Siloah Chapel, Llanelli facts for kids

Siloah was a special church, called an Independent (or Congregationalist) chapel, located on Copperworks Road in Seaside, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire. Services at Siloah were always held in the Welsh language.

The church started in 1841. This was a time when the Llanelli Docks were growing very fast. Important business people, like the Nevill family, were helping the area develop quickly. A man named David Rees from Capel Als was the main person who helped create this new church. Siloah officially opened on January 14, 1841. A total of 116 members left Capel Als to form the new group. David Rees served as the minister for the first year.

Early Leaders of Siloah

Thomas Rees: First Full-Time Minister (1842–1849)

Siloah's first full-time minister was Thomas Rees. He came to Llanelli in 1842 after working briefly at another church. He officially started his ministry on March 15, 1842. Thomas Rees was born in Llanfynydd, a countryside area in Carmarthenshire. He had worked as a miner before becoming a minister.

Later, Thomas Rees became a very important person in his church group. He was even chosen twice to be the president of the Union of Welsh Independents. He also wrote important history about Congregationalist churches in Wales. Some people at Siloah were a bit worried because he spent time in London. He was there for his political and writing interests. In 1849, Rees moved away to Beaufort, Ebbw Vale.

David Davies: A Short Ministry (1849–1852)

After Thomas Rees left, a student named David Davies took over. He had studied at Brecon Theological College. David Davies officially became the minister on October 3, 1849. However, his time as minister at Siloah lasted only three years.

Thomas Davies: A Long and Busy Ministry (1854–1898)

Growing the Church Community

Thomas Davies, who was born in Carmarthenshire, came to Siloah in 1854. At that time, the church had 194 members. Under his leadership, the church grew a lot. By 1872, the number of members had increased to 409. By 1891, there were 490 members.

The church building itself was made bigger in 1855. It was designed by an architect named Thomas Thomas from Landore.

A Strong and Sometimes Controversial Leader

During his many years at Siloah, Thomas Davies built a strong group of followers. People spoke very highly of him after he passed away. However, some historians say he was a person who enjoyed a good debate. He sometimes strongly disagreed with other groups. For example, he spoke out against drinking too much alcohol. He also disagreed with Sunday burials.

Thomas Davies was also active in politics. He played a big part in the 1868 General Election. Like many ministers from churches not part of the official Church of England, he often spoke in favor of Liberal candidates. In Llanelli, Davies openly challenged the Conservative candidate, Henry Puxley, at a lively meeting. After Puxley left, Davies and other ministers spoke and showed their support for the Liberal candidate.

Recognized for His Work

Like many ministers during the Victorian era, Davies received a special degree called a doctorate in theology. He got his from Iowa College in the United States. This was likely an honorary degree, given for his important work. But it might also have been for his research, as he was interested in science. When he became president of the Union of Welsh Independents in 1880, he gave a speech about new ideas in religion and science. Some people liked his speech, but others thought it was not suitable for a presidential address.

The biggest moment of Davies's time as minister was probably the celebration in May 1891. This marked the church's 50th anniversary. Large crowds came to these special meetings. The celebrations also helped the church pay off its debts.

Siloah in the Twentieth Century

The next minister was Elias Davies. Sadly, he died in an accident in 1908. More than two thousand people attended his funeral. Later ministers included D. Huws Jones (1917–1952), Wilfred Price (1954–1969), Gwyn Rhys (1972–1977), and D. Luther Owen (1978–1983). After many years of fewer and fewer members, Siloah church finally closed its doors in 2005.