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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 498 - 511

Proof read by Maureen Saycell (April 2008)

Chapels below;

 

Pages 498 - 511

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(Continued) LLWYNGWRIL

waith, hwyliai ef y mesur ei hunan. Ar ol diweddiad y mawl, 'Yddwan,' meddai, 'ni awn ychydig at wrandawwdd gweddi.' Gweddiai yn ddifrifol, cynwysfawr, gwresog, ac yn fyr-eiriog. Byddai ganddo rhyw fater neillduol bob amser ynddi, a byddai yn hynod yn ei sylw o ryw amgylchiadau a fyddai yn fwy pwysig na chyffredin yn ngoruchwyliaethau Duw at y byd a'r eglwys. Byddai ei deimlad weithiau yn ei orchfygu. Ar ol hyn rhoddai benill drachefn, a phan y gorphenid ei ddatganu, eisteddai pawb gan ddisgwyl clywed y testyn. Hysbysai a darllenai ef, gan ddangos ei gysylltiadau, a'i egluro i'r gynnulleidfa. Yr oedd yn gampus am hyn. Medrai ef amlygu ei olygiad arno mewn ychydig eiriau, oblegid nid ydoedd un amser yn amleiriog. Yna drachefn crybwyllai y materion a gynwysid yn ei destyn, mewn modd eglur, dirodres, a naturiol iawn. Ei raniadau ar ei destyn oeddynt yn gyffredin yn dlysion a tharawiadol. Byddai ymddangosiad yn rhoddi argraff ar ei wrandawyr ei fod yn feistr ar bwngc, a'i fod yn teimlo hyfrydwch yn ei waith. Yr oedd ganddo ddull priodol iddo ei hun yn yr hyn oll a wnai, ac ni bu erioed yn amcanu at ddynwarediad o neb mewn dim. Yr oedd rhyw bethau yn ei ddull yn pregethu a barai weithiau i rai ysgeifn chwerthin wrth ei wrandaw, ac yn wir, gormod camp fyddai  wyr go ddifrifol hefyd beidio gwenu wrth glywed yr hen Ddoctor ; ond pob un ystyriol a esgusodai yn rhwydd y diffygion diniwaid hyny, oherwydd yr adeiladaeth a'r hyfrydwch geid dan ei weinidogaeth. Wrth ddybenu ei bregeth, dywedai, gan symud y Bibl, a'i ddodi ar y faingc o'r tu ol iddo, 'Yddwan, ni nawn ychydig o gathgliadau,' y rhai bob amser fyddent yn naturiol ac i bwrpas. Edryched y canwr ato ei hun, oblegid gyda'i fod yn dyweyd y gair olaf yn  bregeth, dyna'r penill allan yn ddisaib, oblegid ni byddai ganddo un saib rhwng ei Amen a'i benill, a phrin iawn y cai un  synwyr ato i chwilio am fesur priodol ; ond yr oedd yn hawdd i'r canwr faddeu iddo ffaeleddau bach fel hyn, gan mor dda y pregethai."

Gwnai deithiau rheolaidd fel hyn trwy Dde a Gogledd, am ddeng-mlynedd-ar-hugain, ac yr oedd derbyniad croesawgar iddo ba le bynag yr elau. Ond daeth ei ddyddiau teithio i ben, a nesaodd ei awr yntau i farw, ac ni chafodd ond byr gystudd. Awgrymasai ychydig cyn ei farw, fod awr ei ymddatodiad yn ymyl, ond yr oedd yn gwbl foddlawn i ewyllys yr Arglwydd. Gofynai ei chwaer iddo pan yn agos angau, " Dic bach, leicet ti fyw dipyn etto gyda ni ?" "Dim o bwyth," ebe fe. "A fyddai yn well gen' ti farw?" "Wel y gwelo Fo'n dda," ebe yntau. Arswydai groesi rhyd fechan dros bontbren yn ei fywyd, ond aeth trwy lifeiriant afon angau heb fraw nac arswyd, a bu farw mewn tangnefedd, Chwefror 18fed, 1853, yn 73 oed.

" Hiraeth gyfyd wrth gofio
I ddu fedd ei guddio fo."

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (August 2020)

This place name is very well-known in Wales, since it is connected with the respected old preacher Richard Jones, Llwyngwril, and the history of the beginnings of the cause here is woven in with his own personal history. Richard Jones had been a member with the Calvinist Methodists, but as his brother William did something, as is surmised, which called for a reprimand, the family left the denomination. Lewis Morris, who knew Richard Jones from childhood, said that there was nothing but good to be said about him, except that he felt that his brother had been wronged. After this Richard Jones invited Mr H. Pugh, from Brithdir, to come here to preach, and that was the beginning of the cause in the place. A church was established in 1805. The first communion was held by Mr W. Hughes, Dinas. There were only six that joined and that included Richard Jones and Lewis Evans, Bwlchgwyn, and his wife, (the mother and father of Mr Evans, Llangollen). Quite soon, Lewis Pugh came here to keep a school, and that supported the weak cause. When Mr James Griffith started as minister in Machynlleth, he took care of this little branch, and during his time in 1810, a small chapel was built. They had just one poor room in which to worship. This place later came under the same ministry as


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Towyn in the time of Mr Morgan and Mr Lloyd, but when  Mr Lloyd saw that the area of his responsibility had become too extensive for him, Llwyngwril joined with  Llanegryn, and Llanfihangel in giving a call to Mr Evan Griffith, who was inaugurated on January 3rd, 1836, and he stayed here until he decided to emigrate to  America. He was followed by Mr John Owen, and after that by Mr Robert P. Jones and during the ministry of the latter the chapel was rearranged and decorated, so that it is now very different from what it was. Lately, Mr Jones gave up the cause while encouraging the church here to join with    Arthog in securing a minister of their own, and a call was given to Mr Peter Davies, a student from Bala college. He was ordained on May 9th, 1871. The cause here was never strong, but there has been a commercial resurgence, and an increase in the population after the opening of the railroad, and that has not been a disadvantage to the cause. The family in Bwlchgwyn have been a great support to this cause for many years and even though they have four miles to travel, it was unusual to have a meeting in the church without some of the family attending. Richard Jones was a great help to this cause in the religious fellowships before he started to travel the country evangelising, but after that he couldn't be depended upon, as he was so rarely home. Mr H. Pugh, from Mostyn came here to keep a school when he was young, and it was from here he went to Bethel to keep the school, and to be a minister where he laboured for eleven years.


RICHARD JONES, as far as we know he was the only one who was raised here to preach. He was born in this community, and his parents, John and Gaynor Williams lived in a small holding called Tydu. He was known as Richard Jones, Tydu, locally. He was extraordinary even as a boy, but he was totally inept at everything he tried to do. There was never a man who was so useless at everything. He was placed, along with his brother, to learn the craft of a cobbler, and he followed that calling for years. He went to fairs to sell the shoes he had made, which were always considered as the poorest on the market. But there was another sort of ability in Richard Jones - in interpreting the scriptures - in advising and praying in fellowships and meetings - and remembering the sermons and retaining them after he heard them, and in an ability to retell them he excelled above all of his other neighbours. He started preaching about 1817, and from then on he gave his all to preaching. He had read every Welsh book he could get hold of, especially Scriptural and theological books, and he insisted on understanding all he read. All his meditations and musings were about these subjects wherever he went. There was never another travelling preacher in Wales who dealt less with the matters of others than he, and it would be useless for anyone to question him expecting him to give them witch stories. He wasn't an angel of bad news going through the country, but one who was "evangelising on the good things." He had meditated well on the " new system," as it is called, and he would always prophesy according to the "consistency of the faith." He had a speech impediment. He could not pronounce some letters correctly, and that would cause great hilarity for some lightweight, facetious people. We never felt, while listening to him that his impediment was as bad as he was pictured by the words of some, but maybe that was because we were so interested in what he had to say. His sermons were full of substance, and had been prepared carefully, briefly with a choice of tasteful words and now and then a lighter word. His delivery was lively and quick and there was a tender, charming intonation


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to his voice, and no-one of his listeners complained that they tired of him. Since Richard Jones was a travelling preacher he became well-known to Welsh churches. We quote the following from the chapter on his personality in his interesting biography that was published by his old friend, Mr E. Evans, Llangollen. "Before starting on his journey he prepared carefully within plenty of time everything he might need for the day. He studied and composed a great many sermons treasuring them in his great memory, and he would usually deliver them at home first so that they were deep in his mind, and would flow more smoothly on his tongue. He often liked delivering his sermons before starting out in a little village by the name of Y Friog, within two miles of Llwyngwril, where pitiful, poor people who didn't often go to worship lived. He was careful to dress appropriately for the day even though that was not all that made him smart. He would also plan his journey, and sent his announcements to the correct places. On the set day, there he is starting out, with his coat under his arm, and his stick in his hand,  standing as straight as if he'd been a soldier for twenty years, and as fleet of foot as a young man. He had no wife nor children to wait longingly for him, nor a reason to trust in anyone. He would reach the end of his journey comfortably in plenty of time. He was never accused of being late at his appointed place. After his lunch, he would sit in the corner by the fireplace with such a cheerful, contented look as if he had no worries in his life, apart from, maybe, he could have been running away for his life that day from a cow, thinking it was a bull. He entertained himself with a meditation on the sermon he was about to deliver. He would insist on knowing the precise time the service would start. And when he thought the time was getting closer, he would take a quick look now and then at the clock, and when he though it was time to start, he would get to his feet, and be off. "Wait, Richard Jones, wait a while again, sit down, it is early enough, the shovel people won't come yet." I'm off,' said he, 'you come any time you want to, I will start on time.' It was useless to try to persuade him to wait for any man - away he went immediately. After going to the chapel, he would sit for a minute to get his breath back, because he was a fat, solid man. He would lift his eyes to the auditorium, and if it was a little high, he'd say, "I won't do this, it is not good to have high pulpits, they are an abomination; men make a mockery when building chapels - my head will disappear in them, away with them. Come on boy, give me that block to put under my feet." 'There we are, Richard Jones.' So he would stand on it with the Bible on the table in front of him. He'd open it, not just anywhere, but at a specific place where he had prepared to read. He'd read the chapter or the Psalm interpreting it as he went on. He wasn't an adept reader, it was easy for the children of the Sunday school to realise his mistakes, and the young boys were often seen sneaking a smile at each other while listening to him read. But even if he wasn't a good reader, everyone took note when he interpreted, because they quickly forgot his failings in reading with the clarity and quality of his interpretation of God's Word. Whoever wasn't there at the beginning of the meeting, he would be the loser, since there was as much structure to be gained  in his explanation of the Word, as was gained in his sermon. After finishing the sermon he gave out a verse of a hymn. And if it happened that there was no singer quite ready to work he would start on the hymn himself. After the worship was over, 'Now then,' he said, 'we will have a little prayer.' He would pray intensely, whole-heartedly, warmly, and with few words. He would always have an agenda in the prayer, and he would focus on a special set of circumstances that would be more important to God in his care for the world and the church. His feelings sometimes overtook him. After this he would start another hymn, and when it was over, everyone would sit expecting to hear the text. He read the text, pointing out the connections and explaining it to the congregation. He excelled at this. He could clarify his views on this in very few words. He never used too many words. Then he would mention the matters included in the text in a clear, very natural, unassuming manner. He divided up his text remarkably. His countenance had an effect on his listeners revealing that he was a master of his subject, and that he felt his work was beautiful. He had a specific method of his own in everything he did and he never tried to imitate anyone. There were some little idiosyncrasies in his mode of preaching that sometimes made those of a light disposition laugh when listening to him, and indeed, it was sometimes too much for very grave men not to smile at the old Doctor; but every thinking person easily excused those innocent defects, because of the beauty and structure in his ministry. As he finished his sermon, he said, moving his Bible, and putting it on the bench behind him, 'Now then, we will have the collection,' those things that were natural and useful. The singer looked at him, because as he said the last word of his sermon, he usually got the verse out immediately, because he never had one second between his Amen and the verse, and he didn't have a minute to get his wits about him and chose an appropriate measure; but it was easy for the singer to forgive little faults like this, since he was such a good preacher."
He completed regular journeys like this throughout the North and the South, for thirty years, and he received a warm welcome wherever he went. But his days of travelling came to an end, and the hour of his death came closer. He had a very short illness. He suggested shortly before his death that his passing was close, but he was completely contented with the Lord's will. His sister, when he was close to death, asked, " Dear Dic, would you like to live with us a little longer?" "No not now," he said. "Would you rather die?" "Well if He sees fit," he said. He had been frightened of crossing a little ford over a bridge   in his life, but he went through the floodwaters of the river of death with no fear or terror, and he died in peace, on February 18th, 1853, at the age of 73.


"Hiraeth gyfyd wrth gofio
I ddu fedd ei guddio fo"
(A longing rises when remembering
A black grave hiding him).

 

 

HOREB, ARTHOG

(Llangelynin parish)

Yn mis Mai, 1863, symudodd teulu o Ddyffryn-Ardudwy, y rhai oeddynt Annibynwyr, i'r Bwlchgwyn i fyw. Yr oedd llawer o bregethu wedi bod yn Bwlchgwyn yn nyddiau Lewis Evans, tad Mr E. Evans, Llangollen, ond ni wnaed un cynyg ar sefydlu achos yma. Wrth weled fod gweithiau llechfeini yn cael eu hagor yn yr ardal, gwelwyd fod yr amser

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wedi dyfod  wneyd hyny. Agorodd teulu Bwlchgwyn eu ty, ac aeth Mr Jones, Abermaw, i bregethu yno yn Mai, 1864, gyda bwriad i wneyd hyny yn rheolaidd. Bu Mr Ellis, Brithdir, a Mr Evans, Llangollen, yno drachefn, ac yn Nghymanfa Dolgellau, yn haf y flwyddyn hono, dygwyd i sylw y gynadledd y priodoldeb o gychwyn achos yn Arthog. Amlygwyd gwrthwynebiad gan rai brodyr ofnus, ond ymrwymodd Meistri J. Jones, Abermaw ; R. Ellis, Brithdir ; I. Thomas; Towyn, ac R. P. Jones, Llanegryn, i roddi Sabboth iddynt bob tri mis, ac i Mr Jones, Abermaw, a'r cyfeillion yn y lle drefnu i lenwi y Sabbothau eraill goreu gellid. Bu pregethwyr cynorthwyol y Sir yn ffyddlon iawn, ac athrawon a myfyrwyr y Bala bob amser yn barod pan y byddai galwad, ac yr oedd pethau yn myned yn mlaen mor llwyddianus fel y penderfynwyd ffurfio eglwys yn y lle, ac ar nos Wener, Hydref 28ain, 1864, aeth Mr Jones, Abermaw, a Griffith Jones, un o'i ddiaconiaid, drosodd i Bwlchgwyn, a ffurfiasant yno eglwys o ddeuddeg o bersonau oeddynt yn cydymroddi i gynal coffadwriaeth o enw yr Arglwydd yn y lle, a chadwyd y cymundeb cyntaf yno y Sabboth canlynol. Cynyddodd yr achos yn raddol, a barnwyd y dylesid cael capel, ac wedi tipyn o drafferth cafwyd prydles am gan' mlynedd ond un, ar ddarn o dir ar ffarm a elwir Tyddyn-Sheffrey, yr hwn oedd ar y pryd yn feddiant i gwmni chwarel a weithid yn yr ardal ; a chodwyd capel prydferth, yn mesur deg llath wrth wyth, a chostiodd rhwng pob treuliau, yn nghyd a'r ty perthynol iddo, £400. Bu Mr Jones, Abermaw, yn hynod lafurus i gasglu ato, a rhwng ei ymroddiad ef a gweinidogion eraill yn y Sir, ac ymdrech y cyfeillion yn y lle, y mae y ddyled wedi  thalu, fel nad oes ond ychydig yn aros arno. Mae yr eglwys yma yn awr wedi uno a'r eglwys yn Llwyngwril, i roddi galwad i Mr Peter Davies, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, i ddyfod yma yn weinidog mewn cysylltiad a Llwyngwril, ac urddwyd ef yma Mai 9fed, 1871. Ar yr achlysur, eglurwyd natur eglwys gan Mr M. D. Jones, Bala ; holwyd y gweinidog gan Mr D. Evans,

Abermaw;  gweddiodd Mr J. Jones, Abermaw ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr J. Peter, Bala, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr R. Ellis, Brithdir. Gweinyddwyd hefyd yn nghyfarfodydd yr urddiad gan Meistri R. P. Jones, Llanegryn ; E. A. Jones, Dolgellau ; P. Howell, Ffestiniog ; I. Thomas, Towyn ; R. Thomas, Llanelltyd ; J. Davies, Rhiw, a Ll. Roberts, Borth. Amlygodd eglwys Coedpoeth ei pharch i Mr Davies, ar ddechreuad ei weinidogaeth, trwy anfon iddo erbyn dydd ei urddiad, yn llaw un o'i diaconiaid, byrsiad o aur, fel arwydd o'i theimlad da tuag ato fel gwr ieuangc wedi ei fagu yn eu mynwes, ac heb roddi un briw iddi erioed trwy unrhyw gamymddygiad. *

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (August 2020)

In May, 1863, a family, of Independents moved from Dyffryn-Ardudwy, to Bwlchgwyn to live. There had been a lot of preaching in Bwlchgwyn in the days of Lewis Evans, the father of  Mr E. Evans, Llangollen, but no attempt was made to establish a cause here. Seeing that slate works were being opened in the area, it was considered time


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for this to happen. The Bwlchgwyn family opened their house, and Mr Jones, Barmouth, went to preach there in May, 1864, with the intention of doing so regularly. Mr Ellis, Brithdir, and Mr Evans, Llangollen, went there later too, and in Dolgellau Cymanfa (meeting) during the summer of that year, the appropriateness of starting a cause in Arthog was brought to the attention of the conference. Some anxious brothers indicated their objections, but Messrs J. Jones, Barmouth, R. Ellis, Brithdir, I. Thomas, Towyn, and R. P. Jones, Llanegryn agreed to give them a Sunday every three months, and  Mr Jones, Barmouth, and the friends in the place agreed to fill the other Sundays as well as they could. The county lay preachers were very faithful, and the teachers and students of Bala were always ready whenever there was need. Everything carried on so successfully that a decision was made to start a church in the place, and on Friday, October 28th, 1864, Mr Jones, Barmouth, and Griffith Jones, one the deacons, went over to Bwlchgwyn, and formed a church of twelve people who had confirmed that they would hold a memorial to the name of the Lord on the next Sunday. The cause increased gradually, and it was decided to build a chapel, and after quite a bit of bother they succeeded in securing a lease of ninety nine years, on a piece of land on a farm by the name of  Tyddyn-Sheffrey, which was, at the time owned by a quarry company which worked in the area. A fine chapel, measuring ten yards by eight was built. It cost along with the accompanying house and taxes, £400. Mr Jones, Barmouth, was incredibly hard-working in collecting towards it, and between his dedication and those of the other county ministers, and the efforts of the friends in the place, the debt has been paid, so that there is very little left on it. This church has now joined with the church in Llwyngwril, and sent a call to Mr Peter Davies, a student from Bala college, to come here as their minister along with Llwyngwril, and he was ordained here on May 9th, 1871. On the occasion, the nature of the church was explained by Mr M. D. Jones, Bala; the minister was questioned by Mr D. Evans, Barmouth; Mr J. Jones, Barmouth prayed; Mr J. Peter, Bala, preached to the minister and Mr R. Ellis, Brithdir preached to the church. Messrs R. P. Jones, Llanegryn, E. A. Jones, Dolgellau, P. Howell, Ffestiniog, I. Thomas, Towyn, R. Thomas, Llanelltyd, J. Davies, Rhiw, and Ll. Roberts, Borth also officiated in the ordination service. The church in  Coedpoeth also showed its respect to Mr Davies at the beginning of his ministry through sending, by the hand of one of their deacons, on the day of his ordination, a purse of gold, as a token of the warm feeling felt by his church towards him as a young man who had been nurtured amongst them and had never given them any cause to worry about his behaviour. *

 

LLANEGRYN

Nid yw yr hanes ydym wedi ei gael am ddechreuad yr achos yma ond tra anmherffaith. Mae yn ymddangos iddo gael ei gychwyn tua'r flwyddyn 1806, yn fuan ar ol dechreu yr achos yn Towyn a Llwyngwril, ond nid oes genym enwau y tai y pregethwyd gyntaf ynddynt, na phwy oedd y rhai blaenaf yma i dderbyn yr efengyl. Mr Hugh Pugh, o'r Brithdir,

* Llythyr Mr J. Jones, Abermaw.

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oedd un o'r rhai cyntaf a bregethodd yma yn y ganrif bresenol, ac efe fel yr ymddengys a sefydlodd yr achos. Dilynwyd ef gan Mr James Griffith, ac wedi hyny gan Mr David Morgan, ac yn y flwyddyn 1816, daeth Mr Hugh Lloyd i lafurio yma mewn cysylltiad a'r Towyn a Llwyngwril. Yn y flwyddyn hon yr adeiladwyd y capel cyntaf, yr hwn a alwyd Ebenezer, ac agorwyd ef yr un pryd ag yr urddwyd Mr Lloyd, sef Hydref 3ydd, 1817. Cynyddodd yr achos o dan weinidogaeth Mr Lloyd, ac ennillwyd amryw deuluoedd at yr achos, a rhai o honynt yn barchus a chyfrifol yn y byd. Helaethwyd y capel yn y flwyddyn 1829. Gan fod cylch y weinidogaeth yn rhy eang, rhoddodd Mr Lloyd y lle hwn, a Llwyngwril, a Llanfihangel i fyny, a dewiswyd Mr Evan Griffith, yr hwn oedd wedi bod am dymor dan addysg yn Nghroesoswallt, yn weinidog. Urddwyd ef Ionawr 2il a'r 3ydd, 1836. Ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr S. Roberts, Llanbrynmair ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr H. Lloyd, Towyn, dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau ; pregethodd Mr D. Morgan, Machynlleth, i'r gweinidog, a Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, i'r eglwys. Gweinyddwyd hefyd gan Meistri H. Morgan, Sammah ; J. Williams, Dinas ; T. Davies, Ffestiniog; E. Evans, Ahermaw; M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn; J. Davies,Glasbwll; W.Roberts,Dinas, a W.Ellis (Edwards,) Ffestiniog.* Llafuriodd Mr Griffith yma yn ddiwyd am bymtheng mlynedd, nes y penderfynodd ymfudo i America, lle y mae etto yn gryf a defnyddiol. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1850, daeth Mr John Owen yma Nefin, i weinidogaethu, a bu yma yn llafurus a llwyddianus am yn agos ddeng mlynedd. Rhoddodd ei weinidogaeth yma i fyny, a chyn hir symudodd i Langefni, Mon, lle y mae yn aros etto. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1863, rhoddodd yr eglwys hon a'r eglwysi cysylltiedig, alwad i Mr Robert P. Jones, myfyriwr o athrofa Dduwinyddol Manchester, ac urddwyd ef Mai 20fed, y flwyddyn hono. Ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr J. Wiliiams, Castellnewydd ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd ; pregethwyd ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog gan Mr H. Morgan, Sammah, ac ar ddyledswydd yr eglwysi gan Mr E. Evans, Llangollen. Gweinyddwyd hefyd yn nghyfarfodydd y dydd gan Meistri R. Ellis, Brithdir; J. Jones, Abermaw; W. Rees, Corris; D. C. Rees, Talybont ; J. Davies, Glasbwll, ac eraill. Mae Mr Jones yn parhau yma yn y weinidogaeth, a'r achos er y mynych symudiadau sydd yma, yn myned yn mlaen yn siriol.Yn y flwyddyn 1845, adeiladwyd capel bychan islaw Llanegryn, yr hwn a elwir Nazareth, gyda bwriad i gynal Ysgol Sabbothol, a phregethu achlysurol. Mae y brodyr ffyddlon J. Lloyd, Pant, a G. Jones, yn deilwng o goffad parchus yn nglyn a'r lle hwn. #

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yma -

  • John Williams. Addysgwyd ef yn y Drefnewydd. Urddwyd ef yn Dinasmawddwy, Gweler ei hanes of yn nglyn a Penegos.
  • Evan J. Evans, Ty'nllan. Dechreuodd bregethu tua'r flwyddyn 1841.Ymfudodd America, lle yr urddwyd ef yn weinidog, ac y mae yn awr yn Williamsburgh, yn Nhalaeth Iowa.
  • John Griffith. Dechreuodd bregethu yn 1868, ac y mae newydd ymfudo i America.

* Dysgedydd, 1836. Tu dal 99.    # Llythyr Mr R. P. Jones.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (May 2020)

The history we have been given about the beginning of the cause here is very patchy. It appears to have started about 1806, soon after the cause started in Towyn and Llwyngwril, but we don't have the names of the houses in which the preaching occurred, nor who were the first to accept the gospel. Mr Hugh Pugh, from Brithdir,
* Mr J. Jones, Barmouth's letter.

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was one of the first to preach here in this century and it seems to have been he who established the cause. He was followed by Mr James Griffith and after that by Mr David Morgan and in 1816, Mr Hugh Lloyd laboured here along with Towyn and Llwyngwril. The first chapel was built in this year and it was called Ebenezer. It was opened at the same time as Mr. Lloyd was ordained, that is October 3rd, 1817. The cause flourished under the ministry of Mr. Lloyd and many families were added to the cause. Some of them were responsible and respected in the world. The chapel was extended in 1829. As the ministerial circuit was so extensive, Mr Lloyd gave up this place and Llwyngwril and Llanfihangel and Mr. Evan Griffith was chosen as minister. He had been a student minister for a while in Oswestry. He was ordained on January 2nd and 3rd, 1836. On the occasion, Mr. S. Roberts, Llanbrynmair preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr H. Lloyd, Towyn, the ordination prayer was given by Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau; Mr D. Morgan, Machynlleth, preached to the minister and Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, to the church. Messrs H. Morgan, Sammah; J. Williams, Dinas; T. Davies, Ffestiniog; E. Evans, Barmouth; M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn; J. Davies, Glasbwll; W.Roberts, Dinas and W.Ellis (Edwards,) Ffestiniog also officiated.* Mr Griffith laboured here diligently for fifteen years, until he decided to emigrate to  America, where he still resides usefully and strongly. At the beginning of 1850, Mr. John Owen came here from Nefin as a minister and he stayed here successfully and busily for almost ten years. He gave up his ministry here  and soon after he moved to Llangefni, Anglesey, where he still lives. At the beginning of 1863, this church and the sister churches sent a call to Mr. Robert P. Jones, a student from the theological college in Manchester and he was ordained on May 20th, that year. On the occasion, Mr. J. Wiliiams, Castellnewydd preached on the nature of the church; the questions were asked by Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau; the ordination prayer was given by Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd; Mr H. Morgan, Sammah preached on the responsibility of the minister and Mr E. Evans, Llangollen on the responsibility of the churches. Messrs R. Ellis, Brithdir; J. Jones, Barmouth; W. Rees, Corris; D. C. Rees, Talybont; J. Davies, Glasbwll and others also officiated in the meetings of the day. Mr Jones continues his ministry here and the cause despite many movements around here is still healthy. In 1845, a small chapel was built below Llanegryn, which was called Nazareth, with the intention of holding a Sunday school and occasional preaching. The faithful brothers J. Lloyd, Pant, and G. Jones, are worthy of a being rembered here. #
The following persons were raised to preach here -
John Williams. He was educated in Newtown. He was ordained in Dinasmawddwy. His story can be seen under Penegoes.
Evan J. Evans, Ty'nllan. He started preaching about  1841. He emigrated to America, where he was ordained as a minister and he is now in Williamsburgh, in Iowa.
John Griffith. He started preaching in 1868 and he has just emigrated to America.


* Dysgedydd, 1836. Page 99.    # Mr R. P. Jones' letter.

 

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LLANFIHANGEL

(Llanfihangel-y-Pennant ?)

Arferid pregethu mewn amaethdy o'r enw Tyno, ryw dair milldir o'r Llan, cyn dechreu pregethu yma. Mr Lloyd, Towyn, oedd yn gofalu am y lle ar y pryd. Adeiladwyd y capel yma yn 1821, ac adgyweiriwyd ef yn 1839. Mae y lle o'r dechreuad wedi bod yn nglyn a Llanegryn, ac felly y mae yn parhau. Bu pregethu rheolaidd am flynyddoedd mewn capel bychan yn Nhalyllyn, pan oedd Mr Griflith Evans yn byw yn Maesypandy, ond nid ydym yn deall i'r enwad Annibynol gael meddiant o hono erioed, a phan y darfu cysylltiad y gwr hwnw a'r enwad, darfu y pregethu gan yr Annibynwyr yn y capel. Mabwysiadodd Mr Evans syniadau y Plymouth Bretheren, a llwyddodd i dynu rhai dysgyblion yn y wlad yma ar ei ol. Magodd deimlad gwrth-weinidogaethol mewn cryn lawer o bersonau, a bu raid i'r achos yn Llanfihangel ymladd yn erbyn yr ysbryd hwnw, ac ni ddiangodd heb dderbyn niwed ar y pryd oddiwrtho. Llawen genym ddeall fod olion yr ysbryd gwenwynig hwnw wedi ei olchi ymaith.

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (May 2019)

Preaching used to take place in a farm building by the name of Tyno, about three miles from the Llan, before preaching started here. Mr Lloyd, Towyn, cared for the place at the time. The chapel was built here in 1821, and it was repaired in 1839. From the beginning it was connected with Llanegryn, and it continues to be. Preaching took place for years in a little chapel in Talyllyn, when Mr Griffith Evans lived in Maesypandy, but we understand that the Independants had no hold on the place ever, and when the connection between that man and the denomination ended, the preaching by the Independents also ended. Mr Evans adopted the ideals of the Plymouth Bretheren, and he succeeded in attracting some disciples to follow him. He fostered an unministerial spirit amongst the people and the cause in Llanfihangel had to fight that spirit,  and it was left damaged. We are delighted to understand that the remains of that poisonous spirit have been completely washed away

 

ABERGYNOLWYN,

Already translated etc, see /big/wal/MER/LlanfihangelYPennant/Hanes.html

" Nid oedd gan yr Annibynwyr yr un achos yn y lle yma hyd yn ddiweddar, a chydag agoriad y gweithfeydd yma, a chynydd poblogaeth y lle, symudiad llawer o Annibynwyr i'r ardal, teimlid y dylesid gwneyd cynyg ar sefydlu achos yma. Ymgymerodd y gweinidogion cymydogaethol, gyda chefnogaeth y cyfarfod chwarterol, a'r gorchwyl, a phrynwyd hen gapel y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn y Cwrt, lle sydd yn gydiol bron ag Abergynolwyn. Mae y capel yn rhyddfeddiant i'r enwad er Ionawr 25ain, 1868, ac y mae golwg addawol iawn ar yr achos ynddo. Y mae y lle dan ofal gweinidogaethol Mr. Jones, Llanegryn, a thrwy eu bod yn cael gweinidogaeth reolaidd, a'r eglwys fechan yn weithgar, ni bydd y ddyled sydd ar capel yn hir heb ei chwbl ddileu."

CORRIS

(Talyllyn parish)

Dechreuwyd yr achos hwn mewn amaethdy a elwir Rhiwgwreiddyn, o fewn milldir a haner i'r lle yma, ar y ffordd i Fachynlleth. Preswylid y lle ar y pryd gan Mr Hugh Pugh, ac yr oedd ei wraig, Mrs Gwen Pugh, yn aelod yn nghapel y Graig, Machynlleth. Oblegid pellder y ffordd i'r dref, meddyliodd teulu Rhiwgwreiddyn am gael Ysgol Sabbothol a phregethu achlysurol yn eu ty, a dechreuwyd ar hyny yn ddioed, ac elai Mr Morgan, Machynlleth, yno i bregethu mor aml ag y gallai. O gylch y flwyddyn 1824, adeiladwyd capel bychan ar ddarn o dir a roddwyd gan Mr Hugh Pugh, Rhiwgwreiddyn. Galwyd ef Achor. Yn fuan ar ol dechreu yr achos yma derbyniwyd Mr Pugh yn aelod, a pharhaodd yn ffyddlon hyd ei farwolaeth, ac yr oedd ei wraig, yn arbenig, yn hynod garedig i'r achos, a llettygar i'r pregethwyr a ddeuai heibio. Bu mab iddynt, Mr William Pugh, yn byw yma dros ychydig wedi marw ei rieni, ac yn ofalus iawn am yr achos, hyd nes y symudodd i gymydogaeth y Drefnewydd, ond er symud arferai am flynyddau gyfranu £5 yn y flwydd-

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yn at yr achos yn Achor. Merch Rhiwgwreiddyn ydyw Mrs Evans, Hengae, Aberllefeni, ac y mae ysbryd llettygar hen deulu Rhiwgwreiddyn yn aros yn Hengae.* Bu gofal Achor ar Mr Morgan, hyd nes yr ymadawodd a Machynlleth yn 1836. Yn 1837, cymerodd Mr John Parry ofal y lle mewn cysylltiad a Machynlleth, ond yn mhen ychydig gyda blwyddyn rhoddodd Achor a Phennal i fyny, ac unasant hwythau i roddi galwad i Mr William Roberts, yr hwn a ddaeth yma yn nechreu 1839, ac a fu yma yn ymdrechgar, nes y symudodd i Benybontfawr yn 1841. Daeth Mr Grey Evans yma cyn diwedd y flwyddyn hono, ond rhoddodd ef y lle i fyny, er cymeryd gofal Aberdyfi, a bu Meistri John Parry, a William Davies yn gofalu am y lle yn olynol, mewn cysylltiad a Salem, Machynlleth. Parhau yn wan yr oedd yr achos yn Achor trwy y blynyddoedd, ac yr oedd ei bellder oddiwrth y chwarelau, lle yr oedd lluaws y boblogaeth, yn gwneyd nad oedd fawr o obaith am gynnulleidfa gref yno' ac oblegid hyny, yn 1851, penderfynwyd gwerthu hen gapel Achor, a symud yr achos i Corris, i ganol y boblogaeth. Cymerwyd yma ystafell am ddeng mlynedd o dan ardreth flynyddol. Hen Lodge perthynol i'r Odyddion oedd yr ystafell, ond ad-drefnwyd hi, a gwnaed un ran o honi yn dy anedd, a'r rhan arall yn lle i bregethu, ac ar y 27ain a'r 28ain o Fedi, 1851, cadwyd yma gyfarfod i agor y lle, pryd y gweinyddwyd gan Meistri W. Davies, Machynlleth ; E. Stephen, Dwygyfylchi; I. Thomas, Towyn; R. Ellis, Brithdir, ac S. Edwards, Machynlleth. Yn fuan wedi dechreu yn Nghorris, unodd yr eglwys a Pennal i roddi galwad i Mr David Evans, o Sir Gaerfyrddin, ac urddwyd ef Mehefin 17eg, 1853. Tua dwy flynedd yr arhosodd yma, canys dychwelodd i Sir Gaerfyrddin. Bu yr eglwys am ysbaid ar ol ymadawiad Mr Evans heb sefydlu ar weinidog. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr Richard Hughes, Gwalchmai, Mon, ond gwrthododd gydsynio. Yn niwedd 1857, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr William Rees, o Lanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant, ac urddwyd ef Ionawr 3ydd, 1858. Ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr R. Ellis, Brithdir ; holwyd y gofyniadau a dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau ; pregethodd Mr W. Roberts, Penybontfawr, i'r gweinidog, a Mr S. Edwards, Machynlleth, i'r eglwys. Yr oedd sefyllfa wanaidd iechyd Mr Rees, a'r mynych gystudd oedd yn ei deulu, yn anfantais fawr iddo gydag achos mewn lle newydd, i weithio yn erbyn anhawsderau, ond yr oedd yn dderbyniol a chymeradwy gan yr holl ardalwyr. Bu yma hyd 1866, pryd y rhoddodd i fyny ei ofal gweinidogaethol, a bu farw yn fuan ar ol hyny. Y flwyddyn ganlynol i ymadawiad Mr Rees, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr John C. Williams, myfyriwr o athrofa y Bala, urddwyd ef yn Aberllefeni, Ebrill 19eg, 1867; ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr R. Thomas, Llanuwchllyn ; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr R. Ellis, Brithdir ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr H. T. Parry, Abersoch ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr J. Peter, Bala, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr J. Jones, Machynlleth. Yr oedd yr achos yma wedi casglu nerth yn raddol, ac yr oedd teimlad cryf er's blynyddoedd y dylesid cael gwell lle  addoli na'r hen ystafell yn Mhenygraig, ac ar ol sefydliad Mr Williams, penderfynwyd myned yn nghyd a'r gorchwyl o ddifrif. Rhoddwyd lle cyfleus i adeiladu arno yn rhad gan Mr D . Morgan, Machynlleth, ac nid hyny yn unig, ond cyfranodd hefyd yn haelionus at godi y capel. Dechreuwyd adeiladu yn Hydref,

* Llythyr Mr J. C. Williams.

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1867, ac agorwyd y capel Ebrill 22ain, 1869; ac ar yr achlysur, pregethwyd gan Meistri J. Jones, Machynlleth; E. Evans, Caernarfon; O. Evans, Llanbrynmair; M. D. Jones, Bala, ac R. Thomas, Bangor. Costiodd £600, ac y mae ynddo eisteddleoedd i dri chant. Mae dau gant a haner o'r ddyled eisioes wedi  thalu, ac nid yw y ddyled sydd yn aros yn cael  theimlo mewn un modd yn faich rhy drwm i'w dwyn. Rhifa yr eglwys dros bedwar ugain o aelodau, a llawer o honynt yn weithgar a selog. Nid ydym yn cael i neb godi i bregethu yn yr eglwys yma, ond Roderick Lumley, yr hwn a addysgwyd yn athrofa y Bala. ac a urddwyd yn Elim, Cwmbran, Mynwy, ond sydd yn awr yn Bwlchyffridd, Maldwyn.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

WILLIAM REES. Ganwyd ef yn Llanrhiadr-yn-Mochnant, Tachwedd 7fed, 1822. Yr oedd ei dad yn aelod gyda'r Methodistiaid Calfinaidd, ond yn wr o feddwl rhydd a diragfarn, a chan nad oedd gan y Methodistiaid yn Llanrhaiadr ar y pryd le i addoli, aeth ei blant at yr Annibynwyr. Brawd i wrthrych ein cofnodiad, oedd Mr Edward Rees, yr hwn a urddwyd yn Brynsion, ac a fu farw yn nghanol ei ddyddiau, ac yn nghanol ei boblogrwydd yn Llanymddyfri. Derbyniwyd Mr W. Rees yn aelod yn Llanrhaiadr gan Mr D. Price, y gweinidog, yn y flwyddyn 1839, a bu am flynyddau yn aelod defnyddiol yn yr eglwys, ac yn athraw llafurus yn yr Ysgol Sabbothol. Dechreuodd bregethu Rhagfyr 19eg, 1845 ; ac yr oedd fel pregethwr yn dderbyniol gan y cynnulleidfaoedd yr ymwelai a hwynt. Bu yn cadw ysgol yn Llanrhaiadr, a Dolanog, ac wedi hyny yn Rhuddlan, lle hefyd y cynorthwyai yn y weinidogaeth, a thra yn aros yno, y priododd a Miss Sarah Williams. Derbyniodd alwad o Gorris ac Aberllefeni, ac urddwyd ef Ionawr 3ydd, 1858. Profodd yn nhymor  weinidogaeth ei fod yn weithiwr ffyddlon, ac yn gristion gloyw, ac er iddo gael rhan helaeth o gystuddiau a phrofedigaethau, dyoddefodd y cwbl yn dawel. Claddodd ei wraig yn niwedd y flwyddyn 1865, ae yn fuan wedi hyny, aeth ar daith i'r Deheudir yn achos y Dysgedydd, ond cymerwyd ef yn glaf, a dychwelodd adref i dy ei  fam yn Llanrhaiadr, a gwaelach, waelach yr aeth, nes y bu farw Mai 14eg, 1866, yn 43 oed, a gadawodd ar ei ol ferch fechan wyth oed, yn amddifad o dad a mam.

  

ABERLLEFENI

(Talyllyn parish)

Yn y flwyddyn 1852 y cychwynwyd yr achos yma, yn mhen tua blwyddyn ar ol symudiad yr achos o Riwgwreiddyn i Gorris. Yr oedd deg o aelodau Corris yn byw yn Aberllefeni, a chan rai o honynt bedair milldir o ffordd i fyned yno, ac wrth weled hyny, a bod y lle yma yn cynyddu, bernid y dylesid cynyg sefydlu achos yma. Yr oedd Richard Jones, Llwydiarth, a'i wraig, yn aelodau ffyddlon yn Achor. Byddent yn myned yno yn rheolaidd bob Sabboth, er fod ganddynt chwe' milldir o ffordd. Cychwynwyd Ysgol Sabbothol yn Llwydiarth, a chodwid hi weithiau mewn tai eraill yn yr ardal. Cedwid hefyd gyfarfod gweddi yn yr hwyr, fynychaf, os na buasai pregeth yn Nghorris. Ar un nos Sadwrn, daeth Mr S. Roberts, Llanbrynmair, i Lwydiarth  bregethu, ac anogodd y cy-

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fillion yn y lle i edrych allan am dir i godi capel yn yr ardal. Cymerwyd yr awgrym i fyny o ddifrif, a chafwyd lle i adeladu gan berchenog chwarelau Aberllefeni, ar brydles o driugain mlynedd, am yr ardreth o bunt y flwyddyn. Mae y weithred wedi ei dyddio Mawrth 25ain, 1857, ond yr oedd y capel wedi  godi ddwy flynedd cyn hyny. Nid yw sefyllfan y mwyaf manteisiol, am ei fod mewn pant, ac ar lan afon. Yr oedd John Stephens yn weithgar iawn y pryd hwnw gydag adeiladu capel. Trefnwyd i gyfarfod yr agoriad fod ddydd Gwener y Groglith, 1855, ond erbyn i'r amser ddyfod, nid oedd y capel yn barod, ac felly, bu raid cynal y cyfarfod yn nghapel y Methodistiaid Calfinaidd. Gweinyddwyd gan Meistri H. Morgan, Sammah ; S. Edwards, Machynlleth ; R. Ellis, Brithdir, a C. Jones, Dolgellau ; ac yn fuan ar ol hyny, wedi cael y capel yn barod, daeth Meistri S. Roberts, Llanbrynmair, ac R. Ellis, Brithdir, yma  bregethu am Sabboth, a ffurfiwyd eglwys yn y lle, ac o hyny allan, bu yma bregethu rheolaidd. Galwyd y capel yn Achor, yn ol enw yr hen gapel yn Rhiwgwreiddyn. Mae y lle wedi bod o'r dechreuad dan yr un weinidogaeth a Chorris, ac felly y mae yn parhau. Yn yr adegau y ,bu yr eglwys yn amddifad o weinidog, cafodd y gweinidogion cylchynol yn garedig iawn, a bu John Davies, Glasbwll, yn pregethu yma ac yn Corris yn rheolaidd bob mis hyd  farwolaeth, a theimlir yn yr ardad barch diffuant i'w goffadwriaeth. Mae yr achos yma wedi myned trwy gryn lawer o gyfnewidiadau, ond er y cwbl y mae wedi myned rhagddo yn llwyddianus. Cynaliwyd Cymanfa sir Feirionydd yma Mehefin 8fed a'r 9fed, 1858, a gadawodd ddylanwad da ar yr holl wlad. Bu yn foddion i ladd y culni a'r rhagfarn yn erbyn yr enwad oedd hyd hyny yn aros mewn llawer o feddyliau. *

Yn nechreu Mehefin, 1870, tynwyd i lawr yr hen gapel, a gwnaed ef bron i gyd o newydd. Mae yn awr yn gapel hardd. Costiodd £600, ond bydd haner y draul wedi  thalu yn fuan. Agorwyd ef Ebrill 7fed, 1871, pryd y pregethwyd gan Meistri E. Evans, Caernarfon, ac R. Williams, Llundain. Da genym ddeall fod yr eglwysi yn Aberllefeni a Chorris yn myned rhagddynt mor egniol, a'u bod hwy a'u gweinidog yn ymdeimlo mor fyw  anghenion yr ardaloedd pwysig  a chynyddol hyn.

 

RHYDYWERNEN

(Llanfawr parish )

Mae y lle yma wedi derbyn ei enw oddiwrth amaethdy o'r enw Rhydywcrnen, yn mhlwyf Llanfawr. Saif ar gwr uchaf cwm cul, ond prydferth, sydd i'r Gogledd-orllewin o'r ffordd sydd yn arwain o'r Bala i Gorwen. Ymddengys fod pregethu achlysurol yma er o gylch y flwyddyn 1740.# Ond yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr Benjamin Evans, yn Llanuwchllyn, y dechreuwyd pregethu yma yn rheolaidd. Tua'r flwyddyn 1770, yr oedd gwr o'r enw Hugh Jones yn byw yn Rhydywernen, ac efe oedd perchenog y lle. Nid oedd fel yr ymddengys yn proffesu crefydd ei hun, ond ei fod yn ewyllysiwr da i'r achos, a gwahoddai bregethwyr yr Annibynwyr a'r Methodistiaid Calfinaidd yn ddiwahaniaeth i'w dy i bregethu. Yn y flwyddyn 1775, adgyweiriodd Hugh Jones hen dy oedd ganddo at

* Llythyr Mr. J. C. Williams.

# Dysgedydd, 1830. Tu dal, 34. Cofiant Evan Dafydd, gan H. P.

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gadw mawn, a throdd of yn lle addoli. Ystafell isel, hirgul, a tho brwyn, tlodaidd iawn yr olwg arni ydoedd, ond buwyd yn addoli yma am fwy na haner can, mlynedd, a chafodd llawer o saint y dyddiau hyny wleddoedd blasus i'w heneidiau yn hen gapel Rhydywernen. Gwnaed meinciau a phulpud yn yr hen dy, ac yr oedd y llythyrenau H J., a'r ffugyrau 1775, ar y talcen uwchben y pulpud. Bu y lle o'r dechreuad dan ofal gweinidogion Llanuwchllyn, ac wedi symudiad Mr Benjamin Evans, i'r Drewen, yn 1777, daeth Meistri T. Davies, A. Tibbot, G. Lewis, ac M. Jones, yma yn olynol. Nis gwyddom pa flwyddyn y rhoddodd y Methodistiaid i fyny bregethu yma'i na pha bryd y ffurfiwyd yma eglwys Annibynol. Mae yn sicr yr arferai rhai oddiyma fyned i Lanuwchllyn i gymundeb yn nyddiau Mr B. Evans, ac y mae yn debyg mai wedi ei ymadawiad ef yn 1777, a marwolaeth Hugh Jones yn 1778, y rhoddodd y Methodistiaid i fyny ymweled a'r lle, ac y ffurfiwyd yma eglwys Annibynol. Dywedir mai Mr Abraham Tibbot a ffurfiodd yr eglwys yma, os felly, nis gallasai hyny fod cyn y flwyddyn 1784, canys dyna y flwyddyn y daeth ef i Lanuwchllyn. Nid oedd yn y cyfnod hwnw yr un capel yr holl ffordd o'r Bala i Wrecsam, ond Rhydywernen. Arferai yr hen gristion Sion Edward, a'i wraig, ddyfod yma o Gynwyd yn rheolaidd, a deuai Edward Jones yn ffyddlon yr holl ffordd o Langollen - pellder o ugain milldir - yma bob mis i gymundeb. Yr oedd pregethwyr cymeradwy yn Llanuwchllyn, megis Robert Roberts, Robert Lloyd, a John Evans, y rhai a gynorthwyent eu gweinidogion, ac a ddeuent yma yn rheolaidd. Yn Mai, 1826, daeth Mr Hugh Pugh, o Dowyn,  gadw ysgol i Bethel, ac i gynorthwyo Mr Michael Jones, yn yr eglwysi bychain newydd-ffurfiedig yn Edeyrnion. Urddwyd of yn Llandrillo, Gorphenaf 3ydd, 1827. Gan mai Rhydywernen oedd yr eglwys hynaf yn nghylch ei weinidogaeth, rhoddwn hanes ei urddiad yma. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau ; gofynwyd y cwestiynau arferol gan Mr M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn ; gweddiodd Mr D. Roberts, Dinbych, am fendith ar yr undeb ; pregethodd Mr H. Lloyd, Towyn, i'r gweinidog, a Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, i'r eglwys ; a Mr W. Williams, Wern, i'r gwrandawyr yn gyffredinol.* Mae yn debyg i'r urddiad gymeryd lle yn Llandrillo, oblegid fod y lle yn fwy canolog i'r holl aelodau yn nghylch y weinidogaeth. Cafodd Rhydywernen fantais fawr i fwynhau cymdeithas fuddiol ac addysg bur Mr Pugh, oblegid  fod yn llettya yn nheulu yr haelionus a'r caredig William Jones, Coedybedo, ac yn cael edrych arno fel un o'r teulu, a mawr yr hiraeth a deimlid ar ei ol wedi ei symudiad i Fostyn. # Yn y flwyddyn 1828, adeiladwyd capel newydd cryf a hardd, a chyn pen ychydig flynyddau yr oedd ei holl ddyled wedi ei dalu trwy lafur yr ardalwyr yn benaf. Yn nhymor gweinidogaeth Mr Pugh, codwyd yma ddyn ieuangc o'r enw John Griffith i bregethu, yr hwn ar ol hyny a fu yn weinidog i'r eglwys hon. Yn Mai, 1837, symudodd Mr Pugh oddiyma i Mostyn, ar ol llafurio yma gydag ymroddiad mawr am unmlynedd-ar-ddeg. Ni bu yma yr un gweinidog sefydlog ar ol hyny dros rai blynyddoedd. Er i Mr Pugh gael ei ordeinio i fod yn gydweinidog a Mr Michael Jones, yn yr eglwysi hyn, etto, yr oedd Mr Jones wedi gadael y gofal yn hollol arno, fel y teimlai yr eglwysi eu bod heb fugail ar ol colli Mr Pugh. Ymwelid a'r lle yma

* Cofiant y Parch. Hugh Pugh, gan y Parch. W. Rees, D.D. Tu dal. 13.

# Llythyr Mr H. Ellis.

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fynychaf ar of hyny gan Meistri M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn, a T. Ellis, Llangwm , ond yn 1841, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr John Griffith, yr hwn oedd eisioes wedi ymsefydlu yn yr ardal, ac yn byw yn Cablyd. Urddwyd ef Mai 21ain, 1841. Pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau; holwyd y gweinidog a dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr T. Ellis, Llangwm ; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd. Gweinyddwyd hefyd yn y cyfarfod gan Meistri J. Parry, Wern; R. Ellis, Rhoslan; T. Ellis, Llangwm; W. Roberts, Pen ybont ; T. Davies, Llandrillo ; R. Evans, Derwen ; J. Edwards, Croesoswallt, ac R. Thomas, Bala.*  Bu Mr Griffith yn ymdrechgar a ffyddlon tra y parhaodd ei dymor. Profodd yr ardal hon awelon grymus y diwygiad yn 1840, fel yr oedd agos yr holl wrandawyr ar un adeg yn proffesu crefydd. Yr oedd Mr Griffith yma yn aelod a phregethwr gweithgar yn ystod y diwygiad hwnw, ac urddwyd ef yn agos i'w ddiwedd, pan oedd teimladau yn dechreu oeri, ac er nad oedd y tymor y bu yn y weinidogaeth yn dymor bywiog ar grefydd, etto, ni bu ei lafur yn ofer yn yr Arglwydd. Bu farw Hydref 6ed, 1849. Dilynwyd ef yn y weinidogaeth yma gan Mr Humphrey Ellis, yr hwn wedi cael help gan Dduw sydd yn aros hyd yr awr hon i fugeilio yr hen eglwys barchus yn Rhydywernen, ac y mae golwg gysurus ar yr achos. Yn y flwyddyn 1862, prynwyd prydles y capel, fel y mae yn awr yn rhyddfeddiant ; a phrynwyd hefyd ddarn o dir i wneyd mynwent, fel y mae y cwbl yn eiddo i'r eglwys yn y lle, ac y mac y rhan fwyaf o'r treuliau hyn wedi eu talu gan yr eglwys a'r ardalwyr, a llwyrfwriedir talu y gweddill yn fuan. #

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL

JOHN GRIFFITH. Ganwyd ef yn yr ardal hon, yn y flwyddyn 1805. Gogwyddwyd  feddwl yn foreu at grefydd, a phan yn ugain oed, derbyniwyd ef yn aelod yn hen gapel Rhydywernen, gan Mr Michael Jones. Ymaflodd o ddifrif yn ngwaith crefydd. Yr oedd yn athraw diwyd a ffyddlon yn yr Ysgol Sabbothol, a gwelodd yr eglwys gymhwysder ynddo, fel y dewiswyd ef pan yn ieuangc yn ddiacon. Anogwyd ef i ddechreu pregethu yn y flwyddyn 1832, ac er ei gymhwyso yn fwy i'r gwaith pwysig, aeth am dymor i'r ysgol at Mr M. Jones, i Lanuwchllyn, ac er cael cyfleustra ychwanegol i ddysgu yr iaith Saesonaeg, aeth at Mr. J. Jones, i Marton. Dychwelodd adref a phriododd, ac ymroddodd i fywyd amaethyddol, a phregethu yn achlysurol, ac yr oedd yn dra derbyniol yn mhob man lle yr elai. Rhoddwyd galwad iddo gan ei fam eglwys yn Rhydywernen i fod yn weinidog iddi, ac urddwyd ef Mai 21ain, 1841, a llafuriodd yn ffyddlawn am wyth mlynedd, nes y rhoddodd angau derfyn ar ei fywyd, Hydref 6ed, 1849, yn 44 oed. Claddwyd of oddifewn i furiau y capel, ac y mae maen coffadwriaeth iddo ar y mur ynddo. Yr oedd Mr. Griffith yn " wr da " - yn synwyrol a deallgar yn mhob peth, ac wedi casglu cryn lawer o wybodaeth yn gyffredinol. Nid amheuai neb nad ydoedd yn gristion cywir a defosiynol, ac fel pregethwr yr oedd yn Ysgrythyrol ac ymarferol, a'i ddifrifwch bob amser y fath fel y teimlau ei wrandawyr fod eu hachos tragwyddol hwy yn agos at ei feddwl. Bu

* Dysgedydd, 1841. Tu dal. 290.  

# Llythyr Mr. H. Ellis.

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fugail ffyddlon a gofalus dros y praidd ar yr rhai y gosodwyd ef yn olygwr a cherid ef yn fawr gan ei holl gydnabod, ac yr oedd y cynnulliad lluosog o honynt a ddaeth yn nghyd i'w angladd, yn gystal ac o'i frodyr yn y weinidogaeth, yn dangos mor barchus y safai yn eu meddyliau,

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (July 2020)

This place name was derived from a farm building by the name of Rhydywernen, in Llanfawr parish. It stands on the highest corner of a narrow, but beautiful valley, that is to the north-west of the road that leads from Bala to Corwen. It appears that occasional preaching had taken place here since about 1740.# But during the ministry of  Mr Benjamin Evans, in Llanuwchllyn, preaching started here regularly. Around 1770, a man by the name of Hugh Jones lived in Rhydywernen. He was the owner of the place. He didn't seem to profess the faith himself, but he looked favourably on the cause, and he invited Independent and Calvinist Methodist preachers equally to his house to preach. In 1775, Hugh Jones repaired an old house he owned

* Mr. J. C. Williams' letter.

# Dysgedydd, 1830. Page, 34.

Evan Dafydd's biography by H.P.

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that used to house peat, and transformed the place for worship. It was a low, long and narrow room, with a poor looking thatched roof, but they worshipped here for more than fifty years. Many saints of those days received delicious feasts to their souls in the old Rhydywernen chapel. Benches and a pulpit were built in the old house, and the letters H J., and the figures 1775 were carved into the apex above the pulpit. From the beginning the place was under the care of the ministers in Llanuwchllyn, and after Mr Benjamin Evans moved to Drewen, in 1777, Messrs T. Davies, A. Tibbot, G. Lewis, and M. Jones, visited here. We do not know exactly when the Methodists gave up preaching here, nor when an Independent church was formed. We do know that some from here used to go to Llanuwchllyn for communion in the days of Mr B.Evans, and it is likely that it was his move from here in 1777, and the death of Hugh Jones in 1778, that made the Methodists give up visiting the place, and caused the formation of an Independent church. It is said that it was  Mr Abraham Tibbot that established the church here. If so that could not have been before 1784, because that is the year he came to Llanuwchllyn. At that time Rhydywernen was the only chapel between Bala and Wrexham. The old Christian Sion Edward, and his wife used to come here regularly from Cynwyd, and Edward Jones came faithfully all the way from Llangollen - a distance of twenty miles - every month for communion. Llanuwchllyn had very good preachers, such as Robert Roberts, Robert Lloyd, and John Evans, who supported the ministers and they would come here regularly. In May, 1826, Mr Hugh Pugh, from Towyn, came here to Bethel to keep a school and to support Mr Michael Jones, in the newly formed little churches in Edeyrnion. He was ordained in Llandrillo, on July 3rd, 1827. Since Rhydywernen was the oldest church in the ministerial circuit, we mention the ordination here. Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau preached on the nature of the church; the usual questions were asked by Mr M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn; Mr D. Roberts, Denbigh prayed for a blessing on the union; Mr H. Lloyd, Towyn preached to the minister and Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd, preached to the church; Mr W. Williams, Wern, preached to the listeners in general.* It appears that the ordination took place in Llandrillo, as the place was more central for all the members in the ministerial circuit. Rhydywernen had the advantage of enjoying the benefit and education of Mr Pugh, as he lodged with the family of the kind and generous William Jones, Coedybedo, who looked upon him as one of the family and after he left the area for Mostyn he was sorely missed. # In 1828, a beautiful, strong new chapel was built, and within a few years the whole debt was paid, mainly through the efforts of the local community. During the time of Mr Pugh's ministry, a young man came to the fore to preach. His name was John Griffith, who eventually became minister of this church. In May, 1837, Mr Pugh moved from here and went to Mostyn, after having laboured here with great dedication for eleven years. There wasn't another settled minister here for many years. Even though Mr Pugh was ordained to be a co-minister along with Mr Michael Jones, in these churches, Mr Jones had left the whole care to him, and the churches felt as if they had been left without a shepherd after losing Mr Pugh. The churches were visited after this by

* Rev. Hugh Pugh's biography by Rev. W. Rees, D.D. Page 13.

# Llythyr Mr H. Ellis.

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Messrs M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn and T. Ellis, Llangwm, but in 1841, the church gave a call to Mr John Griffith, who had already settled in the area and was living in Cablyd. He was ordained on May 21st, 1841. Mr C. Jones, Dolgellau preached on the nature of the church; the ordination questions were asked of the minister and the ordination prayer was given by Mr T. Ellis, Llangwm; Mr M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn preached to the minister and Mr E. Davies, Trawsfynydd preached to the church. Messrs J. Parry, Wern; R. Ellis, Rhoslan; T. Ellis, Llangwm; W. Roberts, Penybont; T. Davies, Llandrillo; R. Evans, Derwen; J. Edwards, Croesoswallt, and R. Thomas, Bala also officiated.* Mr Griffith was faithful and hard working throughout his tenure. This area experienced the powerful breezes of a revival in 1840, so much so that almost all the listeners at one time professed faith. Mr Griffith stayed here as a member and a hard working preacher throughout that revival. He was ordained near to the end, when feelings were beginning to cool and even though that time of his ministry wasn't particularly lively, his labour wasn't in vain in the Lord. He died on October 6th, 1849. He was followed in the ministry by Mr Humphrey Ellis, who had been helped by God and is still the shepherd for this respected, old, church in Rhydywernen, and the church still has a comfortable feeling. In 1862, the lease of the church was bought, so it now owns the freehold; and a piece of land was bought in order to build a cemetery, and all is in the possession of the church there. Most of the costs have been paid by the church and the community, and they fully expect to pay back the rest very soon. #

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES

JOHN GRIFFITH. He was born in this area in 1805. He had a leaning towards religion very early in his life, and when he was twenty years old, he was accepted as a member   in the old Rhydywernen chapel, by Mr Michael Jones. He threw himself into the religious work. He was a diligent, faithful teacher in the Sunday school, and the church saw promise in him, so much so that he was chosen when still young as a deacon. He was encouraged to start preaching in 1832, and he became even more suitable for the important work. He went to the school in Llanuwchllyn for a term to learn from Mr M. Jones, and even had the extra qualifications to teach through the medium of English. Then he went to Mr. J. Jones, in Marton. He returned home and married, and devoted himself to a farming life and preaching occasionally and he was very acceptable wherever he went. He received a call from his mother church in Rhydywernen to be their minister, and he was ordained on May 21st, 1841, and laboured faithfully for eight years, until death put an end to his life on October 6th, 1849, at the age of 44 years. He was buried inside the chapel walls with a memorial stone to him on the wall.  Mr. Griffith was a "good man" - sensible and intelligent in all situations, and had collected a great deal of general knowledge. No-one doubted that he was a true devotional  Christian, and as a preacher he was Scriptural and practical, and his serious nature made everyone feel his listener's eternal cause was close to his mind.

* Dysgedydd, 1841. Page. 290.  

#  Mr. H. Ellis' Letter.

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He was a faithful and careful shepherd to his flock and to those who placed him in his position of care and he was greatly loved by all who knew him, and the multitude who came to his funeral as well as his brothers in the ministry showed the respect in which he was held.  

  

BETHEL

(Llandderfel parish)

Yr oedd mwy na deuddeng mlynedd o'r ganrif bresenol wedi myned heibio cyn fod un cynyg wedi ei wneyd i sefydlu moddion crefyddol o un math yn yr ardal hon. Cyrchai dau hen grefyddwr da oddiyma yn rheolaidd i Rhydywernen, sef Sion Edward, Braichdu, a Sion Charles, Caereuchaf, ond nid oeddynt wedi magu digon o wroldeb i gynyg sefydlu addoliad cyson, er gwrthweithio yr arferion annuwiol, a'r chwareuyddiaethau pechadurus oeddynt yn ffynu yn yr ardal. Dywedir fod yma bregethu achlysurol wedi bod. Sonir am Mr Williams, o'r Wern, yn pregethu yn Cwm Cottage, lle yr oedd un Catherine Williams yn byw, a bu John Jones, Hafodfawr, hefyd yn pregethn yn Ty'nyfedw, pan oedd gwr y ty yn sal, ond nid oedd etto un cynyg ymosodol wedi ei wneyd i gymeryd meddiant o'r ardal. Yn y flwyddyn 1813, symudodd un Dafydd Jones, saer, wrth  gelfyddyd, o Lanfawr, gerllaw y Bala, i Dy'nyllechwedd i fyw. Nid oedd Dafydd Jones yn proffesu crefydd, ond yr oedd tra yn Llanfawr wedi agor ei dy i gadw Ysgol Sabhothol, ac wedi cael blas ar hyny, ac ar ol symud i Dy'nyllechwedd, yr oedd am barhau i groesawu arch Duw i'w dy. Yr oedd un Edward Williams yn byw y drws nesaf iddo yn Ty'nyllechwedd, ac yr oedd yntau hefyd, er nad oedd yn proffesu crefydd, yn barod i agor ei dy i'r Ysgol Sabbothol. Gwnaeth y ddau hyn gais at Sion Edward a Sion Charles am iddynt hwy ymgymeryd a'r gorchwyl, a'r hyn y cydsyniasant yn ddinag. Aeth Dafydd Jones o gylch y tai i hysbysu y cynhelid ysgol y Sabboth canlynol, a daeth deuddeg yn nghyd y Sabboth cyntaf, erbyn yr ail Sabboth yr oedd y nifer yn ddau cymaint, a chynyddodd yn fuan i bedwar ugain, fel mai prin yr oedd digon o le yn y ddau dy i'r rhai a ddeuai yn nghyd. Sion Edward oedd yr arolygwr, a'i fab, John Jones, Bethel wedi hyny, oedd yr ysgrifenydd, a'r athrawon cyntaf oeddynt Sion Charles, Humphrey Thomas, Evan Evans, a Rowland Jones. Yn fuan wedi cychwyniad yr ysgol yn Ty'nyllechwedd, daeth Mr Michael Jones, yn weinidog i Lanuwchllyn a Rhydywernen, felly yr oedd efe gyda'r achos yma o'i gychwyniad. Derbyniwyd amryw o'r ardal yma yn Rhydywernen, fel ffrwyth yr Ysgol Sabbothol, ac yn eu plith y ddau deulu yn Ty'nyllechwedd, y rhai a agorasant eu drysau iddi. Ar ol mwy na dwy flynedd o lafur heb fod yn ofer, meddyliasant am gael capel yn yr ardal, a llwyddwyd i gael tir gan John Jones, Ty'nyddol, Llandderfel, a chyflwynwyd ef i ymddiriedolwyr, Ionawr, 1816, y rhai oeddynt Meistri Michael Jones, John Lewis, David Morgan, John Roberts, James Davies, William Williams, Robert Everett, a Peter Griffith. Y rhai fu ffyddlonaf  godi y capel oedd Sion Edward, Sion Charles, Sion Vychan, a Sion Jones. Mae ein hysbysydd yn rhoddi eu henwau i ni yn y ffurf yna, a dywed fod careg ysgwar ar wyneb capel Bethel ac enwau y pedwar arni. Daeth Mr Moses Ellis yma i gadw ysgol yn fuan ar ol agoriad y capel, a byddai yn pregethu yn achlysurol yn y naill fan neu y llall, er cynorthwyo Mr Jones. Ennillodd yr achos yma dir yn gyflym, a chyfnewidiwyd agwedd foesol yr ardal i

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raddau dymunol. Yn mis Mai, 1826, daeth Mr Hugh Pugh yma i gadw ysgol, ac yn mis Gorphenaf, y flwyddyn ganlynol, urddwyd ef i fod yn gydweinidog a Mr Michael Jones, yn y lleoedd islaw y Bala. Ymddiriedodd Mr Jones ofal yr eglwysi hyn yn hollol i Mr Pugh, er ar yr un pryd ystyrient Mr Jones hefyd yn weinidog iddynt. Athraw doeth a synwyrol a fu Mr Pugh yma am un-mlynedd-ar-ddeg. Gwreiddiodd yr aelodau dan ei ofal yn dda yn egwyddorion crefydd, ac yn enwedig addysgodd yr ieuengctyd yn drwyadl yn seiliau eu Hymneillduaeth, a'u hawliau fel Ymneillduwyr. Mae llawer yn y wlad yma hyd heddyw yn cydnabod eu bod yn ddyledus i Mr Pugh, am roddi cyfeiriad priodol i'w meddyliau yn y pyngciau hyn. Yn Mai, 1837, symudodd Mr Pugh i Mostyn, Sir Fflint, lle y treuliodd weddill ei oes, ac yn yr adeg yma rhoddodd Mr Jones hefyd i fyny ofal yr eglwysi hyn, gan eu hanog i ddewis rhyw wr ieuangc cymhwys i fod yn weinidog iddynt eu hunain, ond parhaodd i ddyfod yma yn gyson bob mis, ac yn fynych yn amlach na hyny. Yn y flwyddyn 1840, bu yma adfywiad grymus ar grefydd, ac ychwanegwyd cryn nifer at yr eglwys. Yn y flwyddyn 1843, wedi symudiad Mr Jones i'r Bala, ail ymgymerodd a gofal yr eglwys hon, yn gystal a Llandderfel, a Soar, a pharhaodd  ofalu am y lle hyd ei farwolaeth. Mewn rhyw ystyr yr oedd Mr Jones yn weinidog i'r eglwys hon o'i sefydliad yn Llanuwchllyn hyd ei farwolaeth, er ddarfod iddo ar adegau ymryddhau oddiwrthi hi yn rhanol, ond trwy ei oes edrychai arnynt fel pobl ei ofal, ac edrychent hwythau arno yntau fel eu hathraw a'u bugail. Bu yr eglwysi yn y rhanbarth yma yn ffyddlon iddo yn yr holl dymhestloedd a'i cyfarfu, ac y mae perarogl ei goffadwriaeth yn aros yn y wlad, ac fe erys dros genedlaethau. Yn nechreu y flwyddyn 1855 y daeth Mr Michael D. Jones yma o Bwlchnewydd, Sir Gaerfyrddin, i fod yn olynydd i'w hybarch dad fel athraw yr athrofa, a gweinidog yr eglwysi hyn. Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod ei sefydliad yma Gorphenaf 6ed, 1855. Pregethwyd gan Meistri Joseph Evans, Capel Sion; T. Davies, Llandeilo; D.C. Jones, Abergwyli; J. Roberts, Rhuthin ; Ismael Jones, Rhos ; W. Roberts, Penybontfawr ; W. Roberts, Pentrefoelas, ac eraill ; choffeir am y cyfarfod fel un dan arddeliad nodedig. Profodd yr eglwys yma adfywiad lled rymus yn y flwyddyn 1860, a chynyddodd yr aelodau nes bod yn fwy na thriugain ; and oblegid symudiadau a marwolaethau, nid yw yn awr ond tua deugain o rifedi. Nid yw y cylch ond cyfyng, na'r boblogaeth ond tenau, ond y mae yma eglwys fechan ddeallgar a heddychol, a pharha Mr Jones i lafurio yma gyda chymeradwyaeth mawr. Gweinyddwyd swydd diacon yma yn gyntaf gan Sion Edward, Braichdu. Treuliodd oes hir gyda chrefydd, ac yr oedd yn ddyn cywir a ffyddlon, ond fod ei dymer braidd yn chwerw. Bu farw Hydref. 31ain, 1851, yn 88 oed, a chladdwyd of wrth gapel Bethel. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan ei weinidog, y diweddar Mr Michael Jones, a chan ei wyr Mr John Jones, yn awr o Langiwc, Morganwg. Bu David Davies, Caere, a John Jones, Bethel, yn gyd-swyddogion yma, ac y mac eu ffyddlondeb hwythau hefyd mewn coffa ger bron Duw,

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

  • William Jones. Urddwyd ef yn Mhwllheli, a symudodd oddiyno i Glynarthen, Sir Aberteifi, lle y bu farw, a daw hanes yno dan ein sylw.
  • Robert Ellis. Dechreuodd ef a William Jones bregethu yr un adeg. Urddwyd of yn Rhoslan, ac y mae yn awr yn y Brithdir, a hyderwn fod llawer flynyddoedd etto yn ol iddo.

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  • John Parry. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa y Drefnewydd. Urddwyd ef yn Machynlleth, a gwelir cofnodiad byr am dano yn nglyn a hanes yr eglwys hono.
  • Cadwaladr Jones. Bu yn athrofa y Bala. Urddwyd ef yn Nhanygrisiau, ac y mae yn awr yn America.

Yn yr eglwys yma y magwyd John Jones, Llangiwc, ond yn Llanrhaiadr-yn-mochnant y dechreuodd bregethu, megis y gwelir yn hanes yr eglwys hono.

 

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (May 2020)

More than twelve years of this century had gone by before any attempt was made to establish a religious gathering in this area. Two old men of religion used to travel regularly from here to Rhydywernen. They were Sion Edward, Braichdu, and Sion Charles, Caereuchaf, but they weren't brave enough to offer to establish regular worship, despite the ungodly practices and sinful games that were flourishing in the area. It is said that there had been some occasional preaching. Mr Williams, from the Wern, was mentioned as having preached in Cwm Cottage, where one Catherine Williams lived and John Jones, Hafodfawr also preached in Ty'nyfedw, when the man of the house was ill. But no serious attempt had been made to take over the district. In 1813, one Dafydd Jones, a carpenter by trade, moved from Llanfawr, near Bala, to Ty'nyllechwedd to live. Dafydd Jones did not profess a faith, but while he was in Llanfawr he had opened his house as a Sunday School and enjoyed it and after he moved to Ty'nyllechwedd he wanted to continue to welcome God's ark to his house. One Edward Williams lived next door to him in Ty'nyllechwedd and he too, even though he didn't profess a faith, was ready to open his house to the Sunday School. They both made an application to Sion Edward and Sion Charles asking them to undertake the task and they agreed immediately. Dafydd Jones went around the houses to advertise that a Sunday school would be held the next Sunday and twelve came together that first Sunday. By the second Sunday the number had doubled and it soon increased to eighty, so that there was very little room in the two houses. Sion Edward was the superintendent and his son, John Jones, Bethel after that, was the secretary and the first teachers were Sion Charles, Humphrey Thomas, Evan Evans, and Rowland Jones. Soon after starting the school in Ty'nyllechwedd, Mr Michael Jones, became a minister in Llanuwchllyn and Rhydywernen, so he was associated with the cause from the beginning. Several from the area were accepted in Rhydywernen, as the fruit of the Sunday school and among them two families in Ty'nyllechwedd, who opened their doors to it. After about two years of successful labour, the group thought that they would like to build a chapel in the area. They managed to have some land from John Jones, Ty'nyddol, Llandderfel. It was submitted to the trustees on January, 1816. The men were Messrs. Michael Jones, John Lewis, David Morgan, John Roberts, James Davies, William Williams, Robert Everett, and Peter Griffith. The ones who were most faithful in building the chapel were Sion Edward, Sion Charles, Sion Vychan, and Sion Jones. Our informant has given us their names in that form and said that there's a square stone on Bethel chapel with the names of the four inscribed on it. Mr Moses Ellis came here to keep the school soon after the chapel opened and he also occasionally preached either in one place or the other, in order to assist Mr Jones. This cause gained ground quickly and it favourably changed the moral attitude of the area somewhat.

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In May, 1826, Mr Hugh Pugh came here to keep the school and in July the following year he was ordained as co-minister with Mr Michael Jones in the places just below  Bala. Mr Jones entrusted the care of these churches completely to Mr Pugh, even though they also considered Mr Jones as a minister to them. Mr Pugh was a wise and sensible teacher for the eleven years he was there. The members rooted themselves greatly in the principles of faith under his care and he taught the youth thoroughly,  especially in the foundations of their rights as non-conformists. Many in this country attest that they are indebted to Mr Pugh for giving them appropriate direction to their minds in these subjects. In May, 1837, Mr Pugh moved to Mostyn, Flintshire, where he spent the rest of his life. At this time Mr Jones also gave up the care of these churches, encouraging them to choose a suitable young man to be their own minister, but he continued coming regularly every month and often more often than that. In 1840, a powerful religious revival took place and a good number were added to the church. In 1843, after Mr Jones moved to Bala, he reacquainted himself with the care of this church, along with Llandderfel and Soar and he continued to care for the place until his death. In one way Mr Jones was a minister of this church from its establishment in Llanuwchllyn until his death, even though he had partial breaks. But throughout his life he looked upon them as the people under his care and they looked upon him as their teacher and their shepherd. The churches in this area were faithful to him through all the storms they met and the scent of his memory remains in the country and will remain over the generations. At the beginning of 1855 Mr Michael D. Jones came here from  Bwlchnewydd, Carmarthenshire, to carry on his venerable  father's work as a teacher in the college and the minister of these churches. A meeting was held at his induction here on July 6th, 1855. The sermons were given by Messrs. Joseph Evans, Capel Sion; T. Davies, Llandeilo; D.C. Jones, Abergwyli; J. Roberts, Rhuthin; Ismael Jones, Rhos; W. Roberts, Penybontfawr; W. Roberts, Pentrefoelas and others. The meeting is remembered as one that had incredible conviction. This church experienced a fairly powerful revival in 1860 and the number of members increased until there were more than sixty but as a result of deaths and movements away there are no more than forty left there now. This area is small and the population very sparse, but the little church here is peaceful and intelligent and Mr Jones continues to labour here with great praise. Sion Edward, Braichdu officiated here as a deacon first. He spent a long life with his faith and was a faithful, correct man, but his temper was a little bitter. He died on October 31st, 1851, at the age of 88 and he was buried near Bethel chapel. On that occasion his minister, the late Mr Michael Jones, officiated, and also his grandson Mr John Jones, who is now in Llangiwc, Glamorgan. David Davies, Caere and John Jones, Bethel, were fellow officials here and we remember their faithfulness too.

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

  • William Jones. He was ordained in Pwllheli and he moved from there to Glynarthen, Cardiganshire where he died and his story is told there.
  • Robert Ellis. He and William Jones started preaching at the same time. He was ordained in Rhoslan and he is now in Brithdir and we hope he will have many more years there.

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  • John Parry. He was educated in Newtown college. He was ordained in Machynlleth and his story can be seen under the history of that church.
  • Cadwaladr Jones. He went to Bala college. He was ordained in Tanygrisiau, and is now in America.
  • John Jones, Llangiwc was brought up in this church, but he started preaching in Llanrhaiadr-ym-mochnant, and his story will be seen in the history of that church.

 

LLANDDERFEL

Mae yn ymddangos yr arferai gweinidogion y Bala er yn foreu bregethu yn Llandderfel. Yn ol y cyfrifiad a roddodd Mr Job Orton i Mr Josiah Thompson, yr oedd gan Mr Daniel Gronow gynnulleidfa o ddau cant yma yn 1773. Nis gwyddom pa fodd i gyfrif am hyny, os na chymerodd Mr Orton y gynnulleidfa allasai fod yno gan y Methodistiaid mewn camgymeriad, ond nid oedd hono ychwaith yn cyrhaedd y rhifedi hwnw yn yr adeg hono. Pa fodd bynag, os bu yma gynnulleidfa o Annibynwyr gan Mr Gronow, yr oedd hi wedi darfod yn llwyr cyn diwedd y ganrif ddiweddaf, ac aeth chwarter y ganrif bresenol heibio cyn Annibynwyr ddechreu pregethu yn mhentref Llandderfel. Dechreuwyd pregethu yma yn y flwyddyn 1826, mewn lle a elwir Brynyfedwen, lle yr oedd Edward a Catherine Jones yn byw, y rhai oeddynt yn aelodau yn Bethel. Pregethodd Mr Pugh yma rai troion, ac ennillwyd yma amryw i broffesu crefydd. Ymofynwyd am le yn mhentref Llandderfel, ac agorodd John Roberts, gwehydd, ei dy, er nad oedd yn aelod ar y pryd, a rhoddodd lofft helaeth at wasanaeth yr achos. Coffeir am Dr. Arthur Jones yn pregethu yn yr awyr agored, oblegid na chynwysai yr ystafell mor gynnulleidfa. Teimlodd un dyn mor ddwys yn yr oedfa, nes y gwaeddodd allan fod rhyw un o'r crefyddwyr wedi dyweyd ei hanes ef wrth y pregethwr. Yr oedd Robert Daniel, Rhydlydan, yn pregethu y noson hono drachefn yn yr ystafell. Yr aelodau eglwysig cyntaf yma oeddynt Edward a Catherine Jones, Brynyfedwen; John ac Elizabeth Watkin, Cae-crydd; Robert Roberts, Ty'n yfron ; Evan Dafydd a Sydney Jones, Llan ; Mrs Jones, Ty'nddol, ac yn fuan fe ymunodd John Roberts, gwehydd, a hwy. Efe oedd y cyntaf a dderbyniwyd o'r newydd atynt, a bu yn aelod ffyddlon, a dewiswyd ef yn ddiacon cyn hir. Efe a John Watkin oeddynt y diaconiaid cyntaf, a buont ffyddlon hyd angau. Bu Mr. David Owens, Tyuchaf, (yn awr o Newark, America,) yn ffyddlon i'r achos yma ar ei gychwyniad, a deuai o Bethel yma  gynorthwyo yr achos yn ei wendid. Meddyliodd Mr Jones a Mr Pugh am gael capel yma, ond yr anhawsder oedd cael tir, a chyfododd gwrthwynebiad o le na ddisgwylid. Yr oedd gardd gan John Jones, crydd, Pensingrig, yr hon a gauwyd ganddo i mewn o'r tir cyffredin, a boddlonai  gwerthu, ond pan ddeallodd gwr cyfrifol yn y gymydogaeth hyny, dyrysodd y cynllun. Yn rhagluniaethol, yr oedd gan ddyn o Gwyddelwern, dir yn nghanol y Llan, ac yr oedd yn barod i'w werthu, a phan ddeallodd y gwr mawr, yr hwn a ddyrysodd eu cynllun cyntaf hyny, cynygiodd yr hen ardd iddynt, gan feddwl y byddent yn mhellach o'i ffordd yno nag yn nghanol y pentref. Prynwyd y lle am £15 gan John Jones, crydd, a John Davies, Fronheulog, a throsglwyddwyd ef i Thomas Evans, i'w gyf-

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lwyno i Michael Jones, Hugh Pugh, David Owens, John Jones, Thomas Owens, a Thomas Jones, ac y mae y weithred yn cael ei dyddio Mawrth, 1828. Adeiladwyd y capel, a phregethodd Mr Pugh ynddo gyntaf ddydd Nadolig, 1828, ac agorwyd  yn gyhoeddus Mawrth 3ydd a'r 4ydd, 1829. Ar yr achlysur, gweinyddodd Mr R. Ellis, Penybont ; T. Simon, Llangollen ; I. Williams, Dinas ; T. Jones Llangollen ; H. Morgan, Sammah ; T. Ellis, Llangwm ; J. Ridge, Bala, a D. Roberts, Dinbych. * Mae y lle o'r dechreu wedi bod dan yr un weinidogaeth a Bethel, ac felly y mae yn awr. Yn y flwyddyn 1840, dan weinidogaeth Mr Richard Jones, Rhuthin, yr hwn oedd yn y lle ar ymweliad, torodd diwygiad grymus allan, yr hwn a fu er codiad mawr i'r achos yn y lle. Bu yr eglwys mewn tipyn o brofedigaeth oblegid i'r llywodraeth ddyfod i hawlio ardreth am y capel, gan ddyweyd nad oedd gan y rhai a'i gwerthodd ddim hawl ynddo, ond wedi sefydliad Mr M. D. Jones yma, mynodd ef chwilio i'r mater, a'i wneyd yn ddiogel, ac ail brynwyd y tir gan y llywodraeth am £11/13/00 ac y mae yn awr yn feddiant i'r eglwys yn y lle. Wrth weled fod yr hen gapel wedi myned yn adfeiliedig, penderfynwyd adeiladu un newydd yn yr un lle, ond fod eisiau ychwaneg o dir er ei wneyd yn helaethach. Dechreuwyd arno yn 1868, ac agorwyd ef y dydd olaf o fis Mawrth, 1869. Ar yr achlysur, pregethodd Meistri Samuel Roberts, J. Williams, Castellnewydd ; E. Evans, Caernarfon ; D. Rowlands, B.A., Trallwm, ac R. Thomas, Bangor, a chan fod cyfarfod chwarterol y Sir yn cael ei gynal yma yr un pryd, yr oedd y rhan fwyaf o weinidogion y Sir yn bresenol. Galwyd ef yn Ramah. Nid oedd ond dau o'r rhai oeddynt yn aelodau yma yn agoriad y capel cyntaf yn fyw yn agoriad yr ail, sef Edward a Catherine Jones, y rhai y pregethwyd gyntaf yn eu ty yn Brynyfedwen, a rhieni Mr Robert Derfel Jones, Manchester. Yr oedd John Watkin, yr hwn a fu yn ddiacon ffyddlon am ddeugain mlynedd, wedi meddwl cael byw i weled agor y capel newydd, ond gwelodd ei Dad nefol yn oreu ei gymeryd adref cyn gweled hyn. Canmolir ffyddlondeb John Roberts, y gwehydd, yn nodedig. Rhoddodd lofft ei dy i gynal y moddion ar y dechreu, a chyfranai chwe' cheiniog yn yr wythnos at gynal yr achos, er nad ydoedd ond isel ei amgylchiadau.

Nid ydym yn cael i neb godi i bregethu yma ond

  • John Edwards. Bu yn athrofa y Bala. Urddwyd ef yn Pentre-llyn-cymer, lle y mae etto, ond ei fod wedi ei analluogi i gyflawni ei weinidogaeth.

Mae yr achos yma mewn agwedd siriol, a nifer yr aelodau o gylch pump a deugain.

 

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (May 2020)

It appears that the ministers in Bala used to preach in Llandderfel. According to the census that Mr Job Orton gave to Mr Josiah Thompson, Mr Daniel Gronow had a congregation of two hundred here in 1773. We don't know what to make of this unless Mr Orton counted the congregation that could have been Methodists by mistake, but even then it would not have reached that number at that time. Anyway, if there had been a congregation of Independents with Mr Gronow, it had completely disappeared before the end of the last century and another quarter of this century had passed before Independents started preaching in the village of  Llandderfel. Preaching started here in 1826, in a place called Brynyfedwen, where Edward and Catherine Jones lived. They were members in Bethel. Mr Pugh preached here many times and several were called to profess their faith. A case was made for a place in Llandderfel and John Roberts, a weaver, opened his house, even though he wasn't a member at the time and he offered a large room for services. We remember Dr. Arthur Jones preaching in the open air, because the room wasn't big enough for the congregation. One man felt so emotional in the service that he shouted out that one of the faithful had told his story to the minister. Robert Daniel, Rhydlydan, was preaching in the room that evening. The first church members here were Edward and Catherine Jones, Brynyfedwen; John and Elizabeth Watkin, Cae-crydd; Robert Roberts, Ty'n y fron; Evan Dafydd and Sydney Jones, Llan; Mrs Jones, Ty'nddol and soon they were joined by John Roberts, weaver. He was the first to be accepted to join them. He was a faithful member and was soon chosen as a deacon. He and John Watkin were the first deacons and they were faithful till death. Mr. David Owens, Tyuchaf, (now from Newark, America,) was faithful to this cause from the beginning. He came here from Bethel to assist with the cause in its weakness. Mr Jones and Mr Pugh considered having a chapel here, but the availability of land was a difficulty and an opposition arose from an unexpected place. John Jones, cobbler, Pensingrig, who had a piece of common land which he had enclosed was willing to sell. But when an important man in the community understood what its purpose would be the plan failed. Providentially, a man from Gwyddelwern had some land in the middle of Llan and he was ready to sell it and when the important man who blocked the first plan realised, he offered the first piece of land to them, thinking that they would be further away than in the middle of the village. John Jones, cobbler and John Davies, Fronheulog bought the land £15 and it was handed over to Thomas Evans, to be offered to  

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Michael Jones, Hugh Pugh, David Owens, John Jones, Thomas Owens and Thomas Jones. That deed dates from  March, 1828. The chapel was built and Mr Pugh preached there for the first time on Christmas Day, 1828 and it opened publicly on March 3rd and 4th, 1829. On that occasion Mr R. Ellis, Penybont; T. Simon, Llangollen; I. Williams, Dinas; T. Jones Llangollen; H. Morgan, Sammah ; T. Ellis, Llangwm; J. Ridge, Bala, and D. Roberts, Denbigh officiated. * From the beginning, this place has been run under the same ministry as Bethel and it continues that way. In 1840, under the ministry of Mr Richard Jones, Rhuthin, who was visiting, a powerful revival broke out, which uplifted the cause a great deal here. The church experienced quite a bit of trouble when the government called for a tax on the chapel, saying that those that sold the land had no right to do so, but after  Mr M. D. Jones settled here, he was determined to investigate the matter and to sort it out. The land was rebought from the government for £11.13.00. It is now owned by the church in Llandderfel. Now the deacons realised that the old chapel was in great need of repair so decided to build a new one in the same place, but more land was needed to build a bigger chapel. Work started in 1868 and it opened on the last day of March, 1869. On the occasion, Messrs Samuel Roberts and J. Williams, Castellnewydd; E. Evans, Caernarfon; D. Rowlands, B.A., Trallwm and R. Thomas, Bangor, preached and since the county quarterly meeting was being held here at the time, most of the county ministers were present. It was called Ramah. Only two of the members who were in the opening of the first chapel were living to attend the opening of the second. These were Edward and Catherine Jones, in whose house, Brynyfedwen, the first sermons were preached and the parents of Mr Robert Derfel Jones, Manchester. John Watkin, who was a faithful deacon for forty years, had thought he would live to see the opening of the new chapel, but his heavenly Father saw it best to call him home before this. The faithfulness of John Roberts, the weaver, was especially mentioned. He gave that room in his house to hold the services at the beginning and he gave six pence a week towards the cause, even though his circumstances could ill afford it.


We understand that nobody was raised to preach here apart from

  • John Edwards. He attended the college in Bala. He was ordained in Pentre-llyn-cymer, where he still resides, but he is now unable to fulfil his ministry.


This cause is now continuing pleasantly and the number of members is around forty five.
 

  

SOAR

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Already translated etc, see   /big/wal/MER/Llandderfel/Hanes.html

" Mae y capel hwn yn mhlwyf Llandderfel. Bu Sion Edward yn byw yn Melinddimel, ychydig islaw y lle y mae Soar, a bu Dr. Lewis, Llarnuwchllyn, a Robert Roberts, Tyddynyfelin, yn pregethu llawer yn ei dy, yn mhell cyn codi Soar. Cynhelid Ysgol Sabbothol a phregethid yn achlysurol gan Mr. M. Jones, yn Gwern-braich-y-dwr, ac yn 1827, adeiladwyd yma dy bychan saith lath ysgwar. Mae careg uwchben ei ddrws ac arni, " Soar, adeiladwyd 1827." Codwyd ef ar dir Syr Watkin Wynne, Barwnig, ond heb brydles, ond telid ardreth o haner coron y flwyddyn. Yr oedd Meistri W. Williams, Wern, a Mr. J. Ridge, Bala, yma yn ei agoriad. Bwriedid ef ar y cyntaf i fod yn ysgoldy yn unig, ac elai yr aelodau i Bethel i gymundeb, ac nid oeddynt ond ychydig mewn nifer, ond y mae yma eglwys wedi ei ffurfio bellach er's blynyddau. Mae y lle o'r dechreu wedi bod yn nglyn a Bethel, a'r un gweinidogion yn olynol yn gofalu am dano. Pan oedd. Syr Watkin yn gwerthu amryw o'i diroedd rai blynyddoedd yn ol, gwerthodd Wern-braich-y-dwr, a gwerthwyd capel Soar hefyd. Parodd gwerthiad y Soar yma, a Soar arall yn sir Drefaldwyn, gynhwrf mawr ar y pryd hwnw. Prynwyd y Soar yma gan John Davies am 30p., a chyflwynwyd ef i Simon Jones, Michael D. Jones, John Peter, Robert Jones, Edward Wynne, Edward Roberts, William Jones, Thomas Owen, ac Humphrey Ellis, fel ymddiriedolwyr. Dyddiad y weithred ydyw, Medi 29ain, 1860.

Codwyd i bregethu yn y gangen fechan yma :-

  • Evan Lloyd. Urddwyd ef yn Hebron, Lleyn, a bu farw yn dra annisgwyliadwy. Daw ei hanes dan ein sylw pan ddeuwn at eglwysi sir Gaernarfon.
  • David Price. Ni bu yn pregethu ond ychydig. Bu farw Awst 23ain, 1861, yn 21 oed. Claddwyd ef yn Bethel.
  • John Roberts. Mae yn awr yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa y Bala.

Mae Edward Wynne yn yr ardal hon er's llawer o flynyddoedd bellach, ac yn bregethwr cynorthwyol cymeradwy gan yr holl eglwysi."

 

LLANDRILLO

Yn y flwyddyn 1814, daeth John Jones, a'i wraig, a'i deulu o felin Frongoch, gerllaw y Bala,  i fyw i felin Llandrillo. Arferent cyn symud fyned i addoli i Dy'nybont, ac ar ol eu symudiad, deuai rhai o hen aelodau Ty'nybont i'w ty i Landrillo, ar nosweithiau o'r wythnos i gynal cyfarfodydd gweddio. Ymwelai John Jones, Hafodfawr, hefyd a hwy, yr hwn yn achlysurol a bregethai iddynt. O gylch yr un amser ag y symudodd teulu y felin, daeth gwraig o Lanuwchllyn, o'r enw Elizabeth Roberts, yr hon oedd yn aelod gyda'r Annibynwyr, i fyw yma'i ac ar ol hyny ceid pregethu yma yn amlach. Deuai Mr M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn, a Mr J. Lewis, Bala, yma i bregethu, ac yn achlysurol deuai Dr. Arthur Jones, Bangor, i ymweled a brawd oedd ganddo yn yr ardal, a phregethai bob tro y deuai. Yn y flwyddyn 1818, cymerwyd ty gan William Fairclough i bregethu y Sabboth, a chadw ysgol ddyddiol, ac aeth Mr M. Jones, Llanuwchllyn, yn gyfrifol am ardreth y ty. Yr amser yma daeth Mr Moses Ellis - Mynyddislwyn, wedi hyny - yma i gadw ysgol, a bu yn ddefnyddiol iawn ddechreu yr achos yn y lle. Ffurfiwyd yma gangen-eglwys yn mhen blwyddyn neu ddwy wedi cymeryd y ty i bregethu, ac er nad oedd yma ond ychydig o bobl druain, dlodion, yn cychwyn yr achos, etto bu Mr M. Jones yn ffyddlon i ddyfod atynt, a chynorthwyid ef gan Meistri J. Roberts, Capelgarmon ; J. Lewis, Bala ; J. Jones, Bancog ; J. Jones, Hafodfawr, ac eraill. Bu teulu Syrior yn garedig i'r achos, ac y mae bendith yr Arglwydd yn aros arnynt hyd heddyw. Yn y flwyddyn 1821, symudwyd yr achos i hen gapel y Methodistiaid, ac wedi bod yno dros ryw gymaint o amser, symudwyd drachefn i ystafell perthynol i'r New Inn, sef ty

  

CONTINUED  (with translation)