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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+)

Extracted  by Gareth Hicks from the CD published by Archive CD Books (Dec 2007) - with translation


Rehoboth Independent chapel

(Vol 3. p38)

"Mae y capel hwn yn sefyll tua haner y ffordd o Dyddewi i Abergwaun. Cangen o Rhosycaerau ydyw, a Meistri W. Davies a D. Bateman a lafuriodd yma yn benaf yn sefydliad yr achos. Oherwydd y pellder o Rhosycaerau, dechreuwyd cynal cyfarfodydd gweddi ac ysgol Sabbothol mewn tai yn yr ardal, a cheid pregeth yn achlysurol. Aeth y cynnulliadau yn fuan yn rhy luosog i'r tai eu cynwys, a chafwyd gwasanaeth ystordy yn Abercastell, lle y buwyd yn addoli am ysbaid blwyddyn. Meddyliwyd am gael capel, a chafwyd tir gan Mr. Bateman, Rhoslawryfach, am bris isel i fod byth at wasanaeth yr enwad. Adeiladwyd y capel, ac agorwyd ef Ebrill 13eg a'r 14eg, 1841. Ffurfiwyd yma eglwys Gorphenaf 9fed, yr un flwyddyn. Yr oedd gweinidogion Rhosycaerau, a Mr. Griffiths, Tyddewi, yn bresenol ar y pryd, ac ymunodd 25 o bersonau i ddechreu yr achos. Bu y lle dan ofal gweinidogion Rhosycaerau hyd nes y gorfodwyd hwy oblegid pellder ffordd i roddi yr eglwys i fyny. Rhoddwyd galwad i Mr. Samuel Evans i fod yn weinidog yma. Yr oedd Mr. Evans yma yn flaenorol yn cadw ysgol ddyddiol, ac yn pregethu yn fynych, ac urddwyd ef Hydref  1af, 1845. Ar yr achlysur pregethwyd ar natur eglwys gan Mr. J. Griffiths, Tyddewi; holwyd y gofyniadau gan Mr. H. Davies, Narberth ; dyrchafwyd yr urdd-weddi gan Mr. W. Davies, Abergwaun ; pregethodd Mr. E. Rees, Penmain, ar ddyledswydd y gweinidog, a Mr. D. Davies, Zion's-hill, ar ddyledswydd yr eglwys. Llafuriodd Mr. Evans yma am fwy na phum' mlynedd, pryd y rhoddodd ofal yr eglwys i fyny, ac y mae yn awr yn byw yn Goodwick, gerllaw Abergwaun, ac yn pregethu yn gyson. Wedi ymadawiad Mr. Evans, y mae yr eglwys hon wedi bod o dan yr un weinidogaeth o Berea, dan ofal Mr. Jenkins a Mr. Johns. Mae yr achos yma wedi cynhyddu yn fawr yn y blynyddau diweddaf. Yn haf 1871, adnewyddwyd y capel, a chynaliwyd cyfarfod ei ailagoriad yn mis Hydref, yn nglyn a chyfarfod chwarterol y cyfundeb, ac yr oedd holl ddyled yr adgyweiriad wedi ei thalu. Ni chodwyd yma neb i bregethu.

Coffeir yma am Cunnick, Prothero, a John Francis, fel y tri Amenwr. Gan nad ydyw y sir yn nodedig am eu gwresawgrwydd, yr oedd eu dagrau breision, a'u hamenau cynes hwy yn tynu sylw. Diaconiaid presenol yr eglwys ydynt, Thomas Francis, R. Phillips, a J. Harries.* "

* Llythyr Mr. D. Johns.

Translation by Maureen Saycell (Jan 2008)

"This Chapel stands about half way between St. David's and Fishguard. It is a branch of Rhosycaerau and Messrs W. Davies and D. Bateman worked hardest to establish the cause here. Because of the distance from Rhosycaerau prayer meetings and Sunday school were started and held in houses around the area, and sermons given occasionally. The congregation soon became too large for the houses to contain, and a storehouse at Abercastell was pressed into service, where worship took place for about a year. A new chapel was thought about, and some land was acquired from Mr Bateman, Rhoslawryfach, for a low price to be forever to the service of the denomination. The chapel was built, and opened on April 13th and 14th, 1841. A church was established here on July 9th of the same year. The ministers of Rhosycaerau, and Mr Griffiths, St. David's, were present at the time and twenty five people joined together to establish the cause. The place was under the care of Rhosycaerau until they were forced because of the distance to give up the church. A call was issued  to Mr Samuel Evans to be the minister. Mr Evans had previously kept  a day school, and preached frequently, he was ordained on October 1st 1845. On the occasion a sermon was given on the nature of a church by Mr Griffiths, St.David's and the questions were asked by Mr H Davies, Narberth. The ordaining prayer was offered by Mr W Davies, Fishguard. Mr E, Rees gave a sermon on the duties of the minister, and Mr D Davies on the duties of the church. Mr Evans worked for more than five years when he gave up the care of the church, he now lives in Goodwick, near Fishguard and still preaches regularly

Since Mr Evans left this church has come under the ministry of Berea, under the care of Mr Jenkins and Mr Johns. This cause has grown considerably in the last few years. In the summer of 1871 the chapel was updated and reopening services were held in October along with the quarterly meetings, and all the debt had been repaid. No ministers were raised here.

Memories here of Cunnick, Prothero, and John Francis as the three Ameners. The county was not well known for it's fervour, their large tears and their warm amens drew the attention.
Current deacons are:-Thomas Francis, R. Phillips, a J. Harries.* "

* Letter Mr D Johns