Ebenezer, Trecynon

Ebenezer, Trecynon is an Independent (Congrgationalist) chapel in Ebenezer Street, Trecynon, Aberdare, Wales. It was one of the earliest Independent chapels in the Cynon Valley.

Early History

The history of Ebenezer dates back to the late eighteenth century when a congregation including Independents and Calvinistic Methodists worshipped together at a small cottage in Monk Street, Aberdare, which was fitted with a makeshift pulpit and benches.[1] It was said to have then continued at the home of one Timothy Davies, which became known as Ty'r Capel (Chapel House)[2] The chapel was built in 1811 and although land had been offered by Griffith Davies of Blaengwawr it was decided to build at Trecynon, then known as Heolyfelin, literally the 'Mill Road', a reference to the Aberdare Ironworks at Llwydcoed which were established in 1800.[3] It was said that the congregation gathered stones for the original building from the common above Trecynon. The builders are recorded as Morgan Shon Morgan, John Richards of Penywaun and Thomas Philip Richards.[2]

In 1826 Ebenezer had only 26 members, but its membership grew rapidly thereafter and it became the mother church of most Independent churches in the Cynon Valley.[1] The chapel was rebuilt in 1829. A split in 1835 saw Joseph Harrison leave with fifteen members and form Salem, Robertstown

Thomas Rees, later of Swansea, became the minister of Ebenezer from 1840 until 1844.

Thomas Rees

Nebo, Hirwaun was established as a branch of Ebenezer. In 1843, a number of members left Ebenezer to establish Siloa, Aberdare. These included David Price, who became minister of the new church.

The Pastorate of William Edwards 1844-84

Thomas Rees was succeeded by William Edwards, who until his death in 1884.[1] Edwards was a native of Ffestiniog, North Wales, who had worked for several years in the slate quarries before earning enough money to further his educatioan and enter the ministry.[4] His home at Trecynon was known as Meirion Cottage.[5] Edwards studied at Brecon College and was invited to be minister at Ebenezer while still a student at that institution, and was inaugurated on 2 July 1844.[4] Together with David Price of Siloa, Aberdare, he was responsible for establishing new causes at Cwmbach, Mountain Ash and Aberaman.[4]

Ebenezer was renovated in 1852 and an adjacent 'Ebenezer Hall' built which housed the Sunday School.[2] By 1853, Ebenezer was recorded as having 340 members, with 224 in the Sunday School, The chapel could accommodate 900n people,[6]

In 1859, Horeb, Llwydcoed was established as a branch of Ebenezer.

During the 1868 General Election in the Merthyr Boroughs constituency, a number of political meetings took place at Ebenezer, in support of both Henry Richard and Richard Fothergill. The meeting in support of Richard, in September 1868, was chaired by David Davis, Maesyffynnon.[7] Fothergill's meeting, in October, was equally enthusiastic and presided over by the Baptist minister, William Harris of Heolyfelin.[8]

Edwards became President of the Union of Welsh Independents towards the end of his life. During his time at Aberdare he had a celebrated argument with Thomas Price of Calfaria, Aberdare, about Baptism but the rift was healed and Price participated at his funeral.[4] At the end of his ministry he was elected president of the Union of Welsh Independents.[9]

The Pastorate of Grawys Jones, 1885-1925

The next minister was Grawys Jones, who was ordained as minister on 22 and 23 September 1885.[10] Grawys Jones also served for forty years, until 1925.[2]

An extensive refurbishment by Owen Morris Roberts & Son took place in 1902.[2] Following the renovation, perching services were held in an attempt to clear part of the debt of £1,000. Elfed was among the guest preachers.[9]

Twentieth Century

After four years without a minister, William Morse arrived at Ebenezer in 1929 and remained for thirty years.[2] During this time, David Emlyn Thomas, MP for Aberdare from 1946 until 1954 was a deacon at Ebenezer.[2]

Later History

Membership was 564 in 1907 and remained at 330 in 1954. Ebenezer's last minister was R.O. Thomas, who served from 1961 until 1986.[2] The chapel remained active into the twenty first century.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Glamorgan Chapel Database (Aberdare)". Genuki. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Jones. Chapels of the Cynon Valley. pp. 125–6.
  3. ↑ Jones. Chapels of the Cynon Valley. pp. 130–1.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Aberdar. Y Diweddar Barch W. Edwards.". Tyst a'r Dydd. 12 September 1884. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Marwolaeth y Parch. William Edwards, Aberdar". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 4 September 1884. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  6. ↑ "Old Aberdare. History of Congregationalism". Aberdare Leader. 25 October 1913. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Mr Henry Richard yn Nhrecynon". Gwladgarwr. 26 September 1868. Retrieved 24 January 2014.
  8. ↑ "Helyntion yr Etholiad". Gwladgarwr. 31 October 1868. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Ebenezer, Trecynon. Aberdar". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 27 February 1902. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ebenezer, Trecynon". Tarian y Gweithiwr. 10 October 1885. Retrieved 28 July 2014.

Bibliography

External links