Tabernacle, Aberdare facts for kids

Tabernacle, Aberdare was a special church in Aberdare, Wales. It was a Congregationalist chapel, which is a type of Christian church. Services at Tabernacle were always held in English. It was located on Station Street.

The Start of Tabernacle Chapel

The idea for Tabernacle Chapel began in 1841. People started holding church services in a large room at the New Inn in Aberdare. Members from two other chapels, Siloa, Aberdare and Saron, Aberaman, helped to create Tabernacle.

The main goal was to offer church services in English. Many people moving to the area did not speak or understand Welsh. Welsh was the language used in almost all other churches nearby.

The first chapel building was finished in 1856. It was designed by B. Owen from Merthyr Tydfil. The building cost £823 to build. It could seat about 450 people. A special ceremony took place on March 7, 1856. Mrs. Thompson from Chepstow laid the first stone.

By 1857, Tabernacle had 156 members. There were also 136 children and adults in its Sunday School.

A New, Bigger Building

Just three years later, the first building was already too small! So, a new, larger chapel was built. This new building cost £800. W.S. Rampling designed it, and W. Rees built it.

The chapel looked mostly like a Gothic building. Many English Congregationalist chapels in the Aberdare Valley had this style. The design was even chosen by the landowner, the Marquis of Bute.

The first minister, or leader, of the church was John Cunnick. He served from 1857 until 1860. The number of members was never very large. It reached its highest point around 200 people in 1923.

Later Years and Closure

In 1915, T. Madoc Jeffreys became the new minister of Tabernacle. Mr. Jeffreys became a very important person in the local area. He was even elected to the Glamorgan County Council in the 1919 election. This council helped make decisions for the county.

The chapel closed its doors in 1970. Its furniture and other items were given to other chapels nearby. The land where Tabernacle Chapel once stood is now used by stores like Tesco and Wilkinsons.