Heolyfelin Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heol-y-felin |
|
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SN99480361 |
| Location | Bell Street, Trecynon |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| History | |
| Founded | 1855 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 1 October 1991 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Mid 19th century |
| Closed | by Dec 2015 |
Heolyfelin Chapel, also known as Heol-y-Felin, was a special church in Trecynon, Wales. It was a Baptist chapel where services were held in the Welsh language. Built in 1855, it was big enough for 800 people! The chapel closed its doors by December 2015.
Contents
The Chapel's Beginning
How Heolyfelin Chapel Started
The idea for Heolyfelin Chapel began in the 1840s. People in the Trecynon area started holding prayer meetings and a Sunday school. The name "Heolyfelin" means 'Mill Road'. This name came from the Aberdare Ironworks, a big factory nearby.
Building the Chapel
In 1849, a coal mine called Ysguborwen Colliery opened in Llwydcoed. Many Baptist families moved to the area to work there. They first held their prayer meetings at the Wesleyan Chapel.
The chapel building was designed in 1852 by Thomas Joseph. He was an engineer from Hirwaun who worked with coal mines in Aberdare. Heolyfelin Chapel was connected to another chapel called Ramoth in Hirwaun. Thomas Joseph helped many miners from Ramoth move to Trecynon. The chapel cost about £800 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
Growing Membership
Heolyfelin Chapel had many members from 1860 until World War I. Between 350 and 500 people were members during this time. The most members they ever had was in 1906. This was right after the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, a time when many people became more interested in faith. In December 1904, 95 new members joined Heolyfelin Chapel.
Early Leaders
The first minister of the chapel was Benjamin Evans. He served from 1852 to 1861. After him, William Harries became the minister from 1862 to 1902. He was a very important leader and even became the president of the Baptist Union of Wales in 1891-1892.
The Chapel in the 20th Century
New Ministers and Growth
W. Cynog Williams took over as minister in 1903. He came from Pembrokeshire. Early in his time, new classrooms were built for the Sunday School. The chapel became even stronger during the 1904 Religious Revival. On Sunday, December 4, 1904, 94 new members were baptized. Williams served the chapel for a long time, until 1941.
After Williams, Herbert Davies became minister in 1944. He left in 1947, and D. Meredith Morgan took his place.
The Chapel Today
Sadly, the number of members at Heolyfelin Chapel has become very small. The chapel closed its doors by December 2015 and was put up for sale.
