Heolyfelin Chapel facts for kids

Heolyfelin Chapel (sometimes spelled Heol-y-Felin) was a Welsh Baptist church. It was located in Trecynon, a town near Aberdare. The chapel first opened its doors in 1855. All the church services were held in the Welsh language. The building was very big and could hold about 800 people. Sadly, Heolyfelin Chapel closed down in December 2015. After it closed, the building was put up for sale.

How Heolyfelin Chapel Began

The idea for Heolyfelin Chapel started in the 1840s. At that time, people in the Trecynon area began holding prayer meetings. They also started a Sunday school. The name Heolyfelin means 'Mill Road'. This name came from the Aberdare Ironworks. These ironworks were set up nearby in Llwydcoed in 1800.

In 1849, a coal mine called Ysguborwen Colliery opened in Llwydcoed. Many Baptists moved to the area to work there. They needed a place to worship. At first, they held their prayer meetings at the Wesleyan Chapel.

The chapel building was designed in 1852. The designer was Thomas Joseph. He was an engineer from Hirwaun. Thomas Joseph was involved in many coal mining projects in Aberdare. Heolyfelin Chapel was connected to another church called Ramoth, Hirwaun. Thomas Price also helped to start the new church. Thomas Joseph had opened a new coal mine in Trecynon. He convinced many coal miners from Ramoth to move with him. The chapel cost £800 to build. This was a lot of money back then!

Another chapel, Soar, Llwydcoed, was started by Heolyfelin Chapel.

Heolyfelin Chapel had many members for a long time. From 1860 until World War I, between 350 and 500 people were members. The most members they ever had was in 1906. This was right after the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival. During this special time, 95 new members joined Heolyfelin Chapel. They were all baptised in December 1904.

The first minister of the chapel was Benjamin Evans. He served from 1852 to 1861. After him, William Harries became the minister. He was the president of the Baptist Union of Wales in 1891-1892. William Harries was the minister at Heolyfelin from 1862 to 1902. In 1877, another church asked him to be their minister. But he decided to stay at Heolyfelin.

Heolyfelin Chapel in the 1900s

After William Harries, W. Cynog Williams became the minister. He came to Heolyfelin from Pembrokeshire. Early in his time as minister, new classrooms were built. These rooms were used for the Sunday School. The chapel became even stronger after the 1904 Religious Revival. On Sunday, December 4, 1904, 94 new members were baptised. Williams served as minister from 1903 until 1941.

Herbert Davies became the minister in 1944. He came to Heolyfelin from Birkenhead. He left in 1947. After him, D. Meredith Morgan became the minister.

Today, the number of members at Heolyfelin Chapel has become very small.