Horeb, Llwydcoed facts for kids

Horeb Chapel in Llwydcoed, Wales, is a special kind of Christian church. It's called an Independent (or Congregationalist) chapel. This means that each church makes its own decisions about how it's run, rather than being controlled by a larger church organization. Horeb Chapel has been an important part of the Llwydcoed community for many years.

How Horeb Chapel Began

Before Horeb Chapel was officially built, people in the Llwydcoed area who belonged to another church called Ebenezer in Trecynon would meet for prayer. These meetings were very important to them. Eventually, they decided to build a schoolroom. This room was not just for lessons; it was also used as a British School, which was a common type of school back then.

In 1859, Horeb officially became its own church. Many members from Ebenezer Church moved to join this new community. They worked together to build the chapel, which cost about £800. This new building was big enough to seat 350 people! When the chapel opened, one of the church leaders, Thomas Williams, gave £20 towards the cost. He said he would donate this money if the community could raise £80, which they successfully did. After the chapel was finished, the old schoolroom was used as a vestry, a room at the back of the church often used for meetings.

Early Leaders and Their Journeys

The first minister (or pastor) for Horeb Chapel was Abraham Matthews. He came from Bala College, a place where people trained to become ministers. He also served another church in Cwmdare at the same time. His official ceremony, called an ordination, was held at Ebenezer Church because it was easy to reach from both Llwydcoed and Cwmdare.

Abraham Matthews stayed until the spring of 1865. He then became one of the leaders of a group of Welsh people who moved to Patagonia, a region in Argentina, to start a new life there. On April 21, 1865, a special meeting was held to say goodbye to Matthews, and he was given a special gift to honor his service.

After Matthews left, Reverend W. Thomas became the minister from 1865 to 1871. He also served the Elim Church in Cwmdare. Later, he moved to another church in Dowlais.

In August 1871, Reverend William Samlet Williams, also from Bala College, became the new minister. He served Horeb Chapel for a very long time – 52 years! He was the minister from 1871 until 1923. There is a white marble plaque inside the church that remembers his long and dedicated service.

Horeb in the 1900s and Beyond

In 1930, Horeb Chapel had 214 members. From 1936 to 1951, D.J. Barlow served as the minister. He was also a county councillor, meaning he was involved in local government decisions.

Horeb Chapel continued to be an active part of the community into the twenty-first century. Even today, a small group of members still meets regularly in the vestry, keeping the spirit of the chapel alive.