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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 See main project page

MERIONETHSHIRE   (Vol 1)

Pages 470 - 483

Proof read by Maureen Saycell (May 2008)

Chapels below;

 

Pages  470 - 483

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(Continued) ABERMAW

y Siopfawr, i wr a gwraig y ty, ei mham hi, ac ychydig eraill oedd yn byw yn Abermaw, yn nghyd a rhyw bobl ddyeithr o'r wlad. Wrth gydmaru oed yr hen wraig y pryd hwnw, atebai yn gywir i'r amser yr oedd Mr Evans yn gweinidogaethu yn Llanuwchllyn, ac yn pregethu yn Maesyrafallen. Pan ymadawodd Mr Evans o'r Sir hen, rhoddodd yr Annibynwyr heibio lafurio yn y parth hwn o Feirion am dros ugain mlynedd, ond ni bu y trigolion er hyny heb glywed pregethu efengyl Crist gyda nerth a phurdeb, oblegid yn Hanes Methodistiaeth, Cyf. I. tudal. 508, 509, a 520, cawn fod ambell i Fethodist yn myned i Maesyrafallen i bregethu, ac ychwanega "Yr oedd yr ychydig grefyddwyr oedd yn byw yn y dref (Bermo) ar y pryd yn cael mwynhau gweinidogaeth un B. Evans, gweinidog yr Ymneillduwyr yn Llanuwchllyn, yr hwn a fyddai yn arfer pregethu mewn ardal gyfagos.' Adroddodd un o'r crefydd-wragedd henaf yn y lle hwn yn ddiweddar, yr hanes difyr a dyddorol a ganlyn, yr hon a'i cawsai gan Catherine Roberts:* Yr oedd rhyw bregethwr, #  nis gwyddai ei enw, wedi addaw pregethu wrth oleu dydd ar y gareg-farch, (horseblock,) yn ymyl drws y Siopfawr, a mawr oedd y son am y cwrdd disgwyliedig gan grefyddwyr, a chan elynion crefydd hefyd. Ar ryw ddiwrnod o flaen y cyfarfod, galwodd Mrs Griffith, gwraig y Siop, ar un o'r meddwon a'r ymladdwr penaf y pryd hwnw yn y lle, pan yn myned heibio o flaen ei thy, " G. tyred yma, mae dyn neis iawn, gwas yr Arglwydd, yn dyfod yma i bregethu am Iesu Grist i ni' ac 'rwan G. bach, ni wn i am neb tebyg i ti am gadw chwareu teg iddo, a rhwystro pethau drwg i wneyd dim niwed iddo. Os gwnei G., mi rodda i jwgied o gwrw newydd 'rwan i ti, a chei un arall ar ol y cyfarfod, a wnei di G ?" " Gwnaf," atebai G. gyda llw rhyfygus. Arferodd yr un moddion tuag at un neu ychwaneg o gyffelyb nodwedd yn y Ile, a chafodd yr un cyffelyb ateb gan y rhai hyny. Yr oedd y gelynion hwythau yn parotoi at yr erlid, wedi crynhoi cryn lawer o bob peth aflanach na'u gilydd i fod wrth law i'w lluchio at y pregethwr. Ond dyma

* Llythyr Mr James Jones, yr hwn a roddodd i ni lawer o ddefnyddiau.

# Mae yn dra thebyg mai Mr B. Evans oedd y pregcthwr, gan ei fod yn gweinidogaethu yn y gymydogaeth, ac o ysbryd mor gyhoeddus a diofn, ac wedi bod yn gweinyddu yr ordinhad o Swper yr Arglwydd yn flaenorol yn mharlwr y Siop grybwylledig. Dywed awdwr Hanes Methodistiaeth, tudal. 572, nad oedd yr un cynghorwr o Rhoslan, yn Arfon, hyd Machynlleth, yn Maldwyn, yn y flwyddyn 1783, sef yn mhen o gylch wyth mlynedd wedi ymadawiad Mr. Evans, o Lanuwchllyn. Yn mhellach wrth yr hanes dyddorol a roddai y diweddar Mr Lewis Morris, yn Nhraethodydd, 1847, tudal. 107, fod John Ellis, o Abermaw, wedi hyny, yn pregethu yn y cymydogaethau hyn yn y flwyddyn 1788, ac wedi iddo ef (L. M.) ei rwystro i bregethu yn Llwyngwril. Gwr genedigol o gwr mynydd Hiraethog, yn Sir Ddinbych, yr hwn a ymunodd a chrefydd yn bur ieuangc yn Llanbrynmair, o dan weinidogaeth yr hybarch Richard Tibbot, oedd y dywededig John Ellis. Ar ol iddo fod yn aelod gloyw yn yr hen eglwys Ymneillduol hono am tua saith mlynedd, symudodd i Sir Feirionydd, ac ymgymerodd a'r gwaith o gadw un o'r ysgolion Cymraeg ag oedd Mr Charles, o'r Bala, newydd gychwyn yn y wlad, a chyda'r Methodistiaid y bu ef yn llafurio o hyny hyd derfyn ei oes. Adweinid ef wrth yr enw "John Ellis, Abermaw." Bu pregethwr arall tra llafurus yn ei ddydd gyda Chorph y Methodistiaid yn y parthau hyn, o'r enw " William Pugh, o Llanfihangel ;" yr hwn, wedi clywed fod Mr B. Evans, yn pregethu yn Maesyrafallen, a aeth yno ar un bore Sabboth, er fod ganddo o ddeuddeg i bymtheng milltir o ffordd dra mynyddig a chorsiog i'w cherdded, ac am na buasai  erioed o'r blaen mewn addoliad Ymneillduol, rhyfeddodd yn fawr wrth weled mai cegin wael oedd ganddynt yn eglwys a stol yn bulpud! Testyn y bregeth oedd, " Cans nid oes arnaf gywilydd o efengyl Grist." Teimlodd fod mwy yn yr efengyl nag a feddyliodd erioed o'r blaen. Crybwyllai W. Pugh, am yr oedfa hono fel cychywniad ei yrfa grefyddol. **

**Hanes Methodistiaeth, Cyf. I. Tudal. 568.

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ddiwrnod yr oedfa wedi d'od, ac awr y dechreu yn nesu, eithr cyn i'r pregethwr ddyfod allan o'r ty, daeth y Cadben Dedwith, am yr hwn y crybwyllasom o'r blaen yn nglyn a'r Cutiau, allan, ac a llais clir nerthol, gwaeddodd " Gosteg, fy anwyl gymydogion, diwrnod pwysig iawn yw hwn yn y Bermo, fe fydd trin a chyfrif am bob peth a wneir yma heddyw yn y farn fawr, pan fyddo'r meirw yn dyfod allan yn fyw o'u beddau, a'r ddaear yn wenfflam bob modfedd o honi, ac yn awr mae gwas yr Arglwydd yn myned i ddyweyd wrthym ni pa fodd i fod yn ddiogel yn y diwrnod ofnadwy hwnw." Gyda hyny dyma'r pregethwr yn dechreu, a rhwng araeth y cadben, a dichell sanctaidd modryb Betti Pugh, fel y gelwid -Mrs Griffith, y Siopfawr, yn aml, cafodd y pregethwr lonydd i fyned yn ei flaen a gorphen y cyfarfod.

Ond nid ydym yn cael allan fod neb o'r Annibynwyr wedi bod yn pregethu yma gyda dim cysondeb, beth bynag, hyd nes y cofrestrwyd yma bregethu, rhyw dro tua dechreu y ganrif bresenol, gan Mr. H. Pugh, o'r Brithdir, a chofrestrwyd amryw anedd-dai yma y naill ar ol y llall, a phregethai Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau, a Mr Davies, Cutiau, ac eraill yma. Yn y flwyddyn 1825, daeth Mr. Evan Evans, o'r Bwlchgwyn yma i gadw ysgol ddyddiol, ac i bregethu ar y Sabbothau yn y tri lle - Cutiau, Abermaw, a'r Dyffryn. Ychydig oedd nifer y cyfeillion ar y pryd - Griffith Griffiths, Bodgwilym, a'i wraig, Maria, (yr hon oedd ferch i Mr John Roberts, o Lanbrynmair); Robert Sion, saer maen ; Catrin Robert, Sian Sion, a Mrs Jones, y Te, fel ei gelwid. Dyna oedd o honynt y pryd hwnw yn y dref. Addolent mewn ystafell berthynol i hen adeilad helaeth a fuasai gynt yn fath o balasdy, o thalent am dani dair punt yn y flwyddyn. Cadwodd Mr. Evans yr ysgol ddyddiol mewn rhan o'r hen adeilad grybwylledig am fwy na dwy flynedd, ac yn Mai, 1827, urddwyd ef i holl waith y weinidogaeth, fel y crybwyllasom yn hanes y Cutiau. Rhyngodd bodd i'r Arglwydd lwyddo llafur y gweinidog ieuangc a'r ychydig gyfeillion, gan ychwanegu eu rhifedi, fel y penderfynasant yn fuan gael capel newydd, yr hwn a agorwyd yn y flwyddyn 1828. Teithiodd Mr. Evans trwy Ogledd a Deheudir Cymru, ac i Lundain, ac amryw ranau eraill o Loegr i gasglu at dalu dyled y capel. Cyfarfu yr achos yma a chryn lawer o anhawsderau, ac yr oedd y dadleuon duwinyddol oedd yn yr adeg hono yn anfantais iddo, ond er y cwbl, gweithiodd ei ffordd yn raddol, ond yn sicr, a llwyddodd i ladd yr holl ragfarn oedd yn ei erbyn. Rhoddwn y difyniad a ganlyn o adroddiad a anfonwyd i ni gan Mr Evans, Llangollen, o hanes yr achos yn y lle o'i sefydliad ef yno hyd ei ymadawiad. "Pan oedd yr achos yn Abermaw yn myned rhagddo yn lled gysurus, bu rhuthr o erledigaeth arno yn y flwyddyn 1829, oherwydd y Bil a ddygid ger bron y wlad i'w ddwyn yn llwyddianus, os gellid trwy y Senedd, sef Rhyddfreiniad y Pabyddion i gael breintiau gwladol fel deiliaid eraill y deyrnas. Yr oedd holl drigolion y dref, oddieithr ychydig bersonau, yn ffyrnig yn erbyn hyn, fel na feiddiai neb yngan gair o ochr y Bil, heb beryglu ei hun ryw ffordd neu gilydd. Safodd E Evans, a rhyw ychydig o'i bobl rhag ochri gyda'r lluaws yn hyn. Ni ddadleuai ef na hwythau yn gyhoeddus o blaid mater, ond amlygent eu rhesymau mewn ymddyddanion personol a'u cymydogion, dros beidio gwrthwynebu Rhyddfreiniad y Pabyddion, fel diliaid eraill y deyrnas, er eu bod yn hollol yn erbyn y gyfundrefn Babaidd. Beuid ef yn dost gan yr holl dref, ac yn wir gan rai o'i gyfeillion ei hun hefyd, yr hyn oedd yn chwerwi ei brofedigaeth ; a dywedai y dref

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ei fod yn pleidio Pabyddiaeth, Daroganid gan y rhan fwyaf y deuai y Pabyddion i losgi eu Beiblau. `Ni chant, myn ----, ebe un gwr mawr ag oedd yn swyddog yn y porthladd dan y llywodraeth,  byth losgi fy Mibl i, mi cuddia i o yn rhywle na ddo nhw byth hyd iddo., Ie, ie, gallai ef fforddio byw hebddo yn burion, ffordd bynag y troai y mater. Yr oedd y dref yn ferw drwyddi. Ond mewn gwirionedd, llawer gwell y gwyddai rhai o honynt y pryd hwnw pa fodd i hwylio llongau, a phentyru cyfoeth, ac eraill oedd dan eu hawdurdod, a wyddent yn well pa fodd i ddal pysgod, a chasglu cregin duon, a chregin cocos, nag y deallent beth oedd natur gwir ryddid gwladol a chrefyddol. Yn y cythrwfl hwn, ciliodd lluaws o'r gwrandawyr o gapel yr Annibynwyr, ac ni ddaethant iddo byth mwyach. Mynai un dyn mileinig, yr hwn oedd cyn ddyled a llo ar y pwngc, roddi barilad o bowdr yn y seler o dan y capel, a'i chwythu i'r cymylau! Oni buasai fod arno ofn y gyfraith efe a gyflawnasai ei ddymuniad, a mwy na thebyg yr yfasai efe yn deilwng o'i gymeriad cyffredin, farilaid o gwrw ar ol hyny gyda'i gymdeithion i gydorfoleddu a hwynt am ei orchestion, ond fel y dygwyddodd, trodd y fantol dros y Bil! Er hyny, effeithiodd hyn er niwaid dirfawr i'r achos Annibynol yn y dref hono am flynyddau lawer, ie, edrychid arno gan lawer gyda dirmyg. Cyhoeddwyd hanes yr helyntion hyn drwy y wasg Seisnig, er hysbysrwydd i luaws o Saeson a ddeuant i'r porthladd hwn yn yr haf, ac er amddiffyniad teg i'r achos, ac i'r gweinidog ieuangc. Dygwyddodd i Mr T. W. Jenkyn, y pryd hwnw o Groesoswallt, (wedi hyny Dr. Jenkyn, awdwr y llyfr rhagorol ar yr Iawn,) ddyfod i Abermaw yn mhen rhyw dair blynedd ar ol y cythrwfl, yr hwn wedi gweled yr hanes blaenorol am dano, a chwiliodd i mewn i'w wirionedd, ac ar ol cael sicrwydd fod yr hanes a welsai yn berffaith gywir, a ysgrifenodd ei farn a'i dystiolaeth ar y pwngc, gan roddi caniatad i'r gweinidog a'i gyfeillion i wneyd y defnydd cyhoeddus a fynent o hyny. Er hyn oll yn mlaen yr elai yr achos yn y tri lle, yn enwedig yn yr Abermaw a'r Dyffryn. Ar nos Sabboth yr unfed-ar-bymtheg o fis Chwefror, 1840, ymwelodd yr Arglwydd a'i bobl mewn modd amlwg a nerthol iawn. Yr ydys yn cofio yn dda beth oedd y testyn y noson hono, sef Gen. iv. 3. - " A dywedodd yr Arglwydd, Nid ymryson fy ysbryd a dyn yn dragywydd, oblegid mai cnawd yw efe." Nid oedd dim yn hynod gyffrous, yn fwy na chyffredin, yn ystod y rhan gyntaf o'r bregeth, ond gwelid rhyw ddifrifwch anarferol yn y gwrandawyr, a theimlai y gweinidog ei hun felly. Tua'r rhan olaf o'r bregeth gwelid y gynnulleidfa yn gwelwi yn awr ac eilwaith, a chlywid gruddfanau dystaw a dwysion, yn enwedig pan adroddid y gair " yn dragywydd," ddwywaith neu dair yn olynol. Wedi gwasgu atynt am iddynt roddi eu hymrysonfa ag Ysbryd Duw fyny yn ddioed, terfynwyd y bregeth. Yna rhoddwyd penill i 'w ganu, ond er mawr syndod i'r pregethwr, ni chyfodai y pen-canwr ar ei draed i gynyg y mesur. Ailadroddwyd y penill, and ni wnai neb un osgo godi ar ei draed, mwy na phe buasent wedi eu hoelio wrth eu heisteddleoedd! Cyfeiriai y gweinidog at un o'r brodyr oedd yn rhywle agos, i'r pulpud, gan ddyweyd wrtho, " Rowland, codwch chwi y mesur. " Cynygiodd agor ei enau, ond eisteddodd yn y fan. Yn hytrach nag i'r moddion derfynu felly, cynygiodd y gweinidog ei wneyd un peth, oblegid gwyddai yn dda pa don a wnelsai y tro. Seiniodd nodyn neu ddau, a dyna y cwbl. Ar hyny, ymollyngodd y gynnulleidfa i ruddfan ac wylo, ac amryw o honynt a weddient yn daerion, fel dynion ar ddarfod am danynt.

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Aeth rhyw ychydig allan o'r addoldy, ond dychwelasent i mewn drachefn fel dynion wedi haner hurtio! Dywedir am un dyn a aeth allan, ac a aeth i ben pellaf y dref yn bennoeth, ac iddo redeg yn ei ol gan ddychryn i'r capel, ac iddo roddi naid uchel ar ganol y llawr, gan ddiolch i Dduw na buasai wedi i daflu ef i uffern ; ie, tybiodd fod yr Arglwydd ar wlawio arno dan a brwmstan o'r nefoedd ! Yr oedd Duw yn wir yn y lle! Parhaodd yr ymweliad dwyfol hwnw yn Abermaw ac yn y Dyffryn hefyd am gryn amser, a daeth lluaws o bechaduriaid dychweledig i'r eglwysi ; eithr parhaodd rhai o'r gwrandawyr yn ystyfnig drwy y cwbl, er maint o anesmwythder a brofasant yn eu meddwl yn yr adeg hono.

Bu y gymdeithas ddirwestol yn foddion i feifhrin mwy o undeb a brawdgarwch rhwng enwadau crefyddol a'u gilydd. Gan y cynhelid cyfarfodydd i areithio ar yr achos yn y gwahanol gapeli ar gylch, yn enwedig yn y gauaf, pryd y byddai y morwyr gartref, yr oedd dynion crefyddol yn dyfod i fwy o gydnabyddiaeth a'u gilydd, ac i ymgymdeithasu yn amlach, a thrwy hyny caent gyfleusderau i glywed gwahanol ddoniau, ac felly dygid hwynt i feddwl yn well am eu gilydd. Crybwyllir etto un hanesyn er dangos gwrthuni cenfigen a dallbleidiaeth. Yr oedd person Seisonig, wedi dyfod i fyw i ymyl Abermaw, er mwyn ei iechyd yn benaf, yr hwn ar ei gychwyniad i Loegr, i dderbyn ei ddegymau gan  blwyfolion, a ddywedodd wrth ei was am werthu ei ferlyn, erbyn y dychwelai efe adref o'i daith, gan benodi ei bris. Cyflawnodd y gwas ei archiad. Wedi i'r boneddwr ddychwelyd, ymofynodd cyn hir a'i was yn nghylch y merlyn. Dywedai yntau ei fod wedi ei werthu, a chael tal am dano. " I bwy, Robert ?" " I Mr Evans," ebe yntau, " gweinidog yr Annibynwyr." Ar hyny ymwylltiodd y meistr, ac a fygythiodd ei was, gan ddyweyd wrtho, y troid ef allan o'i wasanaeth ef, oni cha'i fe y merlyn yn ei ol, a hyny yn ddioed hefyd, gan ddyweyd, "Ni chaiff fy merlyn i gario un Dissenting Minister byth ! Ond druan o hono, yr oedd y merlyn wedi cael y fraint o grio Dissenting Minister eisioes! Daeth gwraig y gwas trallodedig at Mr Evans, dan wylo i erfyn arno roddi y merlyn yn i ol, er ei mwyn hi a'i phriod a'i phlant. O'r diwedd efe a wnaeth hyny. Beiid ef gan lawer o'i frodyr am na fuasai yn fwy llewaidd na hyny, ond fodd bynag, y mae y merlyn erbyn hyn wedi darfod am dano er's blynyddau, a'r person yn nhragwyddoldeb er's talm mawr, a'r Dissenting Minister yn fyw, ac yn iach, ac yn diolch i'r Hwn a ofalodd am dano trwy ei oes hyd yr awr hon."

Yn y flwyddyn 1844, ymadawodd Mr Evans i Maentwrog, ar ol llafurio yma am yn agos i ugain mlynedd. Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn hono, derbyniodd Mr James Jones, Capelhelyg, alwad i ddyfod yn weinidog yma, ac wedi bod yma yn ddiwyd ac ymdrechgar am bum-mlynedd-ar-hugain, teimlai Mr Jones nod oedd yn alluog fel cynt i gyflawni ei ddyledswyddau, ac wedi ei dderbyn yn flaenorol ar Drysorfa yr hen Weinidogion, ymryddhaodd o'i ofalon gweinidogaethol ar y Sabboth cyntaf yn Ionawr, 1869, ond y mae yn parhau i drigianu yma, ac yn pregethu yn rhywle bob Sabboth, ac yn hynod o gymeradwy gan bob enwad crefyddol. Ar y Sabhoth cyntaf yn Tachwedd, 1869, dechreuodd Mr David Evans, Rhosymedre, ei weinidogaeth yma, ac y mae yn parhau yma, a'r achos ar cyfan mewn gwedd gysurus. Mae y capel mewn lle pur anghyfleus, a theimlir er's blynyddoedd y dylasai fod yma gapel llawer rhagorach i ateb cynydd poblogaeth, a gwelliant adeiladau y lle, ond yr anhawsder oedd

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cael lle cyfleus i adeiladu arno. Chwiliodd Mr Jones, y gweinidog, a'r diweddar Mr David Jones, Fferyllydd, lawer am le, ond yn ofer, ond y mae yn dda genym ddeall fod darn o dir mewn safle fanteisiol wedi ei sicrhau, ac y bwriedir yn ddioed i godi arno addoldy prydferth. Bu teulu Bodwilym yn hynod o garedig i'r achos o'r dechreuad. Llettywyd ugeiniau o weinidogion o dan eu cronglwyd, ac yr oedd eu ty yn letty fforddolion i bawb a ddeuai heibio. Yr oedd Mrs Griffith, yn arbenig, yn wraig ddoeth a synwyrol, yn deall yr efengyl, ac yn meddu cydymdeimlad dwfn a'i gwirioneddau, ac yn ei thymer a'i hysbryd, yn deilwng o'i hybarch dad, y diweddar Mr John Roberts, Llanbrynmair. Dylai " Y Gohebydd," ar bob cyfrif, ysgrifenu cofiant iddi, oblegid gwyddom y cydnebydd i fod yn ddyledus i'r " brophwydoliaeth a ddysgodd ei fam iddo. '

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon.

  • Robert Roberts. Symudodd i Tanygrisiau, Ffestiniog, a bu farw yno.
  • John Roberts. Urddwyd ef yn Llanerchymedd, ac y mae yn awr yn Brymbo.
  • Robert Evans. Aelod o Danygrisiau ydoedd, ond ei fod yma yn yr ysgol. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yn Llanfaircaereinion, ac y mae yn awr yn Bethel, Aberdare.
  • Lewis Williams. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu. Urddwyd ef yn Llanarmon, ac y mae yn awr yn y Bontnewydd, gerllaw Caernarfon.

 

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (5/2020)

This is a small harbour, which is a resort for thousands of strangers every year. People swim and drink the water and enjoy the healthy breeze of the seaside and climb the hills and mountains which are full of the valuable treasures hiding around here. We haven't discovered who was the first non-conformist to preach here, but in 1846, a woman by the name of Catherine Roberts, from Hafodboeth, told Mr. James Jones, that she remembers Mr. Evans, from Llanuwchllyn, officiating at a communion in the parlour
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of the Siopfawr (big shop), to the husband and wife of the shop, her mother and a few others who lived in Barmouth, along with some strangers from the countryside. When considering the age of the old lady at the time, this tallies with the time when Mr Evans was a minister in Llanuwchllyn and preaching in Maesyrafallen. When Mr Evans left this county, the Independents gave up labouring in this area of Merionethshire for more than twenty years. But despite this the inhabitants didn't miss hearing Christ's gospel preached with power and purity, because in Hanes Methodistiaeth, (The History of Methodism) Vol. I. page. 508, 509, and 520, we find occasional Methodists going to Maesyrafallen to preach and it continues "Some religious people who were living in the town (Barmouth) at the time enjoyed the ministry of one  B. Evans, a non-conformist minister in Llanuwchllyn, who used to preach in an area close by." One of the oldest religious women in the place told us lately this interesting story which was told to her by Catherine Roberts:* There was one preacher, whose name she didn't know, had promised to preach during the daytime on a horseblock, near the door of Siopfawr. The religious people told many people about the expected meeting and that included people who were opposed to religion too. One day before the meeting Mrs Griffith, the woman of the shop, called one of the drunkards and the greatest fighter of the time when he was passing her house, " G. come here, a very nice man, the servant of the Lord, is coming here to preach to us about Jesus Christ. Now little G. I don't know of anyone like you for playing fair, and making sure that nothing bad will happen to him. If you are willing I will give you a jug of new beer now and you can have another one after the meeting. Will you G?"  G. answered, "I will," with a grand oath. She promised the same to more of his ilk and had the same answer from them. Those enemies of religion had been preparing to persecute the faithful, and had collected all sorts of awful things to be thrown at the preacher.

* A letter from Mr James Jones, who gave us a lot of material.
# It is quite likely that the preacher was Mr B. Evans, since he ministered in the area without fear and publicly. He had previously been officiating at a communion in the parlour of the aforementioned shop. The author of Hanes Methodistiaeth, page. 572, said that there wasn't one councellor from Rhoslan, in Arfon, up to Machynlleth, in Maldwyn, in 1783, for around eight years after Mr. Evans, Llanuwchllyn left. Further to the interesting story given by the late Mr Lewis Morris in the Traethodydd, 1847, page. 107, that John Ellis, later from Barmouth, preached in these communities in 1788, after he, (L. M.) had been prevented from preaching in Llwyngwril. The aforementioned John Ellis, a man originally from Hiraethog mountain in Denbighshire, became religious when quite young in Llanbrynmair, under the ministry of the venerable Richard Tibbot. After he had been a shining member of that non-conformist church for seven years, he moved to Merionethshire and undertook the care of one of Mr Charles, from Bala's, Welsh schools. It had just been established. Along with the Methodists he laboured there till the end of his life. He was known as "John Ellis, Abermaw." Another preacher who was just as hard working with the Methodists in his day in this area, whose name was "William Pugh, from Llanfihangel" who, when he heard that Mr B. Evans, was preaching in Maesyrafallen, decided to go there one Sunday morning, even though he had about twelve to fifteen very hilly, boggy miles to walk. Since he had never before been in a non-conformist service, he was shocked to see that it was held in a poor kitchen instead of a church and using a stool as a pulpit! The text of the sermon was, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ" He felt there was more to the gospel than he had ever thought. W. Pugh, always said that that particular service was the beginning of his religious career. **
**The History of Methodism, Vol. I. Page. 568.


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But then the day of the service arrived. But before the preacher came out of the house, Captain Dedwith, the man we mentioned before in the history of  Cutiau, came out and with a clear, powerful voice, shouted "Silence, my dear neighbours. This is an important day in Barmouth. In the great judgement, this day and our deeds will be considered and counted, when the dead shall come out of their graves alive and every inch of the earth will burn and now the servant of the Lord will tell us how to keep safe on that awful day." At that the preacher started preaching and between the speech of the Captain and the holy deception of auntie Betti Pugh, as Mrs Griffith, y Siopfawr, was called - the preacher was given peace to carry on to the end of the service.
But we cannot find any Independent that preached here regularly until Mr. H. Pugh, from Brithdir, registered to preach sometime around the beginning of this century, when some homes one after the other were registered and Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau and Mr Davies, Cutiau and others came here. In 1825, Mr. Evan Evans, from Bwlchgwyn came here to keep a day school and to preach on Sundays in the three places - Cutiau, Barmouth and Dyffryn. The number of friends were few at the time - Griffith Griffiths, Bodgwilym and his wife, Maria (who was a daughter of Mr John Roberts from Llanbrynmair), Robert Sion, a stone mason, Catrin Robert, Siân Siôn and Mrs Jones, y Tê, as she was called. They were the only ones at  that time in the town. They worshipped in a room attached to a large old building that had been a mansion, and they paid three pounds a year for it. Mr. Evans kept the day school in a part of that building for more than two years and in May, 1827, he was ordained to full ministry, as we mentioned in the history of Cutiau. The Lord was pleased to support the success of this young minister's labours and the few friends, adding to their number as they soon decided to find a new chapel, which was opened in 1828.  Mr. Evans travelled through North and South Wales and to London and several other places in England in order to collect towards the chapel's debts. This cause met many difficulties and theological debates that were at that time a disadvantage to him, but in the end he worked through it gradually and surely and succeeded in killing off all the predjudice. We show the following evidence of a report which was sent to us by Mr Evans, Llangollen, of the history of the cause in the place from its establishment until he left. "When the cause in Barmouth was going along quite comfortably, a rush of persecution took place in 1829, as a result of a Bill brought before Parliament, for  Catholics to be treated as all other occupants in the kingdom. All the townspeople, apart from a few, were furious against this, so no-one dared say a word in support of the Bill. E Evans, and a few other people stood apart, not wanting to side with the multitude. They didn't argue publicly for the Bill, but they allowed their views to be known in personal conversations with their neighbours and wouldn't object to the enfranchisement of the Catholics, as others had done in the kingdom, even though it was against the Catholic System. He was harshly blamed by the whole town, and even by his own friends, which made him very bitter and the townspeople


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said he was voting for Catholics. Most of the people predicted that the Catholics would come to to the town to burn their bibles. `My --- they will never', said one important man who was an official in the harbour working for the government, 'never burn my bible, I'll hide it somewhere they will never find it, Yes, yes!', he could afford to live without it anyway. The town was boiling with rage. But in fact, most of them knew well enough at that time how to sail ships and to make their fortune. Others knew more about how to catch fish and to collect mussles and cockles, than they understood about the nature of true national and religious freedom. Amongst all this turmoil, a multitude of listeners fled from the Independent chapel and they never returned. One foolish man, who was as stupid as a calf on the subject, wanted to put a barrel of powder in the cellar under the chapel and to blow it up sky high! Had he not feared the law of the land he might have carried out his wish and would have spent time with his friends drinking a barrel of beer, but as it happened the balance was tipped on the side of the Bill! Despite that, all this had a hugely harmful effect on the Independent cause in the town for many years, yes, it was looked upon with contempt. This story was published throughout the English press, as a warning to multitudes of English people who came to this harbour in the summer and as a warning to the cause and to the young minister. It happened that Mr T. W. Jenkyn, at that time from Oswestry, (after that Dr. Jenkyn, the author of that excellent book 'Yr Iawn') came to Barmouth about three years after the turmoil and, after seeing the aforementioned history, researched into the truth, and after finding that the story was true, he wrote his opinion on the evidence, giving the minister and his friends permission to publish his findings. Despite all this the cause continued in the three places, especially in Barmouth and Dyffryn. On the evening of the Sabbath, the sixteenth of February, 1840, the Lord visited his people in a very clear and powerful manner. We well remember the text for that evening, Gen. vi. 3. - "And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh." There was nothing exciting, well, no more than usual, in the first half of the sermon, but there appeared some unusual gravity amongst the listeners and the minister felt it himself too. Towards the end of the sermon the congregation appeared to be showing weakness now and then and quiet, intense moans were heared, especially when the word "eternally" was uttered two or three times in a row. The sermon finished after it was impressed upon them to give up their contention with God's Spirit immediately. Then they were given a verse to sing, but to the preacher's consternation,  the singing leader didn't rise to lead. The verse was repeated, but no-one showed any signs of getting to their feet. It was almost as if they were nailed to their seats! The minister addressed one of the brothers close to the pulpit saying,
"Rowland, you lead the measure." He tried to open his mouth, but he just stayed where he was. Rather than allowing the service to end that way, the minister offered to do one thing, because he knew well enough which tune would do the trick. He sang a note or two, and that was all. Just then, the whole congregation started crying and moaning and several people prayed fervently, as if the end had come.


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A few left the chapel, but they returned as if they were madmen! One man was said to have left the chapel, and went to the other end of the town with nothing on his head, then he returned in a fear of God and he gave one leap in the centre of the chapel, thanking God that he hadn't been thrown into hell; yes, he thought the Lord was going to rain down fire and brimstone from heaven! God was most evidently in the place! That divine visit continued in Barmouth and in Dyffryn too for quite some time and a multitude of sinners returned to the churches. But some of the listeners were still stubborn throughout it all, even though they felt uncomfortable in their minds.
The temperance society became a way of fostering more unity and brotherly love between the religious denominations. Since more public meetings were held about the cause in the different chapels in the area, especially in the winter, when the sailors were at home, religious men showed more respect towards each other and socialized more often and as a result understood each other's gifts and looked upon each other more favourably. We mention one more story to show the opposition to jealousy and blind-sidedness. There was an Englishman who had come to live near Barmouth, mainly for the sake of his health, who on leaving for England, to collect his tithes from his parishioners, told his servant to sell his pony by the time he returned from his journey and he stated his price. The servant completed his task. When the gentleman returned, he soon asked about the pony. He told him he had sold him and been paid for him.
"Who did you sell it to, Robert ?" "To Mr Evans," he said, " the Independents' minister." At that the master was furious and threatened his servant, saying that he would give him the sack if he didn't get the pony back immediately, saying, "My pony will not carry one  Dissenting Minister ever! But poor thing, that pony had already had the honour of carrying the Dissenting Minister! The servant's wife went to see Mr Evans, crying and begging him to sell the pony back for her sake and the sake of her husband and children. Eventually he did that. He was judged by many of his brothers for not being more of a lion, but anyway, the pony died years ago and the Englishman has been in eternity for a long time and the Dissenting Minister is alive and well, thanking the One who cared for him throughout his life until now."
In 1844, Mr Evans left for Maentwrog, after labouring there for almost twenty years. Before the end of the year,  Mr James Jones, Capelhelyg, accepted a call to be minister here and after being here for twenty five years, Mr Jones felt that he wasn't as able to carry out his responsbilities as he used to be and as he had already been accepted for the old minister's treasury, he was released from his ministerial care on the first Sunday yn January, 1869, but he still lives here and preaches somewhere every Sunday and is very respected by all denominations. On the first Sunday in November, 1869, Mr David Evans, Rhosymedre, started his ministry here, and is still here. The cause is on the whole in a good condition. The chapel is not in a convenient place and it was felt some years ago that there should be a better building to serve the increasing population and better quality buildings but the difficulty was


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in finding somewhere suitable on which to build. Mr Jones, the minister and the late Mr David Jones, Pharmacist, searched for a place, but failed, but we are very pleased to understand that a piece of land in a suitable place has been secured and that the intention is to build a beautiful chapel soon. The Bodwilym family were extremely kind to the cause from the beginning. Many ministers were sheltered under their roof and their house was a lodging for any travellers who passed by. Mrs Griffith, especially, was a wise and sensible woman, who understood the gospel and deeply understood its truths and her spirit was a credit to her venerable father, the late Mr John Roberts, Llanbrynmair. " Y Gohebydd," (The Reporter) should definitely write a memorial to her as they were grateful for the "prophecy his mother taught him".


The following persons were raised to preach in this church.

  • Robert Roberts. He moved to Tanygrisiau, Ffestiniog, and died there.
  • John Roberts. He was ordained in Llanerchymedd and is now in Brymbo.
  • Robert Evans. He was a member in Tanygrisiau, but attended the school here. He was educated in Bala college and was ordained in Llanfaircaereinion. He is now in Bethel, Aberdare.
  • Lewis Williams. He was educated in Brecon college. He was ordained in Llanarmon and is now in  Bontnewydd, near Caernarfon.

 

N.B - although not referred to in the above text this chapel's details correspond with it being Siloam Chapel, Barmouth

 

 

DYFFRYN ARDUDWY

(Llanenddwyn parish)

Pregethwyd rai troion yn yr ardal hon gan Mr Hugh Pugh, Brithdir, ond ni phregethwyd gydag un cysondeb, hyd ddechreuad gwinidogaeth Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau, ac o'i amser ef y gellir cyfrif dechreuad yr achos yma. Arferai bregethu yn y Pandy, lle y trigai Abraham ac Anne Jones, ac wedi iddynt hwy ymadael, pregethai yn yr Hen siop. Byddai Mr. Jones yn myned yno yn gyffredin unwaith yn y mis. Cadwai gyfeillach yno nos Sadwrn, phregethai am haner awr wedi naw boreu Sabboth, ac elai i'r Cutiau erbyn dau o'r gloch.* Ar ol hyny pregethid yn Pantgwyn, lle yr oedd un o'r enw Griffith Evans, yn byw. Yn 1821, priododd Miss Anne Evans, merch Mr Griffith Evans, Tymawr, Towyn, a Mr Griffith Griffiths, o Daltreuddynfawr, a daeth yno i fyw. Yr oedd hi eisioes yn aelod yn y Towyn, ac yn ferch ieuangc grefyddol. *, ac o'r adeg yma y gellir dyddio ffurfiad yr eglwys yn y Dyffryn. Gogwyddwyd meddwl ei phriod cyn hir i geisio yr Arglwydd, a bu yn swcr mawr i'r achos. Ond ar Mrs Griffith yr oedd y gofal yn benaf, ac yr oedd o ran galluoedd meddyliol, a gwybodaeth a theimlad crefyddol, yn un o'r rhai rhagoraf a allesid gyfarfod. Arni hi yn aml y disgynai darllen penod yn nechreu cyfarfod gweddi, ac arwain canu, a gweddiai yn gyhoeddus, os na byddai neb arall i'w gael, a llawer gwaith y darllenodd bregeth i'r gynnulleidfa o ryw lyfr, os digwyddai iddynt gael eu siomi am bregethwr. Bu ei thy hyd ddiwedd ei hoes yn gartref i achos yr Arglwydd. Cymerodd Mr. Evans ofal y lle pan y sefydlodd yn Abermaw. Wrth weled yr achos yn dyfod rhagddo, teimlodd fod angen am le mwy cyfleus i addoli na Pantgwyn, ac ymgymerodd Mr. Griffiths, Taltreuddyn, a'r gofal a'r cyfrifoldeb o edrych ar ol y gwaith.

* Ysgrif Mr C. Jones.

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Yr oedd y capel yma a chapel yr Abermaw yn cael eu codi yr un flwyddyn, ac agorwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1828. Bu yma adfywiad grymus yn 1839 a 1840, pryd yr ychwanegwyd cryn lawer at yr eglwys. Wedi ymadawiad Mr Evans, i Faentwrog yn 1844, cymerodd Mr James Jones, ofal yr eglwys, a bu yn ffyddlon yn gofalu am y lle, nes y rhoddodd ei weinidogaeth i fyny yn nechreu 1869. Daeth Mr David Evans yma yn Tachwedd, yr un flwyddyn, ac y mae yn parhau i ofalu yn gyson am y lle. Yr oedd hen gapel y Dyffryn wedi myned yn adfeiliedig, ac yr oedd yr eglwys ar ganol codi capel newydd pan ddaeth Mr Evans yma, ac agorwyd ef Mai 18fed a'r 19eg, 1870, pryd y pregethodd Meistri W. Rees, Liverpool ; R. Thomas, Bangor ; O. Evans, Llanbrynmair, ac E. Evans, Caernarfon. Costiodd fwy na 500p., ond y mae haner y ddyled wedi thalu yn barod, a hyny agos yn hollol trwy ymdrechion cartrefol. Ofnai rhai pan y cauwyd drws Taltreuddyn wedi marwolaeth Mrs Griffiths, na buasai neb i ofalu am yr achos, ond gofalodd yr Arglwydd i agor drysau a chalonau i groesawi ei achos ef, ac y mae yr eglwys yma mor siriol a gweithgar ac y gwelwyd hi erioed.

Ni chyfodwyd yma ond un pregethwr, sef, Henry Roberts, yr hwn sydd mewn masnach yn Liverpool, ac yn bregethwr parchus yn yr eglwys dan ofal Dr. Rees, yn Grove-street.

 

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (6/2020)

Mr Hugh Pugh, Brithdir preached many times in this area but there was no regular preaching until the beginning of Mr C. Jones Dolgellau's ministry and it is from his time here that we count the beginning of the cause. He used to preach in Pandy, where Abraham and Anne Jones lived and once they left he preached in Hen Siop (Old Shop). Mr. Jones used to visit there regularly once a month. He held a fellowship meeting there on a Saturday evening and would preach at nine thirty on Sunday morning. Then he would go to Cutiau by two o'clock.* After that he would preach in Pantgwyn, where one Griffith Evans lived. In 1821, Miss Anne Evans, the daughter of Mr Griffith Evans, Tymawr, Towyn married Mr Griffith Griffiths, from Daltreuddynfawr and she came to live there. She was already a member in Towyn and was a religious young lady. *It is from this time that we can date the establishment of the church in Dyffryn. Her husband's mind soon started inclining towards finding out more about the Lord and he became a great succour to the cause. But Mrs Griffith took on most of the burden. She was one of the most intelligent person you could ever meet and was full of religious knowledge and feeling. The task of reading a chapter at the beginning of the prayer meeting and leading the singing or praying publicly if no-one else was able often fell to her and many times she read a sermon to the congregation from some book, if they were disappointed in finding a preacher to lead them. Her home was a home for the Lord until the end of her life. Mr. Evans took over the care of the church when the church in Barmouth was established. As we see the cause developing, it was felt necessary to have a more convenient place in which to worship than Pantgwyn so Mr. Griffiths, Taltreuddyn, undertook the responsibilty of organising.
* Mr C. Jones' document.

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This chapel and the chapel in Barmouth were built in the same year. It was opened in 1828. A powerful revival came about in  1839 and 1840, when a great number were added to the church. After Mr Evans left for Maentwrog in 1844, Mr James Jones overtook the care of the church and he faithfully cared for it until he gave up his ministry at the beginning of 1869. Mr David Evans came here in November of the same year and he continues to care for the church. The old Dyffryn chapel had become a ruin and the church was in the middle of building a new chapel when Mr Evans came here. It was opened on May 18th and 19th, 1870, when Messrs. W. Rees, Liverpool; R. Thomas, Bangor; O. Evans, Llanbrynmair, and E. Evans, Caernarfon preached. It cost more than £500, but half the debt has already been paid and that was almost entirely from the efforts of the people of the area. Some worried that when the doors of Taltreuddyn closed after the death of Mrs Griffiths, there would be no-one to care for the cause, but the Lord was careful to open doors and hearts to welcome his cause and this church is as comfortable and hard working as it has ever been.

Just one preacher was raised here. This was Henry Roberts, who is now in marketing in Liverpool and is a respected preacher in the church under the care of Dr. Rees, in Grove-street.

 

TALYSARNAU

(Llanfihangel-y-traethau parish)

Pentref bychan tua haner y ffordd o Maentwrog i Harlech. Ni bu gan yr Annibynwyr achos rheolaidd yn y lle hwn hyd yn ddiweddar iawn, er fod y diweddar Mr H. Lloyd, Towyn, wedi bod yn pregethu yn achlysurol yn yr ardal pan oedd yma yn cadw ysgol. Pan ddigwyddai aelodau i'r Annibynwyr symud i'r gymydogaeth, pa un bynag ai teuluoedd cyfain, ai personau unigol i wasanaethu fyddant, yr oeddynt o angenrheidrwydd yn ymuno ag enwadau eraill. Er fod y Penrhyn yn agos, etto, gan fod y Traethbach yn gulfor peryglus ac anghyfleus i'w groesi, ychydig o dramwy fyddai o'r naill ardal i'r 1lall. Ond yn y flwyddyn 1866, daeth teulu i fyw i'r gymydogaeth, sydd yn Annibynwyr rhy gadarn i newid eu henwad am ychydig o fantais, sef John Jones, dilledydd ; un o hen ddisgyblion y diweddar Eta Delta, o gymydogaeth y Mynaddwyn, gerllaw Llanerchymedd, a chan fod pont wedi ei gosod yn haf y flwyddyn hono dros y Traethbach, mewn cysylltiad a phont y Cambrian Railway, cymellodd John Jones, i Mr Edward Morris, Penrhyn, i ddyfod i bregethu yn achlysurol i'w dy ef ar ambell noson waith, a Gorphenaf 27ain, o'r flwyddyn hono, y pregethodd yno gyntaf. Bu Meistri I. Williams, Maentwrog; W. Roberts, Tanygrisiau, a J. Jones, Abermaw, yn ffyddlon i ymweled a'r lle ac i gynorthwyo. * Ymwasgodd rhai Annibynwyr oedd wedi aelodi gydag enwadau eraill at eu brodyr, pan ddechreuwyd ymgynull, megis Morgan Evans, y saer, a'i deulu, a chynygiodd cyfaill selog o'r enw Humphrey Lloyd, Cefntrefor, ardrethu ystafell at wasanaeth yr achos am y pris rhesymol o £2/ 2/ 0 yn y flwyddyn. Cafwyd cymorth arianol o'r eglwysi cylchynol i ddodrefnu yr ystafel yn gryno a destlus, ac addewid gan undeb chwarterol y Sir, i dalu ardreth yr ystafell, yn nghyda swm penodol at gynal

* Ysgrif Mr E. Morris, Penrhyn.

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yr achos am beth amser, ac mae yr undeb sirol yn para yn ffyddlon hyd yn bresenol i wneyd. Prydnhawn Sabboth, Mai 26ain, 1867, wedi cael anogaeth gan y cyfarfod chwarterol, a chydsyniad eglwys y Penrhyn, corpholwyd yma eglwys reolaidd gan Mr E. Morris, pan y daeth wyth yn mlaen i ymgorphori i fod yn eglwys, a dewiswyd dau o'r brodyr i fod yn ddiaconiaid, sef Morgan Evans, a John Jones, y rhai sydd yn gwasanaethu eu swydd gyda gofal a ffyddlondeb hyd heddyw. Cadwyd cyfarfod pregethu yn y lle mewn ffordd o agor yr ystafell, Ebrill 22ain a'r 23ain, sef pum' wythnos cyn sefydlu yr eglwys, pryd cafwyd gwasanaeth Meistri E. Williams, Dinas; R. Ellis, Brithdir; T. Jones, Eisteddfa; J. Jones, Abermaw, a W. Ambrose, Porthmadog. Mae yr eglwys fechan hon wedi myned trwy gyfnewidiadau eisioes mewn symudiadau, a marwolaethau, a gwrthgiliadau, ond y mae yn rhifo pedwar-ar-ddeg o aelodau yn bresenol, (Mai, 1871,) a'r cyfan fel un gwr gyda'u gilydd yn cydymdrech yn mhlaid ffydd yr efengyl. Nid yw y gymydogaeth yn gynyddol hyd yn hyn, ac nid oes paganiaid yn byw yn yr ardal, ac felly nid yw y rhagolygon yn addawol i gynydd mawr yn fuan, ond mae yr ychydig sydd yn y lle yn dewis cydaddoli, ac y mae yma ddrws agored i'r Annibynwyr a arweinir i'r gymydogaeth o ardaloedd eraill.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (7/2020)

This is a little village about half way between Maentwrog and Harlech. The Independents had no regular cause in this area until recently, although the late Mr H. Lloyd, Towyn, had been preaching occasionally in the area when he kept a school. When some Independent members moved to the community, whether as whole families or as individuals, in order to worship, they had to join with other denominations. Even though Penrhyn was close, as the Traethbach was a dangerous strait of the river and was inconvenient to cross, there was little travelling from one area to the other. But in 1866, a family came to live in the community that was too entrenched in their Independent denomination to change.  This was John Jones, a clothing seller, one of former pupils of the late Eta Delta, from the Mynaddwyn area, near Llanerchymedd, and as a bridge had been built over Traethbach that Summer connected to the Cambrian Railway bridge, John Jones, encouraged Mr Edward Morris, Penrhyn, to come to preach occasionally in his house on the odd mid week evening. It was on July 27th, of that year that he preached for the first time there. Messrs I. Williams, Maentwrog; W. Roberts, Tanygrisiau, and J. Jones, Barmouth, visited the place faithfully and supported them. *Some Independents who had become members with other denominations came to join their brothers when they started meeting. These were Morgan Evans, the carpenter, and his family, and a zealous friend by the name of Humphrey Lloyd, Cefntrefor, offered to lease a room for services for the reasonable price of £2/ 2/ 0 a year. They received financial support from the churches in the circuit to furnish the room tidily, and a promise from the county quarterly union, to pay the lease on the room, along with a specific sum towards the maintenance of
* Mr E. Morris, Penrhyn's document.


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the cause for some time. The county union promise continues faithfully to this day. On Sunday afternoon, May 26th, 1867, after being encouraged by the quarterly meeting, and having the agreement of Penrhyn church, a regular church was embodied here by Mr E. Morris, when eight came forward to establish the church. Two of the brothers were chosen to be deacons. These were Morgan Evans and  John Jones, who are serving with care and faithfulness to this day. They held a preaching meeting in the place as a celebration of the opening of the room on April 22nd and 23rd. That was five weeks before establishing the church, when Messrs E. Williams, Dinas; R. Ellis, Brithdir; T. Jones, Eisteddfa; J. Jones, Barmouth, and W. Ambrose, Porthmadog officiated. This little church has been through changes in the meantime with some moving away, deaths and some leaving, but there are fourteen members now, (May 1871,) and all of them as one together, co-working on the side of the gospel. The community is not growing at the moment, and there are no pagans living in the area, so the forecast for growth isn't very promising, but the few that live here are willing to worship together and the door is open to those Independents who will lead the way to the community from other areas.

 

BETHANIA, FFESTINIOG

Nid ydyw plwyf Ffestiniog ond cymharol fychan o ran ei derfynau, hyd yn ddiweddar nid oedd ond dinod yn mysg plwyfi y sir. Mae natur i'w gweled yma yn ei gwylltedd cyntefig, er fod celfyddyd wedi addurno y lle a lluaws o aneddau prydferth, y rhai a breswylir gan y gweithwyr sydd yn dymchwelyd y mynyddoedd o'u gwraidd. Yn nghof llawer sydd eto yn fyw, ac heb gyfrif eu hunain yn hen, nid oedd ond ychydig o dai llwyd, a chyffredin ddigon yr olwg arnynt, trwy yr holl blwyf, ac nid oedd gan y rhai a drigent ynddynt un dychymyg am gyfoeth y bryniau a'u cylchynent, ac ar hyd y rhai y gwylient eu defaid. Mae pentref Ffestiniog ar y ffordd o Faentwrog i'r Bala, tuag ugain milldir i'r gorllewin o'r lle olaf. Mae y lle a elwir Blaenau Ffestiniog, lle yr adeiladwyd y capel cyntaf gan yr Annibynwyr yma, mewn cesail rhwng moelydd noethlwm ar yr aswy wrfh fyned i'r Bala, a hawdd deall ei fod cyn agoriad y cloddfeydd yn lle hollol ddiarffordd. Nid oedd ond un Annibynwr trwy yr holl blwyf bymtheng-mlynedd-a-deu gain yn ol, nac un cynyg wedi ei wneyd ganddynt i bregethu yma yn rheolaidd. Yr oedd un John Hughes, yr hwn a dderbyniasid yn aelod gan Dr. George Lewis yn Nghaernarfon, wedi symud i fyw i Cefnfaes, ac ymaelododd yn Mhenstryd; a bu Dr. Lewis yn pregethu rai troion yn ei dy, er na chynygiwyd sefydlu achos yma y prydhwnw.* Ryw bryd yn y flwyddyn 1816, ceisiodd un William Hughes, Talygwaunydd, (Fronlas wedi hyny,) yr hwn oedd wedi ei dderbyn yn aelod yn Nolyddelen - gan Mr David Roberts, Bangor - wedi hyny o Ddinbych - ddyfod i'w dy ef i gadw oedfa ar brydnhawn Sabboth, ac i fedyddio merch iddo. Cydsyniodd Mr Roberts a'r gwahoddiad, a dyma gychwyniad yr Annibynwyr yn Mlaenau Ffestiniog. Yr oedd William

*Llythyr Mr W. Edwards, Aberdare.

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Griffith, Mynhadogisaf, plwyf Dolyddelen, a Lowry ei wraig, wedi eu derbyn yn aelodau yn Nolyddelen cyn hyny, a byddai pregethu achlysurol yn eu ty hwy, a buont yn gefn mawr i'r achos yno. Yr oedd gan Lowry Griffith frawd, o'r enw William Evans, yn byw yn Nghwmbywydd, Ffestiniog, a chymellai ei brawd i agor ei dy i'r efengyl. Amlygodd yntau ei barodrwydd i hyny, os cawsai bregethwr. Yn mhen pythefnos wedi i Mr Roberts, Bangor, fod yn pregethu yn Nhalywaunydd, yr oedd Mr Edward Dayies, Rhoslan - Trawsfynydd yn awr - yn myned am Sabboth i Ddolyddelen, a nos Sadwrn gofynodd Lowry Griffith iddo, a wnai fe bregethu ar i ddychweliad ddydd Llun yn nhy ei brawd yn Cwmbywydd. Addawodd Mr Davies gyda'r parodrwydd mwyaf, ac anfonodd hithau yno i'w hysbysu y pregethai Mr Davies yno ganol dydd Llun ; ac felly bu. Nid oedd ond dau heblaw teulu y ty yn yr oedfa ; ac Ellis Edwards, Penrhos - tad Mr Edwards, Aberdare - oedd un o honynt. Daeth Meistri D. Griffith, Bethel ; J. Lewis, Bala ; W. Jones, Penstryd ; I. Roberts, Capelgarmon ; a J. Jones, Bancog, yn fuan i bregethu i Gwmbywydd, ac i dai eraill yn y gymydogaeth ; a dechreuwyd cynal cyfeillachau crefyddol fel rhagddarpariaeth i gorpholiad eglwys yn y lle. Ar un prydnhawn Sabboth, yn y flwyddyn 1817, yr oedd Mr Davies, Rhoslan, yn pregethu yn Maenofferen, ac ar ddiwedd yr oedfa ffurfiwyd yno eglwys, a gweinyddwyd yr ordinhad o Swper yr Arglwydd. Mae enwau y personau a ymffurfiodd yn eglwys yma yn werth eu cadw mewn coffadwriaeth; dyma hwy - William Davies, Maenofferen; Jenet Morris, gweddw John Hughes, Cefnfaes, am yr hwn y crybwyllasom ; Catherine Evans, Hafodfraith; Catherine Edwards, Penrhos, (mam Mr Edwards, Aberdare); William Jones, brawd Catherine Edwards; William Evans, Cwmbywydd, a William Hughes, Fronlas. Er nad oeddynt ond saith o rifedi, etto, dyna flaguryn yr achos sydd erbyn heddyw wedi ymganghenu trwy yr holl blwyf ; ac wedi myned yn bren mawr, a llawer saith yn nythu arno. Yn fuan wedi hyn darfu i Ellis Edwards, Penrhos, a David Williams, Maenofferen, a'i wraig, yn nghyd ag amryw eraill, ymuno a'r achos ; a chyn pen nemawr o amser aeth y tai lle y cynhelid y moddion yn rhy gyfyng gynwys y rhai a ddeuent yn nghyd. Yr un flwyddyn ag y corpholwyd yr eglwys, gwelwyd yn angenrheidiol cael capel, a chafwyd tir ar ystad Tanymanod, a chodwyd addoldy cyfleus arno, yr hwn a alwyd Bethania. Aeth yr achos rhagddo yn siriol iawn, ac yr oedd agoriad gweithiau y llechfeini yn peri fod cryn gynydd yn y boblogaeth, fel y codwyd nifer o dai newyddion. Bu hen weinidogion a phregethwyr y cyfnod hwnw yn nodedig o ffyddlon i'r achos; ond y maent oll erbyn hyn wedi myned ond Mr Griffith, Bethel, a Mr Davies, Trawsfynydd. Ond fel yr oedd yr achos yn myned rhagddo, teimlid fod angen gweinidogaeth mwy sefydlog. Yn fuan wedi codi y capel rhoddwyd galwad i Mr Owen Jones, i ddyfod yma i bregethu a chadw ysgol ; a bu yma am yn agos i ddwy flynedd. Yr oedd Owen Jones yn ddoniol iawn fel pregethwr, a phe buasai  gymeriad yn cyfateb i'w ddoniau gallasai fod o ddefnydd mawr. Ymadawodd oddiyma i Lanaelhaiarn, lle yr urddwyd ef. Yn y flwyddyn 1820, daeth Mr John Williams yma, yr hwn a fuasai am ddwy flynedd yn efrydydd dan addysg Dr. Phillips, Neuaddlwyd ; ac wedi i'r eglwys gael boddlonrwydd ynddo,rhoddwyd galwad iddo, ac urddwyd ef Mai 30ain, 1821. Yr oedd amryw o weinidogion Sir Feirionydd a Sir Gaernarfon yn bresenol yn ei urddiad, yn nghyd a'i athraw, Dr. Phillips' yr hwn a bregethodd i'r

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gweinidog a'r eglwys. Ei destyn oedd, 1 Cor. iy. 1, 2, " Felly cyfrifed dyn nyni megis gweinidogion i Grist, a goruchwylwyr ar ddirgeledigaethau Duw. Am ben hyn yr ydys yn disgwyl mewn goruchwyliwr, gael un yn ffyddlon." Edrychai ar y geiriau fel darlun o'r peth y dylai y gweinidog fod, a'r cyfrif parchus a ddylasai yr eglwys wneyd o hono fel y cyfryw. Llafuriodd Mr Williams yma yn ddiwyd am ddeng mlynedd.Bu yn Llundain yn casglu at gapel Bethania, a chasglodd gan' gini. Gwelodd y capel cyntaf yn rhydd o ddyled, ac wedi ei lenwi a gwrandawyr, fel y bu raid ei helaethu. Yr oedd Mr Williams yn wr hynod barchus yma, er na chyfrifid ef yn bregethwr rhagorol, etto trwy  ffyddlondeb a'i fuchedd dda, llwyddodd i roddi cychwyniad effeithiol i'r achos. Rhagorai yn fawr yn ei fedrusrwydd i holi yn yr ysgol, a llwyddodd trwy hyny i sefydlu yma Ysgol Sabbothol lewyrchus. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1831, symudodd i Lansilin, lle yr arosodd hyd ddechreu 1840, pan yr ymfudodd i America, ac yno y bu farw, fel y gwelir yn ein cofnodiad bywgraphyddol o hono yn nglyn a Llansilin. Wedi ei ymadawiad ef, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr Thomas Davies, Pentraeth, Mon. Yr oedd Mr Davies yn ddyn hynaws a charedig, yn siriol a diddichell, ac yn meddu dawn rhwydd a llais peraidd ; ond nid oedd ond egwan i alluoedd, a chyfyng ei wybodaeth, ac heb gael nemawr ddim manteision addysg yn moreu ei oes. Torodd diwygiad grymus allan yn fuan ar ol dyfodiad Mr Davies i'r lle, a rhoddodd hyny fywyd a nerth newydd i'r achos. Yn y cyfnod hwn, cododd amryw ddynion ieuaingc selog a gweithgar yn yr eglwys, a daeth dylanwad yr achos er daioni i gael ei deimlo yn y lle. Yn yr adeg yma y dechreuodd Mr Evan Griffith bregethu, a chyn hir dilynwyd ef gan Mr William Edwards, ac yn fuan ar of hyny gan Mr John Isaac, a bu arosiad hir y ddau olaf, yn arbenig, yn yr ardal, yn gynorthwy mawr i'r achos. Fel yr oedd y lle yn cynyddu, a'r bobl ieuaingc yn dyfod yn fwy deallgar a myfyrgar, teimlai Mr Davies ei hun nad oedd yn ateb i'r lle. Er hyny, bu yn ddefnyddiol a llwyddianus yma am yspaid, a choffeir gyda pharch gan amryw yn y lle hyd heddyw am ei lafurus gariad. Ymadawodd yn y flwyddyn 1839, ac wedi bod mewn amryw fanau, yn Arfon a Mon, aeth i fyw i Bodffordd, a gwasanaethai yn mha le bynag y byddai bwlch i'w lanw, hyd nes y rhoddodd angau i law arno.Yn fuan wedi ymadawiad Mr Davies, torodd diwygiad grymus iawn allan yn yr eglwys, yr hyn a fu yn foddion i luosogi eu rhif, ac ychwanegu ei chryfder. Er fod yr eglwys yn amddifad o weinidog, etto, yr oedd presenoldeb y ddau wr ieuangc gweithgar a diflino, Meistri W. Edwards, a J. Isaac, yn gaffaeliad gwerthfawr i'r achos ar y pryd. Yn ngwres y diwygiad yma aeth yr eglwys yn nghyd a chodi capel newydd helaeth, a throwyd yr hen gapel yn dai anedd. Cafwyd tir drachefn ar ystad Tanymanod, a bu y personau canlynol yn mysg y rhai mwyaf blaenllaw gyda chodiad y capel newydd, sef Ellis Edwards, Penrhos ; Lewis Thomas, Siop; Lewis Thomas, Frondirion; Pierce Jones, Penygelli; Hugh Williams, Fronlas, a David Jones, Cwmorthin. Bu y ddyled yn gwasgu yn drwm am dymor, ond trwy ddyfal barhad, cafwyd gwared llwyr ohono; ac y mae yr eglwys yn fwy dyledus am hyny i fedrusrwydd a ffyddlondeb y diweddar Mr David Williams, Cwmbywydd, nag un dyn arall.

Yn y flwyddyn 1843, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr Robert Fairclough, myfyriwr o athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef Mai y 3ydd a'r 4ydd, 1843. Ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr D. Morgan,

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Llanfyllin. Holwyd yr urddedig gan Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd. Gweddiwyd am fendith ar yr undeb gan Mr A. Jones, Bangor. Pregethodd Mr M. Jones, Bala, i'r gweinidog, a Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau, i'r eglwys. Cymerwyd rhan yn y cyfarfodydd. hefyd gan Meistri W. Roberts, Penybontfawr ; T. Griffith, Rhydywernen ; S. Roberts, Llanbrynmair ; H. Hughes, Llangollen; ac S. Jones, Maentwrog.* Tua phedair blynedd y bu Mr Fairclough yma, ac nid oedd yr eglwys ac yntau yn cyddynu yn rhy dda yn yr yspaid hwnw. Ymadawodd i Cornwall, lle y bu dros ychydig. Rhoddodd yr eglwys yma, a'r eglwys yn Saron, alwad i Mr Richard Parry, Conwy, yn fuan wedi i Mr Fairclough ymadael, ac er na chymerodd ofal yr eglwys y pryd hwnw, daeth yma ar ol hyny, a bu yn dra defnyddiol yma dros rai blynyddoedd, nes yn 1854, yr aeth yn ol i Gonwy, ac yr ymgymerodd a sefydlu achos, a chodi capel yn Llandudno, lle y mae yn aros etto. Yn niwedd 1857, rhoddodd yr eglwysi yn Bethania a Saron alwad i Mr David Lloyd Jones, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef ar ddydd Nadolig y flwyddyn hono. Ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr J. Thomas, Liverpool. Holwyd y gweinidog gan Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd. Dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. John Jones, Green, (tad yr urddedig). Pregethodd Mr M. D. Jones, Bala, i'r gweinidog, a Mr R. Parry, Conway, i'r eglwys. Pregethwyd hefyd yn y cyfarfodydd gan Meistri R. Ellis, Brithdir ; W. Roberts, Penybontfawr ; a J. Jones, Maentwrog. Bu Mr Jones yma yn llafurus lawn am yn agos i ddeuddeng mlynedd, a gwelodd ffrwyth i'w ymdrechiadau. Rhoddwyd oriel o gylch capel Bethania, ac ad-drefnwyd ef drwyddo, fel y mae yn gapel eang a chyfleus. Ymgymerodd Mr Jones a bod yn oruchwyliwr i'r Wladychfa Gymreig, a rhoddodd y weinidogaeth i fyny er mwyn hyny; ond er hyny y mae wedi ailgymeryd a gofal gweinidogaethol, ac y mae yn awr yn Rhuthin. Mae yr eglwys er ymadawiad Mr Jones heb weinidog, ond y mae yr achos yn myned rhagddo yn siriol iawn. Bu yma amryw bersonau mewn cysylltiad a'r eglwys er ei sefydliad, a ennillasant iddynt eu hunain radd dda. Coffeir yn barchus am hen bobl Cwmbywydd, y rhai a fuont yn nodedig o ymgeleddgar i'r achos yn ei wendid. Yr oedd William Evans yn nodedig am danbeidrwydd ei ddawn fel gweddiwr. Rhagorai William Hughes, Fronlas, fel cynghorwr doeth a phwrpasol. Meddai William Jones, Penygelli, ar gallineb mawr i drin dynion ; a bu y lle am dymor hir yn gartref cysurus i'r pregethwyr a ddeuai heibio. Ellis Edwards, Penrhos, oedd bob amser yn barod i bob gweithred dda, ac yn ieuangc ei ysbryd hyd ei ddiwedd. Gwnaeth David Williams, Cwmbywydd, fwy na neb arall yma gydag amgylchiadau allanol yr achos, a chyda chaniadaeth y cysegr. Gyda chodi y capel, a rhoddi oriel ynddo drachefn, a chynllunio i dalu y ddyled, nid oedd yma neb o gyffelyb feddwl iddo ; a chyda chodiad capel newydd Fourcrosses, yr oedd mor dra awyddus am gael pob peth wedi ei orphen, a phe buasai yn gwybod fod amser ei ymadawiad yn ymyl. Nid oes yma yn aros o'r hen deulu ond yr hybarch Pierce Jones, Penygelli, yn unig, ac y mae efe yn parhau yn fywiog fel llangc. Coffeir hefyd gyda hiraeth am rai gwragedd rhagorol a fu yma yn famau yn Israel, ac nid yn fuan yr anghofir caredigrwydd a llettygarwch teuluoedd Fronlas, Penrhos, a Chwmbywydd.

* Dysgedydd, 1843. Tudal, 286.

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Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon :-

  • Evan Griffith. Bu dan addysg gyda Dr. Jenkyn, yn Nghroesoswallt. Urddwyd ef yn Llanegryn. Ymfudodd i America er's mwy nag ugain mlynedd, ac y mae yn parhau yn gryf i wasanaethu Duw yn efengyl ei Fab.
  • William Edwards. Bu am dymor dan addysg yn Liyerpool, ac wedi hyny treuliodd bedair blynedd yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa Aberhonddu. Urddwyd ef yn Ebenezer, Aberdare, er's saith-mlynedd-ar-hugain yn ol, ac y mae yn parhau yno, a gobeithiwn fod blynyddoedd lawer o ddefnyddioldeb yn ei aros.
  • John Isaac. Ganwyd ef yn yr ardal yma, yn y flwyddyn 1813. Ni chafodd nemawr ddim manteision crefyddol pan yn ieuangc, a threuliodd rai o flynyddoedd goreu ei oes i ddilyn rhysedd ac annuwioldeb ei gyfoedion gwyllt ac anystyriol. Daliwyd ef gan Dduw yn nghanol ei wylltineb, a dygodd arwyddion amlwg o gyfnewidiad cyflwr. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Bethania, pan yn 22 oed. Gwnaeth y fath gynydd mewn gwybodaeth, ac ymagorodd ei ddoniau, fel yr anogwyd ef yn fuan i ddechreu pregethu. Cyrhaeddodd boblogrwydd fel pregethwr ieuangc, y fath ag a barai i'w gyfeillion ddisgwyl pethau mawr oddiwrtho. Nid ydym yn meddwl ei fod yn gryf iawn o ran nerth meddyliol a galluoedd dealldwriaethol, ond yr oedd yn llawn iawn o ysbryd pregethu. Cyfansoddai yn drefnus, ac yr oedd i ddrychfeddyliau yn gyffrous, a'i draddodiad yn hyawdl. Ystyriai rhai ef yn eithafol ei olygiadau, ac yr oedd felly i fesur, ond yr oedd yr eithafion hyny yn ddigon naturiol . ddyn o'i dymheredd ef mewn adeg fywiog ar grefydd, a phe cawsai fyw mae yn bur sicr y daethai allan o honynt, fel y daeth rhai oeddynt mor eithafol ag yntau. Bu am ychydig yn Marton dan addysg, ond buan y gwelwyd nas gallasai ddal i efrydu yn galed, oblegid yr oedd ei i echyd yn rhoi ffordd. Gan fod Bethania heb un gweinidog, anogwyd ef gan i gyfeillion i aros gartref i'w cynorthwyo hwy. Ymaflodd y darfodedigaeth angeuol ynddo, a deallodd fod i ddydd gwaith ar ben, ond nid ysigwyd ei hyder yn ei Waredwr. Bu farw Mawrth 19eg, 1841, yn 28 oed. Fel hyn y dywed y diweddar Mr Samuel Jones, Maentwrog, wrth derfynu bywgraphiad byr iddo, yn Nysgedydd 1842, to dal. 166 . - " Fel yna syrthiodd milwr glew yn y frwydr, a'i arfau yn loywon, gwywodd rhosyn prydferth o ardd yr eglwys, cyn cyflawn agor i daenu arogl peraidd o'i gwmpas. Wrth weled ei haul yn codi mor foreu, ac yn tywynu mor ddysglaer, gallesid meddwl yr aethai yn fuan dan gwmwl. Bu ei farwolaeth yn alar i'w berthynasau, yn siomedigaeth i ddisgwyliadau gyfeillion, ac yn golled i eglwys Dduw am dalentau gwerthfawr a dysglaer, ond yn ennill bythol iddo ef."
  • John Morris. Bu yn efrydydd yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yn Bwlchyffridd ond siomodd ddisgwyliadau ei gyfeillion goreu.
  • Griffith Griffith. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Hackney, Llundain, ond ar derfyniad ei amser yn yr athrofa, ymfudodd i'r America'i ac y mae yno yn weinidog cymeradwy. Mae yn frawd i Mr. E. Griffith a enwyd gyntaf.
  • Richard Solomon Williams. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofau y Bala ac Aberhonddu. Urddwyd ef yn weinidog yn y lle olaf a enwyd, ac y mae yn aros yno yn dra derbyniol.
  • Isaac J. Evans. Bu yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa y Bala, ac y mae newydd gael ei urddo yn Penheolgerig, Merthyr Tydfil.

 

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (4/2020)

The parish of Ffestiniog is quite small in relation to its borders. Until lately it was insignificant amongst the county's parishes. Nature in its primitive wildness can be seen here, even though art has decorated the place richly with a multitude of beautiful dwellings, which the workers inhabit on their return from the mountains. In living memory there  had been just a few gray, common homes throughout the whole parish, and none of the inhabitants had enough imagination to appreciate the richness of the hills that surrounded them and where they cared for their sheep. The village of Ffestiniog is on the road from Maentwrog to Bala, about twenty miles to the west of Bala. The place called  Blaenau Ffestiniog, where the first chapel was built by the Independents, is in a corner of bare land on the way to Bala and it's easy to understand that before the mines opened it was quite secluded. There was just one Independent chapel throughout the parish 55 years ago, and no one offered  to regular preaching. There was one John Hughes, who had been accepted as a member by Dr. George Lewis in Caernarfon, who had moved to Cefnfaes, and became a member in Penstryd. Dr. Lewis preached in his house many times, but no attempt was made to establish a cause here then.* Sometime in 1816,  William Hughes, Talygwaunydd, (later Fronlas) who had been accepted as a member in Dolyddelen - by Mr David Roberts, Bangor - later from Dinbych - came to his house to hold a service on a Sunday afternoon, and to christen his daughter. Mr Roberts agreed to the invitation, and that was the beginning of the Independents in Blaenau Ffestiniog.  
*a letter from Mr W. Edwards, Aberdare.

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William Griffith, Mynhadogisaf, in the parish of Dolyddelen, and Lowry his wife, after previously being accepted as members in Dolyddelen, allowed occasional preaching in their house. They were a great support to the cause there. Lowry Griffith had a brother, by the name of  William Evans, living in Cwmbywydd, Ffestiniog, and she encouraged her brother to open his house for preaching the gospel. He readily agreed to this, if they could secure a preacher. Within a fortnight of Mr Roberts, Bangor, preaching in Talywaunydd, Mr Edward Davies, Rhoslan - now in Trawsfynydd - went for a Sunday to Dolyddelen. Lowry Griffith asked him on the Saturday evening whether he would consider preaching in her brother's house in Cwmbywydd on his return on Monday.  Mr Davies readily agreed, and he sent her to let them know he would preach there mid morning Monday. Apart from the family, just two attended the service. One of them was  Ellis Edwards, Penrhos - the father of Mr Edwards, Aberdare. Messrs D. Griffith, Bethel; J. Lewis, Bala; W. Jones, Penstryd; I. Roberts, Capelgarmon; and J. Jones, Bancog, soon came to preach in Gwmbywydd, and to other houses in the community; and to religious fellowship meetings, as a preparation to the establishment of a church there. One Sunday, in 1817, Mr Davies, Rhoslan, was preaching in Maenofferen, and at the end of the service a church was formed there, and the ordinance of the Lord's supper was held. The names of the people who embodied the church here are worth remembering; here they are - William Davies, Maenofferen; Jenet Morris, the widow of John Hughes, Cefnfaes, whom we mentioned; Catherine Evans, Hafodfraith; Catherine Edwards, Penrhos, (the mother of Mr Edwards, Aberdare); William Jones, the brother of Catherine Edwards; William Evans, Cwmbywydd, and William Hughes, Fronlas. Even though there were only seven of them, they were the buds of the cause who are today the boughs throughout the whole parish; and are now a big tree, with many birds nesting in it. Soon after this Ellis Edwards, Penrhos, and David Williams, Maenofferen, and his wife, along with several others, joined the cause. Before long the homes where the services were held became too small to hold the numbers who attended. That same year that the church was embodied, the attendees felt it was essential for them to build a chapel, and land was given on the Tanymanod estate. A suitable place of worship was built on that land. It was called  Bethania. The cause progressed very pleasantly. The opening of slate works meant that there was an increase in the population, as the number of new houses increased. The old ministers and preachers of that time were incredibly faithful to the cause; but they've all gone by now apart from Mr Griffith, Bethel, and Mr Davies, Trawsfynydd. But as the cause progressed, it was felt that a more steady ministry was needed. Soon after the chapel was built a call was given to Mr Owen Jones, to come here to preach and to keep a school; and he stayed here for about two years. Owen Jones was very witty as a preacher, and if character equaled his gifts he could have been of great use. He left here for Llanaelhaiarn, where he was ordained. In 1820, Mr John Williams came here. He was a student for two years, under the tutorship of Dr. Phillips, Neuaddlwyd. Once the church was satisfied with him, a call was given to him, and he was ordained on May 30th, 1821. Several ministers from Merionethshire and Caernarfonshire were present in the ordination, along with his tutor, Dr. Phillips who preached to the
 
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minister and the church. His text was, 1 Cor. 4. v.1, 2, "This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." He considered the words as a picture of how the minister should conduct himself, and the respectful way the church should approach him. Mr Williams laboured here diligently for ten years. He even went to London to collect on behalf of Bethania chapel, and he collected a hundred guineas. He saw the first chapel free of debt and full of listeners, so much so that an extension had to be built. Mr Williams was an extremely respectable man, even though he wasn't considered a great preacher. Despite this, through his faithfulness and good life, he succeeded in giving the cause a good start. He was proud of his ability to question pupils in the school, and he succeeded through this to establish a flourishing Sunday School. At the beginning of 1831, he moved to Llansilin, where he stayed until the beginning of 1840, when he emigrated to America, and that is where he died, as is seen in our biographical notes in Llansilin. After he left, a call was given to Mr Thomas Davies, Pentraeth, Anglesey. Mr Davies was a genial, kind man, cheerful with no deceit, and he had the gift of a beautiful, easy voice; but he wasn't too able, and he had little knowledge. He'd had little or no educational advantages in his early years. A powerful revival broke out soon after Mr Davies came to the place, and that gave the cause a new energy and a new life. During this time, several zealous and hard working young men came to the fore in the church and many felt that there was a feeling of influence for good in the cause. During this time  Mr Evan Griffith came to preach, and soon he was followed by Mr William Edwards, and soon after that Mr John Isaac. The latter two stayed here a long time, and they were a great support to the cause. As the place was flourishing, and the youth becoming wiser and more studious, Mr Davies felt he was not the right person for the job. But despite this he was very successful and useful here for a while, and he is still respectfully remembered by several for his hard working love. He left in 1839, and after being in several places, in Arfon and Anglesey, he went to live in Bodffordd, and he preached wherever a gap needed to be filled, until death placed his hand on him. Soon after Mr Davies left, a powerful revival broke out in the church, which increased their number and strength. Even though the church had no minister the presence of the two hard working and indefatigable young men, Messrs. W. Edwards, and J. Isaac, was a valuable acquisition to the cause at the time. In the midst of the heat of this revival the church built a new extensive chapel, and the old chapel was turned into housing. Land was obtained on  Tanymanod land. The following persons were amongst the leaders in building the new chapel: Ellis Edwards, Penrhos; Lewis Thomas, Siop; Lewis Thomas, Frondirion; Pierce Jones, Penygelli; Hugh Williams, Fronlas, and David Jones, Cwmorthin. The debt was a burden for some time, but through perseverance, it was completely deleted. The church is indebted to the skill and faithfulness of the late Mr David Williams, Cwmbywydd, more than anyone else.
In 1843, the church gave a call to Mr Robert Fairclough, a student from Brecon college, and he was ordained on May 3rd and 4th, 1843. On the occasion, Mr D. Morgan,

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Llanfyllin, preached on the nature of the  church. The questions were asked by Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd. Mr A. Jones, Bangor prayed for blessings on the union. Mr M. Jones, Bala, preached to the minister, and Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau, preached to the church. Messrs W. Roberts, Penybontfawr; T. Griffith, Rhydywernen; S. Roberts, Llanbrynmair; H. Hughes, Llangollen; and S. Jones, Maentwrog also took part.* Mr Fairclough stayed here about four years. The church and he did not get on very well during that time. He left for  Cornwall, where he stayed for a while. This church and the church in Saron, sent a call to Mr Richard Parry, Conwy, soon after Mr Fairclough left, and even though he didn't take over the care of the church then, he came later, and he was very useful here for some years, until in 1854, he went back to Conwy, and he undertook to establish a cause, and to build a chapel in Llandudno, where he still resides. At the end of 1857, the churches in Bethania and Saron gave a call to Mr David Lloyd Jones, a student from Bala college, and he was ordained on Christmas Day that year. On the occasion, Mr J. Thomas, Liverpool preached on the nature of the church. Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd questioned the minister. The ordination prayer was given by Mr. John Jones, Green, (the father of the ordained). Mr M. D. Jones, Bala, preached to the minister, and Mr R. Parry, Conway, to the church. Messrs R. Ellis, Brithdir; W. Roberts, Penybontfawr; and J. Jones, Maentwrog also preached in the meetings. Mr Jones stayed here as a very hard working minister for nearly twelve years, and he saw the fruit of his efforts. A gallery was built around Bethania chapel, and it was reorganized throughout, so that now it is an extensive and convenient chapel. Mr Jones undertook the job of overseer for the Wladfa Gymreig (Welsh Colony, Patagonia), and he gave up the ministry in order to do so; but since then he has resumed ministerial care, and is now in  Rhuthin. The church has had no minister since Mr Jones left, but the cause is going forward quite pleasantly. Several persons connected with the church since its establishment gained lots of praise. We respectfully remember the old people of Cwmbywydd, those who were notably caring for the cause at its weak times. William Evans was notable for his fiery gift as a man of prayer. William Hughes, Fronlas, excelled as a wise and  purposeful counsellor. William Jones, Penygelli, had the gift of dealing with people; and the place was, for a long while, a comfortable home for the preachers that passed through. Ellis Edwards, Penrhos, who was always ready to do a good deed, and was young of spirit till the end. David Williams, Cwmbywydd, did more than anyone else to help with matters outside the church, and also with the singing festivals. What with raising a new chapel, and adding a gallery afterwards, and planning the repayment of the debt, there was no-one like him. Then with the building of the new church at Fourcrosses, he was so eager to have everything finished, as if he knew that the time of his leaving was close. Pierce Jones, Penygelli, is the only one of the original family that is left, and he is still hale and hearty. We also remember some of the excellent women who were good wives of Israel. We will not easily forget the kindness and hospitality of the families from Fronlas, Penrhos, and Chwmbywydd.


* Dysgedydd, 1843. Page, 286.

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

  • Evan Griffith. He was educated under the tuition of Dr. Jenkyn, in Oswestry. He was ordained in Llanegryn. He emigrated to America more than twenty years ago. He is still there continuing to serve God.
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  • William Edwards. For a while he studied in Liverpool, and after that he spent four years as a student in Brecon college. He was ordained in Ebenezer, Aberdare, twenty seven years ago. He is still there, and we hope he will have many more years of usefulness.
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  • John Isaac. He was born in this area, in  1813. He hardly had any religious advantages when young, and he spent some of the best years of his life following the excess and ungodliness of his wild contempories.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        He was caught by God in the midst of it all, and there were obvious signs of a change in him. He was accepted as a member in Bethania, when he was 22 years old. He made such great progress in knowledge that he was soon encouraged to start preaching. He became so popular as a young preacher, that his friends expected great things of him. We don't think that he was very strong mentally or of intellectual ability, but he was full of the spirit of preaching. His compositions were organized, his ideas were exciting, and his delivery was eloquent. Some considered his views to be extreme, but those extremes were quite natural. He lived in Marton for a while as a student, but he soon realised that he could not carry on working so hard, because his health was failing. Since Bethania did not have a minister, he was encouraged by his friends to stay at home to support the cause. The consumption took hold of him and he accepted that his working days had come to an end, but his confidence in God never wavered. He died on March 19th, 1841, at the age of 28. As the late  Mr Samuel Jones, Maentwrog, said at the end of his short biography, in the Dysgedydd 1842, page. 166 . - " This is how a brave soldier fel in battle, with his arms gleaming, a beautiful rose wilted in the garden of the church, before it had completely opened to waft its fragrant perfume around. His death was painful for his relatives, a disappointment to the expectations of his friends, and a loss to God's church for his valuable talents, but an everlasting gain for him."
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  • John Morris. He was a student in Brecon college, and he was ordained in  Bwlchyffridd but his best friends' expectations were disappointed by him.
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  • Griffith Griffith. He was educated in Hackney college, London, but when he finished his studies he emigrated to  America and is a well respected minister there. He is a brother to Mr. E. Griffith who was the first to be mentioned.
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  • Richard Solomon Williams. He was educated in Bala and Brecon colleges. He was ordained as a minister in the last place named, and he is still there.
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  • Isaac J. Evans. He was a student in Bala college, and has just been ordained in  Penheolgerig, Merthyr Tydfil.

 

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LLAN, FFESTINIOG

Dechreuwyd pregethu yma tua'r flwyddyn 1834, yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr Thomas Davies, yn Bethania. Yr oedd pregethu cyn hyny yn y Coedbach, Cwmcynhafal, er's amryw flynyddoedd, a chynnulleidfa dda yn dyfod yn nghyd bob Sabboth. Pregethid yno yn gyson gan Mr Davies, neu gan un o'r gwyr ieuangc oedd newydd ddechreu pregethu yn Bethania. Ond trwy ryw amgylchiadau, rhoddwyd i fyny bregethu yno, a daeth y rhai oedd yn aelodau ac ymunasant a'r achos oedd erbyn hyn er's blynyddau wedi i ddechreu yn y Llan. Dechreuwyd pregethu yma mewn ty bychan oedd yn sefyll y tu ol i'r man lle y mae yr Abbey Arms yn sefyll. Gwnaed ef ar lun capel bychan, ond yr oedd yn anghyfleus rawn, y tu cefn i'r tai, ac o olwg yr heol, fel nas gallasai neb feddwl fod yno le i addoli, oddigerth eu bod yn gwybod hyny eisioes. Gelwid y lle yn Saron. Yn nglyn a gweinidogaeth Bethania y bu y lle hyd ymadawiad Mr Davies, yn y flwyddyn 1839. Yn y flwyddyn hono hefyd, gan fod y lle y cyfarfyddent yn anghysurus, a'r achos wedi casglu mesur o nerth, penderfynwyd codi capel newydd mewn lle mwy manteisiol. Gan fod y tir yn llechweddog ac anwastad, cynlluniwyd i gael anedd-dai o dan y capel, ac elid i mewn i'r capel un ochr, ac i'r anedd-dai yr ochr arall. Costiodd swm mawr o arian, ac aeth y gweinidogion cymydogaethol, ac eraill, yn gyfrifol am y ddyled, a chafwyd llawer o helbul a gofid o'i herwydd. Ar sefydliad Mr Samuel Jones yn Maentwrog, yn niwedd 1840, cymerodd hefyd ofal Llan Ffestiniog, ac ni bu yr un fam erioed yn fwy ei phryder am blentyu afiach, nag y bu Mr Jones am yr achos egwan hwn. Pan yn casglu ato yr ymaflodd afiechyd ynddo, yr hwn a derfynodd yn ei farwolaeth. Wedi bod am dymor ar ol marwolaeth Mr Jones heb weinidog, yn y flwyddyn 1844, rhoddodd yr eglwys yma mewn cysylltiad a'r eglwys yn Nhanygrisiau alwad i Mr Cadwaladr Jones, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef Rhagfyr 11eg a'r 12fed, y flwyddyn hono. Ychydig gyda dwy flynedd yr arosodd Mr Jones yma, canys symudodd i Berea, Mon, a bu wedi hyny yn Llangollen a Llanfaircaereinion, ac y mae yn America er's llawer o flynyddoedd bellach. Ar sefydliad Mr Richard Parry, yn Bethania, cymerodd hefyd ofal y Llan, a bu ei weinidogaeth yma yn dra derbyniol. Siriolodd yr achos yn fawr yn yr yspaid y bu yma, ac yr oedd yr egni a wneid i dalu dyled y capel, yn rhoddi bywyd newydd yn yr eglwys. Wedi ymadawiad Mr Parry, bu y lle am ychydig dan ofal Mr O. Evans, mewn cysylltiad a Maentwrog ; ond symudodd Mr Evans yn fuan i Lundain. Wedi sefydliad Mr David Ll. Jones, yn Bethania, cymerodd hefyd ofal y Llan, a pharhaodd yr achos i fyned rhagddo yn dra llwyddianus hyd derfyn gweinidogaeth Mr Jones. Yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1867, penderfynodd yr eglwys yma gael gweinidog iddi i hun, a rhoddodd alwad i Mr Zachariah Mathers, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef ddydd Nadolig, y flwyddyn hono. Ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr W. Jenkins, Pentre-estyll; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr W. Roberts, Tanygrisiau ; gweddiwyd am fendith  ar yr undeb gan Mr J. Williams, Maentwrog ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr J. Peter, Bala, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr W. Roberts, Tanygrisiau. Aeth yr hen gapel yn rhy fychan i'r gynnulleidfa, ac yn y flwyddyn 1869, adeiladwyd yma gapel newydd eang

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mewn man cyfleus yn mhen uchaf y pentref, yn ymyl y Tollborth sydd ar y ffordd o Ffestiniog i Drawsfynydd. Galwyd y capel newydd yn Bethel, ac agorwyd ef yn gyhoeddus Nadolig, 1869, ac ar yr achlysur pregethodd Meistri D. Ll. Jones, Manchester ; M. D. Jones, Bala ; W. Edwards, Aberdare  R. Jones, Llanidloes, a J. Thomas, Liverpool. Mae Mr Mathers yn parhau i lafurio yma, a'r achos mewn gwedd obeithiol, ac y mae yma lawer o bersonau gweithgar, y rhai a wir ofalant am yr achos.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yn yr eglwys hon.

  • Edward Jones, Ty'nyrynys. Codwyd ef i bregethu yn Coedbach. Yr oedd yn ddyn ieuangc crefyddol iawn. Bu farw o'r frech-wen yn fuan wedi iddo ddechreu pregethu.
  • Edward Stephen. Bu yn athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yn Dwygyfylchi. Mae yn awr yn Carmel a Bethlehem, ac y mae yn hysbys i holl Cymru fel cerddor a phregethwr.
  • Robert Hughes. Mae yn awr yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yn Fourcrosses.
  • John Cadwaladr. Addysgwyd ef yn y Bala, urddwyd ef yn Birmingham ac y mae yn awr yn yr America.
  • Morris Cadwaladr. Bu yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ond y mae etto heb ymsefydlu yn unrhyw le penodol.
  • Thomas Morris. Mae yn awr yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa y Bala.

Aelod o'r eglwys hon hefyd oedd Dayid Parry (Dewi Moelwyn), ond yn Nghaernarfon y dechreuodd bregethu, ac yn nglyn a'r eglwys hono y bydd ein crybwyllion am dano.

 

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (4/2020)

Preaching started here around 1834, during the time that  Mr Thomas Davies, was minister in Bethania. There had been preaching in Coedbach before then, Cwmcynhafal, for several years, and a good number in the congregation getting together every Sunday. Mr Davies preached there regularly, as did some of the young men that had just started preaching in Bethania. But for some reason, preaching was given up there, and those who were members and those who joined the cause started joining with those who had been worshipping in Llan. Preaching started here in a little house that stood behind where the Abbey Arms now stands. It was fashioned as a little chapel, but it wasn't very convenient, behind houses, and out of the sight of the road, so nobody knew that there was a place of worship here unless they already knew it was here. It was called Saron. Mr Davies stayed as Bethania's minister until 1839 when he left. During that year, since it wasn't a very comfortable church, and the cause had, by now, increased, they decided to build a new chapel in a more suitable place. Since the land around was hilly and uneven, they decided to build houses under the chapel. People would enter the chapel one side and the houses on the other. It cost a great deal of money, and the community ministers, and others, were responsible for the debt. As a result there was a great deal of trouble and worry. When Mr Samuel Jones was ordained in Maentwrog, at the end of 1840, he also took over the care of Llan Ffestiniog, and no mother worried about her sick child as much as Mr Jones worried about this feeble cause. While he collected towards the cause a sickness took hold of him, which ended in his death. After Mr Jones' death the church had no minister until in 1844, the church, along with the church in Tanygrisiau, gave a call to Mr Cadwaladr Jones, a student from Bala college, and he was ordained on December 11th and 12th, that year.  Mr Jones stayed here for just over two years, when he moved to Berea, Anglesey, and moved on to Llangollen and Llanfaircaereinion, and he has now been in America for many years. On the induction of Mr Richard Parry, in Bethania, he also took over the care of Llan. His ministry was very worthy. The cause cheered up while he was here, and the energy he engendered to pay the chapel's debt gave new life to the church. After Mr Parry left, the church was under the care of Mr O. Evans, along with Maentwrog; but Mr Evans moved quite soon to London. After the induction of Mr David Ll. Jones, in Bethania, he also took over the care of Llan, and the cause continued quite successfully till the end of Mr Jones' ministry. At the end of 1867, the church decided to call a minister of its own, and a call was sent to Mr Zachariah Mathers, a student from Bala college. He was ordained on Christmas Day that year. On the occasion Mr W. Jenkins, Pentre-estyll preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr W. Roberts, Tanygrisiau; Mr J. Williams, Maentwrog prayed for a blessing upon the union; Mr J. Peter, Bala, preached to the minister and Mr W. Roberts, Tanygrisiau preached to the church. The old chapel became too small to hold the congregations, and in 1869, a new, extended, chapel was built


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in a much more convenient place at the top part of the village, near to the tollgate on the way from Ffestiniog to Trawsfynydd. The new chapel was called Bethel, and it was publicly opened at Christmas, 1869. On the occasion Messrs D. Ll. Jones, Manchester, M. D. Jones, Bala, W. Edwards, Aberdare,  R. Jones, Llanidloes, and J. Thomas, Liverpool preached. Mr Mathers continues to labour here and the cause is quite hopeful. There are many hard working members here, people who truly care for the cause.


The following people were raised to preach in this church.

  • Edward Jones, Ty'nyrynys. He was brought up to preach in Coedbach. He was a very religious young man. He died of smallpox soon after he started preaching.
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  • Edward Stephen. He studied in Bala college, and was ordained in Dwygyfylchi. He is now in Carmel and Bethlehem, and he is well known throughout Wales as a musician and a preacher.
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  • Robert Hughes. He is now a lay preacher in Fourcrosses.
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  • John Cadwaladr. He was educated in Bala, and ordained in  Birmingham and is now in America.
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  • Morris Cadwaladr. He went to Brecon college, but he hasn't settled anywhere in particular.
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  • Thomas Morris. He is now a student in Bala college.
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  • David Parry (Dewi Moelwyn) was also a member of this church, but he started preaching in Caernarfon, and it is under that church that his details will be found.

 

TANYGRISIAU

(Ffestiniog parish)

Dechreuwyd pregethu yn y gymydogaeth yma o gylch yr un amser ag y dechreuwyd yn Llan, Ffestiniog, gan weinidog Bethania a'r rhai a'i cynorthwyent. Yn nhy William Owen y pregethid fynychaf, a thua'r flwyddyn 1835, dechreuwyd cynal Ysgol Sabbothol mewn ty a elwir Hen Danygrisiau. Cynorthwyid yn y gwaith hwn gan Dayid Evans, William Owens, H. S. Parry, a'i fab Richard Parry, ac eraill. Elai yr aelodau i Bethania un pen o bob Sabboth dros rai blynyddau, a changen o'r eglwys yno yr ystyrid yr achos yma. Yr oedd Cadwaladr Roberts, Buarthmelyn, yn un o'r aelodau cyntaf yma, ac yn un o'r rhai a wnaeth fwyaf yma yn nghychwyniad yr achos. Yr oedd yn ddihafal am ei ffyddlondeb, ac yn noddi yr achos yn Nhanygrisiau, fel pe ei eiddo personol ef a fuasai. Ffurfiwyd yma eglwys cyn hir yn nhy Richard Llwyd, Risgenfawr, ac yno y cadwyd y cymundeb cyntaf, pryd y gweinyddai Mr David Griffiths, Talysarn, (gynt). Yr oedd pedwar-ar-ddeg o aelodau Bethania yn ymgorphori yn eglwys yma yn y cymundeb cyntaf; ac ar y Sabboth hwnw, derbyniwyd dau fachgen ieuangc yn aelodau, y rhai a droisant allan yn ddynion rhagorol, sef Richard Roberts, Buarthmelyn, a William Williams, Beudymawr. Bu y cyntaf o'r ddau a enwyd farw trwy ddisgyniad darn o'r graig arno pan gyda'i orchwyl yn chwarel y Moelwyn, ar ol bod am lawer o flynyddoedd yn aelod ffyddlon ac yn ddiacon gweithgar yn yr eglwys, ac y mae yr olaf etto yn parhau yma yn ddefnyddiol fel aelod a deacon. Yn y flwyddyn 1837, adeiladwyd yma gapel a thy wrth ei dalcen, mewn lle serth ar y graig. Dringid i fyny iddo ar hyd rhes o risiau, fel yr oedd

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yn lle costus i'w adeiladu, ac yn lle trafferthus i fyned iddo ar ol ei adeiladu. Ond dyna yr unig le yn yr ardal a allesid gael ar y pryd, ac yr oedd yn rhaid ei godi yno, neu fod heb un man. Daeth y ffordd haiarn heibio iddo ar ol hyny, a gwnaeth hyny ef yn llawer mwy anghyfleus i fyned iddo, ac o hono. Costiodd y capel £400. Pregethwyd ynddo yn gyntaf gan Mr W. Edwards, yn awr o Aberdare ; ac yn nghyfarfodydd yr agoriad pregethwyd gan Meistri W. Ambrose, Porthmadog ; R. Ellis, Rhoslan, a J. Williams, Llansilin. Arosodd pymtheg o newydd yn y gyfeillach noson y cyfarfod. Bu gofal yr eglwys ar Mr Davies hyd ei ymadawiad a Bethania, ac wedi hyny dros ychydig ar Mr R. Fairclough, ond yn mhen amser torwyd y cysylltiad a Bethania, ac yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1844, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr Cadwaladr Jones, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, i fod yn weinidog yma ac yn y Llan, Ffestiniog, ac urddwyd ef Rhagfyr 11 eg a'r 12fed. Ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr M. Jones, Bala ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr E. Evans, Maentwrog; pregethodd Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau, i'r gweinidog, a Mr W. Ambrose, Porthmadog, i'r eglwys. Pregethwyd hefyd gan Meistri T. Edwards, Ebenezer, ac R. Ellis, Brithdir.* Ni bu Mr Jones yma ond dros dymor byr, canys ymadawodd yn 1847, i Berea, Mon. Ni bu yma yr un gweinidog sefydlog ar ol hyny am yn agos i ugain mlynedd, ac er hyny, parhaodd yr achos i fyned rhagddo a chasglu nerth. Yr oedd Cadwaladr Roberts yn gofalu fel tad am yr achos, a phawb yn gadael iddo gael ei ffordd, oblegid ei fod yma o'r dechruad, ac yn ffyddlon dros fesur. Ni chai yr un pregethwr lonydd ganddo heb addaw Sabboth yn Nhanygrisiau, os tybiai y byddai ei wasanaeth o werth, ac nid yn waglaw y gollyngid ymaith y rhai a ddeuai ; ac ar ddiwedd gwaith un Sabboth yr oedd yn rhaid addaw Sabboth arall. Yr oedd Robert Williams, Tanygrisiau, hefyd, a'i deulu ; Cadwaladr Williams, Beudymawr, a'i feibion, a meibion Buarthmelyn, ac eraill, yn aelodau o'r fath fwyaf gweithgar, fel na theimlodd yr eglwys anfantais fawr er ei hir amddifadrwydd o weinidog. Bu Mr Davies, Trawsfynydd, yn dyfod yma am flynyddau bob mis i gadw cymundeb, ar un cyfnod. Yn wyneb fod y capel wedi ei adeiladu ar fan anfanteisiol, ac agoriad y ffordd haiarn wedi gwneyd lle yn fwy anfanteisiol fyth, meddyliwyd am gael capel newydd ar lanerch mwy cyfleus, a chanolog i'r holl eglwys. Ffurfiwyd pwyllgor adeiladu er dwyn y gwaith i ben, a chytunwyd am ddarn o dir ar y ffordd cydrhwng Tanygrisiau a Rhiwbryfdir ; ond wedi adystyriaeth, cydfarnodd y pwyllgor mai gwell fuasai adeiladu dau gapel, un yn Rhiwbryfdir, ac un arall yn Nhanygrisiau. Adeiladwyd capel y Rhiw yn gyntaf, ac yna yn mhen y flwyddyn adeiladwyd capel yn Nhanygrisiau. Yn mis Mai, 1862, pregethodd R. Thomas, Bangor, ar y gareg sylfaen i gynnulleidfa luosog, ac erbyn y flwyddyn 1863, yr oedd y capel newydd yn barod. Galwyd ef Carmel. Pregethwyd y bregeth gyntaf ynddo gan Mr W. Ambrose, Porthmadog ; ac agorwyd ef yn nglyn a chyfarfod chwarterol Sir Feirionydd, yr hwn a gynhaliwyd yma y flwyddyn hono. Mesurai y capel ugain llath wrth un-ar-ddeg, ac aeth y draul yn agos i £850. Prynodd yr eglwys dy drachefn, yr hwn trwy cyfnewidiadau a wnaed ynddo, a gostiodd £161, ond trwy ymdrechion haelionus yr eglwys a'r gynnulleidfa symudwyd ymaith y rhan fwyaf o'r

* Dysgedydd, 1845. Tudal. 57.

Welsh version CONTINUED on next page but translation complete below

 

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (4/2020)

The minister of Bethania and those that assisted him started preaching in this community around the same time as the cause started in Llan, Ffestiniog. It took place mainly in William Owen's house, and about 1835, a Sunday School was held in a house called Hen Danygrisiau. It was supported by David Evans, William Owens, H. S. Parry and his son Richard Parry and others. The members went to Bethania either morning or evening over the years and this cause was always considered to be a branch of that one. Cadwaladr Roberts, Buarthmelyn, was one of the first members here and he is one of the ones who did most to develop the cause. His faithfulness was without equal and he supported the cause in Tanygrisiau as if it was his own possession. A church was soon formed here in  Richard Llwyd, Risgenfawr's house, and it was there that the first communion was held, when Mr David Griffiths, (formerly from) Talysarn, officiated. Fourteen members from Bethania were united as a church in the first communion and at that Sabbath two young boys were accepted as members. They turned out to be excellent men. They were Richard Roberts, Buarthmelyn, and William Williams, Beudymawr. The first of them died when a rock fell on him when he was working in Moelwyn quarry. He had been a faithful member and hard working deacon in the church. The other continues here as a useful member and deacon. In 1837, a chapel was built with  a house attached to it in a steep position on the rock. Access to it was by steps.

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It was very costly to build and difficult to access after it was built. But that was the only place in the area available at the time and it had to be built there or not at all. After that, a new road was built and that made it even more difficult to access. The chapel cost £400. Mr W. Edwards, now in Aberdare was the first to preach there. In the opening meetings Messrs W. Ambrose, Porthmadog, R. Ellis, Rhoslan, and J. Williams, Llansilin preached. Fifteen new people stayed for the fellowship on the night of the meeting.  Mr Davies undertook the care of the church until he left Bethania and after that Mr R. Fairclough for a short while, but in time the connection with Bethania was broken and at the end of 1844 a call was sent to  Mr Cadwaladr Jones, a student from Bala college, to be a minister here and in Llan, Ffestiniog. He was ordained on December 11th and 12th. On that occasion Mr M. Jones, Bala preached on the nature of the church. The questions were asked by Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd and the ordination prayer was given by  Mr E. Evans, Maentwrog. Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau preached to the minister and Mr W. Ambrose, Porthmadog, to the church. Messrs T. Edwards, Ebenezer and R. Ellis, Brithdir, also preached.* Mr Jones stayed here only a short time as he left in 1847, for Berea, Anglesey. Nearly twenty years went by and the church had no settled minister but despite this the cause continued and even strengthened. Cadwaladr Roberts cared for the cause as a father and everyone allowed him to have his way, because he'd been here from the beginning and was outstandingly faithfully. He wouldn't allow preachers to leave without the promise of a Sabbath in  Tanygrisiau, if he thought they were worthy enough, and those that did come would never leave empty handed. By the end of the services on one Sunday they had to promise another Sunday in the future. Robert Williams, Tanygrisiau and his family, Cadwaladr Williams, Beudymawr, and his sons and the boys of Buarthmelyn and others were the most hard working members, so that the church didn't really miss a minister. Mr Davies, Trawsfynydd, came here every month for years to conduct a communion. Considering that the chapel had been built in a position that was difficult to access, and that the opening of the road had made things worse, thoughts turned towards building a new chapel in a more appropriate glade. A committee was formed in order to organise the project. They agreed on a piece of land on the road half way between Tanygrisiau and Rhiwbryfdir, but on consideration the committee decided that it would be better to build two chapels, one in Rhiwbryfdir and the other in Tanygrisiau. The chapel in Rhiw was built first and within the year the chapel in Tanygrisiau was completed. In May, 1862, R. Thomas, Bangor, preached at the foundation stone to a multitude of people and, by 1863, the new chapel was ready. It was called Carmel. Mr W. Ambrose, Porthmadog preached the first sermon there and it was opened during the quarterly meetings for Merionethshire, which was held there that year. The chapel measured twenty yards by eleven and the debt was nearly £850. The church also bought a house. Along with the alterations the cost was £161, but because of the generous efforts of the church and the congregation most of the
 
* Dysgedydd, 1845. page. 57.

(Continued)

TANYGRISIAU
debt was cleared. At the end of 1865, this church and the church in Rhiwbryfdir, gave a joint call to Mr William Roberts, Penybontfawr, and he started his ministry here on the first Sunday of 1866. The ordination services were held at the end of October that year. Messrs C. R. Jones, Llanfyllin, D. Evans, Penarth, H. James, Llansantffraid, J. Roberts, Llanerchymedd, D. Roberts, Caernarfon, J. Roberts, Conwy, and E. Morris, Penrhyn officiated. The brothers showed their appreciation of Mr Roberts, on his induction amongst them, by a gift of a watch and gold chain, and gold mirrors. Mr Roberts continues his ministry here comfortably and successfully. It became necessary to extend the chapel by raising the roof and adding a gallery. It is now one of the most beautiful chapels around. It has a large hard working congregation. The debt for the extension was £660, and although it contains far more seats it is, nevertheless, comfortably full. It was opened on the last Sunday in September, 1870. Messrs Thomas, Bangor, D. Roberts, Caernarfon, D. Griffith, Portdinorwic, and J. Rowlands, Rhos preached. A very comfortable house was built for the minister near the chapel in Rhiw, through the joint dedication of the members of this church and Rhiwbryfdir church. It is clear that these people have a "heart for working". A small chapel was also built in Cwmorthin for the people of Tanygrisiau. Soon after his induction in  Tanygrisiau, Mr Roberts started preaching on week nights in the house of Mr D. Jones, the quarry overseer, but they soon felt the need to build a chapel in the place. An application was submitted in the name of Mr D. Jones, the overseer, for a piece of land from the owners of the quarry and they agreed. The quarrymen gave their labour for free and laid the foundations, carried the stones and laid a road to the building. It wasn't long before the chapel was ready, and even though it cost £100, despite the free labour, it opened free of debt through the generosity of the quarrymen of the valley and the friends of Tanygrisiau. It was called Tiberias, because it stands on the banks of the big lake, which is over two miles round. Mr D. Jones, and his son, who is a joint overseer with his father, was very zealous in his attempts to build the chapel and to pay for it and John Jones became just as zealous. A regular Sunday School was held there and occasional preaching. As the place develops it is likely that an independent church will need to be embodied.


These were raised to preach in this church;-

  • David Cadwaladr. He showed great promise, but he died young.
  •  
  • Elias Morris. He is now in Penrhiwddolion, Dolyddelen, and continues preaching occasionally.
  •  
  • John Roberts. He is the son of Cadwaladr Roberts, Buarthmelyn. He was accepted in Bala college, and he showed great promise, but he caught tuberculosis and died in Bala before he finished his course, His body was brought back to be buried amongst his family in Ffestiniog cemetery.
  •  
  • John Hughes. He is a lay preacher in the church.
  •  
  • Mr. Robert Evans, Bethel, Aberdare was also a member in this church but was at school in Barmouth when he started preaching.

 

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