Ministers of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais

Thank You to David whose Pillars of Faith website provides the information up to the 1930s: www.ministers.pillars-of-faith.com. Further information fom the Llais newspaper is to be found in the next section.

Thomas Illtyd James

The Reverend Thomas Illtyd James was minister of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais from 1910 until 1913. He had started his ministry at Ebenezer, Llantwit Major between 1884 and 1887, before ministering at other places including Upper Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale and lastly Rivertown, Flint before coming to Ystradgynlais. After leaving Ystradgynlais in 1913 he was minister in Leintwardine, Herefordshire from 1915 to 1918. He died in early 1922, as recorded below.

Edward Vaughan

The Reverend Edward Vaughan was minister of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais from 1916 to 1920. He was simultaneously minister of the English Congregational Church in Clydach, Swansea, from 1918 to 1920.

David John Williams

The Reverend David John Williams was minister of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais from 1922 to 1925. Prior to coming to Ystradgynlais, he had been minister of Soar, Blaenogwr from 1912 to 1922. After leaving Ystradgynlais, he was minister of Moriah, Ystrad Mynach from 1925.

David Thomas Evans

The Reverend David Thomas Evans was minister of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais from 1927 to 1929. After leaving Ystradgynlais, he ministered at Hollybush and Markham, Monmouthshire from 1930 to 1934, then at Horeb, Martletwy and Carew Newton from 1934 to 1939, and in 1939 took on the ministries of the English Congregational churches of both Ystrad Mynach and Llanbradach.

Melville Phillips

The Reverend Melville Phillips was minister of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais from 1931. Melville Phillips had been miniter of Littlle Haven, Pembrokeshire from 1913 to 1916 and Pentrechwyth, Swansea from 1916 to 1924. From 1924 he had been minister of the English Congregational Church, Ystalyfera. From 1931, Ystrdgynlais entered a joint pastorate with Ystalyfera. Melville Phillips continued as joint pastor of Ystalyfera and Ystradgynlais until his retirement in 1952.

From The Llais

The Llais newspaper had always included a round-up of happenings at local churches and chapels, even when these were not part of any particular story. Sometimes they advertised forthcoming events, and at other times who was preaching, or had preached there recently.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 6th May 1916 reports on the ordination of the Rev E Vaughan to the ministry of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais:-

YSTRADGYNLAIS PASTOR ORDAINED

There was a large congregation at the English Congregational Church Ystradgynlais on Thursday afternoon last, when the Rev E Vaughan was ordained to the ministry of the Church.
Mr Vaughan, who is quite a young man, is a native of Merthyr Tydfil and the son of Mr E Vaughan, late foreman of the Cyfartha Works and Mrs Vaughan. He commenced preaching at Bethesda Chapel Merthyr and showed such promise that he was sent to the Carmarthen Preparatory School and then to the Presbyterian College. He commenced his ministry at Ystradgynlais early in January and has already become very popular in the place,
The chair was occupied in the afternoon by the Rev R G James, late of Ystalyfera and the service was introduced by Mr D E Rees Godre'rgraig. The charge to the church was preached by the Rev E Jenkins Swansea, who chose as his text "Ye are the light of the World". The sermon was very impressive and the Rev gentleman's remarks were greatly appreciated.

Mrs Treharne of Swansea presented to Mrs Vaughan on behalf of the members of Henrietta Street Congregational Church a beautiful volume of the Hastings Bible dictionary and two volumes of "The Knowledge of God" by Prof. Gwathwin Cambridge.
Appropriate hymns were sung at the service and Miss Bessie Evans presided at the organ. It is gratifying to note that the church has already improved since the advent of Mr Vaughan to the place and for new members were received into communion on Sunday last. We heartily join in wishing both the pastor and church every success.

The Labour Voice newspaper, 4th March 1922 contained information on the funeral of the Rev Illtyd James:-

DEATH OF FORMER YSTRADGYNLAIS PASTOR

It is with deep regret we have to announce the death of the Rev Illtyd James, which took place at Talgarth last Friday week. The funeral took place the following Tuesday. The Rev T G Davies, Tredwstan and G Ifor Jones, M.A., Rector of Llanfilo, officiated at the funeral assisted by Prof J Evans, B.A., Brecon Memorial College, Rev W H Price, Talgarth, Rev J Glyn Williams, Usk, and Mr Benjamin James, who represented Saron Congregational Church, Troedyrhiw, the church of the deceased's boyhood. References were made to the deceased's itegrity and unfailing zeal and efforts to further the work of the church.
The mourners included:- Mrs Lydia James (widow); Mr and Mrs W Ernest Rees, Ystradgynlais (daughter and son-in-law); Mr and Mrs J Morgan, Troedyrhiw (sister and brother-in-law); Mrs W Jenkins, Quakers Yard; Mrs M James, Troedyrhiw; Mrs W Thather; Mrs Jones (nieces) and Messrs T James, J Howells and R Jones (nephews).
There was a large number of beautiful floral tributes, including the following: From Widow, son and daughter; the staff of Maesydderwen County School; Pupils of Maesydderwen County School; Pupils of Batile School; Friends at Tynmawr and Trallong; Friends at Llanelly; friends at Glanysci Villa; Mr and Mrs Jones, New Buildings.
The Rev Illtyd James commenced his ministry at Llantwit Major, and subsequently held several poastorates in this country and in the United States. In 1910 he took charge of the English Congregational Church, Ystradgynlais. During the war he worked with the YMCA, as a chaplain at some of the largest camps in the country.

The South Wales Voice newspaper of Saturday 29th November 1930 recalls the farewell given to the Reverend and Mrs D T Evans upon their leaving Ystradgynlais after 3 and a half years there:-

LEAVING YSTRADGYNLAIS
TRIBUTES TO REVEREND D T EVANS AND MRS EVANS AT FAREWELL MEETING
There was a large audience at the farewell meeting of the Reverend and Mrs D T Evans, English Cong Church, Ystradgynlais, on their departure to Markham Holly Bush, Newport, Monmouthshire. The Reverend Melville Phillips, Ystalyfera, presided and the meeting was opened by the recicitation of the 120st Psalm by Miss Brenda Stephens. Recicitations were also given by Miss Laura Rees, and Mrs Nancy Evans.
The devotional part was taken by the Reverend W S Rowe, Calfaria.
The chairman said that Mr Evans had spent 3 and a half years at Ystradgynlais, this being his first church. There was something different in the first charge of a pastor from that of subsequent charges. There was a close relationship which would remain in his thoughts all his life. During the three years Mr Evans had been in Ystradgynlais, he had made a large circle of friends and it was not possible for a man to live among friends and not feel the wrench of parting.
Mr William Stevens, secretary of the church, expressed regret at the departure of Mr and Mrs Evans. He felt sure that the loss of Ystradgynlais would be the gain of Newport. Whatever loss, it behoved the members to do their best to carry on the good work. He wished Mr and Mrs Evans success in their new sphere of labour.
Mr Thomas King, deacon at English Cong, referred to the warm friendship that existed between Mr Evans and himself. Mr Evans had worked hard in the interest of the church and it was not himself if he had not pleased everybody. The influence of his work would be of material benefit to the church and district. Mr Evans had gained a wider and deeper experience and this would be of great help to him in his new sphere. All churches should do the most of their ministers and appreciate their efforts. It was a well-known fact that this was not always done. A minister could not be expected to give of his best when he was not supported.
Mrs Ben Thomas, Kirkwood, Station Road, then handed to Mr and Mrs Evans a beautiful cabinet on behalf of the church members and expressed her best wishes for the future.
Responding for Mrs Evans and himself, Mr Evans paid a tribute to the local churches for the way they had received him. He had made friends and he had been greatly helped by the local ministers, who had been real friends of his. He thanked all for the help they had given him during his stay amongst them.
Recerend D J Moses, BA, Sardis, said the departure of Mr Evans would be a loss to the place and also to the Welsh churches, for Mr Evans had always been ready to help them. Others who spoke were Reverends Aman Jones, Ystalyfera; Sol. W James, Ystradgynlais; E T Evans, BA, Ystalyfera; and W S Rowe, Calfaria.
Verses composed for the occasional were read by Mr Howell Powell, Cwmgiedd.
Mr Idris Morris presided at the organ.