Tabernacl Chapel, Ystradgynlais

Tabernacl Calvinistic Methodist Chapel is on Commercial Street, Ystradgynlais, and was constructed in 1890.

Tabernacl Ystradgynlais began as an offshoot of Yorath Chapel, Cwmgiedd in order to deal with the growing population of the area. While it was being constructed, the congregation met in what had been a private house in Gough Buildings (now Rhestr Fawr) and was then styled as Adulam Vestry, neighbouring The Star public house. Adulam Vestry was able to register births, and remained open for a short while after Tabernacl got going, but then closed and reverted to being a private house.

A committee was formed in 1890 to engage an architect and the foundation stone of Tabernacl Calvinistic Methodist Chapel was laid by Mrs Fleming Gough.

Tabernacl Chapel is on the corner of Commercial Street and Heol Maes-y-Dre, Ystradgynlais.

Rear Views of Tabernacl Chapel

Tabernacl Chapel on Commercial Street

The rear view photographs (first set of 3) show the Tabernacl as viewed from Heol Maes-y-Dre. The front view photographs (second set of 3) show the Tabernacl upon Commercial Street, Ystradgynlais. The building next door to it, on the viewer's right, used to be the manse, but is now a house.

Foundation Stone

Unlike most chapels in the area, such as English Congregational Chapel, Ystradgynlais or Bethania Chapel, Cwmtwrch, Tabernacl has only a single foundation stone set into its front. Probably this is because the person involved was THE local landowner, and it was not thought appropriate that other people should be invited to do the job alongside him.

Ministers of Tabernacl, Ystradgynlais

From articles below, we can see that the Rev W (or J) Emlyn Jones was the third minister of Tabernacle. It is dated that he, and both of his predecessors, died in office.

From the South Wales Voice September 15th 1923 we read about the memorial service for the Reverend William Emlyn Jones who had died in August:-

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT TABERNACLE

At Tabernacle (C.M.) Chapel, on Sunday evening last, the Rev William Jones, Aberdulais, preached a memorial sermon to the late Rev William Emlyn Jones. He chose as his text "Treilga dy faich ar yr Arglwydd."
Mr Jones spoke of the late rev. gentleman's exemplary character and his work in connection with the District Meetings of the Methodist Union.
During the service, the chapel ladies' choir (under the baton of Mr William Evans, sanf "Lift Thine Eyes" (Elijah) very sweetly.
The mixed choir sang "Cwfiawn a ddrig yn y nef" with marked effect (conducted by Mr Edgar O. Morgan).
The children's choir (under the conductorship of Mr William Evans) then sang "Rhai annwyl aeth ymlaen"

From the following article, we learn that the Rev Isaac Morris took charge of Tabernacl, Ystradgynlais, after the church had been without a minster since the death of Rev J. Emlyn Jones in August 1923. It is unknown why he is referred to as "J" in this article, when he was referred to as "William" in the 1923 article.

From the South Wales Voice 15th March 1930:-

NEW PASTOR AT YSTRADGYNLAIS
INDUCTION OF THE REV. ISAAC MORRIS, B.A., B.D.

As briefly reported in our last issue the induction of the Rev Isaac Morris, B.A., B.D., took place on Thursday, there being a large attendance. The proceedings were presideed over by the Rev. Robert Beynon, B.A., Abercrave.
The chairman said he was glad to welcome another Methodist minister in the district, as he had been very lonely for some years past. Mr Morris was an old friend of his, and they had spent many happy hours together. His preaching was of a high standard, and it was on that and spiritual character that a church lived.

THE CALL
The history of the "call" was given by Mr J.R. Evans, M.A., Ll. B., secretary of the church, who said that the church, who said that the chapel had been without a pastor since the death of the late Rev J, Emlyn Jones, in August 1923. The church had decided to purchase a new organ, and after this was done it was felt that there was need of a shepherd. The Sossiwn in 1927 caused them to defer the matter, and it was taken up again some months later. Mr Morris preached at Tabernacle Chapel in April last, and he left such a good impression on the members that he was given a unanimous "call". He (Mr Evans) hoped the union would be a long and happy one.
Mr W.J. Thomas, a deacon at Tabernacle, said the induction opened a new era in the history of the cause. He grave some interesting figures comcerning the cost of the chapel, organ etc. The debt on the chapel was cleared in 1924, when the jubilee was celebrated. The membership had increased in the years the cause had been in existence. The chapel had had three pastors, the Rev Isaac Morris being the fourth. Not one of these gentlemen had left to take charge of another church, they having passed away, and he (Mr Thomas) hoped Mr Morris would not find any cause to leave Ystradgynlais.
...
The singing at the service was conducted by Mr E.O. Morgan (precentor), with Madame C. Jones-Pritchard at the organ.

From the South Wales Voice 3rd August 1946 we learn of the farewell ceremony for the Reverend Isaac Morris, after 16 years as Minister of Tabernacl Chapel. Isaac Morris had been born on 14th March 1882, and his wife Florence E Morris on 24th April 1888.:-

YSRADGYNLAIS MINISTER LEAVING: TABERNACLE PRESENTATION
Representatives of most of the religious and social welfare organisations in the district were present at the send off and presentation meeting at Tabernacle Presbyterian Chapel Ystradgynlais, on Thursday night to the Rev and Mrs Isaac Morris, who left this week for North Pembrokeshire. Mr Morris, who had been Minister of Tabernacle Chapel for the past 16 years, will now be in charge of the joint pastorates of Penffordd and Gwastad.
A cheque for over £100 was presented to him on behalf of the church.
Presiding, Mr John Richards Abercrave, referred to the departure of Mr Morris and his family as a great loss to the district. The best years of Mr Morris s life had been given to Tabernacle, when the church was in need of them. He was a preacher who had always added grace to the pulpit. Nevertheless, Mr Richards added, it was among the elders of the church that he was to be seen on his highest level. He was also an unforgettable figure among the children, for whom he always had a reserve of beautiful addresses. Mr Richards felt he would leave Tabernacle having gained a great wealth of experience.
Mr Morris then presented the children with certificates and albums of text cards for collecting towards the Missionary Society and observed that the most fruitful work of the church was its influence on children. Grown-ups had formed opinions but children were receptive minds and spirits.
The children presented were Alan Walters, Marlene Jones, Glyn Evans, Ceris Thomas, Hetty M Williams, Roy Bufton, and Hutchins, Elizabeth W Morris, Wendy Moses, Nerissa Lake, Lloyd Jones, Eira Lauder, Norma Lake, Gwyneth Lake, Josephine Jones, Joy Lauder, T Lyn Evans, Eirlys James, Norman Jones, John Gareth Morgan, Thelma Maxey, Eira M Evans, Kenneth James, Douglas Williams, Anne Prichard, Heddwyn Morgan and Mary Phillips. The first eight were also awarded with him books as the highest collectors.
Messages of regret for inability to attend were announced by the chairman.
PRESENTATIONS: The cheque for over £100 on behalf of the church was presented by Mr Gwilym Morgan, one of the deacons. Mr Morgan referred to Mr and Mrs Morris as being ever ready with their services for every worthy cause and said he would be losing very dear friends. A travelling bag was presented to Mrs Morris by Mrs Mary Griffiths on behalf of the teachers and scholars of the Sunday school. A fruit bowl was presented to her by Miss Maglona Rees Swansea South Wales organising secretary of Undeb Merched y De, on behalf of the local section and a leather handbag by Miss Beatrice Thomas, on behalf of the women of the church. Mrs (Rev) D L Williams, the Rectory, presented Mrs Morris with a cheque on behalf of the WVS.
Supporting the presentations from the church, Mr John Lodwick Evans, on behalf of the young people, said that Mr and Mrs Morris left with the best wishes of the district. He spoke highly of Mr Morris's work as a writer, organiser and as a man who once he had made a decision, always carried out.
Presenting Mr Morris with a cheque of £10 on behalf of the Ystradgynlais and District Nursing Association, of which he was honorary Treasury, County Councillor Tom Rees thanked Mr and Mrs Morris most heartily for their years of yeoman service to the association. Three things a human being feared most, Mr Rees said, were old age, poverty and sickness and anyone who did anything to alleviate these burdens deserved praise from the heavens. Mr Rees considered that such service to mercy was also service to God.
Mr and Mrs Morris suitably responded to the speeches and expressed their gratitude for the presentations and gifts. Others who spoke were the Rev D L Williams Rector of Ystradgynlais, who referred to the work carried out by Mr and Mrs Morris in connection with the local comforts fund and Mrs Morris as excellent services as honorary divisional secretary of SSAFA; the Rev Glyndwr Jones BA Moriah Penrhos; Mr Rhys Gwyn Richards, Pastor Holman Hunt Bethany; the Rev Bonsall Edwards Vicar of Callwen; the Rev W M Davies curate Ystradgynlais Parish Church; Messrs William Evans Cwmgiedd and Haydn Evans.
Mr and Mrs Morris's daughter, Mrs Mason Lewis BBC Welsh news editor, was present in the meeting.

From the following article, we learn that the Rev Gwynfryn Lloyd Davies was inducted as minister of Tabernacl in May 1957. The article also names his predecessor, Rev. W. Gray Edwards, who had left the previous year.

From The Voice newspaper, May 10th 1957:-

YSTRADGYNLAIS
NEW MINISTER INDUCTED

The Tabernacle Chapel, Ystradgynlais, was full to capacity on Tuesday evening when a service was held to induct the Rev Gwynfryn Lloyd Davies, Caerwys, Denbighshire, as minister in succession to the Rev W. Gray Edwards, who left last year to be minister at Bootle, Liverpool.
The new minister is a young man, and his first ministry was at Caerwys, where he spent four years.
He was introduced on behalf of the presbytery of Dyffryn Clwyd by the Rev J.H. Griffiths, M.A., Denbighshire, who spoke in glowing terms of the work done by the Rev Davies at Caerwys.
The Rev Hywel Jones, B.A., spoke on behalf of the district of Dyffryn and Mr Gwilym Mathews, M.B.E., J.P., spoke on behalf of Caerwys, Ddel and Afonwen.
The ceremony was conducted by the president of the West Glamorgan Presbytery, the Rev Phillip K. Evans. The history of the calling of the minister was given by Mr John Thomas, deacon and secretary of Tabernacle Chapel.
Others who took part were the Rev J.R. Hughes, Cwmtwrch, and the Rev. E. Dewi Davies, of Yorath and Moriah, Ystradgynlais. Many members of the three churches in Caerwys had travelled down from North Wales to be present at the service and to wish the new minister and Mrs Davies every success in their new life at Ystradgynlais.

Organists of Tabernacl, Ystradgynlais

The Voice newspaper for January 18th 1968 records forty years service for the organist of Tabernacle (sic) Chapel, Ystradgynlais:-

40 YEARS AT THE ORGAN

Mr Danny Morgan, of Heol Maes-y-Dre, Ystradgynlais, completes 40 years as organist at Tabernacle Chapel, Ystradgynlais, this month. He had previously been organist at Bethlehem Chapel, Caerbont, Abercrave, for four years.
Well-known for his great interest in music, Mr Morgan has given faithful and valued service throughout the years, being precentor at the chapel gatherings, conductor and organist at the annual gymanfa ganu, in addition to providing the music at weddings and chapels in a number of the local chapels.
Mr Morgan retired four years ago as haulier at Ynyscedwyn Colliery, but hopes to continue as oeganist for a number of years. He is also the deputy conductor and deputy accompanist of the Ystradgynlais Male Voice Choir.
His co-organist at Tabernacle, Mrs Ceridwen Pritchard, has retired. Appointed as deputy organists are Miss Megan Hutchings of Tanyrhos, Brecon Road, who is on the teaching staff of Tro'rgeleien School, and Mr Griff Evans, of Maescynlais, Station Road.

The former Organist of Tabernacl, Mrs Sarah Ceridwen Pritchard, mentioned above in the 1968 newspaper article, is buried in Carmel Cemetery, Abercrave along with her husband Thomas, who predeceased her by three decades and was the organist at Moriah Chapel, presumably the one in Penrhos, Ystradgynlais. As a note, a funeral held at Carmel in 1944, for Evan Jones, a deacon of Moriah, Penrhos, had as both a pallbearer and the organist for the funeral an Aneurin Pritchard.

Sarah Ceridwen Pritchard was born in 1892 and died in 1973. The gravestone reads as follows ('her favorite spouse' should be read as 'his beloved wife') :-

Deacons and Officials of Tabernacl

The obituary for W J Thomas, former Headmaster of Cynlais School, includes mention of his long service at Tabernacl Chapel, Ystradgynlais. From the South Wales Voice, 23rd March 1946:-

For 30 years he had been a faithful deacon at Tabernacle Chapel; the treasurer for 17 years, and treasurer for seven years. He also filled the offices of president and statistical secretary of Henaduriaeth Gorllewin Morganwg.

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.

The South Wales Voice 24th March 1951 records the annual singing festival held at Tabernacl Chapel:-

SINGING FESTIVAL

The 59th annual singing festival will be held at Tabernacl on Easter Monday. The conductor will be Mr Ieuan Rees Davies, A.R.C.M., L.R.A.M., L.T.S.C., London. The children's service will commence at 10:30am; the afternoon session will commence at 6pm. Members are reminded that rehearsals will be held at Tabernacle on Saturday at 7pm, and on Sunday for the children at 2pm and adults at 8pm.

Ystradgynlais & District

History and Heritage

Tabernacl, Ystradgynlais