Jerusalem Chapel, Penrhiwceiber facts for kids

Jerusalem, Penrhiwceiber was a special church building called a Baptist chapel. It was located in a place called Penrhiwceiber, in Glamorgan, Wales. People who went to Jerusalem chapel had their church services in the Welsh language.

The Start of Jerusalem Chapel

Early Days and Sunday School

The story of Jerusalem chapel began in 1882. Members from another church, Rhos chapel in Mountain Ash, helped people in Penrhiwceiber. They worked together to start a Sunday school. Meetings for the church began in 1882. The first person was baptized there the next year.

Building the Chapel

The church officially started on March 15, 1885. Reverend J.B. Jones from Ogmore Vale became the first minister. He started his role on May 31 and June 1 of the same year. While he was minister, a new chapel building was constructed. It opened its doors on October 3 and 4, 1886. The building was quite large and could hold 700 people. It also had a big room called a vestry underneath. Reverend J.B. Jones moved to another church in Llantrisant in 1891.

New Ministers and Growth

In 1894, W.R. Jones from Penrhyncoch, near Aberystwyth, became the next minister. He served the chapel until 1912. After that, he moved to Glynceiriog in North Wales. During his time, two members of the chapel became ministers themselves. Their names were Tom Jones and Howell Williams.

A Time of Revival

The 1904–05 Religious Revival

Between 1904 and 1905, there was a special time called a religious revival. During this period, many exciting meetings were held at the chapel. A lot of new members joined the church and were baptized.

The Twentieth Century

Membership and New Leaders

By 1911, the chapel had 273 members. On October 27, 1913, W.S. Thomas became the new minister. He was a student from the Baptist College in Cardiff. He stayed at Jerusalem chapel until 1921. During his time, the chapel managed to pay off all its building debts.

In September 1924, W. Richards came to Jerusalem chapel. He had previously served at Bethel, Pontrhydyfen. He officially became the minister on October 11 and 12 that year. The former minister, W.R. Jones, led these services. W.S. Thomas, another past minister, was a special guest speaker.

Changes Over Time

In 1925, the chapel had 210 members. However, by 1947, the number of members had decreased to 65. In 1947, W. Richards was the president of the East Glamorgan Baptist Association. The yearly meetings for the association were held at Jerusalem chapel that year. Reverend Richards retired from his role the following year.

Jerusalem chapel eventually closed its doors around 1970. The building was later taken down and demolished around 1995.