| Gadlys Chapel | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| OS grid reference | SN99790315 |
| Location | Railway Street, Trecynon, Aberdare |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| History | |
| Founded | 1864 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 1 October 1991 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Late 19th century |
| Closed | 1980 |
Gadlys Chapel was a Baptist chapel in Railway Street, Gadlys, Aberdare, Wales. It was built as a branch church of Calfaria Chapel in Aberdare.
The cause of its formation began in 1858. It began as a Sunday school held in various houses until a schoolroom was built and opened on 6 February 1859. [1] 49 members were released from Calfaria, Aberdare to form a new chapel at Gadlys. It was built in 1864 on a land leased from Dr. J.L. Roberts of Gadlys Uchaf Estate. [1] The architect of the building was Thomas Joseph and the building cost were £675. [1]
Its first baptism took place on 5 April 1863.
He was the church's minister from 1876 until his death in 1900. he is also known as the 'Bishop of Gadlys'.
The history of Gadlys in the twentieth century was characterized by a series of comparatively brief ministries, none of which lasted for more than ten years. Myles Griffiths from Bangor College, but a native of Neath was inducted as minister in July 1902 at a service at which William Harris of Heolyfelin presided. [2] He moved to Liverpool in 1906. [3]
R. Gwenffrwd Hughes arrived from Valley and Caergeiliog in Anglesey in 1908. [4] During his time at Gadlys, Hughes became involved with Liberal Party politics and was nominated as a candidate for a seat on the Board of Guardians in 1910. although he was not selected. [5] After a brief ministry departed for Pontlottyn in 1910. [3] Shortly afterwards, Hughes was married at Gadlys Chapel to Ethel, daughter of the late Benjamin Evans. [6] In 1911 the membership stood at 195 members.
David Bassett, became the next minister in December 1912 and remained for ten years until his death on January 1, 1922. [7] then after him J.H. Jones came from Laleston beame minister in 1925 and remained minister for four years before moving to Bonymaen. [7] He was followed by Thomas Richards, a student from Cardiff College who was inducted in 1933 and served for seven years before moving to Kensington Chapel, Brecon, in 1940. [7] A new organ was installed in 1940. [1]
Iorwerth Davies moved from lower down the valley at Calfaria, Abercynon, in 1946 and served until 1951. [7] The minister from 1954 until 1957 was Gwyn Rogers. [7]
The chapel closed in 1980 and was later converted into flats.
Aberdare is a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, at the confluence of the Rivers Dare (Dâr) and Cynon. Aberdare has a population of 39,550. Aberdare is 4 miles (6 km) south-west of Merthyr Tydfil, 20 miles (32 km) north-west of Cardiff and 22 miles (35 km) east-north-east of Swansea. During the 19th century it became a thriving industrial settlement, which was also notable for the vitality of its cultural life and as an important publishing centre.
Thomas Price was a leading figure in the political and religious life of Victorian Wales, and the central figure of the Cynon Valley for more than forty years.
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.
Siloa Chapel 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 (1843–1878), D. Silyn Evans (1880–1930) and R. Ifor Parry (1933–1964).
Bethel, Abernant is a Baptist Chapel at Abernant in the Aberdare Valley in Wales and one of the few nonconformist chapels in the area that remained open into the twenty-first century.
Heolyfelin Chapel, Trecynon, Aberdare was a Welsh Baptist chapel established in 1855. Services were held in the Welsh language. The building seated 800. By December 2015 the chapel had closed and was for sale.
Gwawr, Aberaman was a Baptist chapel in Regent Street, Aberaman, near Aberdare, South Wales, formed as a branch of Calfaria, Aberdare
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.
Ynyslwyd Chapel, Aberdare was a Baptist chapel in Sunny Bank Place, located between Aberaman and Aberdare. It was formed as a branch of Calfaria, Aberdare.
Ebenezer, Trecynon was 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.
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.
Ramoth, Hirwaun originally a Baptist chapel in Davies Row, Hirwaun, Aberdare, Wales. Services at Ramoth were held in the Welsh language. Following renovation in 1982, the building continues to be used for Christian worship as an Assemblies of God fellowship.
Jerusalem, Penrhiwceiber was a Baptist chapel in Penrhiwceiber, Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Jerusalem were conducted in the Welsh language.
Bethesda, Abercwmboi is a Welsh Baptist church in Abercwmboi near Aberdare, South Wales. Services continue to be held in the Welsh language.
James Griffiths who served as minister of the Baptist churches at Calfaria, Llanelli and Calfaria, Aberdare.
Bethania, Cwmbach was a Baptist Chapel at Cwmbach in the Aberdare Valley in Wales. Badly damaged by an air raid attack in 1941 it was subsequently restored but closed in the 1980s. Services were held in the Welsh language.
Rhos, Mountain Ash was a Baptist chapel in Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Rhos were conducted in the Welsh language.
Soar, Llwydcoed was a Baptist Chapel in Kingsbury Place, Llwydcoed, Aberdare, Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Soar were held in the Welsh language.
Calfaria is a Baptist chapel in the village of Penygroes in the community of Llandybie, near Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Services at Calfaria were conducted in the Welsh language until recently but are now bilingual.