powell (Cardiff), the charge was given to the minister by Mr S Griffiths (Horeb) and to the church by Mr T Davies (Swansea). Within a few months after his ordination an occasion came when there was a meeting with Mr Davies as the church was ready to break their association with him; but the opinion of some of the members was being treated too severely and they left with him to start a cause in a farmhouse named Radyr Uchaf, around a mile from Taihirion. At the start of 1840 a call was sent to Mr Lemuel Smith and he was ordained on the 20th February the same year. The prologue was delivered by Mr W Jones (Bridgend), the acceptance of the confession of faith by Mr L Powell (Cardiff), the ordination prayer was raised by Mr D Jones (Clydach), the previous minister of the place, the charge to the minister was given by Mr J Hughes (Dowlais) and the charge to the church by Mr H Jones (Tredegar). Mr Smith was respected and very successful in Taihirion and Bethlehem during the short term of his office He died in March 1842. Soon after the death of Mr Smith the former minister, Mr D Davies, was accepted back and the members who had left with him came back. Mr Davies was working in Taihirion, together with St Brides-super-Ely, until 1848 when he left to care for the Welsh cause in Bristol. After the departure of Mr Davies they depended on occasional ministry until 1851 when a unanimous call was sent by Taihirion and Efail Isaf to Mr John Davies (Horeb, Treforest). He was ordained here on September 30th and 1st October in the same year. The organisation of the ordination service was as follows:- Sermon on the nature of the church by Mr E Jacob (Swansea), acceptance of the confession of faith by Mr M Rees (Groeswen), raising the ordination prayer by Mr E Griffiths (Swansea) and sermon to the minister by Mr D Rees ( Llanelli). This service was held in Efail Isaf. The next day in Taihirion the sermon on the nature of the church was given by Mr G Griffiths (Newport), raising the ordination prayer by Mr W Griffiths (Llanharan), preaching the charge to the minister by his brother Mr T Davies (Horeb, Treforest) and to the church by Mr J Evans (Cymar). Mr Davies has worked in this field for nearly 21 years and has had the honour of being instrumental in doing great good here. In 1858 he gave permission for 11 of the members of Taihirion to establish a church in Bronllwyn, and this daughter church has gone on now to be far larger that the mother church.The church in Taihirion was not very successful at one period in its history, but there is hardly any church in Wales, if any at all, which has done done more to widen the boundaries of the cause in the surrounding area. As can be seen this is the mother church of those in Bethlehem, St Bride's-super-Ely, Bronllwyn and partly Efail Isaf.
During the ministry of Mr David Jones, and before the building of Bethlehem chapel, the cause was strongest in Taihirion. At this time there there were quite a lot of members here and amongst them some notable people of talent and religious fervour. Amongst these, perhaps the most notable by all accounts, was James Edmunds, or 'Jim the Engine' as he was commonly known. It can be seen therefore that he was an engineer by occupation. This man during the early part of his life, and later during his middle age, had been a strangely wild and ungodly man. He was renowned as a fighter. He would go sometimes as far as Bristol and Bath to fight with some of the best fighters from England. But although he was ungodly for a large part of his life he was saved by the grace of God before he came to destruction. One Sunday afternoon he went to listen to Mr David Jones who was preaching in Radyruchaf. Even though it was only out of some unmindful curiosity he had a compunction to go there, he had cause to praise the Lord always for this meeting. He held the word and spirit of God in his mind. Because he had been such an ungodly man, and his temperament naturally excitable, he had an awful struggle in 'the gap of conviction'. He was for a time suffering intense anguish, and often he was tempted by the enemy to put an end to his life. He went to the religious fellowship fairly soon but his experience was rather depressing for a time. One evening while going to the fellowship at Taihirion he related an experience to the friends who were walking with him, he was on the edge of hopelessness. Suddenly, in the middle of his conversation, he turned from them into a field beside the road and they went ahead slowly towards the chapel. When they did not see him coming behind them, some of them feared that something bad had happened to him, or that he had been tempted by the devil to turn his back on religion. But within half an hour of them had taking their places in the chapel they beheld Jim coming in thanking and praising. He said that he had been feeling sick in his heart all the way from his house until he turned from his friends into the field; but there under the hedge by pouring the feelings of his heavy heart unto the Lord, "I felt" he said "the blood of the cross flowing out into me, and now there was peace. O thanks." At this the whole fellowship gave thanks with him. In a few years he moved to the region of Mynyddislwyn where he was a faithful member and full of fire until he was in his old age when he moved to Canton, Cardiff, with his daughter where he died over twenty years ago. The passion of his religious warmth lasted from the start of his faith until the end of his days. Mr Powell, Cardiff, went to visit him a few days before his death, but even though they were old friends, the sick man failed to recognise him. His mind had gone with sickness and old age. Before leaving Mr Powell said to him "Well, if you cannot recognise Lewis Powell, permit me to ask you do you know Jesus Christ?" His mind and his feelings awoke instantly on hearing the words "Jesus Christ", and he answered "Blessed is God, yes I know Him and He knows me, and He will remain with me until the end". With this the firebrand who was saved from the fire departed.
The following were raised to preach in this church:-
Simon Simon.He was a very good man and was for many years a useful and very acceptable assistant preacher . He died on March 5th 1870 at 69 years of age.
Evan Morgan. He was for a few years minister in Penydarran, Merthyr. See his history in this church.
John Morgan, Cardiff. He is a respected and faithful member in Mount Stuart, Cardiff since the start of the cause there.
Also received here were Mr W Russell, lately the minister of Whitchurch, and Mr Job Miles, Bethesda, Merthyr. Also there is Thomas Griffiths, now a preacher in America, who was received here the same Sunday as Mr Miles.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
Lemuel Smith.
He was born in 1815. He was received as a member of the church in Rehoboth, Brynmawr by Mr D Stephenson when he was quite young. He also started preaching there. Shortly after he started preaching he moved to Dowlais and became a member of Bethania. He was a member there when he accepted a call from Taihirion. He was ordained, as we noted, on February 20th 1840. He devoted all his energy to being a good minister for Jesus Christ and won the love of the members and listeners in Taihirion and Bethlehem; but the Lord decided to cause the sun to set while it was still day. His health deteriorated and after a little suffering he died on March 6th 1842 aged 27. He was buried in the cemetery at Groeswen. His people erected a beautiful memorial stone on his grave, and the following verse was engraved on it:
"Do not watch, nor be sad,
For anyone who sleeps in Christ;
There is nothing here but the body of clay
The soul is rejoicing above".
Lemuel Smith was a small man who was weak in body. He was a wonderfully talented preacher and it is more than likely that he would have been popular and useful if his life could have been extended. But because it was the will of the Lord to call him to Himself in the flower of his youth, our place is to become mute and refrain from opening our mouths.
EBENEZER, TONYPANDY (Ystradyfodwg parish)
(Vol 2, p 355)
Saif Tonypandy tua haner y ffordd o Pontypridd i Dreherbert. Yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1865, meddyliodd yr ychydig enwau perthynol i'r Annibynwyr, a breswylient yn y lle hwn, am adeiladu tý i'r Arglwydd. Ymgymerodd y brodyr ffyddlon Charles Jenkins, William Jones, a David Thomas a'r gorchwyl, ac ni orphwysasant nes cael capel yn y lle. Ionawr 8fed, 1866, aethant i'r cyfarfod chwarterol i ofyn cymeradwyaeth i ddechreu yr achos, yr hyn a ganiatawyd gyda llawenydd mawr. Codwyd y capel cyntaf yn Trealaw, a phregethwyd ynddo y waith gyntaf Mai laf, 1866, gan Mr. J. Morgan, Cwmbach. Ar ddiwedd yr oedfa corpholwyd yr ychydig braidd yn eglwys Annibynol. Rhif yr enwau y dydd hwnw oedd 36. Yr oedd Meistri J. Griffiths, Glantaf, a T. Lloyd, Bodringallt yn cynorthwyo ar y cymundeb. Rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad rheolaidd i Mr. Jonah Morgan, Cwmbach, i ddyfod yma bob mis i weinyddu yr ordinhad. Bu Mr. Morgan yn ffyddlon iawn hyd nes y gwelodd fod y lle yn galw am weinidogaeth gyson. Nid oedd y capel cyntaf ond dau dý anedd wedi eu cyfaddasu at gynal addoliad, ond yn y flwyddyn 1867, penderfynwyd codi capel newydd, gan fod yr hen dý yn rhy gyfyng i gynwys y gynnulleidfa, a gosodwyd y gareg sylfaen i lawr gan William Jones, y diacon hynaf yn y lle. Adeiladwyd y capel newydd yr ochr arall i'r afon, yn Tonypandy, yn nghauol y boblogaeth, ar dir Lord of Dare. Dydd Sul y Pasg, 1868, y pregethwyd gyntaf yn y capel newydd, gan Mr. J. Morgan, Cwmbach, ac y gweinyddwyd swper yr Arglwydd. Cynaliwyd cyfarfod agoriad y capel Sul a Llun, Mehefin 21ain a'r 22ain, pryd y gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri W. I. Morris, Pontypridd; L. Probert, Bodringallt; B. Davies, Glandwr; J. Davies, Caerdydd; D. Price, Aberdar; J. Morgan, Cwmbach; J. Jones, Pentyrch; Job Miles, Merthyr, ac R. Evans, Bethel, Aberdar. Mesura y capel 52 troedfedd wrth 40. Costiodd rhwng y muriau o gylch iddo tua 1,100p. Pan symudwyd yr arch i'r capel newydd yr oedd yr eglwys yn rhifo tua 100 o aelodau.
Medi 28ain, 1869, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad unfrydol i Mr. David Thomas, Ystradyfellte. Atebodd yr alwad, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth Tachwedd 21ain. Bu cyfarfod ei aefydliad Chwefror 7fed a'r 8fed, 1870. Mae golwg hynod o lewyrchus ar yr achos yn y lle. Yr eglwys a'r gweinidog yn mynwesu en gilydd; ac amryw yn cael eu hychwanegu beunydd at yr eglwys. Enwau y diaconiaid ydyw William Jones, David Thomas, James Morgan, David Jones, a Miles Morgan.
Codwyd yma un pregethwr, sef John Williams. Dechreuodd bregethu yn 1869, ac y mae yn awr yn athrofa Aberhonddu.
Translation by Steve Stephenson (Oct 2008)
Tonypandy stands about halfway between Pontypridd and Treherbert. At the end of the year 1865 several people, related to the Independents, who lived in this place thought about building a house to the Lord. The faithful brothers, Charles Jenkins, William Jones and David Thomas, undertook the task and they did not rest until a chapel was in the place. On the 8th January 1866 they came to the quarterly meeting to ask for approval to start the cause and this was approved with great gladness. The first chapel was built in Trealaw and preached in for the first time on May 1st 1866 by Mr J Morgan (Cwmbach). At the end of the establishment meeting there were only a few in the Independent church. The number present on this day was 36 and Messrs. J Griffiths (Glantaf) and T Lloyd (Bodringallt) assisted in the Sacrament. The church called regularly on Mr Jonah Morgan (Cwmbach) to come here every month to deliver the Sacrament. Mr Morgan was very faithful until he saw that the place was calling him to preach regularly. The first chapel was only two houses adapted for worship, but in the year 1867 it was decided to build a new chapel because the old one was too confined to hold the congregation. The foundation stone was laid by William Jones, the senior deacon of the place. The new chapel was built on the other side of the river in Tonypandy, in the middle of the population, on land belonging to the Lord of Dare. On Easter Sunday 1868 the first service was held in the new chapel by Mr J Morgan (Cwmbach) and he delivered the Sacrament. An open meeting of the church was held on Sunday and Monday June 21st and 22nd when the sermons on the cause were given by Messrs. W I Morris (Pontypridd), L Probert (Bodringallt), B Davies (Glandwr), J Davies ( Caerdydd), D Price (Aberdare), J Morgan (Cwnbach), J Jones (Pentyrch), Job Miles (Merthyr) and R Evans (Bethel, Aberdar). The chapel measured 52 feet by 40 feet. It cost with the walls surrounding it about £1,100. When the ark was moved to the new chapel the church numbered about 100 members.
On June 28th 1869 the church unanimously sent a call to Mr David Thomas (Ystradfellte). The call was answered and he began his ministry on the 21st November. His induction meeting was held on February 7th and 8th 1870. There is a bright and remarkable appearance for the cause in this place. The church and the minister get on well together and several are added daily to the cause. The names of the deacons are William Jones, David Thomas, James Morgan, David Jones and Miles Morgan.
One preacher was raised from here, John Williams. He started preaching in 1869 and is now in Brecon college.
GILFACH GOCH (Ystradyfodwg parish)
(Vol 2, p 356)
Mae y lle uchod ar waelod Cwmdwfngil, tua thair milldir i'r de o Gwmrhondda, ar gyfer Tonypandy. Yma mae tri phlwyf yn ymgyfarfod a'u gilydd fel tri hwrdd corniog, sef Ystradhafodog, Glynogwr a Llantrisant. Mae gweithiau glo y lle yn agor yn gyflym, a chanoedd o drigolion yma yn preswylio eisoes. Mae yma Eglwys Sefydledig, capel gan y Bedyddwyr, a chapel gan y Methodistiaid. Yr oedd yr Annibynwyr a symudent yma yn ymuno a'r Methodistiaid, a chawsant bob sirioldeb gan y brodyr; ond wrth weled y lle yn cynyddu, a llawer o aelodau a gwrandawyr perthynol i'r Annibynwyr yn dyfod yma i fyw, penderfynasant fyned allan ac ymffurfio yn eglwys Anuibynol. Wedi ymgynghori a brodyr yn y weinidogaeth, ac a'r eglwys, aethant allan Sabboth, Mawrth 3ydd, 1872, i ystafell gyfleus yn ymyl gwesty y Gilfach. Am 10 a 6 pregethodd Mr. M. Morgan, pregethwr cynorthwyol yn Tonypandy; am 2 pregethodd Meistri T. George, Dinas, a D. Thomas, Tonypandy, a chyfranogwyd o'r swper sanctaidd. Gwasanaethwyd gan William Jones a David Thomas, diaconiaid Tonypandy, ar y cymundeb. Neillduwyd David Lewis, David Edmunds, a John Daniel, yn ddiaconiaid i'r eglwys ieuangc. Rhif yr aelodau yn y cymundeb cyntaf oedd 22. Daeth 2 i'r gyfeillach o'r newydd, ac fe hyderwn fod amryw erbyn hyn wedi eu derbyn. Rhif yr ysgol y Sabboth cyntaf oedd 48. Mae yr eglwys wedi cael darn o dir mewn man cyfleus, ac yn dechreu o ddifrif i adeiladu capel arno
Translation by Steve Stephenson (Sept 2008)
The place above is at the bottom of Cwmdwfngil, about three miles to the south of Cwm Rhondda, in the direction of Tonypandy. Three parishes meet here like a three horned ram, Ystradfodwg, Glynogwr and Llantrisant. Collieries are opening rapidly in this place,and hundreds of inhabitants are already living here. There is an Established Church, Baptist Chapel and Methodist Chapel here. The Independents had moved here to join with the Methodists and the brothers got on well together; but seeing the place growing in numbers and as lots of the members belonging to the Independents have come here to live, they decided to go out and form an Independent church. Having consulted with the brothers, the ministry and the church they left on Sunday March 3rd 1872 to a convenient room in the nearby Gilfach Hotel. At 10 o'clock and 6 o'clock Mr M Morgan, assistant minister in Tonypandy, preached ; at 2 o'clock Messrs. T George (Dinas)and D Thomas (Tonypandy) preached, and partook of the sacrament. Officiating in the communion were William Jones and David Thomas, Tonypandy deacons, David Lewis, David Edmunds and John Daniel were appointed deacons to the young church. The number of members in the first communion was 22. Two were newly accepted into fellowship and it is hoped that some more will be accepted afterwards. The number in the first Sunday School was 48. The church has obtained a piece of land in a convenient place and is seriously starting to build a chapel there.
SARDIS, PONTYPRIDD (Llantwit Fardre parish)
(Vol 2, p 360)
Mewn ffermdy o'r enw Gwaunygerwyn, yr hwn a saif oddeutu milldir o Bontypridd, yn nghyfeiriad y Groeswen, y dechreuodd yr Annibynwyr gynal cyfarfodydd cyson a rheolaidd yn y gymydogaeth hon, a hyny yn nechreu y ganrif bresenol. Aelodau o'r Cymar a'r Groeswen fyddai yn cyfarfod yma yn benaf. Byddai Mr. G. Hughes, o'r Groeswen, ac un Daniel Thomas, pregethwr cynorthwyol yn eglwys y Cymar, vn pregethu iddynt yn bur aml. Oddentu diwedd y flwyddyn 1809, symudwyd y cyfarfodydd o'r ffermdy i oruwchystafell y White Horse, (yn awr Maltster's Arms,) yn Mhontypridd. Yr oedd yr ystafell hon yn meddiant ardrethol y cyfeillion y Bedyddwyr yn flaenorol, ac hyd ddiwedd y flwyddyn ganlynol bu y Bedyddwyr, yr Annibynwyr, a'r Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn cydaddoli ynddi; yna ymadawodd y Bedyddwyr ac ymsefydlasant yn eglwys reolaidd wrthynt eu hunain. Bu yr Annibynwyr a'r Methodistiaid yn cydaddoli yn yr ystafell a nodwyd am rai blynyddau ar ol hyny. Pregethid iddynt gan weinidogion a phregethwyr y ddau enwad. Byddai Mr. Hughes, o'r Groeswen, a Mr. Shadrach Davies, o'r Maendy, yn talu ymweliadau mynych a'r lle, ac yn pregethu gydag arddeliad mawr. Yr oedd y cynnulliadau yn lluosog ac yn hwyliog iawn. Rhoddodd llawr yr ystafell ffordd unwaith pan oedd Mr. Hughes yn pregethu, yr hyn a gynyrchodd ofn, dychryn, ac anrhefn mawr. Pregethodd Daniel Thomas, yr hwn y cyfeiriwyd ato eisoes, gryn lawer yr amser yma, yn ei ffordd daranllyd a gwreiddiol ei hun. Yr oedd yn gymeriad pur hynod, heb fod yn debyg i neb and iddo ei hun, ac yr oedd dilysrwydd ei gymeriad crefyddol wedi ennill iddo barch a dylanwad mawr yn mysg ei gydnabyddion, ac yr oedd i Gwenllian ei wraig hefyd gymeriad crefyddol pur ddysglaer. Heblaw y ddau uchod, yr oedd y rhai canlynol yn mysg y rhai oedd yn addoli yn yr ystafell a nodwyd :- Shon a Sian Jacob, Hopkin Smith, ac Evan Morgan-aelodau o'r Groeswen-ac un Ann James, gwraig grefyddol iawn oedd yn byw yn ffermdy Pwllgwaun.
Cawn yr Annibynwyr yn nesaf yn addoli ar eu penau eu hunain mewn ty ardrethol yn agos gyferhyn a'r man lle y mae yr addoldy presenol. Arosasant yma am flynyddoedd, a chynalient gyfarfodydd bob prydnawn Sabboth am dri o'r gloch. Byddai Mr. Hughes, o'r Groeswen, a Mr. Evans, o'r Cymar, yn dyfod i ymweled a hwy yn eu tro. Cafwyd yma gyfarfodydd pregethu, a gweddio, sydd yn fyw yn nghof llawer un hyd heddyw. Pan ddechreuodd y lle ymagor, ac i adnoddau mwnawl y gymydogaeth gael eu gweithio, daeth yma ddylifiad pobloedd, fel yr aeth y ty ardrethol yn rhy fychan i gynal y cyfarfodydd, ac yn y flwyddyn 1834, adeiladwyd y capel cyntaf, yr hwn a alwyd yn Sardis; a dyma y pryd yr ymsefydlodd yr Annibynwyr yn eglwys ymgorphoredig reolaidd o dan ofal Mr. Josua Evans, Cymar. Er ei bod yn cael ei chyfrif fel cangen o'r Cymar, etto yr oedd yn ei chyfansoddi, aelodau o'r Groeswen, ac o Llantrisant. Aelodau o'r Groeswen oedd Dafyd Jones a'i wraig; ac aelodau o Llantrisant oedd William Dafydd a'i wraig; end o'r Cymar yr oedd Evan Morgan, Penrhiw, a'i wraig; John Lewis a'i wraig; Daniel Thomas a'i wraig, a rhai eraill. Wedi bod am ychydig flynyddoedd yn y capelnewydd, aeth rhai o'r aelodau yn bur awyddus am gael ychwaneg o fanteision gweinidogaethol nag oedd yn ngallu Mr. Evans, o herwydd eangder maes ei lafur, ei roddi iddynt; a chyflwynodd ei gofal i fyny, fel y gallasent edrych am weinidog iddynt eu hunain. Rhoddasant alwad i Mr. Griffith Jones, Victoria, Mynwy, a dechreuodd ar ei weinidogaeth yma yn niwedd Hydref, 1843. Bu yma yn ddefnyddiol dros rai blynyddoedd, ond tua'r flwyddyn 1849, yn anffodus cododd ryw anghydwelediad yn eu plith, yr hyn a derfynodd yn ymadawiad Mr. Jones, a nifer o'i gefnogwyr gydag ef, i gynal gwasanaeth mewn ystafell ardrethol yn y dref. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1850, cymerodd Mr. Jones ofal yr eglwys yn Nghefncribwr, ond parhaodd i weinyddu yn achlysurol i'r gangen yn Mhontypridd hyd y flwyddyn 1852, pryd y dychwelodd y rhan fwyaf o honynt yn of i Sardis. Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1850, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Henry Oliver, B.A., myfyriwr o athrofa Caerfyrddin; ond gan ei fod heb orphen ei amser yn yr athrofa, ni ddaeth yma hyd ganol y flwyddyn ganlynol. Urddwyd ef Gorphenaf 17eg a'r 18fed, 1851. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Morgan, Caerfyrddin; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. D. Roberts, Dowlais; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. J. Hughes, Dowlais; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. D. Davies, Pantteg, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. H. Jones, Caerfyrddin.* Bu sefydliad Mr. Oliver yma yn fendith fawr i'r lle. Aeth yr hen gapel yn rhy gyfyng yn fuan, ac yn y flwyddyn 1852, adeiladwyd yr addoldy helaeth presenol, ac agorwyd ef Tachwedd 14eg a'r 15fed, 1852. Llafuriodd Mr. Oliver yma gyda chymeradwyaeth mawr am bymtheng mlynedd, ond yn nechreu 1866, derbyniodd alwad oddiwrth eglwys Saesonaeg Victoria Road, Casnewydd, a symudodd yno. Wedi bod am dymor heb weinidog, yn Rhagfyr 1867, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. William Isaac Morris, Llanelli, Brycheiniog; a dechreuodd Mr. Morris ei weinidogaeth yma yn mis Mai, 1868, ac y mae yn parhau i lafurio yn y lle gyda derbyniad a chymeradwyaeth.
Ni chyfodwyd yma ond un pregethwr, sef Thomas R. Davies, yr hwn sydd yn weinidog yn Poulton, swydd Lancaster. Bu Evan Lewis yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn yr eglwys hon am flynyddau, ac yma yr urdd-wyd ef ar ei fynediad allan i Awstralia; ond yr oedd wedi dechreu pregethu cyn dyfod yma. Bu Rhys Powell yn aelod ffyddlon, ac yn bregethwr gwresog a derbyniol yn yr eglwys hon am flynyddoedd, ond yr oedd yntau wedi dechreu pregethu flynyddoedd cyn dyfod yma. Dechreuodd ef bregethu yn y Brychgoed, ond symudodd i Forganwg. Bu flynyddau yn Maesteg, ac wedi hyny yn Mhontypridd. Yr oedd yn ddyn synwyrol a deallgar, yn eangach ei olygiadau na llawer o'i gydoeswyr, ac yn dra hoff o byngcio a dadleu. Cafodd fyw i oedran teg, a bu farw mewn tangnefedd.
* Diwygiwr, 1851. Tu dal 283
Translation by Steve Stephenson (Feb 2009)
The first regular and consistent Independent meetings in this community began in a farmhouse named Gwaunygerwyn, this stood around a mile from Pontypridd in the direction of Groeswen, and these started in this century.The members meeting here were mainly from Cymar and Groeswen. Mr G Hughes of Groeswen and one Daniel Thomas, an occasional preacher of the church in Cymar, preached to them quite often. Around the end of 1809 the meetings moved from the farmhouse to an upper room in the White Horse ( now called the Maltster's Arms) in Pontypridd. This room was thought earlier to be suitable by friends of the Baptists and until the end of the following year the Baptists, Independents and the Calvinist Methodists worshipped together in it; then the the Baptists left and established their own regular church by themselves. The Independents and Methodists worshipped together in the room as noted for some years after that. Ministers came who were preachers of the two denominations. Mr Hughes of Groeswen and Mr Shadrach Davies of Maendy paid frequent visits to the place and preached with great approval. The congregations were numerous and very fervent. The floor of the room gave way once when Mr Hughes was preaching, this produced fear, terror and great disorder. Daniel Thomas, the one who had led them already, preached many times here, in his own thunderous inimitable way. He was a very remarkable character, not like anybody else, and the sincerity of his religious character won him respect and a large following amongst his acquaintances. Gwenllian , his wife, was also a shining religious character. Beside these two, the following were amongst those who were worshipping in the the room that was mentioned:- Shon and Sian Jacob, Hopkin Smith and Evan Morgan - members of Groeswen - and one Anne James, a very religious lady living in the farmhouse Pwllgwaun.
The Independents next worshipped on their own in a suitable house close to the present place of worship. They stopped there for years and held meetings every Sunday afternoon at three o'clock. Mr Hughes of Groeswen and Mr Evans of Cymar came to visit them in turn. Services and prayer meetings were held here that still live in the memory today. When the place started to grow, and the financial resources of the community grew, a flood of people came, such that the suitable house was too small to hold meetings. In 1834 the first chapel was built, the one that is called Sardis; this is the time the Independents established a regular church under the care of Mr Joshua Evans (Cymar). Even though it was counted as a branch of Cymar yet it was composed of members from Groeswen and Llantrisant. Members from Groeswen were Dafyd Jones and his wife, and members from Llantrisant were William Dafydd and his wife; but from Cymar were Evan Morgan (Penrhiw) and his wife, Daniel Thomas and his wife and some others. After having been in the new chapel for a few years some of the members were very keen to have more of the ministerial advantages than Mr Evans could give to them because of the extent of his field of work. He presented his resignation so that they could look for a minister of their own. They gave a call to Mr Griffith Jones (Victoria, Monmouth) and he started his ministry here at the end of October 1843. He was useful here for some years but around 1849 unfortunately some disagreement arose in their midst, it was this that ended in the departure of Mr Jones, and a number of his supporters with him, to hold services in a suitable room in the town. At the start of 1850 Mr Jones took the care of the church in Cefncribwr but continued to minister occasionally to the branch in Pontypridd until 1852 when the greater part of them went to Sardis. Before the end of 1850 the church gave a call to Mr Henry Oliver BA, a student of the college in Carmarthen; but because he had not finished his time in the college he was unable to come here until the middle of the following year. He was ordained on July 17th and 18th 1851. Preaching on the nature of the church was Mr W Morgan (Carmarthen), asking the questions was Mr D Roberts (Dowlais), presenting the ordination prayer was Mr J Hughes (Dowlais), preaching to the minister was Mr D Davies (Panteg) and to the church by Mr H Jones (Carmarthen). * The establishment of Mr Oliver here was a great blessing to the place. Soon the old chapel became too restricted and in 1852 the present large place of worship was built and it was opened on November 14th and 15th 1852. Mr Oliver worked here with great approval for fifteen years, but in 1866 he accepted a call from the English church in Victoria Road, Newport and he moved there. After being without a minister for a time, in December 1867 the church gave a call to Mr William Isaac Morris, Llanelli, Brecon and Mr Morris started his ministry here in May 1868. He continues to work here in this place with acceptance and approval.
Only one preacher was raised here, that is Thomas R Davies who is the minister in Poulton, Lancashire. Evan Lewis was an occasional preacher in this church for years and he was ordained here on his departure to Australia, but he had started preaching before coming here. Rhys Powell was a faithful member and a warm preacher and accepted in this church for years, but he had started preaching years before coming here. He started preaching in Brychgoed but moved to Glamorgan. He was for years in Maesteg and after that in Pontypridd. He was a charming and understanding man, younger in his outlook than many of his age group and rather fond of discussion and debate. He lived to a fair age and died in peace,
* Diwygiwr, 1851, Page 283.
ZION, PONTYPRIDD (Eglwysilan parish)
(Vol 2, p 361)
Yn nechreu 1870, rhoddodd yr eglwys yn Sardis ollyngiad rheolaidd i 38 o'i haelodau, gyda'r amcan iddynt ymsefydlu yn eglwys, yn y rhan hono o'r ardal a elwir Coedpenmaen, lle y buwyd yn cynal Ysgol Sabbothol a chyfarfodydd wythnosol am rai blynyddoedd. Yr amser yma yr oedd capel y Trefnyddion Cyntefig ar werth, yr hwn a safai ar lan yr afon rhwng y dref a'r gymydogaeth uchod; prynasant hwnw, ac yno, yr ymsefydlasant. Mae yn dra thebyg y buasai yn fwy manteisiol i'r eglwys ieuangc a'r gymydogaeth, pe buasent yn adeiladu addoldy newydd yn Nghoedpenmaen. Mae y capel yn myned o dan gyfnewidiad ar hyn o bryd; helaethir ef, a gosodir i fyny oriel newydd ynddo. Nid yw yr eglwys wedi bod o dan weinidogaeth sefydlog hyd yn hyn.
Translation by Maureen Saycell (April 2009)
Early 1870 Sardis released 38 members, with the intention that they found a church in the area known as Coedpenmaen. A Sunday School and weekly meetings had been held there for some years. At the time the Primitive denomination was for sale, which stood by the river between that area and the town, they bought it and settled there. It may have been better had they built a new chapel in Coedpenmaen. The chapel is under restoration at present, it is having a gallery installed and being extended. There has been no settled minister to date.