Hanes Eglwysi Annibynnol Cymru.

(History of the Welsh Independent Churches)

By Thomas Rees & John Thomas; 4 volumes (published 1871+)

Extracted  by Gareth Hicks from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Jan 2008) - with translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2008)

Saron, Bryncrug, Tywyn

(Vol 1, p 489/90)

"Mae y lle hwn o fewn dwy filldir i Dowyn. Dechreuwyd cynal Ysgol Sabbothol a chyfarfodydd gweddio yn Rhydyronen, pentref o fewn haner milldir i'r fan lle y sail y capel presenol. Bu yr achos yn y lle hwnw mewn gwedd flodeuog dros flynyddau, ac er y cynhelid yno bregethu cyson a chyfeillachau crefyddol yn rheolaidd, etto, elai yr aelodau i Dowyn i gymundeb. Trwy lafur Mr. Lloyd, Towyn, ac eraill o'r cyfeillion, yn enwedig Mr. Hugh Davies, Gwyndy, cafwyd lle i adeiladu addoldy ar brydles.* Mae y capel yn mesur wyth llath yn ysgwar. Galwyd ef Saron.

Agorwyd ef Awst 1af, 1837, a phregethwyd ar yr achlysur gan Meistri R. Jones, Aberhosan; S. Williams, Dinas ; E. Evans, Abermaw ; J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair, a J. Parry, Machynlleth. Ffurfiwyd eglwys yma yn ddioed wedi codi y capel, ac y mae y lle o'r dechreuad wedi bod o dan yr un weinidogaeth a Towyn, ac felly y mae yn parhau. Ni bu yr achos yma erioed yn gryf, ac nis gellir disgwyl iddo fod, oblegid cyfyng yw y maes, ond y mae yn cryfhau ac yn ennill tir yn raddol, a'r eglwys a'i gweinidog yn cydweithio yn galonog.

Codwyd y personau canlynol i bregethu yma.

• John Thomas. Aelod o Machynlleth ydoedd, ond yma yn cadw ysgol yr oedd pan ddechreuodd bregethu. Urddwyd ef yn Dinasmawddwy, ac y mae yn awr yn Abertawy.
• Hugh D. Pughe. Addysgwyd ef yn athrofa y Bala. Urddwyd ef yn Meifod. Symudodd i'r Drefnewydd, lle y bu farw yn mlodeu ei ddyddiau. Yr ydym eisioes yn nglyn a'r eglwys hono wedi gwneyd byr grybwylliad am dano.
• Robert Thomas. Bu yn efrydydd yn athrofa y Bala, ac y mae wedi ei urddo yn Llanelltyd.
• Lewis Jones. Yr oedd yn wr ieuangc cymeradwy, ond bu farw yn ieuangc."

  * Llythr Mr Isaac Thomas

Translation by Eleri Rowlands (Feb 2008)

 "This place is within two miles of Towyn. The cause started with Sunday schools and prayer meetings held in Rhydyronen, a village situated about half a mile from where the present chapel stands. The cause in this place was flourishing over the years, and even though regular preaching and religious meetings were held here, the members still went to Towyn for their communion. Through the efforts of Mr Lloyd, Towyn, and other friends, especially Mr Hugh Davies, Gwyndy, a place was found to build a house of worship on a lease.* The chapel is eight yards square. It was called Saron.

It was opened on August 1st, 1837, and Mr R. Jones, Aberhosan; Mr S. Williams, Dinas ; Mr E. Evans, Barmouth ; Mr J. Roberts, Llanbrynmair, and Mr  J. Parry, Machynlleth preached. A church was established here immediately after opening the chapel and from the beginning it has been under the care of the same minister as Towyn, and that arrangement still stands. The cause here was never strong, and it never can be expected to be strong, as the field is narrow, but it is strengthening and gaining ground gradually and the church and its minister are working together heartily.

These persons have been raised to preach here

• John Thomas. He was a member from Machynlleth, but he came here to keep school when he started peaching. He was ordained in Dinasmawddwy, and he is now in Swansea.
• Hugh D. Pughe. He was taught in Bala college. He was ordained in Meifod. He moved to Newtown, where he died in the flower of his youth. We have already mentioned him in connection with that church.
• Robert Thomas. He was a student in Bala college, and he was ordained in Llanelltyd.
• Lewis Jones. He was an acceptable  young man, but he died young. "

*Mr Isaac Thomas' letter