Elim, Cwmdare was an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Cwmdare, Aberdare, Wales.
Cwmdare is a village near Aberdare, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. The village's history is intertwined with coal-mining, and since the decline of the industry in the 1980s, it has become primarily a commuter base for the larger surrounding towns of Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd, as well as the cities of Cardiff and Swansea.
The church was established as a direct result of the Religious Revival of 1859, when fifty members were released from Ebenezer, Trecynon to establish a new church in the mining village of Cwmdare. [1] Originally, meetings were held in a vestry but in August 1867 a new chapel was opened, when services were addressed by a number of ministers including David Price of Siloa, Aberdare. [2] £200 was raised towards the cost which was recognised as a significant achievement given that all members of the church were workmen. [2] The mother church at Ebenezer was also recognised as giving significant support to Elim. [2]
Ebenezer, Trecynon is an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Ebenezer Street, Trecynon, Aberdare, Wales. It was one of the earliest Independent chapels in the Cynon Valley and remained an active place of worship until 2009.
Siloa, Aberdare was the largest of the Welsh Independent, or Congregationalist, chapels in Aberdare. Services are held in the Welsh language. Established in 1844, Siloa is one of the few Welsh language chapels in the locality to remain open today. Siloa was notable for its long-serving ministers and in over a century there were only three pastorates, namely those of David Price (1843–78), D. Silyn Evans (1880–1930) and R. Ifor Parry (1933–64).
The first minister was Abraham Matthews, who came from Bala College to minister at Elim together with Horeb, Llwydcoed. [1]
Abraham Matthews was a Welsh Independent (Congregationalist) minister and one of the founders of the Welsh settlement in Patagonia.
Horeb, Llwydcoed is an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Wales.
David Griffiths, a student from Brecon College, was inaugurated as minister at Elim in June 1869. [3] He was a native of Llanarth, Cardiganshire and had migrated to Dowlais when around twenty years of age having previously worked as a farm labourer. [4] Griffiths was urged to commence preaching by the minister at Bethania, Dowlais. [4] Griffiths served for a time as a member of the Aberdare School Board. He remained at Elim until his death.
Dowlais is a village and community of the county borough of Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales. At the 2011 census it had a population of 6,926, reducing to 4,270 at the 2011 census having excluded Pant. Dowlais is notable within Wales and Britain for its historic association with ironworking; once employing, through the Dowlais Iron Company, roughly 5,000 people, the works being the largest in the world at one stage.
The Aberdare School Board was formed in 1871 and consisted of thirteen members elected for a period of three years. It was abolished, along with other School Boards in 1902 and its responsibilities transferred to Glamorgan County Council.
In 1903, the chapel was rebuilt. A memorial stone was laid on 11 August 1902 by Rees Llewellyn of Bwllfa House, Cwmdare and J.W. Evans of Hirwaun. [5]
Rees Llewellyn was an industrialist and public figure in Aberdare, South Wales and a prominent figure in the industrial history of the South Wales Coalfield.
In February 1906, David Griffiths died at the age of 65 having spent 37 years as minister of Elim. [4]
David Owen Davies was minister from 1961 until his retirement in 1981. He died in 1989. The chapel eventually closed in 1998. [1]
Trecynon is a village near Aberdare situated in the Cynon Valley, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. It dates from the early nineteenth century and its developed as a result of the opening of the Aberdare Ironworks at Llwydcoed in 1800.
Bethania was a Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, which seated 550 people. Located near the centre of Aberdare, it had a somewhat concealed entrance and was approached up a long flight of steps.
Calfaria Baptist Chapel, Aberdare, was one of the largest baptist churches in the South Wales Valleys and the oldest in the Aberdare valley. The chapel had an ornate interior, including a boarded ceiling with a deeply undercut rose, while the balcony balustrading had a cast iron front with an intricate foliage design. These features were common in the Welsh chapels of the late nineteenth century. The organ was installed in 1903 at a cost of £850. It was played for the last time in 2012 by Robert Nicholls, during a Radio Cymru broadcast shortly before the closure of the chapel.
Heolyfelin Chapel, Trecynon, Aberdare was a Welsh Baptist chapel established in 1855. The building seated 800. By December 2015 the chapel had closed and was for sale.
Seion, Cwmaman is a Welsh Baptist church, originally established in 1859. The chapel closed in 2013 but the church still meets at another location in the village.
Saron, Aberaman was a Welsh Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Davies Street, Aberaman, formed as an initiative of the David Price of Siloa, Aberdare, soon after the development of Aberaman as an industrial settlement as a result of the activities of Crawshay Bailey and David Davis, Blaengwawr. Saron was claimed to be the largest chapel in the Cynon Valley although Calvaria, Abercynon, Ebenezer, Trecynon and Siloa, Aberdare all had a similar capacity.
Nebo, Hirwaun was an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Merthyr Road, Hirwaun, Aberdare, Wales.
Salem, Robertstown is an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Bridge Street, Robertstown, Aberdare, Wales.
Bethel, Gadlys was an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Railway Street, Gadlys, Aberdare, Wales.
Tabernacle, Abercynon was a Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Edward Street, Abercynon, Mid Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Tabernacle were conducted in the Welsh language.
Hermon, Penrhiwceiber was a Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Railway Terrace, Penrhiwceiber, Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Hermon were conducted in the Welsh language.
Bethlehem, Mountain Ash was a Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Pryce Street, Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Bethlehem were conducted in the Welsh language.
Soar, Cwmaman was a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Fforchaman Road, Cwmaman, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.
Tabernacle, Aberdare was a Congregationalist chapel in Station Street, Aberdare, Wales. Services at Tabernacle were held in the English language.
Bethesda, Abercwmboi is a Welsh Baptist church in Abercwmboi near Aberdare. Services continue to be held in the Welsh language.
Coordinates: 51°43.0921′N3°28.7625′W / 51.7182017°N 3.4793750°W