Trefeca facts for kids
Trefeca (also spelled Trefecca, Trevecca, and Trevecka) is a special place in south Wales, located between Talgarth and Llangorse Lake. It's famous for being the home of Howell Harris (1714–1773), an important leader in the 18th-century Methodist movement. Trefeca was also home to two different colleges for Methodist students over the years. The first was started by Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, and the second by the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists.
Contents
The Trefeca Family
In 1752, Howell Harris, who was born in Trefeca, started a Christian community here. It was known as Teulu Trefeca, which means 'the Trefeca Family'. This community was inspired by the Moravian Herrnhutt community led by Count von Zinzendorf.
John Wesley, another famous Methodist leader, visited Trefeca in August 1769. He preached for Harris's 'family' during the first anniversary of Trevecca College.
The additions to Harris's family house were built in a unique neo-Gothic style. This was one of the first examples of this type of architecture in Wales, and it was finished by 1772.
Trevecca College: The First College (1768–1792)
In 1768, Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, who was an English Methodist leader, opened a theological seminary in Trefeca. This remote location was chosen partly so that Howell Harris, who was a friend of the Countess, could help watch over the new college.
The college opened around the same time that six students were removed from St Edmund Hall, Oxford. This happened because they were thought to have Methodist beliefs. Most of these six students were then supported by Lady Huntingdon to become some of the first students at her new college.
Calling the school a 'college' was a big deal back then. It suggested it was similar to famous universities like Oxford and Cambridge. This was a bit controversial in the mid-1700s. Many students at Trevecca could not afford to go to older universities. Even though the college was in an isolated spot, studies were often paused. Students frequently left for long trips to preach around Britain.
In 1792, the college moved to Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. The original building in Trefeca is now a farmhouse called College Farm.
Cheshunt College later joined with the Congregational Union of England and Wales. It moved again in 1906 to Cambridge. In 1967, it merged with Westminster College, Cambridge.
Important Students
- Samuel Eyles Pierce: An English preacher and theologian.
- John Eyre (evangelical minister): He helped start the London Missionary Society.
Trevecca College: The Second College (1842–1906)
.jpg)
After the Countess of Huntingdon's college moved in 1792, Thomas Charles, a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist, tried to take over the Trefeca buildings. However, other events and matters came up, and his plans were put on hold.
For a while, students who wanted to become ministers in the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church had to study on their own. This changed in 1837 when Lewis Edwards (1809–1887) and David Charles (1812–1878) opened a school for young men in Bala. Both North and South Wales Methodist groups supported this school.
In 1842, the South Wales group opened a college at Trefeca. This was in Howell Harris's old home. The Rev. David Charles became the head of Trevecca College from 1842 to 1863. The Rev. Lewis Edwards became the head of the Bala school.
In 1872, a chapel called the Harris Memorial Chapel was added to Trefeca. It was designed by R. G. Thomas. Today, the building is known as Coleg Trefeca. It is a training center for members of the Presbyterian Church of Wales.
In 1905, David Davies, an important layman in the church, offered a large building in Aberystwyth. He wanted it to be a gift to unite the North and South Wales theological colleges. The South Wales group accepted the offer, but the North Wales group did not. Trevecca College then became a preparatory school. In 1906, it became the United Theological College in Aberystwyth.
Howell Harris Museum
The Howell Harris Museum is located at Coleg Trefeca. You can visit by making an appointment. The museum shows exhibits about the life of Howell Harris and the 'Teulu Trefeca' community he started.
See also
- Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, which was named after Trevecca College.
