Chapels - Llancarfan

This project is fully described on Glamorgan Chapels Database

This Llancarfan database compiled by Gareth Hicks

If a chapel is already mentioned on the main parish page then its name will act as a link to that section for any data recorded there - such as extant records and OS Grid references

Some chapels may have more than one entry if it is not possible to correctly identify each from a particular source

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

Sources referred to (indicated by number shown in brackets after the data entry) where there may be more data available

Sources;

• 1. The Chapels Recording Project in Wales (RCAHMW)
• 2. Dissent in the Counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth by Hywel D Emanuel, National Library of Wales journal, Vol VIII/4, Winter 1954.
• 3. Glamorgan Record Office in Cardiff hold most extant parish church and non-conformist chapel records, these are listed on their site (click ' history of your family' on main page and scroll down to the end of the next page)
• 4. Glamorgan FHS - the publications lists etc
• 5. Kelly's Directory, South Wales 1895 - the Archive CD Books Cd
• 6. Kelly's Directory, South Wales 1910 - the Archive CD Books Cd
• 7. Jones, I.G. & Williams, D. The Religious census of 1851 : A Calendar of the returns relating to Wales, Vol 1, South Wales. UWP, Cardiff, 1976

Additional sources

• Slaters Directory for 1880

Baptist

Bethlehem Welsh Baptist chapel, Llancarfan

• Bethlehem Baptist chapel, Llancarfan ST05067014 Built in 1823, modified, altered or rebuilt in 1876 (1)
• Bethlehem Welsh Baptist Extant records (3) & MIs (4)
• There are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels in the village, and CM and Congregational chapels in the upper part of the parish 1895 (5)
• There is a Baptist chapel erected in 1822 in the village, seats 200 1910 (6)
• Baptist, Llancarfan Rev Owen Jones Slaters Directory for 1880
• Bethlehem Baptist, Lancarvan Erected in 1823 Edmund Thomas Bassett, Minister, [? Basssett Edmund Thomas?] 1851 (7)

• 1818 September 18 Baptist; a building called Bethlehem; Thomas EDWARDS of Lanbethery in the parish of Lanfarcan, farmer Richard Lloyd (?), Philip DAVID, William JONES (2)

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

• "The original Bethlehem Baptist Chapel was established in 1823 when a house and garden in Llancarfan were purchased for £62 on land with a 999 year lease. In 1870 the chapel was rebuilt. Further renovations to the interior took place in 1894 and in 1923. The chapel was sold in 1981."
  "Sunday school and donations registers, 1842-1891; notes on the history of the chapel, 1923; minutes books, 1921-1977; correspondence, 1923-1978; deeds, 1980-1981; miscellaneous papers and certificates, 1891-1974"

Congregationalist

Carmel Ind chapel, Llancarfan

• Carmel Ind chapel, Llancarfan ST05297341 Built in 1835, modified, altered or rebuilt in 1861 and 1877 (1)
• There are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels in the village, and CM and Congregational chapels in the upper part of the parish 1895 (5) and Rev William Edgar Evans (Congregational) 1910 (6)
• Independent Llancarfan Rev Jas Thomas Slaters Directory for 1880
• Carmel Independent, Lancarvan (Liegecastle) Jonathan Measey, Deacon, Wood carter, Pen yr heol, Bonvilstone 1851 (7)

• 1835 March 28; Calvanistic Independant; a meeting-house erected in the said parish; Benjamin MORGAN of the parish of Lalncarfan, Minister of the Gospel, John WILLIAMS (2)

The following entry is thought to be the same place, in Llancarfan parish and not Bonvilston (which village is nearby)

Carmel Welsh/English United Reformed chapel, Bonvilston

• Carmel United Reformed chapel Extant records (2) and MIs (3)
• Carmel English Uinited Reformed chapel, Bonvilston Opened in 1838, still open in 1992 (4)

  • Sources for the above data;

    • 2.Glamorgan Record Office in Cardiff hold most extant parish church and non-conformist chapel records, these are listed on their site (click ' history of your family' on main page and scroll down to the end of the next page)

    • 3. Glamorgan FHS - the publications lists etc

    • 4. My Ancestors were Congregationalists in England and Wales, by D J H Clifford, SOG, 1992.

• "Carmel founded as a Welsh-speaking chapel in 1834 by Eglwys yr Annibynwyr. In 1924 it came into the Congregational Church of England and Wales and in 1972 the United Reformed Church" United Reformed Church
• Carmel Chapel, Bonvilston: Conversion of chapel and vestry to residential use [on CAPEL's threatened sites list]
• Rees, Thomas & John Thomas. Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru (History of the Welsh Independent Churches), 4 volumes (published 1871+). Here is the entry for this chapel (in Welsh) - with translation by Steve Stephenson (Oct 2008)

Details of extant records on Archives Network Wales for the following;

• Carmel Congragational/United Reformed Chapel, Bonvilston records 1862-2005
  "The congregational cause at Carmel, Bonvilston was established in 1834 under the ministry of the Revd. Benjamin Morgan of Taihirion. Carmel Chapel opened in 1835, at a cost of £400. The membership increased under the ministry of Mr John Davies, who served the chapel jointly with the cause at Llantrisant, although debt owed on the building of the chapel remained a problem. In 1837, Mr John Jones was ordained minister, followed in 1841 by Mr Rees Evans, who resigned after 6 years to emigrate to America. Debt continued to be a burden, and it was decided to sell the chapel to the Baptist cause. On the eve of the sale, the key could not be found and the sale could not go ahead. The key was held by members Mary and Benjamin John, who sold their two pigs in order to reduce the debt and save the building. In 1850, Mr James Thomas began conducting regular services at Carmel. He was inducted as minister in 1853, and went on to organise a variety of activities in an effort to clear the debt. As a result, the debt was paid and extra money was made available to renovate the chapel. In 1860, the burial ground was extended and a stable built nearby. In 1877, the chapel was rebuilt and the entire cost paid in full before the opening services in November that year. Mr James Thomas died in 1879 aged 63. He was buried in the chapel burial ground with members paying for his tombstone. Mr Thomas was followed by William Edgar Evans, who was ordained in 1880. Mr Evans was known as the 'Bishop of the Vale' due to his work as pastor in the community. A number of ministers followed, including A. J. Evans and H. Oswald Evans. Carmel was also served by many excellent deacons, including Hopkin Smith, John Smith and James Price. The chapel closed in 1999 and the building is now derelict"
• See also Capeli (2005 list of chapels under threat)

Methodist

Ebenezer Welsh Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Llancarfan

• Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Llancarfan ST05067030 Built in 1814, modified, altered or rebuilt in 1835, 1858 and 1891, not still in use in 1998 (1)
• There are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels in the village, and CM and Congregational chapels in the upper part of the parish 1895 (5) and 1910 (6)
• Wesleyan Llancarfan Slaters Directory for 1880
• Ebenezer Wesleyan, Lancarvan village Erected in 1835 William Griffith jnr, Deacon 1851 (7)

• 1816 April 27 Welsh Methodist ; a buidling called the Tithe Barn; Christopher BALLARD, farmer (2)
• 1821 June 29; Protestant (endorsed; Wesleyan); the dwelling house occupied by Christopher BALLARD, shopkeeper, situated at Lancadle, the propery of Evan SYMMONS, gent.; the said Christopher BALLARD (2)
• 1832 June 9; Protestant (endorsed; Welsh Methodist); a dwelling house in the occupation of William SAMUEL, yeoman, at Llanbethery; the said William SAMUEL (2)

Soar CM chapel (Zoar), Llancarfan

• Soar CM chapel (Zoar), Llancarfan ST05327415 Built in 1831, modified, altered or rebuilt in 1878 (1)
• There are Baptist and Wesleyan chapels in the village, and CM and Congregational chapels in the upper part of the parish 1895 (5) and 1910 (6)
• CM Llancarfan Slaters Directory for 1880
• Zoar CM, Lancarvan Erected in 1831 Thomas Edwards, Deacon, Leech Castle, Bonvilston 1851 (7)

• Undated (late 18th Century) Presbyterian; the dwelling house of Richard DAVID; the said Richard DAVID, William EVAN, Thomas DAVID, Richard WILLIAM (2)
• 1835 December 1; Calvanistic Methodist; a buliding called Zoar; Benjamin EVANS of the parish of St Fagans, Minister of the Gospel (2)

Other (or unidentified)

None