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Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru

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(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)  - no translations

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

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

 

MORIAH-AMMAN, ABERDAR

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p370)

Trwy lafur Mr. J. Davies, Caerdydd, pan yr oedd yn weinidog yn Aberaman, y dechreuwyd yr achos yn y lle hwn. Dechreuwyd adeiladu y capel yn 1855, ac agorwyd ef Hydref 2i1, y flwyddyn hono. Cafodd tua saith-ar-hugain o aelodau ollyngdod o Aberaman i ddyfod yma i ddechreu achos, a derbyniwyd amryw o newydd, fel yr oedd yma 33 ar ffurfiad yr eglwys. Bu Mr. Davies yn weinidog iddynt hyd ddiwedd y flwyddyn 1858, pryd y cydunodd ef a hwythau i roddi galwad i Mr. John Rees, o athrofa y Bala, ac urddwyd ef yma Ionawr 5ed a'r 6ed, 1859. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. W. Edwards, Aberdar; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. T. Llewellyn, Mountain Ash; dyrchafwyd yr urddweddi gan Mr. T. Rees, Cendl; pregethwyd i'r gweinidog gan Mr. B. Williams, Gwernllwyn, Dowlais, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. D. Stephens, Glantaf. * Bu Mr. Rees yn llafurus a llwyddianus iawn yma hyd y flwyddyn 1866, pryd y symudodd i Dreherbert. Derbyniodd amryw ugeiniau o aelodau yn nhymor ei weinidogaeth; helaethwyd y capel, a thalwyd llawer o'r ddyled. Mae yma gapel helaeth a chyfleus. Yn 1867, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. John Evans, o athrofa Caerfyrddin, ac urddwyd ef yma Awst 28ain, yn y flwyddyn hono. Cymerwyd rhan yn y gwasanaeth gan Meistri J. Davies, Cwmaman; W. Morgan, Caerfyrddin; E. A. Jones, Llangadog; W. E. Evans, Capel Seion, a'r rhan fwyaf o weinidogion Aberdar. Mae Mr. Evans yn parhau i lafurio yma hyd yn bresenol, ac yr ydym yn hyderu y bydd yma yn llwyddianus am flynyddau etto.

Nid ydym yn gwybod am neb a gyfodwyd yma i bregethu ond Mr. W. Meurig Rees, yr hwn sydd yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa Aberhonddu.

*Diwygiwr, 1859, Tu dal. 61.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

Through the work of Mr J Davies, Cardiff, when he was the minister at Aberaman, the cause started in this place. They started to build the chapel in 1855, and it opened on 2nd October of that year. They received about 27 members released from Aberaman to come here to start a cause, and received some new ones, so that there were 33 when the church was formed. Mr Davies was their minister until the end of 1858, when he joined with them in giving a call to Mr John Rees, from Bala College, and he was ordained here on January 5/6th 1859. On the occasion Mr W Edwards, Aberdare, preached on the nature of a church; Mr T Llewellyn, Mountain Ash, asked the questions;  the ordination prayer was given by Mr T Rees, Cendl; the prayer to the minister by Mr B Williams, Gwernllwyn; and to the church by Mr D Stephens, Glantaf. * Mr Rees was industrious and very successful here until 1866, when he moved to Treherbert. He admitted  scores of members during his ministry; extended the chapel, and repaid much of the debt. The chapel here is large and convenient. In 1867, they gave a call to Mr John Evans, from Carmarthen College, and he was ordained here on the 28th August of that year. Taking part in the service were Messrs J. Davies, Cwmaman; W. Morgan, Carmarthen, E. A. Jones, Llangadog; W. E. Evans, Capel Seion, and most of the ministers of Aberdare. Mr Evans continues to labour here until the present, and we are confident that he will continue successfully here for years yet.

We know of no one raised here to preach apart from Mr W Meurig Rees, who is now a student at Brecon College.

*Diwygiwr, 1859, page 61.

 

BETHEL, ABERDAR

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 342)

Diwygwyr Wesleyaidd oedd yr eglwys hon ar y cyntaf. Yr oedd yr aelodau tua deugain o rifedi pan yr ymadawsant a chorph y Wesleyaid. Yn hen gapel y Trefnyddion Calfinaidd ar Heol y Felin yr oeddynt yn addoli y pryd hwnw. Yn y flwyddyn 1859, rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. Hugh Hughes (Tegai,) i ddyfod yn weinidog iddynt, ac addawodd gydsynio ar yr amod iddynt yn ddioed adeiladu capel helaeth mewn man mwy cyfleus na'r man yr oeddynt yn addoli ynddo; ac felly y bu. Adeiladwyd Bethel yn y flwyddyn 1860, ac agorwyd ef yr un flwyddyn. Yr oedd yr eglwys tua haner cant o rif pan y symudasant o'r hen gapel i'r un newydd, ac y mae rhif yr aelodau yn bresenol yn agos i 300. Y gweinidogion a weinyddasant yn nghyfarfodydd agoriad y capel oeddynt Meistri W. C. Williams, Groeswen; J. Mathews, Castellnedd; Edward Mathews, gweinidog y Trefnyddion Calfinaidd, a Griffith Roberts, Cefn.

Bu Tegai yn gweinidogaethu yma o'r flwyddyn 1859 hyd ei farwolaeth yn Rhagfyr, 1864. Yn y flwyddyn 1865, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Robert Evans, Llanfaircaereinion, y gweinidog presenol. Dechreuodd ei weinidogaeth yma Tachwedd 5ed, 1865, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod ei sefydliad yn Chwefror, 1866, pryd y cymerwyd rhan yn y gwasanaeth gan Meistri W. Parry, Colwyn; R. Hughes, Cendl; D. Jones, B.A., Merthyr D. M. Davies, Llanfyllin, a W. Edwards, D. Price, a J. Thomas, Aberdar.

Mae yr achos hwn wedi myned rhagddo yn llewyrchus iawn er dechreuad tymor gweinidogaeth Mr. Evans hyd yn bresenol; yr eglwys a'r gwrandawyr wedi lluosogi yn fawr, a dyled y capel yn cael ei lehiau o flwyddyn i flwyddyn. Yn mysg y brodyr mwyaf blaenllaw gyda'r achos yn y lle hwn, er pan y derbyniwyd yr eglwys i gyfundeb yr Annibynwyr yn y flwyddyn 1858, gellir enwi Lewis Jones, pregethwr cynorthwyol parchus; W. James, James Evans, D. Jones, Samuel Lewis, Joshua Thomas, ac eraill.

Cafodd y rhai canlynol eu cyfodi yma i bregethu :

  • William Harrison, yr hwn a addysgwyd yn athrofa y Bala, ac sydd yn awr yn weinidog yr eglwys Gymreig yn Spring Green, Wisconsin, America.
  • R. L. Thomas, yr hwn sydd yn fyfyriwr yn athrofa Aberhonddu.

Yma hefyd yr oedd Meistri Evan Evans, Penderyn, a Luke Lake, Llangenech, yn aelodau hyd amser eu hurddiad, ond nid ydym yn meddwl mai yma y dechreuasant hwy bregethu.

COFNODIAD BYWGRAPHYDDOL (Not extracted fully)

HUGH HUGHES (Tegai). Ganwyd ef yn y flwyddyn 1805, yn mhentref bychan Cilgeraint, yn mhlwyf Llandegai, sir Gaernarfon. ...........................

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

The church here was 'Wesleyan Reformer' in the beginning. The members were about 12 in number when they departed the Wesleyan body. At the time they worshipped in the old chapel of the Calvinistic Methodists on Heol y Felin. In 1859 the church gave a call to Mr Hugh Hughes (Tegai), to become their minister, and he pledged consent on condition that they  forthwith built a larger chapel in a more convenient place than where they then worshipped; and thus it was. They built Bethel in 1860, and opened it the same year. The church was about 50 members when they moved from the old chapel to the new one, and the number is currently near to 300. The ministers who officiated at the chapel opening meeting were Messrs W. C. Williams, Groeswen; J. Mathews, Neath; Edward Mathews, minister of the Calvinistic Methodists; and Griffith Roberts, Cefn.

Tegai ministered here from 1859 until he died in December 1864. In 1865, they called Mr Robert Evans, Llanfaircaereinion, the current minister. He began his ministry here on 5th November 1865, and held his installation ceremony in February 1866, when taking part in the service were Messrs W. Parry, Colwyn; R. Hughes, Cendl; D. Jones, B.A., Merthyr D. M. Davies, Llanfyllin, and W. Edwards, D. Price, and J. Thomas, Aberdare.

This cause has moved most prosperously forward from the start of Mr Evans's ministry to the present; the church and listeners having expanded greatly, with the chapel's debt being reduced from year to year. Amongst the most leading brothers in the cause here, from when they took the church into the Independent connection in 1858, can be named Lewis Jones, a reputable assistant preacher; W. James, James Evans, D. Jones, Samuel Lewis, Joshua Thomas, and others.

The following were raised here to preach;

  • William Harrison, who was educated at Bala College, and who is now the minister at the Welsh Church, Spring Green Wisconsin, America.
  • R. L. Thomas, who is a student at Brecon College

 Also here were Messrs Evan Evans, Penderyn, and Luke Lake, Llangenech, members since the time of their hurddiad (?), but we don't think that it was here that they began to preach.

Biographical Notes (Not extracted fully)

HUGH HUGHES (Tegai). Born in 1805, in the small village Cilgeraint, in Llandegai parish, Caernarfonshire....................

 

BETHLEHEM, ABERCWMBOY   (Aberdare parish)

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

 (Vol 2, p 344)

Trwy lafur Mr. John Davies, Caerdydd, pan yn weinidog yn Aberaman, y dechreuwyd yr achos yn y lle hwn. Wedi agoryd gwaith glo yma, ac i lawer o drigolion ddyfod i gyfaneddu i'r lle, teimlai y cyfryw o honynt oedd yn aelodau yn Saron, Aberaman, ei bod yn dra anghyfleus iddynt i gerdded yno dair gwaith bob Sabboth, ac felly, darfu i Mr. Davies a hwythau, ardrethu ty anedd gan un Thomas Lewis, at gynal Ysgol Sabbothol, cyfarfodydd gweddio, a phregethu achlysurol, yn y flwyddyn 1858. Yn y cyfarfod chwarterol a gynaliwyd yn Zoar, Merthyr, yn Medi, y flwyddyn hono, penderfynwyd rhoddi pob cefnogaeth i Mr. Davies a'i bobl i ddechreu achos yma. Corpholwyd yma eglwys Hydref 10fed, 1858, ac yn fuan wedi hyny rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. William Williams, Bethesda; Brynmawr, i ymsefydlu yn weinidog arni. Nifer yr aelodau y pryd hwnw oedd tri-ar-hugain. Cynyddodd y gynnulleidfa yn fuan, fel y bu raid edrych am dir adeiladu capel.  Gosodwyd careg sylfaen capel newydd Mai 23ain, 1859, gan David Davies, Ysw., Maesyffynon. Anerchwyd y gwrandawyr ar yr achlysur gan Meistri J. Rees, Cwmaman; T. Llewelyn, Mountain Ash; W. Edwards, D. Price, ac S. Davies, Aberdar. Y diaconiaid. cyntaf yma oeddynt John Everett, David Morgan Davies, a Thomas Davies. Bu Mr. Williams yn llafurus ac yn dra llwyddianus yma am fwy na deng mlynedd. Yn Hydref, 1870, rhoddodd ofal yr eglwys i fyny. Yn mhen mis wedi hyny rhoddodd yr eglwys alwad i Mr. David Rhys Davies, Waunfawr, sir Gaernarfon, ac efe yw y gweinidog yma yn bresenol. Mae yma gapel tlws ac achos gobeithiol, ond darfu i'r sefyll allan yn y gweithiau glo yn y flwyddyn ddiweddaf effeithio agos yn ddinystriol ar yr achos hwn, fel pob achos crefyddol arall yn y gymydogaeth am rai misoedd.

Yr unig bregethwr, hyd y gwyddom ni, a gyfodwyd yma yw Mr. W. Morris, yr hwn a addysgwyd yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac sydd yn awr yn weinidog yn Brynmenyn.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (April 2009)

Through the work of Mr J Davies, Cardiff, when he was the minister at Aberaman, the cause started in this place. After a coal mine was opened here, and many inhabitants came to dwell in the place, it was felt by those of them who were members at Saron, Aberaman, that it was most inconvenient for them to walk there 3 times every Sunday, and so they and  Mr Davies, in 1858, rented a dwelling house from one Thomas Lewis, to hold  a Sunday School. prayer meetings, and occasional preaching. At the quarterly meeting held at Zoar, Merthyr, in Mya, of that year, it was decided to give every support to Mr Davies and his people to start a cause here. A church was formed here on the 10th October 1858, and soon after that they gave a call to Mr William Williams, Bethesda, Brynmawr, to be their minister. The number of members at that time was 23. The congregation increased rapidly, so they had to look for some land to build a chapel. The foundation stone  for the new chapel was laid on May 23rd 1859 by David Davies Esq, Maesyffynon. The listeners were addressed on that occasion by Messrs J. Rees, Cwmaman; T. Llewelyn, Mountain Ash; W. Edwards, D. Price, and S. Davies, Aberdare. The first deacons here were John Everett, David Morgan Davies, and Thomas Davies. Mr Williams was industrious and very successful here for over 10 years. In October 1870, he gave up his ministry here. Within a month after that they gave a call to Mr David Rhys Davies, Waunfawr, Caernarfonshire, and he is the present minister here. There is here a pretty chapel and a hopeful cause, but concerned at the imminently destructive effect of the 'lock-outs' (sefyll allan?) in the coal mines in the last year on this cause, as well as every other religious cause in the neighbourhood for some months.

The only preacher, that we know of, who was raised here is Mr W Morris, who was educated at Brecon College, and is now a minister in Brynmenyn.

 

EFAILISAF    (Llantwit Fardre parish)

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 365)

Bu y diweddar Mr. Walter Thomas, am yr hwn y crybwyllasom eisioes fwy nag unwaith, yn byw yn yr ardal hon, a phregethai yn aml yn ei dy ei hun; lle hefyd y pregethwyd gan Meistri G. Hughes, Groeswen; D. Jones Taihirion, ac eraill; ond ni wnaed un cynyg am sefydlu achos yma cyn 1841. Yn y flwyddyn hono y symudodd Phillip Williams a'i deulu, o Bontypridd i'r ardal hon; ac yr oedd William Lewis, yr hwn oedd yn ddiacon yn Taihirion, yn byw eisioes yn yr ardal, ac yn awyddus iawn am gychwyn achos yn y lle. Ymgynghorodd Phillip Williams ac yntau a'u gilydd, a rhoddasant y peth ger bron yr eglwysi yn Taihirion a Phentyrch, a cher bron Mr. Lemuel Smith, y gweinidog ar y pryd, a chafwyd cefnogaeth i fyned yn mlaen. Dechreuwyd mewn ystafell yn Awst, 1841, a buan y gwelwyd fod yn rhaid cael capel. Cafwyd darn o dir gan Thomas Phillips, Ysw Ysguborfawr, St. Ffagan, ar brydles o 999 o flynyddau, am yr ardreth  o ddeg swllt y flwyddyn, ac y mae yn cynwys lle at fynwent fechan. Dechreuwyd adeiladu yn 1842, ond cyn cwblhau yr adeilad bu farw Mr. L. Smith, yr hyn oedd yn gelled fawr i'r achos yn ei wendid. Agorwyd y capel yn 1843, a galwyd ef yn Tabernacl. Ychydig cyn agor y capel, cymerwyd gofal yr eglwys ieuangc gan Mr. L. Lawrence, Llantrisant, a pharhaodd i lafurio yma gyda gradd o lwyddiant hyd ei symudiad i Adulam, Merthyr. Daeth un Griffith Lewis, yma o'r Groeswen, yr hwn o herwydd ei wres a thanbeidrwydd ei ysbryd a fu o gynorthwy mawr i'r achos. Un o'r rhai cyntaf a dderbyniwyd yma oedd William Evans - diacon yn bresenol yn Trehafod, a'i wraig; ac nid oes yn aros ond hwy ill dau o'r rhai fu a llaw yn nghychwyniad yr achos. Symudodd Phillip Williams a'i deulu i'r Cymar, a symudodd drachefn i Drehafod a'r gychwyniad yr achos yno, a bu yn ddiacon ffyddlon yn y lle hyd ei farwolaeth. Claddwyd ef wrth gapel yr Efailisaf, Rhagfyr 21 ain, 1868; ac yn mhen y mis i'r un diwrnod ar ei ol ef, claddwyd William Lewis yn yr un lle. Teithiasant lawer yn nghyd i dy yr Arglwydd, a gweithiasant lawer yn nghyd gyda'r achos, ac y maent yn gorphwys yn nghyd yn y pentwr. Yr oedd William Lewis yn ddiacon yma er ffurfiad yr eglwys. Meddai ar synwyr cryf-parabl rhwvdd-cof da-ysbryd bywiog-a thymer heddychlon. Bu ei dy yn agored i lettya pregethwyr am flynyddoedd a hyny yn rhad. Magodd wyth o blant, ac y mae amryw o honynt yn aelodau yn y lle. *  Yn mhen deng mlynedd wedi ei agoriad, ad-drefnwyd y capel oddifewn, a rhoddwyd seddau ynddo, a chynaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei ail agoriad Ebrill 12fed a'r 13eg, 1854. Yn 1851, rhoddodd yr eglwys hon, mewn cysylltiad a'r eglwys yn Taihirion, alwad i Mr. John Davies, a chynaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei urddiad yn y ddau le y dyddiau cyntaf o Hydref y flwyddyn hono, ac y mae Mr. Davies wedi parhau i lafurio yma bellach am fwy nag ugain mlynedd. Nid oedd nifer yr aelodau yma ar sefydliad Mr. Davies ond 25, ond cynyddasant yn raddol, ac aeth y gynnulleidfa yn ormod i'r hen gapel, ac yn niwedd 1869 a dechreu 1870, adeiladwyd yr addoldy helaeth a hardd presenol. Agorwyd ef Gorphenaf 3ydd a'r 4ydd, 1870, a gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri D. Williams, Troedrhiwdalar; T. Davies, Treforis; J. M. Evans, a J. Davies, Caerdydd; J. Mathews, Castellnedd; W. E. Jones, Treforis; J. Evans, Maendy; T. Rees, D.D., Abertawy; E. James, Llanaelhaiarn, a J. Thomas, Liverpool. Cyniluniwyd y capel gan Mr. T. Thomas, Glandwr, a chostiodd 830p., heb gyfrif y cludiad; ac nid oes ond 470p. o'r ddyled yn aros. Mae golwg galonog ar yr achos yn y lle - yr Ysgol Sabbothol yn lluosog, a'r eglwys yn haelionus a gweithgar.

* Llythyr Mr. Davies, Taihirion

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Feb 2009)

Mr Walter Thomas, about whom we have already mentioned more than once, was living in this area and usually preached in his own house; where also there was preaching by Messrs. G Hughes (Groeswen), D Jones (Taihirion) and others; but  he did not offer to establ;ish a cause here before 1841. In that year Phillip Williams and his family moved to this region from Pontypridd; and William Lewis, who was a deacon in Taihirion, was already living in the area and was very keen to start a cause in this place. Phillip Williams and he conferred together and presented the case to the churches in Taihirion and Pentyrch, and to Mr Lemuel Smith who was the minister at that time, and received encouragement to go ahead. It was started in a room in August 1841 and soon it was seen that there was a need for a chapel. A piece of land was obtained from Thomas Phillips Esq., Ysguborfawr, St Fagan, on a lease for 999 years at a rent of ten shillings a year and it included space for a small cemetery. Building was started in 1842 but before completion Mr L Smith died, the one who was a great loss  to the cause in his infirmity. The chapel was opened in 1843 and it was called Tabernacle. Shortly before the opening of the chapel the care of the church had been taken by Mr L Lawrence (Llantrisant) and he continued to labour here with a degree of success until he moved to Adulam, Merthyr. One Griffith Lewis came here from Croeswen because the heat and fervour of his spirit was a great assistance to the cause. One of the first to be accepted here was William Evans, presently deacon in Trehafod, and his wife; and it was not only those two who were on hand at the beginning of the cause. Phillip Williams and his family moved to Cymar, and he moved again to Trehafod at the beginning of the cause there where he was a faithful deacon until his death. He was buried by the Efail Isaf chapel on December 21st 1868;  and at the end of the month to the day after him William Lewis was buried in the same place. Many travelled together to the house of the Lord, and many worked together with the cause, and they are resting together in the heavenly host. William Lewis was deacon here since the formation of the church. He was said to be strong minded, free speaking, a good memory, lively spirit and a peaceable temperament. His house was open to lodging for preachers for years for free. He brought up eight children and some of them are members here.*

Ten years after its opening the chapel was rearranged inside and seats were put into it, and meetings were held for its second opening on 12th and 13th April 1854. In 1851 this church, in consultation with the church in Taihirion, had sent a call to Mr John Davies, and the meetings for his ordination were held in the two places on the 1st October of that year. Mr Davies continued to work here for longer than twenty years. The number of members here was only 25 when Mr Davies was accepted here, but increased gradually and the congregation grew too big for the old chapel and at the end of 1869 and the beginning of 1870 the present large and handsome church was built. It was opened on 3rd and 4th July 1870 and preaching on the occasion were Messrs. D Williams (Troedrhiwdalar), T Davies (Treforest), J M Evans  and J Davies (Cardiff), J Matthews (Neath), W E Jones (Treforest), J Evans (Maendy), T Rees DD (Swansea), E James (Llanaelhaiarn) and J Thomas (Liverpool). The chapel was designed by Mr T Thomas, Glandwr, and cost £830 without the cost of carriage, and there is only £470 of the debt outstanding. The ouitlook for the cause here is heartening - the Sunday School is increasing, and the church is generous and industrious.

* Letter from Mr Davies, Taihirion

BRONLLWYN  (Pentyrch parish)

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p366)

Mae y capel yma yn ymyl pentref Pentyrch. Sefydlwyd yr achos yn benaf trwy offerynoliaeth Mr. Davies, Taihirion. Er ei sefydliad yn ardal yr oedd ei lygaid ar gychwyn achos yma. Pregethid, a chynhelid cyfarfodydd gweddio, a chyfeillachau yn achlysurol ar gylch yn nhai yr aelodau oedd yn perthyn i'r gwahanol eglwysi yn yr amgylchoedd, a chafwyd digon o brofion yn fuan y dylesid codi capel yn y lle. Sicrhawyd tir at gapel a lle claddu gan y diweddar Arglwydd Dynefor. Ar y Sabboth olaf yn mis Medi, 1858, aed i'r capel am y waith gyntaf. Pregethwyd gan Meistri J. Evans, Maendy, a J. Davies, Taihirion, ac eisteddwyd wrth fwrdd yr Arglwydd i gofio angau Crist. Gofynwyd am enwau y rhai oeddynt yn bwriadu uno a'r achos yn y lle, a chafwyd ugain o aelodau a derbyniwyd tri hefyd oedd yn y gyfeillach yn Taihirion ond heb eu derbyn yn gyflawn aelodau. Yr oedd dau o'r ugain o Lansantffraid , dau o Bethlehem, Pentyrch, pedwar o'r Efailisaf, a deuddeg o'r Taihirion. Cynhaliwyd cyfarfodydd yr agoriad yr ail wythnos yn Hydref, 1858, ac yn mhen yr wyth mlynedd cadwyd jubili i lawenhau fod y ddyled wedi ei thalu. Ond yn anffodus gwelwyd erbyn hyny fod y dry rot yn bwyta llawr y capel i fyny, fel yr oedd yn rhaid ail ymafael o ddifrif er cael arian i'w ail wneyd; ac yr oedd hyny yn gryn anturiaeth gan fod masnach yr ardal wedi gwaethygu yn fawr; a'r eglwys trwy ymadawiadau wedi lleihau yn fawr yn ei nifer. Ond ymwrolwyd at y gwaith. Gwelwyd y byddai y draul yn fwy na phum' cant o bunau; ond cymerodd Mr. Davies, y gweinidog, gyfrifoldeb yr haner, fel y rhoddodd hyny galon yn yr eglwys i ymgymeryd a'r haner arall. Agorwyd y capel y dyddiau cyntaf yn Mai, 1871. Nid oes ond saith yn aros o'r rhai oedd yma yn cychwyn yr achos. Bu farw chwech, symudodd pedwar o'r ardal, a gwrthgiliodd tri. O'r rhai a fuont feirw yr oedd dau yn nodedig am eu ffyddlondeb, eu gweithgarwch, a phurdeb eu cymeriad, sef Lewis Lewis, Pentyrch, a William Thomas, un genedigol o sir Benfro. Cyfodwyd yma un pregethwr, sef Job Miles, yr hwn a addysgwyd yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac sydd yn awr yn weinidog yn Bethesda, Merthyr.

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Feb 2009)

This chapel is close to the village of Pentyrch. The cause was mainly established through the medium of Mr Davies, Taihirion. Since his  induction in the area he had his eyes on starting a cause here. He preached, held prayer meetings and fellowship meetings occasionally around the houses of the members who belonged to the different churches in the region, and soon had sufficient evidence that a chapel  should be built in this place. Land was assured  for a chapel and burial ground by the late Lord Dynefor. On the last Sunday in September 1858 the chapel was attended for the first time.  Preaching was by Messrs. J Evans (Maendy), and J Davies (Taihirion), and they sat at the table of the Lord to remember the death of Christ. Names were requested of those who intended to join the cause in this place and twenty members were obtained and three others accepted who were in fellowship at Taihirion but had not been accepted as full members. Two of the twenty were from Llansantffraid, two from Bethlehem, Pentyrch, four from Efailisaf, and twelve from Taihirion. The opening service was held in the second week of October, 1858, and after the eighth year a jubilee was held to celebrate that the debt had been paid. But unfortunately it was seen after this that dry rot was eating away the floor of the chapel, so that they had to seriously start raising money again to rebuild.; and this was quite an adventure because business in the area had got a lot worse; and the church through departures had decreased a lot in numbers. But they bravely set to work. It was seen that the expense would be more than five hundred pounds; but Mr Davies, the minister, acepted resposibility for half, and this gave heart to the church to collect the other half. The chapel was opened on the first day of May, 1871. There were only seven remaining of those who were there when the cause began. Six had died, four had moved out of the area and three were backsliders. Of those who had died there were two of note for their faithfulness, their hard work and  purity of character, namely Lewis Lewis, Pentyrch and William Thomas, originally fron Pembrokeshire. One preacher was raised here, Job Miles, who was taught in the Brecon college, and who is now the minister in Bethesda, Merthyr.   

BETHEL, TREHAFOD  (Llanwonno parish)

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 349)

Saif y capel hwn tua dwy filldir i'r gorllewin o Pontypridd. Yr oedd llawer o aelodau y Cymar yn byw rhwng y Cymar a Phontypridd, a buont yn cyfarfod a'u gilydd i addoli mewn ysgoldy bychan ar Waunyreirw am flynyddau lawer. Yn y flwyddyn 1863, penderfynwyd ar adeiladu capel ar ddarn o dir perthynol i stad yr Hafod, yn mhlwyf Llanwnno. Cafwyd prydles o 99 mlynedd wedi ei chofrestru, a thalwyd am dani ddeg gini. Enwau yr ymddiriedolwyr ydyw Phillip Williams, William Evans, John Griffiths, Edmund Thomas, William Jones, Robert Bowen, Joseph Harries, David Lawrence, Phillip Morgan, Thomas Owen, John Jenkins, Morgan Davies, a Thomas Williams. Mesura y capel y tu fewn i'r muriau 36 troedfedd wrth 32 troedfedd, a chostiodd 565p. Mae enw yr hen frawd William Evans yn deilwng o goffad yn nglyn ag adeiladiad y capel hwn am ei weithgarwch a'i ffyddlondeb. Sicrhaodd y tir, torodd lawer o'r sylfaen ei hun, aeth yma a thraw i ymofyn defnyddiau, a chael arian ar log i ddwyn y gwaith yn mlaen. Gweithiodd yn ddyfal nes gorphen yr adeilad, a'r cwbl heb dderbyn un ddimai o dal am ei waith. Yr oedd y pryd hwnw yn 60 oed, ac y mae yr hen frawd yn dal ati yn ffyddlon hyd yma i wneyd pob peth amgylchiadol yr eglwys; taled yr Arglwydd iddo yn helaeth. Dechreuwyd pregethu yn y capel Awst 30ain, 1863, gan Mr. Henry Puntan, eu gweinidog. Cynaliwyd y cyfarfodydd agoriadol ar y 27ain a'r 28ain o Fedi yr un flwyddyn, pryd y gweinyddwyd gan Meistri R. Gwesyn Jones, Bethesda, Merthyr; D. Price, Aberdar; H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd; J. Thomas, Tresimwn; M. Morgans, Bethesda-y-fro; W.Williams, Abercarn, Mynwy; W. Griffiths, Llanharan, ac M. Ellis, Mynyddislwyn. Casglwyd yn y cyfarfodydd 29p. Hydref 9fed, 1863, corpholwyd yma eglwys gan Mr. H. Puntan, Cymar, a neillduwyd tri o ddiaconiaid, sef William Evans, Phillip Williams, a Jenkin Pugh. Nifer yr aelodau a ymadawodd o'r fameglwys oedd 29; ac er fod eglwys y Cymar yn llawenhau yn ymeangiad y deyrnas trwy ffurfio eglwys arall, etto yr oedd yno deimladau dwys wrth golli eu cwmni. Gan fod eglwys y Cymar yn gofyn holl lafur Mr. Puntan, gorfodwyd ef i roddi gofal yr eglwys ieuangc hon i fyny yn mhen ychydig fisoedd wedi ei chorpholi, o ganlyniad, penderfynwyd rhoddi galwad i Mr. John Griffiths, Glantaf, i gymeryd eu gofal, a'i gwasanaethu yn rhanol gydag Ebenezer, Glantaf, cydsyniodd yntau a'u cais, a chynhaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei sefydliad Mai 11eg a'r 12fed, 1864. Bu Mr. Griffiths yn llafurio yma mewn cysylltiad a Glantaf hyd Chwefror, 1869, pan y rhoddodd ei gofal i fyny. Yn Medi, yr un flwyddyn, penderfynwyd yn unfrydol i roddi galwad i Mr. Methuselah Jones - mab Mr. Jones, Pentyrch - ar ei ddyfodiad o ysgol barotoawl Milford Haven. Cydsyniodd a'r cais, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod ei urddiad ar y 6ed o Ragfyr, 1869. Ar yr achlysur pregethodd Mr. D. Richards, Caerphili, ar natur eglwys; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. J. Davies, Taihirion; gweddiwyd yr urddweddi gan Mr. J. Jones, Pentyrch; pregethwyd siars i'r gweinidog gan Dr. Rees, Abertawy, ac i'r eglwys gan Mr. J. Davies, Caerdydd. Mae golwg addawol iawn ar yr eglwys hon yn bresenol, a'r gweinidog a'i bobl yn cydymdrech gyda ffydd yr efengyl. Mae yr eglwys hon er nad yw ond ieuangc wedi cael colledion lawer o bryd i bryd;  ac yn enwedig teimlodd yn ddwys yn marwolaeth Phillip Williams, un o ddiaconiaid cyntaf yr eglwys, ac un o'i chedrwydd cryfaf. Bu yn grefyddwr cyson am ddeugain mlynedd, a bu ei ddiwedd yn dangnefedd.

Translation by Gareth Hicks (May 2009)

 This chapel stands about 2 miles west of Pontypridd. Many members of Cymar lived between Cymar and Pontypridd, and they met together to worship in a small schoolhouse on Waunyreirw for many years. In 1863, they decided to build a chapel on a piece of land belonging to the Hafod estate, in Llanwonno parish. They obtained a lease for 99 years after registration, and paid 9 guineas for it. The trustees names were Phillip Williams, William Evans, John Griffiths, Edmund Thomas, William Jones, Robert Bowen, Joseph Harries, David Lawrence, Phillip Morgan, Thomas Owen, John Jenkins, Morgan Davies, and Thomas Williams. The chapel messured 36ft by 32ft within the walls, and it cost £565. The name of the old brother William Evans deserves to be remembered in connection with the building for his work and loyalty. He got hold of the land, he dug up much of the footings himself, went here and there to fetch materials, and borrowed money to keep the work going. He worked diligently until it was complete, and all without accepting a halfpenny payment for his efforts. He was then 60 years old, and the old brother is still at it faithfully even now on everything to do with the church; the Lord will repay him handsomely. Preaching began in the church on on 30th August 1863, by Mr Henry Puntan, their minister.  The opening ceremony was held on 27/28th Sept of that year,  those who officiated were Messrs R. Gwesyn Jones, Bethesda, Merthyr; D. Price, Aberdar; H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd; J. Thomas, Tresimwn; M. Morgans, Bethesda-y-fro; W.Williams, Abercarn, Mynwy; W. Griffiths, Llanharan, and M. Ellis, Mynyddislwyn. They collected at that meeting £29. On 9th Oct 1863 a church was formed by Mr H Puntan, Cymar, and appointed 3 deacons, namely William Evans, Phillip Williams, and Jenkin Pugh. The number of members who left the mother church was 29; and although the church at Cymar rejoiced (yn ymeangiad ?) the kingdom in forming another church, yet they had deep feelings in losing their company. As the church at Cymar required Mr Puntan's whole attention, he had to give up the care of this young church within a few months after it was formed, as a result, they decided to give a call to Mr John Griffiths, Glantaf, to look after them, as well as Ebenezer, Glantaf, and he accepted, and his installation meeting was held on 11th/12th May 1864. Mr Griffiths laboured here jointly with Glantaf until February 1869, when he gave it up. In Sept that year, they unaminously decided to give a call to Mr Methuselah Jones - son of Mr jones, Pentyrch - on his arrival from the preparatory school at Milford Haven. He accepted the request, and his ordination was held on 6th December 1869. On the occasion Mr D Richards, Caerphili, preached on the nature of a church; Mr J Davies, Taihirion asked the questions; ordination prayer given by Mr J Jones, Pentyrch; the charge to the minister by Dr Rees, Swansea; and to the church by Mr J Davies, Cardiff. This church has a most promising outlook at present, the minister and his people are working together with the faith of the evangel. This church, although young, has suffered much deprivation  from time to time, and especially felt deeply the death of Phillip Williams, one of the first deacons here, and one of its strongest supports. He was a constant rock for 40 years, and his end was peaceful.

 

DINAS, CWMRHONDDA (Llantrisant parish)

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 350)

Mae y Dinas yn nghwr uchaf plwyf Llantrisant. Yr oedd amryw o aelodau y Cymar yn cyfaneddu yn yr ardal ac yn cynal cyfarfodydd gweddi a phregethu yn achlysurol am flynyddoedd cyn ffurfiad yr eglwys. Bu y duwiol Benjamin Davies, o'r Graigddu, yn ffyddlon a'r gyda'r achos am amser hir, ac yr oedd ei ddymuniad yn fawr am weled capel wedi ei godi yn yr ardal; cafodd fyw i weled hyny, ond galwyd ef adref cyn cael yr hyfrydwch o addoli ynddo. Evan Foster hefyd a fu yn ffyddlon am flynyddau, ond dirwynodd ei yrfa i'r terfyn cyn iddo weled y capel. Yn y flwyddyn 1869, adeiladwyd yma gapel, yr hwn a alwyd yn Bethania, ar dir Graigddu, ar brydles o 999 o flynyddoedd, am swllt y flwyddyn o ardreth. Agorwyd y capel Tachwedd 14eg a'r 15fed, 1869. Gweinyddwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri D. Hughes, B.A., Tredegar; W. Williams, Abercarn; T. Thomas, Tresimwn; W. I. Morris, Pontypridd; D. A. Jones, Cefn-coed-y-cymer; L. Probert, Bodringallt; T. G. Jones, Treorci, a J. W. Morris, Llanbaran. Costiodd y capel 407p. 10s. 7 1/2c.  Bu y lle o'r dechreuad dan ofal Mr. H. Puntan, Cymar, hyd ddiwedd y flwyddyn 1870, pryd yr aeth i fyw i Abertawy.

Cyn diwedd y flwyddyn 1871, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. T. George, Llaneirwg, a chynhaliwyd cyfarfodydd ei sefydliad Ionawr 24ain 25ain, 1872, ac y mae golwg siriol a llewyrchus ar yr achos ieuangc yn y lle. Cafodd yr ardal gam dirfawr na buasai achos wedi ei sefydlu yma flynyddoedd yn gynt.

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Oct 2008)

Dinas is in the upper corner of the Llantrisant parish. There were some Cymar members living in the area and holding prayer meetings and services occasionally for years before forming the church.  The godly Benjamin Davies of Craigddu was faithful to the cause for a long time, and he very much wished to see a chapel built in the area; he lived to see that, but was called home before he was able to worship in it. Evan Foster also had been faithful for years, but his life came to an end before he could see the chapel. A chapel was built here in the year 1869, this was called Bethania, on the land of Craigddu, for a lease of 999 years for a rent of one shillng a year. The chapel was opened on 14th and 15th November 1869. Ministering on the occasion were Messrs. D Hughes BA (Tredegar), W Williams (Abercarn), T Thomas (Tresimwn), W I Morris (Pontypridd), D A Jones (Cefn-coed-y-cymer), L Probert (Bodringallt), T G Jones (Treorci) and J W Morris (Llanharan). The chapel cost £407 10s 7½d. From the start the place was under the care of Mr H Puntan (Cymar) until the end of the year 1870 when he went to live in Swansea.

Before the end of  1871 a call was sent to Mr T George (St Mellons) and his induction service was on 24th and 25th January 1872, and there is a cheerful and bright outlook for the young cause in this place. The region would have made greater strides if the cause had been started here years earlier.

 

CYMAR, LLANTRISANT

Proof read by Gareth Hicks (Feb 2008)

(Vol 2, p 345)

Mae yn lled sicr fod rhai Ymneillduwyr yn Nghwmrhondda er dyddiau yr Anghydffurfwyr, os nad cyn hyny, ond nid oes genym unrhyw gofnodiad am eu henwau na'u rhifedi. Cafodd yr achos yn y Cymar ei ddechreu trwy lafur Mr. Henry Davies, gweinidog yr eglwys Ymneillduol yn Mlaengwrach, Glynnedd. Nis gwyddom pa flwyddyn yn gywir y ffurfiwyd eglwys yma. Yr oedd Mr. Davies yn gweinidogaethu yn Mlaengwrach er y flwyddyn 1718, ac yr oedd ganddo eglwys fechan dan ei ofal yn mhlwyf Llanharan yn y flwyddyn 1734. Mae yn sicr y byddai ef yn pregethu yn fynych mewn anedd-dai yn mhlwyfydd Ystradhafodog, Llanwnno, a Llantrisant, oddiar ei sefydliad yn Mlaengwrach. Yr ydym yn cael ein tueddu i farnu mai tua y flwyddyn 1738 y ffurfiwyd yma eglwys. Mewn llythyr at Mr. Howell Harries, dyddiedig Medi 21 ain, 1738, dywed Mr. Davies fod o ddeugain i haner cant o bersonau yn mhlwyf yr Ystrad yn ymgynnull i ddarllen, gweddio, a chanu Salmau, a bod niferi hefyd yn gwneyd yr un modd yn mhlwyf Llantrisant; ac mewn llythyr arall at Mr. Harries, dyddiedig Mawrth 27ain, 1741, dywed fod y gwaith da yn myned rhagddo yn rhagorol yn Nglynogwy. Mae yn ddiameu mai y bobl y cyfeiria y llythyrau hyn atynt oedd y rhai a gorpholwyd yn eglwys yn y Cymar. Adeiladwyd capel y Cymar ar derfyn gogleddol plwyf Llantrisant, ac mewn lle cyfleus i breswylwyr plwyfydd yr Ystrad a Llanwnno i ddyfod iddo, tua y flwyddyn 1740. Wedi cael y capel hwn yn barod, a chynnulleidfa luosog i gyrchu iddo, rhoddodd Mr. Davies ofal yr eglwys yn Mlaengwrach i fyny, a chyfyngodd ei lafur i'r Cymar. Wedi bod yma yn llafurio am ddeuddeg neu bedair-blynedd-ar-ddeg, tua y flwyddyn 1752, cafodd Mr. William Morgan, un o aelodau yr eglwys, ei urddo yn gynorthwywr iddo. Parhaodd Mr. Davies yma yn llafurus a llwyddianus hyd derfyn ei oes, yn Gorphenaf 1766. Wedi ei farwolaeth ef, Mr. Morgan fu yr unig weinidog yma hyd ei farwolaeth yn 1787. Dilynwyd Mr. Morgan gan Mr. Morgan Jones, gwr genedigol o Lanwrtyd, a bu yma yn barchus a dylanwadol iawn hyd derfyn ei oes yn y flwyddyn 1817.  Yn fuan wedi marwolaeth Mr. Jones, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Thomas Davies, Bethania, Llanon, sir Gaerfyrddin. Bu yntau yma hyd ei farwolaeth yn Ionawr, 1825. Ar y 29ain o Fedi, yn yr un flwyddyn, urddwyd Mr. Joshua Evans yma, ac yma y bu yn rhyfeddol o barchus ac anarferol o lwyddianus hyd derfyn ei yrfa ddaearol yn 1855.

O ddiffyg defnyddiau nid oes genym fodd i roddi unrhyw hanes am amgylchiadau yr achos o'i ddechreuad, tua 1738, hyd farwolaeth Mr. Thomas Davies yn 1825. Y cwbl a wyddom ydyw, fod y gynnulleidfa yn lluosog a bod llawer o'r teuluoedd mwyaf cyfrifol yn mhlwyfydd Llantrisant, Llanwnno, ac Ystradhafodog yn perthyn iddi. Byddai rhai hefyd yn dyfod yma o gyrau plwyfydd Eglwysilan, Llanilltydyfardre, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdar, a Glynogwy. Yr oedd gan y bobl gynt ryw serch nodedig at y lle yn yr hwn y buasai eu henafiaid wedi arfer bod yn addoli ynddo, ac er symud o'r ardal, parhaent i gyrchu yn fisol neu fynychach i'r hen le a ystyrid mor gysegredig ganddynt.

Bu diwygiad grymus iawn yn y Cymar yn y flwyddyn 1830, a diwedd y flwyddyn flaenorol, pryd y cafodd rhai ugeiniau, os nad canoedd, eu hychwanegu at yr eglwys. Mewn canlyniad i'r ychwanegiad hwn bu raid tynu yr hen gapel i lawr, ac adeiladu un helaethach, yr hwn a agorwyd Tachwedd 5ed a'r 6ed, 1834, pryd y pregethwyd gan Meistri Griffiths, Abertawy; Rowlands, Pontypool; Davies, New Inn; Hughes, Dowlais; Griffiths, Llanharan; Stephenson, Nantyglo; Morgans, Blaenafon, ac eraill. Effaith y diwygiad grymus hwn hefyd fu sefydliad canghenau o'r fameglwys yn y Cymar yn Mhontypridd a'r Castellau. Yn y flwyddyn 1856, rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Henry Puntan, myfyriwr yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef yma Awst 4ydd a'r 5ed, yn yr un flwyddyn. Y gweinidogion a gymerasant ran yn y gwasanaeth oeddynt Meistri D. Stephens, Glantaf; H. Oliver, B.A., Pontypridd; W. Edwards, Aberdar; Joshua Thomas, Aberdar; D. Jones, Gwynfe; W. Griffiths, Llanharan; S. Davies, Taihirion, a J. B. Jones, B.A., Hermon. Parhaodd Mr. Puntan i fyned i mewn ac allan o flaen y bobl yma hyd 1870, pryd y rhoddodd ofal yr eglwys i fyny. Dichon y buasai yn fanteisiol iddo ef a'r bobl pe buasai yn gwneyd ei hun ychydig yn fwy cyhoeddus ac yn ymgyfeillachu mwy a'i frodyr yn y weinidogaeth. Pa fodd bynag, yr oedd yr eglwys pan y rhoddwyd ei gofal i fyny gan Mr. Puntan yn gref ac yn lluosog iawn. Gan fod poblogaeth yr ardal yn cynyddu yn gyflym, penderfynwyd adeiladu capel helaethach yn 1870, ac y mae er's amser bellach wedi ei orphen a'i agor, ac yn un o'r addoldai prydferthaf yn y sir. Mr. Thomas, Glandwr oedd ei gynllunydd.

Mae yr eglwys yn awr wedi rhoddi galwad i Mr. David Evans, Abermaw, sir Feirionydd, a bwriada ddechreu ei weinidogaeth yma ddechreu yr haf hwn (1872).

Mae yn dra thebyg fod amryw o aelodau yr eglwys hon wedi cael eu cyfodi i bregethu yn y ganrif ddiweddaf nad ydym ni wedi gallu dyfod o hyd i'w henwau. Y rhai canlynol yw yr unig rai a gyfodwyd yma cyn belled ag y gwyddom ni.

  • William Morgan. Gweler ei hanes ef yn mysg y gweinidogion.
  • Daniel Thomas, Pontypridd. Bu ef am tua haner can mlynedd yn bregethwr cynorthwyol derbyniol iawn yn ei fameglwys. Nid oedd yn adnabyddus fel pregethwr ond mewn pump neu chwech o'r eglwysi cymydogaethol. Yr oedd ei alwedigaeth fydol yn ei orfodi i fod yn wastadol gartref, ac felly ni ddarfu iddo deithio dim fel pregethwr trwy ei holl oes. Mae yr hen gristion da hwn wedi myned oddiwrth ei waith at ei wobr er's tuag ugain mlynedd bellach.
  • Joseph Williams, yr hwn fu am flynyddau yn weinidog yn Bethlehem, St. Clears. Y mae yn offeiriad yn yr Eglwys Sefydledig yn awr.
  • William Williams, yr hwn a addysgwyd yn athrofa Aberhonddu, a fu am flynyddau yn weinidog yn Adulam, Tredegar, ag sydd yn awr yn Abercarn, Mynwy.
  • William Morgan, gweinidog yr eglwys yn Saron, Troedyrhiw, Merthyr.
  • William Davies. Yr hwn fu am flynyddau yn bregethwr cynorthwyol yma, ac mewn lleoedd eraill, ac a urddwyd yn ddiweddar yn Nantmoel, Glynogwy.
  • Benjamin Davies, yr hwn sydd yn weinidog yn Glandwr, Glyntaf.
  • John Rees. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa Aberhonddu, ac urddwyd ef ychydig amser yn ol yn Nghwmbran, Mynwy.

Gwelwn fod chwech o weinidogion wedi bod yn yr eglwys hon o 1738 hyd 1870. Bu y pump cyntaf yma hyd eu marwolaeth, ac y maent oll yn gorphwys yn y fynwent wrth y capel. Mr. Puntan oedd y cyntaf a ymadawodd oddi yma cyn i angau ei symud.

COFNODION BYWGRAPHYDDOL (Not extracted fully)

HENRY DAVIES. Cafodd ef ei eni yn sir Gaerfyrddin, ond nid ydym yn gwybod yn mha ran o'r sir. .........................

WILLIAM MORGAN. Yr oedd ef yn byw yn Nhroedrhiwtrwyn, yn agos i'r Cymar, ac y mae yn dra thebyg mai efe oedd perchenog y lle hwnw. .......................

MORGAN JONES. Ganwyd ef yn yr Esgairlas, yn mhlwyf Llanfihangel, Abergwesyn, Brycheiniog, yn y flwyddyn 1758. .........................

THOMAS DAVIES. Yn anffodus nid oes genym ond y peth nesaf i ddim o'i hanes ef. .........................

JOSHUA EVANS. Ganwyd ef yn ardal Godrerhos, Morganwg, Rhagfyr 28ain, 1797. ............................

Translation by Steve Stephenson (Oct 2008)

It is fairly sure that there were some nonconformists  in Cwmrhondda since the days of the dissenters, if not before that, but they didn't have any records of names or numbers. The cause in Cymar started through the labours of Mr Henry Davies, minister of the non-conformist church in Blaengwrach, Glynnedd.  We do not know exactly which year the church was formed here. Mr Davies was the minister in Blaengwrach from 1718, and he had a small church in the parish of  Llanharan under his care in the year 1734. It is certain that he would have been preaching regularly in dwelling houses in the parishes of Ystradfodwg, Llanwynno and Llantrisant from his induction in Blaengwrach.We are inclined to believe that the church was formed here in 1738. In a letter to Mr Howell Harries dated June 21st 1738 Mr Davies said that 40 to 50 people in Ystrad parish assembled to read, pray and sing psalms, and that a number also had done the same thing in Llantrisant parish. In another letter to Mr Harries dated March 27th 1741 he said that the good work was proceeding splendidly in Glynogwr. Without doubt the people who addressed these letters to them were those who formed the church in Cymar. The chapel in Cymar was built during the year 1740 at the northern end of Llantrisant parish, in a convenient place for the inhabitants of the parishes of Ystrad and Llanwynno to come to. Having got the chapel ready and a numerous congregation to go to it, Mr Davies gave up the church in Blaengwrach and confined his work to Cymar. Having worked here  for 12 or 14 years, around the year 1752, Mr William Morgan, one of the members of the church, was ordained to assist him. Mr Davies continued labouring here successfully unti the end of his days, in July 1766. After his death Mr Morgan was the only minister until his death in 1787. Mr Morgan was followed by Mr Morgan Jones, a man originally from Llanwrtyd, and he was here, respectable and influential, until the end of his days in 1817. Soon after the death of Mr Jones a call was sent to Mr Thomas Davies (Bethania, Llanon Carmarthenshire). He was here until his death in January 1825. On the 29th June in the same year Mr Joshua Evans was ordained here, and he was here very respectable and  unusually successful until the end of his earthly race in 1855.

From a lack of documents we did not have the means of giving any history of the circumstances of the cause from the its beginning around 1738, until the death of Mr Thomas Davies in 1825. All that we know is that the congegation was numerous and that lots of the most responsible families belonged to the parishes of Llantrisant, Llanwnno and Ystradyfodwg. Some would have come here also from the surrounding parishes of Eglwysilan, Llanilltyd Fardre, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdar and Glynogwr.

The former people had some notable love for the place in which their ancestors used to worship, and after moving from the area they continued to go each month or more often to the old place that was  so sacred to them.

There was a very strong revival in Cymar in the year 1830, and at the end of the previous year , when some scores if not hundreds were converted and added to the church. Asa result of this increase there was a need to tear down the old chapel and build a bigger one which was opened on the 5th and 6th November 1834 when the ministry was given by Messrs.Griffiths (Swansea), Rowlands (Pontypool), Davies (New Inn), Hughes ( Dowlais), Griffiths ( Llanharan), Stephenson (Nantyglo), Morgans (Blaenafon) and others. A result of this powerful revival was also to establish branches of the mother church in Cymar, Pontypridd and Castellau. In the year 1856 a call was sent to Mr Henry Puntan, who was a student in Brecon college, and he was ordained here on the 4th and 5th August in the same year. The ministers who took part in the service were Messrs. D Stephens (Glantaf), H Oliver BA (Pontypridd), W Edwards (Aberdar), Joshua Thomas ( Aberdar), D Jones (Gwynfe), W Griffiths (Llanharan), S Davies (Taihirion) and J B Jones BA ( Hermon). Mr Puntan continued to go in and out before the people here until 1870, when he gave up the care of the church. Perhaps it would have been an advantage to him and the people if he could have been working a bit more publicly and associating with his brothers in the ministry. Whatever, the church was strong and very numerous when Mr Puntan gave up his care. Because the population in the area was increasing rapidly it was decided to build a larger chapel in 1870 and  it has finished and opened for some time, one of the most handsome places of worship in the county. Mr Thomas (Glandwr) was its architect.

The church now sent a call to Mr David Evans (Barmouth, Merionythshire) and he  intends to start his ministry here at the start of this summer (1872).

It is very likely that several of the members of this church have been called to preach in the last century but we aren't able to give their names. Those following are the only ones that were raised here as far as we know.

  • William Morgan. See his history among the ministers.
  • Daniel Thomas (Ponypridd). He was for about fifty years a very acceptable assistant preacher in his mother church. He wasn't well known as a preacher except in five or six of the neighbouring churches. His earthly calling was in his insistence to be always at home, and therefore he wasn't scared not to travel as a preacher through his whole life. This good old christian has gone from his work to his prize after about twenty years further.
  • Joseph Williams. He was for years minister in Bethlehem, St Clears. He is now the priest in the Established Church.
  • William Williams. He was educated in Brecon college and was for years minister in Adulam, Tredegar. He is now in Abercarn, Monmouthshire.
  • William Morgan. Minister in the church in Saron, Troedyrhiw, Merthyr.
  • William Davies. He has been for years an assistant preacher here and in other places, and he was ordained lately in Nantymoel, Glynogwy.
  • Benjamin Davies. He is minister in Glandwr, Glyntaf.
  • John Rees. Educated in Brecon college and he was ordained a little time ago in Cwmbran, Monmouthshire.

We see that there have been six ministers in this chuch from 1738 until 1870. The first five were here until their deaths, and they are all buried in the chapel cemetery. Mr Puntan was the first who departed from here before death moved him.

Biographical Notes (not extracted fully)

Henry Davies. He was born in Carmarthenshire but we don't know from which part of the county........

William Morgan. He lived in Troedrhiwtrwyn, close to Cymar, and it is quite likely that he was the owner of that place................

Morgan Jones. He was born in Esgairlas, in the parish of Llanfihangel, Abergwesyn, Breconshire in the year 1758......................

Thomas Davies. Unfortunately we have little of his history......................

Joshua Evans. He was born in the region of Godrerhos, Glamorgan on December 28th 1797.........