Tabernacle, Aberdare

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Tabernacle, Aberdare was a Congregationalist chapel in Station Street, Aberdare, Wales. Services at Tabernacle were held in the English language.

Aberdare town in Wales

Aberdare is a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, at the confluence of the Rivers Dare (Dâr) and Cynon. The population at the 2001 census was 31,705. 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.

Wales Country in northwest Europe, part of the United Kingdom

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in 2011 of 3,063,456 and has a total area of 20,779 km2 (8,023 sq mi). Wales has over 1,680 miles (2,700 km) of coastline and is largely mountainous, with its higher peaks in the north and central areas, including Snowdon, its highest summit. The country lies within the north temperate zone and has a changeable, maritime climate.

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Early history

The origins of the church at Tabernacle can be traced back to 1841 when services were held in the Long Room of the New Inn, Aberdare. [1] Members from both Siloa, Aberdare and Saron, Aberaman were involved in the formation of Tabernacle. [1] The main aim was to provide English language services for this migrants unable to speak or understand Welsh, which was the language of worship at almost all the nonconformist chapels in the locality. The first chapel was built in 1856, designed by B. Owen of Merthyr Tydfil and built at a cost of £823. It had seating for 450 people. [1] The foundation stone was laid on 7 March 1856 by the Hon. Mrs Thompson, Chepstow. [1] In 1857, Tabernacle had 156 members with 136 in the Sunday School. [1]

Siloa, Aberdare Church in Wales, United Kingdom

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).

Saron, Aberaman church in Rhondda Cynon Taf, UK

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.

Chepstow town in Wales

Chepstow is a town and community in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the River Wye, about 2 miles (3.2 km) above its confluence with the River Severn, and adjoining the western end of the Severn Bridge. It is 16 miles (26 km) east of Newport, 28 miles (45 km) east-northeast of Cardiff, 18 miles (29 km) northwest of Bristol and 110 miles (180 km) west of London.

Within three years the building was too small. A new building was therefore built, at a cost of £800. It was designed by W.S. Rampling and built by W. Rees. [1] The chapel was of a primarily Gothic designs, like many English Congregationalist chapels in the Aberdare Valley. [1] The design was said to have been decided by the landowner the Marquis of Bute. [1]

John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute Scottish aristocrat, industrial magnate and architectural patron

John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute was a landed aristocrat, industrial magnate, antiquarian, scholar, philanthropist, and architectural patron.

The first minister was John Cunnick from 1857 until 1860. [1] Membership was never large and peaked at around 200 in 1923. [1]

Twentieth Century

In 1915, T. Madoc Jeffreys was inducted as minister of Tabernacle. [2] Jeffreys became a prominent figure in the locality and a member of Glamorgan County Council at the 1919 election.

In chapel closed in 1970 and its furnishings distributed among other chapels in the locality. The site was later occupied by Tesco and Wilkinsons stores. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Jones. Chapels of the Cynon Valley. pp. 109–10.
  2. ↑ "Tabernacle, Aberdare. Annual Meeting and Welcome to the Pastor". Aberdare Leader. 6 February 1915. p. 3. Retrieved 20 November 2015.

Bibliography

Coordinates: 51°42′46″N3°26′31″W / 51.712687°N 3.441875°W / 51.712687; -3.441875

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