Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru

(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees and John Thomas; published in 1871+.

These 8 chapel histories were extracted by Gareth Morgan from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Feb 2008)

The main project page is on /big/wal/ChurchHistory/Indchapels#Glamorgan

Proof read by Steve Stephenson (March 2008)
Translations by Mary Jane Stephenson (March/April 2008)

Y FOCHRIW  (Gelligaer parish)

(Vol 2, p 314)

Enw amaethdy ar fin mynydd Gelligaer, ar ben uchaf Cwmbargod, Rhymni, ac ar lechwedd gorllewinol y Cwm, yw y Fochriw. Ar lechwedd dwyreiniol yr un Cwm, gyferbyn a'r Fochriw, y mae y Brithdiruchaf, lle genedigaeth yr enwog Jenkin Lewis, D.D. Hyd o fewn wyth mlynedd yn ol nid oedd ond pedwar neu bump o anedd-dai o fewn milldir i'r lle hwn, ond yn y flwyddyn 1864, pan agorodd cwmni gweithiau haiarn Dowlais weithau glo yma, cafodd llawer o dai en hadeiladu yn yr ardal, a daeth yma luaws o weithwyr a'u teuluoedd i gyfaneddu. Wedi codi tai newyddion, dechreuwyd cadw Ysgol Sabbothol mewn anedd-dy. Yn nhy Lewis Edwards y pregethwyd gyntaf yma gan Mr. James Evans, y pryd hwnw o Graigyfargod. Yn mhen tri mis ar ol hyny, sef Hydref 9fed, 1864, corpholwyd yma eglwys o un-ar-ddeg o aelodau. Eu henwau ydynt, Jacob Jones, Mary ei wraig, a John eu mab; Hannah Evans, Boaz Lloyd, ac Eleanor ei wraig; Thomas Thomas, William Hughes, David Rowland, a Mary ei wraig, a Mary Edwards. Yr oedd Mr. Evans, Craigyfargod; Mr. Howells, Ynysgau, a Mr. Roberts, Graig, Rhymni, yn bresenol ac yn gweinyddu ar yr achlysur. Yn nhy Thomas Jenkins y cynaliwyd y cyfarfod hwn. Yn fuan ar ol hyn cyfodwyd yma gapel o goed. Bu yr eglwys ieuangc dan ofal gweinidogaethol Mr. James Evans hyd ddiwedd haf y flwyddyn 1865, pryd y rhoddodd ei gofal i fyny. Yn Chwefror 1866, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. W. H. Thomas, Berry Edge, gogledd Lloegr. Cynaliwyd cyfarfod ei sefydliad ef yma yn mhen ychydig ar ol hyny. Gan fod y boblogaeth yn cynyddu yn gyflym aeth y capel coed yn rhy fychan fel y bu raid ei helaethu. Aeth drachefn yn dra buan yn rhy fychan i gynwys y gynnulleidfa. Yna penderfynwyd adeiladu capel hardd a chyfleus o werth tua 900p. Agorwyd ef yn mis Gorphenaf, 1867. Bu Mr. Thomas yn llafurio yma yn ddiwyd a llwyddianus hyd ddiwedd 1869, pryd y symudodd i Gadle, gerllaw Abertawy. Yn haf y flwyddyn 1870, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Griffiths, o athrofa y Bala. Cynaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei urddiad Hydref 17eg a'r 18fed, yn yr un flwyddyn. Cymerodd y gweinidogion canlynol ran yn y gwasanaeth, J. Evans, Dowlais; R. Rowlands, Aberaman; W. J. Richards, Penywern; W. Williams, Hirwaun; D. Price, Aberdar; W. H. Thomas, Cadle; J. Mathews, Castellnedd, a J. Peter, Bala. Mae y boblogaeth yn cynyddu yn gyflym a pharhaus, a'r gweinidog a'r eglwys yn cydweithio yn rhagorol. Rhif yr aelodau yn bresenol yw chwech-ugain-a-deg, ac y mae pob sail i ddisgwyl y bydd yma eglwys gref iawn yn dra buan.

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (March 2008)

Fochriw is the name of a farmhouse on  the edge of Gelligaer mountain, at the far top of Cwmbargoed, Rhymney, and on the western slope of the valley. On the eastern slope of the same valley, opposite Fochriw, is Brithdiruchaf, where the well-known Jenkin Lewis D.D. was born. Up to eight years ago there were only four or five dwellings within a mile of this place, but in 1864, when Dowlais iron works opened collieries here, many houses were built in the district and crowds of workers and their families came to live in them. After the new houses were built a Sunday School was begun in a house. Mr James Evans, at that time from Craigfargoed, preached first in the house of Lewis Edwards.. Three months after that, on October 9th 1864,  a church  was established with eleven  members. There names were, Jacob Jones, Mary his wife, and John their son; Hannah Evans, Boaz Lloyd, and Eleanor his wife; Thomas Thomas, William Hughes, David Rowland and Mary his wife, and Mary Edwards. Mr Evans, Craigfargoed; Mr Howells, Ynysgau and Mr Roberts, Graig, Rhymney were present and led the occasion. This meeting was held in the house of Thomas Jenkins. Soon after this a wooden chapel was built. This young church was in the ministerial care of  Mr James Evans until the end of summer 1865, when he gave up the work. In February 1866, a call was given to Mr W.H. Thomas, Berry Edge, Northern England.. An induction meeting was held here shortly afterwards. As the population increased the wooden chapel became too small and it had to be extended. This again became too small to hold the congregation. Then it was decided to build a handsome, convenient chapel valued at 900 pounds. It was opened in July 1867. Mr Thomas laboured here diligently and successfully until the end of 1869, when he moved to Cadle, near Swansea. In the summer of 1870, a call was given to Mr John Griffiths, from Bala college. His induction services were held on October 17th and 18th that year. The following ministers took part in the services, J. Evans, Dowlais; R. Rowlands, Aberaman; W.J. Richards, Penywern; W. Williams, Hirwaun; D. Price, Aberdare; W.H. Thomas, Cadle; J. Matthews, Neath, a J. Peter, Bala.  The congregation continues to increase steadily and the minister and the church work well together. The number of members at present is 130 and there is good cause to expect that there will be a very strong church here very soon.

Y DERI (Gelligaer parish)

(Vol 2, p 315)

Mae y lle hwn yn Nghwm-yr-ynys-gwyn, yn Margod, Rhymni, yn agos i haner y ffordd rhwng Pont-aber-bargod a'r Fochriw, ac ychydig gyda milldir i'r gogledd-ddwyrain o Graigyfargod. Gelwir y lle, y Deri, am mai ar dir y Derinewydd y mae y prif waith glo sydd yn bresenol yn agored yn y gymydogaeth. Ychydig flynyddau yn ol nid oedd ond chwech neu saith o anedd-dai o fewn milldir i'r lle, ond yn awr y mae yma ugeiniau o dai, ac argoel y bydd yma ganoedd yn dra buan. Mae ffordd haiarn y Casnewydd ac Aberhonddu yn myned trwy y lle, a'r boblogaeth yn eynyddu yn gyflym. Dechreuwyd yr achos yma yn y flwyddyn 1866, gan H. Shankland, Jenkin Meredith, a Rees Williams, tri o aelodau y Fochriw, y rhai a ddechreuasant gadw Ysgol Sabbothol a chyfarfodydd gweddio mewn tai anedd. Ffurfiwyd yma eglwys Annibynol Awst 18fed, 1867, gan Mr. W. H. Thomas, gweinidog yr eglwys yn y Fochriw. Pedwar o aelodau oedd yma ar y pryd, sef John a David Morris, William Mathews, a Hannah Thomas, ond ar ddydd eu corpholiad derbyniwyd tri o'r byd atynt, sef Benjamin Thomas, a John a Sarah Anthony. Mr. Thomas fu y gweinidog yma o amser corpholiad yr eglwys hyd y pryd y symudodd o'r Fochriw i Cadle. O'r pryd hwnw hyd yn awr ni bu yma yr un gweinidog sefydlog. Yn fuan wedi corpholiad yr eglwys cafwyd darn cyfleus o dir at adeiladu addoldy gan Charles H. James, Ysw., Merthyr. Adeiladwyd yma ysgoldy, yr hwn a gaiff wasanaethu fel addoldy nes y byddo y gynnulleidfa mewn amgylchiadau i adeiladu addoldy eangach, harddach, a mwy cyfleus. Agorwyd yr ysgoldy fel lle at addoli Tachwedd 29ain a'r 30ain, 1868, pryd y pregethodd Meistri J. Evans, Dowlais; J. G. Davies, Penywern; F. Evans, Adulam, Merthyr; P. Howells, Ynysgau; J. H. Jones, Brynseion, Dowlais, a D. Thomas, Abercanaid. Rhif yr eglwys yn bresenol yw 34, ac y mae golwg dra gobeithiol ar yr achos.

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (March 2008)

This place is in Cwm-yr-ynys-gwyn, in Bargoed, Rhymney and near to halfway between Pont-yr-aber-bargod and Fochriw, and a little over a mile to the north-east of Craigyfargod. The place is called y Deri because the main coal mine, which is at present open in the vicinity,  is on the land of Derinewydd, . A few years ago there were only six or seven dwellings within a mile of the place but now there are scores of houses and the omen is that there will be hundreds very soon. The railroad between Newport and Brecon goes through the place, and the population is rapidly growing. The cause began here in 1866 with H. Shankland, Jenkin Meredith and Rees Williams, three members from Fochriw, those who began the Sunday School and prayer meetings in houses. The Congregational church was formed here on August 18th 1867 by Mr W.H. Thomas, minister of the church at Fochriw. There were four members at the time, namely John and David Morris, William Matthews and Hannah Thomas, but   on the day of the  establishing three more were received, Benjamin Thomas and John and Sarah Anthony. Mr Thomas was the minister here from the establishment of the church until he moved from Fochriw to Cadle. From that time until now there has not been a permanent minister. Soon after establishment of the church they were given a plot of land by Charles H. James Esq., Merthyr, to build a place of worship. A school house was built, which serves as a chapel until the congregation may have the wherewithal to erect a larger, more handsome and  convenient building. The school house was opened as a place of worship on November 29th and 30th 1868 when the following preached: Messrs J. Evans, Dowlais; J.G. Davies, Penywern; F. Evans, Adulam, Merthyr; P. Howells, Ynysgau; J.H. Jones, Brynseion, Dowlais and D. Thomas, Abercanaid. The number in the church is at present 34 and there is a hopeful outlook for the cause.

Y COLY (Gelligaer parish)

(Vol 2, p 315)

Enw fferm yn agos i flaen Cwmbargod-Taf yw y Coly. Ychydig flynyddau yn ol agorwyd yma waith glo gan berchenogion gweithiau haiarn Dowlais, ac mewn canlyniad daeth llawer o bobl i gyfaneddu i'r ardal. Corpholwyd yma eglwys Annibynol mewn ysgoldy perthynol i gwmni Dowlais ar y Sabboth, Mawrth 25ain, 1870, gan Mr. James Evans, Gellideg, gynt o Graigyfargod. Ar y 17eg o Ebrill, yr un flwyddyn, urddwyd Mr. Daniel Davies, aelod o eglwys Ebenezer, Cefn-coed-y-cymer, yn weinidog i'r eglwys ienangc. Gweinyddwyd yn nghyfarfodydd yr urddiad gan Meistri James Evans, Gellideg; D. A. Jones, ac R. Griffiths, Cefn-coed-y-cymer; D. Thomas, Abercanaid; J. M. Bowen, Penydarran; J. Miles, Bethesda; R. Jones, Craigyfargod, ac eraill. Yn uniongyrchol ar ol ei urddiad ymgymerodd Mr. Davies a'r gorchwyl o adeiladu capel yma. Cafwyd tir cyfleus yn rhad gan Lewis Edwards, Ysw., Bedlinog, perchenog y Coly. Gorphenwyd y capel ac agorwyd ef Hydref 23ain a'r 24ain, 1870,  pryd y pregethodd Mr. R. Griffiths, Cefn-coed-y-cymer; Mr. Davies, gweinidog y Bedyddwyr yn Nghwmyfelin; Mr. J. Evans, Dowlais, a Mr. J. Miles, Bethesda.

Gan fod cyfoeth dihysbydd o lo a mwn haiarn yn y ddaear am filldiroedd o gwmpas y lle, mae yn ddiau y bydd yma weithiau a phoblogaeth luosog am oesau, ac felly y mae pob sail i ddysgwyl y bydd cynnulleidfa luosog a chref yma yn fuan.

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (March 2008)

Coly is the name of a farm near to the top of Cwmbargod-Taf. A few years ago a coal mine was opened here by the owners of Dowlais ironworks and, as a result, many people came to live in the area. A Congregational church was established here in a schoolhouse belonging to the Dowlais company on Sunday March 25th 1870 by Mr James Evans, Gellideg, formerly of Craigyfargod. On April 17th in the same year, Mr Daniel Davies, a member of Ebenezer, Cefn-coed-cymer, was ordained as minister of this young church. The ordination meetings were led by Messrs James Evans, Gellideg; D.A. Jones and R. Griffiths, Cefn-coed-y-cymer; D. Thomas, Abercanaid; J.M. Bowen, Penydaddan; J. Miles, Bethesda; R. Jones, Craigyfargod and others. Immediately sfter his ordination Mr Davies undertook the task of building a chapel here. The chapel was completed and opened on October 23rd and 24th 1870, when Mr R. Griffiths, Cefn-coed-y-cymer; Mr Davies, Baptist minister at Cwmyfelin; Mr J. Evans, Dowlais and Mr J. Miles, Bethesda, preached. Because of the inexhaustible riches of coal and  and wealth of iron in the earth for miles around the place, it is without doubt that there will be many works and people here for ages, and therefore there is every  reason to expect there will soon be a  strong large congregation.

PONT-ABER-BARGOD (Gelligaer parish)

(Vol 2, p 316)

Pentref henafol yw Pont-aber-bargod, mewn rhan yn Mynwy ac mewn rhan yn Morganwg. Yma yr ymarllwysa yr afonig Bargod, Rhymni, i r afon Rhymni. Yr oedd pregethu bob prydnawn Sabboth yn Longroom William Lewis, o'r Felin, yn y pentref hwn er's agos neu lawn ddeugain mlynedd yn ol, yn benaf gan Mr. E. C. Jenkins, Salem, a phe buasaid yn corpholi eglwys yma y pryd hwnw gallasai fod yma achos cryf erbyn hyn ond trwy esgeulusdod neu anallu yr Annibynwyr i sefydlu eglwys ac adeiladu capel yn y Ile, daeth y Bedyddwyr yn mlaen ac adeiladasant gapel yma yn y flwyddyn 1839. Yn fuan wedi hyny rhoddodd Mr. Jenkins i fyny bregethu yn rheolaidd yn y Longroom, a chafodd y Bedyddwyr feddiant hollol o'r pentref. Ond yr oedd ychydig aelodau perthynol i'r Annibynwyr yn cyfaneddu yma trwy y blynyddau, ae yn myned i Salem a Chraigyfargod i gymuno, hyd nes y dechreuwyd yr achos yn New Tredegar, yna ymunasant a'r eglwys yno. Gan fod poblogaeth y pentref yn awr yn dri chymaint ag ydoedd ddeng-mlynedd-ar-hugain yn ol, ac yn cynyddu yn gyflym, barnodd yr ychydig ffyddloniaid perthynol i'r enwad Annibynol a breswylient yma, ei bod yn bryd bellach i ddechreu achos yn y lle. Cychwynwyd yma Ysgol Sabbothol ar y 26ain o Fawrth, 1871, a phregethwyd yr un diwrnod gan Mr. John Edwards, a athrofa Aberhonddu. Sefydlwyd eglwys o dri-ar-ddeg o aelodau yma Ionawr 23ain, 1872. Gan mai aelodau o New Tredegar oeddynt, dewisasant gael eu hen weinidog Mr. D. Jones, yn awr o Gwmbwrla, i'w corpholi yn eglwys mae yma olwg obeithiol ar yr achos ieuangc. Yr oedd Mary Lewis, o r Felin, yn hen aelod ffyddlon yn Salem, ac wedi hyny yn New Tredegar, ac yr ydym yn deall fod ei phriod, Thomas Lewis, yn awr yn ei henaint wedi ymuno a'r achos. Bu eu ty am flynyddau yn lletty i'r arch, ac felly y bydd etto mae yn debygol nes yr adeiladir addoldy.

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (April 2008)

Pont-aber-bargod is an ancient village, partly in Monmouthshire and partly in Glamorgan. The Bargod, Rhymney, stream flows here to the river Rhymney. In this village in William Lewis, Felin,'s Longroom every Sunday afternoon  there was preaching for almost the last forty years, chiefly by Mr E.C. Jenkins, Salem, and if a church was to be established here at this time there would have be a strong case by now but through carelessness or inability by the Congregationalists to set up a church or chapel in the place, the Baptists came in and they built a chapel here in the year 1839. Soon afterwards Mr Jenkins gave up regular preaching in the Longroom  and the Baptists possessed all of the village. But there were a few members belonging to the Congregationalists living here over the years and they went to Salem and Craigyfargod to have communion until the cause in New Tredegar commenced, and then they joined that church. As by now the population of the village was  three times what it was thirty years before, and increasing fast, a few of the faithful belonging to the Congregationalists who lived here decided that it was time to begin a cause in this place. A Sunday school began here on 26th March 1871, and on that day Mr John Edwards of Brecon College preached. The church was established  with thirteen members on January 23rd 1872. As they were members of New Tredegar, they chose their former minister Mr D. Jones, now of Cwmbwrla, to set up the church and there is a hopeful look on this young cause. Mary Lewis, from Felin, was an old faithful member of Salem, and then New Tredegar, and we understand her husband, Tom Lewis now in his old age, has joined the cause. Their house was for many years an abode for the cause and so will likely to be once again until a house of worship is  built.

MARKET SQUARE, MERTHYR

(Vol 2, p 316)

Dechreuwyd yr achos yn y flwyddyn. 1840, gan ychydig Ysgotiaid a Saeson. Yr oedd rhai o honynt yn. ddynion lled gysurus yn eu hamgylchiadan bydol, ac am a wyddom ni yr oeddynt yn ddynion selog iawn a ffydlon i'w hegwyddorion. Ni chawsant ond y peth nesaf i ddim o gefnogaeth oddiwrth eglwysi Cvmreig y dref a'r gymydogaeth, ond yn hytrach gwrthwynebiad. "Ty cwrdd y Scotch," y gelwid y capel am flynyddau, ac edrychai y rhan fwyaf o weinidogion ac aelodau yr Annibynwyr yn yr lle ar ymdrech cychwynwyr yr achos gyda oerni beius. Pa fodd bynag yn mlaen yr aeth y gwaith. Gosodwyd careg sylfaen y capel newydd i lawr ddydd Iau, Mehefin 11 eg, 1840, ac agorwyd ef dydd Mawrth, Mai 4ydd, 1841, pryd y pregethodd Meistri Charles Nice Davies, athraw duwinyddol athrofa Aberhonddu; D. Rees, Llanelli; J. C. Davey, Caerodor, a T. Davies, gweinidog y Bedyddwyr Saesnig yn Merthyr. Corpholwyd yma eglwys Annibynol ddydd Gwener, Mehefin 4ydd, 1841. Ar y 3ydd o Ebrill, 1842, dechreuodd Mr. Edward Griffith, o athrofa Highbury, ei weinidogaeth yma. Yr oedd Mr. Griffith yn ddyn ieuangc siriol, yn bregethwr da, ac yn weinidog llafurus, a bu yma fesur o lwyddiant ar ei lafur. Yn mis Medi, 1845, rhoddodd y lle i fyny ar ei ymfudiad i Awstralia, lle y mae yn bresenol. Yn Tachwedd, 1845, daeth Mr. Joseph Robinson yma dan nawdd y Gymdeithas Genhadol Gartrefol, ond gorfodwyd ef gan waeledd ei iechyd i roddi ei swydd i fyny yn Mehefin, 1847. Wedi ei ymadawiad ef bu yr eglwys am fwy na dwy flynedd yn byw ar weinidogaeth achlysurol. Bu Mr. R. Hancock, a Mr. Joseph Morris, yn awr o Gaerodor, yn ei gwasanaethu am rai misoedd yn y tymor hwn. Gorphenaf 29ain, 1849, dechreuodd Mr. J. 0. Hill, ei weinidogaeth, a pharhaodd i lafurio yma gyda chryn lwyddiant hyd Tachwedd, 1860, pryd y symudodd i Henffordd, lle y mae hyd yn awr. Dilynwyd Mr. Hill gan Mr. J. T. Davies, M.A., myfyriwr, o athrofa Spring Hill, a mab Mr. Thomas Davies, Caerdydd. Urddwyd ef yma Medi 24ain, 1861, pryd y cymerwyd rhan yn y gwasanaeth gan Dr. Alliott, o athrofa Spring Hill, a'r Meistri Caleb Morris, B. Williams, Dowlais; David Thomas, Caerodor, ac eraill. Cynyddodd y gynnulleidfa yn fawr dan weinidogaeth Mr. Davies, ond er mawr dristwch luaws gwnaeth ei feddwl i fyny i ymfudo i Queensland, a therfynodd ei weinidogaeth yn Merthyr, Medi 17eg, 1865.

Yn Chwefror, 1866, dechreuodd Mr. F. S. Johnstone, y gweinidog presenol, ei weinidogaeth yma. Mae Mr. Johnstone yn ddyn galluog, ac yn gwneyd i bobl Merthyr deimlo fod gwr talentog ac Ymneillduwr egwyddorol yn eu mysg. Cafodd yn ddiweddar ei ethol yn aelod o Fwrdd Ysgol Merthyr, gyda mwyafrif buddugoliaethus.

Mae y capel hwn yn addoldy hardd, cyfleus, a gwasanaethgar. Cafodd er adrefnu harddu yn fawr yn 1861. Rhwng ei adeiladiad ar y cyntaf, a'r cyfnewidiadau a wnaed ynddo wedi hyny, costiodd dros dair mil o bunau, ac y mae er's amser bellach yn ddiddyled. Cangen o'r eglwys hon yw yr eglwys Saesonig a gorpholwyd yn ddiweddar yn Nhroedyrhiw, ac fe aeth rhai aelodau oddiyma i gychwyn yr achos Saesonig yn Nghapel Ivor, Dowlais.

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (April 2008)

The cause began in the year 1840, with a few Scots and English people. Some of them were men, comfortable enough in their wordly circumstances, and as far as we know they were very zealous and faithful to their principles. They had little backing from the Welsh churches in the town and their neighbours but rather opposition. For years the chapel was called 'Meeting house of the Scotch' and the majority of the ministers and members of the Congregationalists in the place would look at the efforts of the founders of the cause with misplaced coldness. However the work went forward. The foundation stone was laid on Thursday, June 11th 1840 whenthere was  preaching by Messrs Charles Nice Davies, divinity tutor at Brecon College; D. Rees, Llanelli; J.C. Davies, Caerodor and T. Davies, minister of the English Baptists in Merthyr. The Congregationalist church was incorporated here on Friday June 4th 1841. On 3rd April 1842 Mr Edward Griffith, from Highbury college, began his ministry here. Mr Griggith was a young, cheerful man, a good preacher and a hard-working minister and there was a measure of success in his labours. In September 1845 he gave up in order to emigrate to Australia, where he remains at present. In November 1845 Mr Joseph Robinson came here under the sponsorship of the Home Missions Society, but he was obliged to give up his work in June 1847 because of his ill-health. After his departure for a year or two the church had to make do with occasional ministry. Mr R Hancock and Mr Joseph Morris, now from Caerodor, served here for some months during this time. On July 29th 1849 Mr J.O. Hill began his ministry and he continued to work here with some success until November 1860 when he moved to Hereford, where he still is. Mr Hill was followed by Mr J.T. Davies, MA, a student of Spring Hill college, and son of Mr Thomas Davies, Cardiff. He was ordained here on September 24th 1861 when the following took part in the service: Dr Alliott, from Spring Hill college, and Messrs Caleb Morris, B. Williams, Dowlais; David Thomas, Caerodor, and others. The congregation much increased under Mr Davies' ministry but, to the great sadness of many people, he made up his mind to emigrate to Queensland and he terminated his ministry in Merthyr on September 17th 1865.

In February 1866, Mr F.S. Johnstone, the present minister, began his ministry here. Mr Johnstone is an able man and makes the people of Merthyr feel that they have a talented man and principled nonconformist in their midst. Lately he has been elected to the Merthyr School Board with a victorious majority.

This chapel is a handsome building, convenient and serviceable. It was restored beautifully in 1861. Between its first building and the changes that have been made since then, it has cost over three thousand pounds, and there is no debt. The English church  created lately at Troedyrhiw is a branch of this church and some members went from here to begin the English cause in Chapel Ivor, Dowlais.

EBENEZER, CEFN-COED-Y-CYMER  (Merthyr Tydfil parish)

(Vol 2, p 295)

Mae y lle yma yn sir Frycheiniog, ond y mae bob amser wedi bod yn nglyn a chyfundeb Morganwg. Canghen ydyw Ebenezer o Bethesda, Merthyr; ac yr oedd yma cyn cychwyniad yr achos yn y lle hwn nifer o bersoniau mor ffyddlon a neb o'r rhai a berthynent i eglwys Bethesda. Arferent gefnogi eu gweinidog, Mr. Methusalem Jones, yn ei holl lafur. Yn mysg y ffyddloniaid hyn yr oedd Morgan Morgans, Morgan Jenkins, Samuel Jenkins, ac eraill. Yr oeddynt ynddarllenwyr da ac yn gan wyr medrus, ac felly yn alluog i gario yr achos yn mlaen yn ei holl ranau. Arferent gyrchu i Droedyrhiw i'r ysgol bob boreu Sabboth ar gychwyniad yr achos yno, ac yn ol i'r Cefn erbyn ciniaw, ac yn ol a hwy drachefn i'r ysgol i Bethesda erbyn dau o'r gloch. Tua'r flwyddyn 1836, dechreuasant gynal moddion ar y Cefn, ac yn fuan cymerasant ystafell dan ardreth,yn y Cefn-isaf a deuai Mr. M. Jones yno i bregethu. Cyrchent i lawr i Bethesda bob boreu Sabboth, a chynhalid ysgol yn y Cefn am ddau, a chyfarfod gweddi neu bregeth yn yr hwyr. Yn yr adeg yma daeth Mr. Evan Williams i fyw i Ferthyr, a bu yn cadw ysgol yn nghapel Bethesda am dymor. Yr oedd Mr. Williams wedi ei urddo yn Moelfro, Mon, ond ymfudodd oddiyno i America, ac yn mlaen amser dychwelodd i Gymru, a thua 'r flwyddyn 1837, daeth i Ferthyr. Pregethai yn fynych yn Bethesda, ac i'r ganghen ar y Cefn, ac yr oedd dra derbyniol, ac o'r diwedd penderfynwyd yn unfrydol mai gwell fuasaiu i'r aelodau ar y Cefn ymneillduo ac ymffurfio yn eglwys yno ac i Mr. E. Williams fod yn weinidog iddi. Gollyngwyd hwy yn rheolaidd, ac yr oeddynt oll yn 35 o nifer heblaw gwragedd a phlant. Wrth weled yr achos yn myned rhagddo, daethant i'r penderfyniad i adeiladu capel, a phrynwyd darn o dir i'r perwyl gan un Lewis Edwards, yr hwn oedd wedi tynu darn o'r mynydd a gwneyd gardd o hono, ac wedi ei ddigolledu ef, aethant at Lady Gwyn, Holford, a chawsant y darn tir am bris isel, ac yn y flwyddyn 1838, adeiladasant arno gapel gwerth pedwar cant o bunau, a galwasant ef, Ebenezer. Bu Mr. Williams yn gweinidogaethu yma am flwyddyn wedi codi y capel; ond cododd ryw anghydfod rhyngddo ag arolygydd y gwaith maen yn nghylch mur y fynwent; ac ar yr adeg hono hefyd yr oedd y cyffroad Siartaidd yn berwi yr holl wlad, a chan fod llawer o'r eglwys hon yn cefnogi pwyntiau y Siartr, a Mr. Williams yn eu gwrthwynebu, barnodd ef a hwythau yn oreu ymadael. Ceir ar glawr un o rifynau y Diwygiwr am 1839, gymeradwyaeth yr eglwys iddo ar ei ymadawiad, yn yr hwn y cyfeirir yn bendant at eu gwahaniaeth golygiadau ar bwngc y Siartr, fel rheswm dros hyny. Aeth Mr. Williams i sir Aberteifi, ac wedi bod yn cadw ysgol mewn amryw fanau, derbyniodd alwad gan eglwys Penycae, Llanarth, lle y llafuriodd hyd ddydd ei farwolaeth. Cyn hir wedi ymadawiad Mr. Williams, cymerodd Mr. William Moses, Libanus, gerllaw Aberhonddu, ofal yr eglwys mewn rhan, a deuai yma yn rheolaidd bob mis i gadw cymundeb, ac ar y Sabbothau eraill pregethid gan ddau bregethwr cynorthwyol oedd yn yr eglwys, a chan eraill yn achlysurol. Bu Mr. Moses yn parhau i ddyfod yma yn gyson hyd ddechreu y flwyddyn 1842, a thymor cythryblus a fu y tymor hwnw. Nid awn yma i mewn i'r holl amgylchiadau blinion. Bu yr achos o'r ddau tu yn cael ei drin yn gyhoeddus ar dudalenau y Diwygiwr am 1842, a gall y neb a ewyllysio wybod yr holl helynt ei chael yno; ond y mae tegwch hanesyddol yn galw arnom i roddi crynodeb o'r prif ffeithiau. Fel yr ydym wedi crybwyll fwy nag unwaith, yr oedd y cynwrf Siartaidd yn cyffroi yr holl weithfaoedd yn y dyddiau hyny, ac yr oedd llawer iawn o aelodau eglwysig yn uno ynddo. Nid ydym wrth hyn am awgrymu fod pawb o'r Siartiaid yn cymeradwyo y moddion gorfodol a threisiol y dadleuid drosto gan lawer o'r rhai mwyaf eithafol, oblegid gwyddom fod llawer o honynt yn hollol wrthwynebol i hyny, a thra y dadleuant yn wresog dros holl bwyntiau y Siartr, etto, ni fynent ddefnyddio unrhyw foddion gorthrechol i'w sicrhau. Yr oedd dylanwad y cyffroadau hyn wedi effeithio yn fawr ar yr eglwysi, ac wedi arwain llawer yn eithafol yn eu golygiadau ar ryddid eglwysig, ac y mae yn ddrwg genym ychwanegu, edrychent ar weinidogion fel gwrthwynebwyr iawnderau y bobl. Mae yn sicr genym mai oddiar gamddealldwriaeth yr oedd y fath synied yn cyfodi, oblegid y mae cydymdeimlad gweinidogion Ymneillduol wedi bod bob amser a hawliau y werin. Dichon fod eithriadau, ond nid ydynt ond ychydig a dibwys. Mae yn ymddangos mai yn Ebenezer, Cefn-coed-y-cymer, y gweithiodd y teimlad yma i ffurf amlwg a gweledig, er fod yr ysbryd yn ymsymud ar wyneb llawer o'r eglwysi eraill. Wedi i'r eglwys yn Saron, Tredegar, ymrwygo, ac i'r gangen sydd yn awr yn Adulam, Tredegar, fyned allan, gwrthododd gweinidogion y sir, a gweinidogion y siroedd cylchynol fyned i bregethu iddynt. Yr oedd pregethwr cynorthwyol perthynol i'r eglwys hon o'r enw Richard Evans, yn arfer myned i bregethu iddynt, a phregethwr cynorthwyol arall perthynol i Bethesda, Merthyr, o'r enw Walter Williams, ac yr oeddynt yn gwneyd hyny trwy gydsyniad yr eglwysi. Galwyd sylw eglwysi Bethesda ac Ebenezer gan gyfundeb dwyreiniol Morganwg, trwy yr ysgrifenydd, Mr. W. Jones, Penybont-ar-ogwy, at yr anmhriodoldeb o'u bod yn gadael i'w pregethwyr cynorthwyol fyned i bleidio cynnulleidfa afreolaidd mewn sir arall. Penderfynodd eglwys Bethesda i atal Walter Williams i fyned, ond gwrthodai eglwys Ebenezer wahardd i Richard Evans fyned; ac yn yr adeg yma cododd Walter Williams ei lythyr i fyned o Bethesda i'r Cefn, ac o hyny allan cyrchai y ddau frawd yn gyson i Dredegar trwy ganiatad a chefnogaeth eglwys y Cefn. Yn yr adeg yma penderfynwyd urddo Richard Evans a Walter Williams i fod yn weinidogion yn y Cefn, ac i gynorthwyo y cyfeillion yn Adulam. Penderfynwyd i'r urddiad fod Chwefror 15fed, 1842. Gwahoddwyd amryw o weinidogion Morganwg a Brycheiniog i ddyfod i'w hurddo, ond ni ddaeth yr un o honynt; yna penderfynodd yr eglwys fyned yn mlaen a'r gwaith eu hunain. Hysbyswyd dyben y cyfarfod gan Jededia Jones, henuriad, a darllenwyd y cyfamod eglwysig gan Morgan Jenkins, un o'r brodyr; yna gofynodd Jededia Jones i'r ddau frawd oedd i'w harddo, os oeddynt yn cydsynio a'r hyn a ddarllenwyd, ac wedi iddynt ateb yn gadarnhaol, gofynodd i'r eglwys os oeddynt yn eu neillduo i'r swydd weinidogaethol, i'r hyn yr arwyddasant eu bod trwy godi dwylaw, ac wedi hyny rhoddodd Jededia Jones ychydig o gynghorion o'r ddau tu, a gweddiodd Dafydd Powell, Tredegar, a Jededia Jones. Ar ol hyny pregethodd y ddau frawd a urddasid. Ceir hanes cyflawn am yr urddiad, a'r cyfamod a seliwyd ar y pryd, yn y Diwygiwr, 1842, tu dal. 125, ac mewn rhifynau dilynol ceir y ddadl rhyngddynt a gweinidogion y sir yn nghylch yr hyn a wnaethant. Buont allan o'r cyfundeb am flynyddau, nid elai yr un gweinidog atynt hwy, ac ni dderbynid y ddau frawd a urddasid ganddynt i unrhyw eglwys arall; ond yr oedd yr achos ar y cyfan yn myned yn mlaen yn gysurus. Nid oedd yr boll eglwys yn cydsynio a'r hyn a wnaed oblegid aeth nifer o'r aelodau allan gyda Mr. W. Moses i gychwyn achos arall yn y Ile, yr hwn a ddaw etto dan ein sylw. Wedi i eglwys Ebenezer a'i gweinidogion fod ar wahan am ryw bedair blynedd, daeth gweinidogion y cyfundeb a hwythau i gyd-ddealldwriaeth, a chynhaliwyd cyfarfod cyhoeddus yn Ebenezer, yn yr hwn y cydnabyddwyd Richard Evans a Walter Williams yn weinidogion rheolaidd, ac y claddwyd pob peth annymunol oedd wedi pasio. Bu y ddau yn cydlafurio hyd Awst, 12fed, 1849, pryd y bu farw Walter Williams o'r geri marwol; ac ar y 29ain o fis Ebrill, 1850, bu farw Richard Evans o'r darfodedigaeth, ac y mae cyrph y ddau yn gorwedd yn mynwent Ebenezer. Bu yr eglwys ar ol hyn heb weinidog hyd mis Medi, 1852, pryd yr urddwyd Mr. David Jones, a fuasai yn fyfyriwr yn Nghaerfyrddin. Ar yr achlysur gweinyddwyd gan Meistri D. Davies, Pantteg; J. Jones, Rhydri, ac eraill. Bu yma am flynyddau, ond ychydig lewyrch fu ar yr achos yn ei ddyddiau ef. Symudodd at ei dad i sir Gaerfyrddin, lle y bu farw. Yn y flwyddyn 1860, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Griffith Roberts, yr hwn a urddasid yn Llansawel, ger Castellnedd, a chynaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei sefydliad yma yn mis Tachwedd, y flwyddyn hono. Bu yma hyd fis Chwefror, 1864, pan y bu raid i'r eglwys dori pob cysylltiad ag ef, ac ymadawodd ac aeth at y Bedyddwyr. Am y pedair blynedd dilynol bu yr eglwys yn ymddibynu ar weinidogaeth achlysurol; wedi hyny rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. David Abel Jones, yr hwn a fuasai yn weinidog yn Mhentre-estyll, gerllaw Abertawy, a chynaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei sefydliad yma Ionawr 6ed, 1868; ac y mae Mr. Jones yn parhau i weinidogaethu yma. Mae y capel wedi ei ailadeiladu a'i helaethu, ac er fod cryn faith o ddyled yn aros, etto y mae yn ysgafnhau ychydig bob blwyddyn. Mae yr hen ffyddloniaid gweithgar a diofn a gychwynasant yr achos yma ac a fuont gydag ef yn ei brofedigaethau, wedi myned agos oll, nid oes ond ychydig yn aros, a tho newydd sydd yma yn awr gwahanol iawn mewn llawer o bethau i'r rhai a fu o'r blaen.

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

• Evan Lewis, a William Morgan. Cyd-ddechreuodd y ddau, ac yr oeddynt yn wyr ieuaingc gobeithiol, ond torwyd hwy i lawr yn mlodeu eu dyddiau.
• William Lewis. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac y mae yn awr yn Newburgh, Ohio, America.
• John Bowen. Ymfudodd yntau i America.
• Daniel Davies. Urddwyd ef yn weinidog yn y Coly, lle y mae etto.

COFNODION BYWGRAPHYDDOL (Not extracted fully)

• WALTER WILLIAMS. Dechreuodd bregethu yn Bethesda, ond yn 1841, aeth yn aelod i Ebenezer, Cefncoedycymer, ..................
• RICHARD EVANS. Dechreuodd ef bregethu yn Bethesda, ond ar sefydliad yr achos yn Cefncoedycymer aeth yno, ac yr oedd yn dra derbyniol fel pregethwr. ................
• DAVID JONES. Yr oedd yn enedigol o gymydogaeth Felingwm. Derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn Siloam, Pontargothi, .....................

*Yr ydym yn delyledus i Mr. Henry Thomas, Cefn, am lawer o ddefnyddiau hallos uchod.

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (April 2008)

This place is in Breconshire but it has always been agreed to include it in Glamorgan. Ebenezer is a branch of Bethesda, Merthyr and there was here, before the cause began in this place, a number of persons so faithful than those who belonged to Bethesda.  They used to support their minister, Mr Methusalem Jones, in all his work. Amongst the faithful was Morgan Morgans, Morgan Jenkins, Samuel Jenkins and others. They were good readers and skilful singers, and they were able to carry the cause along in all its parts. They would meet in Troedyrhiw for the morning Sunday school at the beginning of the cause there and back to Cefn by dinnertime, and back again to the school in Bethesda by two o'clock. About 1836, they began to hold services at Cefn and soon they rented a room  in Cefn-isaf and Mr M. Jones would come to preach. They would go down to Bethesda every Sunday morning and hold a school in Cefn at two o'clock, and have a prayer meeting or preaching in the evening. At this time Mr Evan Williams came to live in Merthyr and he kept a school in Bethesda chapel for a while. Mr Williams had been ordained in Moelfre, Anglesey, but he had emigrated from there to America, in time he returned to Wales, and about 1837 he came to Merthyr.He regularly preached in Bethesda, and to the branch at Cefn, and he was very acceptable, and at last it was unanimously decided that it would be better for the members at Cefn to give up and to form a church there and Mr E. Williams would be the minister. They were 35 altogether in number without wives and children and numbers dropped constantly. Seeing the cause going from them, they came to the decision to build a chapel, and a piece of land was purchased for the purpose by one Lewis Edwards, the same who had taken a piece of the mountain and made a garden of it, and after compensation , they went to Lady Gwyn, Holford, and they had a piece of land for a low price, so in the year 1838, they built a chapel on it worth four hundred pounds, and they called it Ebenezer. Mr Williams ministered there for a year after the chapel's erection; but there arose disagreement between him and the inspector of the stonework about the wall of the graveyard; and at the same time there was the Chartist Rising coursing through all the land, and as many in the church  supported the points of the Charter and Mr Williams opposed them, it was agreed that it would be better for him to leave. On the front cover of one of the issues of Diwygiwr  the church was congratulated on his departure, referring to their differences relating to the Charter as the reason for this. Mr Williams went to Cardiganshire, and after keeping a school in several places, he received a call to Penycae church, Llanarth, where he laboured ubtil his death. Not long after the departure of Mr Williams, Mr William Moses, Libanus, took part-charge of the church and he would come regularly every month to take the communion service, and on the other Sundays preaching was done by two assistant preachers who were in the church, and occasionally by others.Mr Moses continued to come here regularly until the start of 1842, and this was a tumultuous time. We were unable to go there due to  all the grievous circumstances. The case of the two sides was dealt with on the pages of the Diwygiwr in 1842 and no one could wish the knowledge of all the fuss to be publicised there, but historical fairness calls us to give an account of the chief facts.As we have mentioned more than once the Chartist agitation excited all the workplaces in those days and many church members had joined in it. By this we do not suggect that everyone of the Chartists approved the compulsory violent methods that were argued over by some of the moderates, because we know that many of them were completely opposed to this, and while they were hotly debating all the points of the Charter still they would not use any violent means to secure them. The influence of this agitation had a great effect on the churches, and led many  to extremes in their view of religious freedom, and we are sorry to add, they looked on ministers as the opponents of justice. We are certain that this idea arose from  misunderstanding, bcause the sympathy of Nonconformist ministers was always with the rights of the ordinary people. Perhaps there were exceptions but they were very few. It would seem that in Ebenezer, Cefn-coed-y-cymer, this feeling worked out in a an obvious and visible form, even though the spirit moved on the face of other churches. After the church in Saron, Tredegar, split apart and went to the branch which is now in Adulam, Tredegar, the ministers of the county and surrounding areas refused to go and preach to them. There was an assistant minister belonging to this church by the name of Richard Evans, who used to go and preach to them and another assistant preacher belonging to Bethesda, Merthyr, by the name of Walter Williams, and they would do this with the agreement of the churches. The situation at  Bethesda and Ebenezer was brought to notice by the East Glamorgan Association, through the secretary, Mr W. Jones, Bridgend, at the impropriety of them letting their assistant preachers go to support an irregular congregation in another county.The Ebenezer church decided to stop Walter Jones from going, but Ebenezer church refused to prohibit Richard Evans from going; and at this time Walter Williams took his letter to go from Bethesda to Cefn, and from then on the two brothers would go reguarly to Tredegar with the permission and approval of the church at Cefn. At this time it was decided to ordain Richard Evans and Walter Williams as ministers at Cefn, and to assist the friends at Adulam. It was decided to hold the ordination on February 15th 1842. Several of the ministers from Glamorgan and Breconshire were invited to come to the ordination but not one of them came; then the church decided to go ahead with the ceremony themselves. The purpose of the meeting was informed by Jededia Jones, an elder, and the church covenant was read by Morgan Jenkins, one of the brothers; then Jededia Jones asked the two brothers who were to be ordained, if they agreed to that which was read, and when they aswered in the affirmative, he asked the church if they would agree to the work of the ministry, to which they  approved through the raising of hands, and after this Jededia Jones gave some advice to the two, and Dafydd Powell, Tredegar and Jededia Jones prayed. After this the two brothers preached and were ordained. The whole account of the ordination and the covenant that was sealed can be had in the Diwygiwr, 1842, page 125 and in following issues can be had the argument between them and ministers from the county about what they had done.They were excluded from the Association for years, not one minister would go to them and the two brothers were not received or instituted in any other church, but this case on the whole goes on more comfortably. The whole church did not agree with what was done because a number of members left with Mr W. Moses to start another cause in the place that comes now to our notice. After Ebenezer and the ministers had been apart for some four years, ministers of the Association and them to an understanding, and a public meeting was held in Ebenezer, in which Richard Evans and Walter Williams were recognised as regular ministers, and every unpleasant thing that had taken place was buried. The two worked together until August 12th 1849, when Walter Williams died of the fatal cholera; and on 29th April 1850 Richard Evans died of tuberculosis, and the remains of both lie in the graveyard at Ebenezer. The church was without a minister until September 1852, when Mr David Jones, who had been a student at Carmarthen, was ordained. At the ordination were Messrs D. Davies, Panteg; J. Jones, Rudry and others. He was here for years ond the cause prospered but little in his time. He moved to his father's in Carmarthenshire where he died. In 1860 the church gave a call to Mr Griffith Roberts, who had been ordained at Briton Ferry, near Neath, and his institution meeting here in November of that year.He was here until February 1864 when the church had to sever every connection with him, and he left to join the Baptists. During the following four years the church depended on occasional ministry; after this the church called Mr David Abel Jones, who had been a minister at Pentre-estyll, near Swansea and he was installed here on January 6th 1868; and Mr Jones continues his ministry here.The chapel has been re-built and extended, and although there remains some debt, yet this grows lighter each year. The fearless, industrious faithful who began the cause here and who were with it through all its tribulation. have nearly all gone, only a few remain, and a new generation is here now, very different in many ways to those who were here before.

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

• Evan Lewis and William Morgan. These two began together and they were promising young men, but they were cut down in the flower of their youth.
• William Lewis. He was educated in Brecon college and he is now in Newburgh, Ohio, America.
• John Bowen. He emigrated to America.
• Daniel Davies. He was ordained as minister in Coly and is still there.

Biographical Notes: (Not extracted fully)

WALTER WILLIAMS: He began to preach in Bethesda but in 1841 he went to be a member in Ebenezer, Cefn-coed-y-cymer............

RICHARD EVANS: He began preaching in Bethesda but when the cause at Cefn-coed-y-cymer began he went there and he was very acceptable as a preacher..............

DAVID JONES: He was originally from the Felingwm area. He was received as a member of Siloam, Pontargothi, where he began preaching. *.......................

* We are indebted to Mr Henry Thomas, Cefn, for much in the above history.

GWERNLLWYN, DOWLAIS

(Vol 2, p 281)

Wedi yr ychwanegiad mawr a fu at eglwys a chynnulleidfa Bethania yn y flwyddyn 1849, penderfynwyd adeiladu capel newydd mewn cwr arall o'r lle poblog, ac i nifer o'r eglwys fyned allan yn wirfoddol i ffurfio eglwys arall. Adeiladwyd capel hardd yn y flwyddyn 1850, a galwyd ef yn Gwernllwyn, yn ol enw y lle, ac agorwyd ef ar ryw Sabboth yn Chwefror, 1851. Ffurfiwyd eglwys ynddo yn ddioed gan Mr. Hughes, Bethania, a bu y lle dan ei ofal ef yn cael ei gynorthwyo gan y gweinidogion cylchynol am ysbaid blwyddyn. Cyn ymadael o Bethania, neillduwyd chwech o ddiaconiaid i weinyddu yn y Gwernllwyn, sef Henry Pergrine, Thomas Lewis, Dafydd Williams, Edward Roderick, John Griffiths, a Thomas Williams; ond. o'r chwech nid oes ond yr olaf yn aros. Ar derfyniad ei amser yn athrofa Aberhonddu yn haf 1852, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad unfrydol i Mr. Benjamin Williams, yr hwn a urddwyd i holl waith y weinidogaeth, Gorphenaf 12fed a'r 13eg, 1852. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. N. Stephens, Sirhowy; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. J. Hughes, Bethania; dyrchafwyd yr urddweddi gan Mr. L. Powell, Caerdydd; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. E. Davies, athraw athrofa Aberhonddu ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. T. Bees, Cendl. Gweinyddwyd hefyd gan Meistri J. Jones, Rhydri; W. Morgan, Caerfyrddin; J. Davies, Llanelli; L. Williams, Castellnewydd; H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd; J. Thomas, Glynnedd; D. Williams, Berea; D. Lewis, Llanfaple; D. Jones, Bethesda; J. D. Williams, Caerdydd; J. M. Bowen, Penydarran; J. B. Jones, B.A., Hermon; T. Davies, Llanelli, ac M. Ellis Mynyddislwyn.* Rhifedi yr aelodau ar sefydliad Mr. Williams yma oedd 250, ac os buont yn fwy cyn hyny, yr hyn nid yw yn debyg, dyna oedd eu nifer y pryd hwnw. Llafuriodd Mr. Williams yma gyda derbyniad a llwyddiant am fwy na naw mlynedd. Talwyd y ddyled oedd ar y capel, ac yn ei amser ef, ac yn benaf trwf ei offerynoliaeth ef, y sefydlwyd achos Penywern, a'r achos Saesneg yn nghapel Ivor. Ymadawodd Mr. Williams cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1861 i Ddinbych, lle y treuliodd flynyddoedd; ac y mae yn awr yn Canaan, gerllaw Abertawy. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Williams, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. John Ll. Hughes, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala; ac urddwyd ef Mehefin 24ain a'r 25ain, 1862. Ar yr achlysnr pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. D. Price, Aberdar; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. J. Hughes, Bethania; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. D. Roberts, Bryn Seion; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. D. Hughes, B.A., Tredegar, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. W. Griffiths, Llanharan.# Bu Mr. Hughes yma am saith mlynedd yn barchus gan bawb fel dyn gwir dda a chrefyddol. Mae yn awr yn Rehoboth, Penbre. Yn Ebrill 1870, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. David Thomas, Abercanaid, a dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth y 19eg dr Mehefin canlynol, ac efe ydyw y gweinidog yma yn bresenol. Mae yma eglwys dda, a chynnulleidfa luosog, ac Ysgol Sabbothol lewyrchus. Mae ysgoldy cyfiens wedi ei godi wrth dalcen y capel er cynal moddion wythnosol, a'r ysgol ar y Sabboth.

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

• John Jones. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yn Nghwmbran, ac y mae yn awr yn Gibeah, Brynaman.
• David Jones. Derbyniodd ei addysg yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yn New Tredegar; ac y mae yn awr yn Cwmbwrla, gerllaw Abertawy.

Bu yma amryw bersonau o dipyn o hynodrwydd yn perthyn i'r eglwys hon, er nad yw ond ieuangc. Edrychid ar Henry Pergrine fel duwinydd nodedig, a gwr cadarn yn yr Ysgrythyrau. Dafydd Williams oedd un hynod o afaelgar ac effeithiol mewn gweddi. Yr oedd Edward Roderick yn sicr o dynu sylw wrth ei weled mor hwylus yn gwrando. Daniel Jones oedd ddyn hynaws a boneddigaidd, ac a fu o lawer o help i'r achos yma ar ei gychwyniad, ond " ei haul a fachludodd a hi yn ddydd." Pe byyddai, yn weddus cyfeirio at y byw gallem enwi yn mysg y rhai sydd yn aros rai sydd yn mhob ystyr yn llawn cystal a'r rhai a ymadawsant.

*  Diwygiwr, 1462. Tu dal. 254.     # Diwygiwr, 1862. Tu dal 259

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (April 2008)

After the great increase in the church and congregation in Bethnia in the year 1849 it was decided to build a new chapel in another corner of the  populous place and a number in the church voluntarily left to form a new church A handsome chapel was built in 1850, and called Gwernllwyd, after the name of the place, and it was opened on a Sunday in February 1851.The church was formed in it without delay by Mr Hughes, Bethania, and the place was in his care assisted by circuit preachers for around a year. Before leaving Bethania, six deacons were appointed to serve Bethania, namely Henry Pergrine, Thomas Lewis, Dafydd Williams, Edward Roderick, John Griffiths and Thomas Williams, but of the six only the last remained. At the end of his time at Brecon college in the summer of 1852, the church unanimously called Mr Benjamin Williams, who was ordained as minister on July 12 and 13th 1852. On this occasion Mr N. Stephens, Sirhowy, preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr J. Hughes, Bethania, the ordination prayer was raised by Mr L. Powell, Cardiff, Mr E. Davies, lecturer at Brecon college preached to the minister and Mr T. Bees, Cendl, to the church. Also taking part were Messrs J. Jones, Rudry; W. Morgan, Carmarthen; J. Davies, Llanelli; L. Williams, Newcastle; H.Oliver, BA, Pontypridd; J. Thomas, Neath Valley; D. Williams, Berea; D. Lewis, Llanfaple; D. Jones, Bethesda; J.D.Williams, Cardiff; J.M. Bowen, Penydarran; J.B. Jones, BA, Hermon; T. Davies, Llanelli and M. Ellis, Mynyddislwyn.  At Mr Williams' induction the number of members was reckoned to be 250, it is not likely that the number was more  because that is what it was at that time. Mr Williams worked here with approval and success for more than nine years. The chapel's debt was paid, and he was instrumental in setting up the cause in Penywern and the English cause in  Ivor Chapel.Mr Williams left to go ti Denbigh before the end of 1861 where he stayed for some years; and he is now in Canaan, near Swansea. After the departure of Mr Williams, the church called Mr John Ll. Hughes, a student of Bala college, and he was ordained on June 24th and 25th 1862. On this occasion Mr D. Price, Aberdare, preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr J. Hughes, Bethania; the ordination prayer was raised by Mr D. Roberts, Bryn Seion; Mr D. Hughes, BA, Tredegar preached to the minister and Mr W. Griffiths, Llanharan, to the church. Mr Hughes was here for seven years, respected by all as a truly good and religious man. He is now in Rehoboth, Pembrey. In April 1870 the church called Mr David Thomas, Abercanaid and he began his ministry on June 9th following, and he is the present minister. This is a good church with a numerous congregation and a shining Sunday school. A convenient schoolhouse  has been built  at the gable-end  of the chapel  for weeknight activities and the school on Sundays.

The following people have been called to preach from this church;-

• John Jones. He was educated at Brecon college and ordained in Cwmbran, and is now at Gibea, Brynaman.
• David Jones. He was educated at Brecon college, ordained in New Tredegar, and is now at Cwmbwrla near Swansea.

There were several notable  people  belonging to this church, although they are not so well-known. Henry Pergrine was seen as a godly man, a man strong in the scriptures. Dafydd Williams was  tenacious and effective in prayer. Edward Roderick was sure to attract attention as he was seen to be easy to listen to. Daniel Jones was a  genial gentleman, and was a great help to the cause at the beginning, but  'the sun set on him while it was still day'. It would be seemly to mention the names of the living  who are  as good,  in the midst of those who have departed.

PENYWERN, DOWLAIS

(Vol 2, p 282)

Mae Penywern yn sefyll ychydig i'r gogledd o Dowlais. Tua'r flwyddyn 1856, gwelodd Mr. Williams ac eglwys y Gwernllwyn fod y lle yn debyg o fod yn gynyddol, a dechreuwyd pregethu yn achlysurol mewn anedd-dai yno. Cymerwyd Longroom perthynol i'r Ivor Arms dan ardreth at gynal Ysgol Sabbothol, a chyn hir penderfynodd eglwys y Gwernllwyn i adeiladu yma gapel. Cafwyd tir at adeiladu gan gwmpeini Dowlais, a dangosodd Mr. Clark y parodrwydd mwyaf i gynorthwyo. Cynlluniwyd y capel gan Mr. B. Owens, Zoar, a gwnaed ef yn 36 troedfedd wrth 30 troedfedd; a dechreuwyd addoli ynddo y Sabboth cyntaf yn Mawrth, 1858. Aeth plant yr ysgol a'u hathrawon yn orymdaith am naw o'r gloch o'r Longroom i'r capel newydd, dan ganu yn effeithiol dan arweiniad Mr. David Evans. Pregethodd Mr. B. Williams am 11 oddiwrth Salm cxxvii. 1. Cadwyd y cymundeb cyntaf  Mawrth 21ain. Yr oedd 25 o aelodau yn yr ardal. Neillduwyd David Thomas, David Samuel, ac Evan Lewis yn ddiaconiaid i fyned allan gyda'r 25, fel yr oedd 28 o aelodau yn cychwyn. Cyn canol yr haf canlynol yr oedd yr eglwys wedi cynhyddu i 51 o nifer. Agorwyd y capel Mehefin 22ain a'r 23ain. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri D. Williams, Berea; W. Williams, Hirwaun; J. Morgan, Cwmbach; J. Cunnick, Aberdar; J. Davies, Aberaman; J. Griffiths, Llanymddyfri; T. Rees, Cendle; D. Evans, Clydach; H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd; T. Jeffreys, Penycae; D. Richards, Llanelli; N. Stephens, Sirhowy, a J. Mathews, Castellnedd. Cynyddodd yr Ysgol Sabbothol fel yr oedd yn fwy na dau gant yn fuan wedi agor y capel. Bu y lle dan ofal Mr. Williams, mewn cysylltiad a Gwernllwyn, hyd ddiwedd 1861, pryd yr ymadawodd i Ddinbych; a chyn ei ymadawiad yr oedd y gynnulleidfa wedi cynyddu, a'r eglwys yn 120 o nifer. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Williams, bu yr eglwys dan ofal Mr. J. M. Bowen, Penydarran; ac aeth yr achos rhagddo yn llwyddianus yn nhymor ei weinidogaeth; ond gan fod y llafur yn ormod iddo rhoddodd y lle i fyny. Wedi hyny rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. James Gwesyn Davies, myfyriwr, o athrofa Aberhonddu; ac urddwyd ef Rhagfyr 11eg a'r 12fed, 1865. Llafuriodd. Mr. Davies yma gyda derbyniad a chymeradwyaeth mawr am y tymor byr y bu yma. Gwelodd aml a blin gystuddiau personol a theuluol, a dadfeiliodd ei iechyd fel y bu farw Ionawr 21ain, 1870. Cyn hir rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. William J. Richards, yr hwn oedd yn weinidog yn Abererch, sir Gaernarfon, i ddyfod i'w bugeilio; a dechreuodd Mr. Richards ei weinidogaeth yma y Sabboth cyntaf yn Awst, 1870; ac y mae yn parhau i lafurio yma, a'r achos yn parhau i fyned rhagddo. Ni chyfodwyd yma neb i bregethu. Coffeir yn barchus am enwau rhai o'r ffyddloniaid a ymadawsant, ac y mae ffyddloniaid hefyd yn mysg y rhai sydd yn aros.

* Diwygiwr, 1858. Tu dal. 251.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL (Not extracted fully)

JAMES GWESYN DAVIES, Ganwyd ef yn y Tygwyn, yn mhlwyf Llanganmarch, Mai 18fed, 1837. ..............................

Translation by Mary Jane Stephenson (April 2008)

Penywern is situated a little to the north of Dowlais. About 1856 Mr Williams and Gwernllwyn church saw that the place was likely to expand, and preaching began occasionally in a dwelling house there. The Longroom belonging to the Ivor Arms was rented to hold a Sunday school and before long Gwernllwyn church decided to build a chapel here. They had land given to build by the Dowlais company and Mr Clark showed every inclination to help. The chapel was designed by Mr B. Owens, Zoar,  it was 36 feet by 30 feet, and worship began in it on the first Sunday in March 1858.The schoolchildren and their teachers went in procession at 9 o'clock from the Longroom to the new chapel, singing impressively, conducted by Mr David Evans. Mr B. Williams preached at 11 o'clock from Psalm CXXVII, i. The first communion service was held on March 21st. There were 25 members in the district .David Thomas, David Samuel and Evan Lewis were appointed deacons separately to go out with the 25, so that there were 28 members to begin with. Before midsummer the church had increased to 51 in number. The chapel was officially opened on June 22nd and 23rd. On that occasion ministry was given by Messrs D. Williams, Berea; W. Williams, Hirwaun; J. Morgan, Cwmbach; J. Cunnick, Aberdare; J. Davies, Aberaman; J. Griffiths, Llandovery; T. Rees, Cendle; D. Evans, Clydach; H. Oliver, BA, Pontypridd; T. Jeffreys, Penycae; D. Richards, Llanelli;N. Stephens, Sirhowy and J. Matthews, Neath. The Sunday school increased until there were more than two hundred soon after the chapel opened. The place was in the care of Mr Williams, in connection with Gwernllwyd, until the end of 1861 when he left for Denbigh; and before his departure the congregation had increased and the church was 120 in number. After Mr Williams left the church was in the care of Mr J.M. Bowen, Penydarran; and the cause was successful during his term of ministry; buty because the work was too much for him he gave it up. After that the church gave a call to Mr James Gwesyn Davies, a student from Brecon college; and he was ordained on December 11th and 12th 1865. Mr Davies  laboured here with acceptance and much approval for the short time that he was here.He endured frequent and lingering afflictions, both personal and family, and his health deteriorated until he died on January 21st 1870. Before long the church gave a call to Mr William J. Richards, who was the minister in Abererch, Caernarfonshire, to come and be the pastor; and Mr Richards began his ministry here on the first Sunday in August 1870, and he continues to work here and the cause continues to prosper. No one was raised from here to preach. The names of the faithful departed are remembered and also the faithful in our midst who remain.

Biographical notes:  (Not extracted fully)

JAMES GWESYN DAVIES: He was born in Tygwyn, in Llangammarch parish on May 18th 1837. His father was a deacon in the old, respected church at Llanwrtyd. James left his father's house at a young age to live with his uncle in Abergwesyn...................