Trefeca facts for kids
Trefeca (also spelled Trefecca or Trevecca) is a special place in south Wales. It is located between the town of Talgarth and Llangorse Lake. This historic site was the birthplace and home of Howell Harris (1714–1773). He was an important leader of the Methodist movement in the 1700s. Trefeca also became home to two different colleges over time. The first college was started by Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, in the late 1700s. The second was supported by the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church in the 1800s.
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The Trefeca Family Community
Howell Harris was born in Trefeca. He was a key leader in the Welsh Methodist revival. In 1752, Harris started a Christian community right there at Trefeca. He called it Teulu Trefeca, which means 'the Trefeca Family'. This community was inspired by the Moravian Herrnhutt community. That community was led by Count von Zinzendorf.
A famous preacher named John Wesley 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 style. It was an early example of neo-Gothic design in Wales. These additions were finished by 1772.
Trevecca College: The First School (1768–1792)
In 1768, Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, opened a theological seminary at Trevecca. A theological seminary is a school where people study to become religious leaders. She chose this remote location partly so Howell Harris, her friend, could help oversee the new school.
The college opened around the same time that six students were removed from St Edmund Hall, Oxford. They were expelled because they were thought to have Methodist beliefs. Lady Huntingdon helped most of these six students. They became part of the first group of students at her new college.
Calling it a 'college' was a big deal back then. It suggested it was similar to famous universities like Oxford and Cambridge. However, many students at Trevecca could not afford to go to those older universities. Also, studies at Trevecca were often paused. Students would go on long preaching trips around Britain.
In 1792, the college moved to Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. The original building at 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 from the First College
- Samuel Eyles Pierce: An English preacher and theologian.
- John Eyre (evangelical minister): He helped start the London Missionary Society.
Trevecca College: The Second School (1842–1906)
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After the first college moved in 1792, Thomas Charles, a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist, tried to take over the Trefeca buildings. But other events happened, and the plan was put on hold. There was talk of a new college in 1816, but the person meant to teach there died.
Students wanting to become ministers for the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church had to find their own way to study. This changed in 1837. That year, Lewis Edwards (1809–1887) and David Charles (1812–1878) opened a school for young men in Bala. Both North and South Wales groups supported this school.
In 1842, the South Wales group opened a college at Trefeca. It was in Howell Harris's old home. The Rev. David Charles became the principal of Trevecca from 1842 to 1863. The Rev. Lewis Edwards led the Bala school. Later, in 1891, Dr. Thomas Charles Edwards became the head of the Bala college. Bala then focused only on theology, while students went to other colleges for classical studies.
In 1872, a special chapel was added to Trefeca. It was called the Harris Memorial Chapel. 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 offered a large building in Aberystwyth. He wanted it to be a gift to unite the North and South theological colleges. The South Wales group accepted the offer, but the North declined. So, Trevecca College became a preparatory school. This school later became the United Theological College, Aberystwyth in 1906. It was located in Aberystwyth and led by Principal Owen Prys.
Howell Harris Museum
The Howell Harris Museum is located at Coleg Trefeca. You can visit it by making an appointment. The museum shows exhibits about the life of Howell Harris. It also tells the story of the Teulu Trefeca community he started.
See also
- Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee, which was named after Trevecca College.
