Calfaria, Abercynon facts for kids

Calfaria, Abercynon was a special building called a Baptist chapel. It was located on Glancynon Street in Abercynon, a town in Mid Glamorgan, Wales. People went there for religious services, and these services were always held in the Welsh language.

The Chapel's Beginning

The first records of people getting baptized (a religious ceremony) in Abercynon date back to 1835. For a while, services were held in a place called the New Inn, starting around 1850.

But the actual Calfaria chapel building wasn't built until 1888. This first building was known as Glancynon. It cost about £285 to build, which was a lot of money back then!

However, after only a few years, the chapel became too small for everyone who wanted to attend. So, a brand new, bigger chapel was built in 1894. This new building cost much more, around £1800. It was made even bigger in 1904, with another £2000 spent on it. Calfaria became one of the largest chapels in the whole Cynon Valley area. The first minister, or leader, of the chapel was a person named J.F. Williams.

Later Years and Closing

In 1905, a new minister named Benjamin Howells joined the church. He came from Gelliwen, St Clears, and was originally from Llanelli. He officially started his work in December of that year. At this time, the church had about 250 members.

Benjamin Howells stayed at Abercynon for twelve years. In 1918, he moved to Letterston, a town in Pembrokeshire.

The very last service held at the Calfaria chapel was on October 8, 1981. The building was taken down, or demolished, in 1983. By 1987, new flats (apartments) were built on the site where the chapel once stood.