The Presbyterians

Have you ever noticed the plaque high up on the front of Tabernacle which says ‘Calvinistic Methodists’? how strange for a Presbyterian Church

The plaque is dated 1866, so quite early for a nonconformist chapel in the village. We know that a Baptist Chapel was established at Ararat on the Common in 1824, but the Calvinistic Methodists can claim an even earlier chapel. A first society met in 1808 in an old barn on Pantmawr Road (just up from the Hollybush pub). They named it Ebenezer

These early Calvinistic Methodists were Welsh-speaking and worshipped at Ebenezer for the next 70 years or so. We don’t know much about the membership or ministers, but at that time, lay-preachers would lead services

These early days of nonconformist worship would have consisted of Bible readings and preaching, with very little singing. The Bible had been translated from Latin into Welsh in 1588, but was frowned upon by the established church

Nonconformist worship was clearly popular in the area, and the membership of Ebenezer outgrew their barn; they needed more room. By the mid 1860’s, they obtained a lease on land adjacent to Whitchurch Brook and built Tabernacle. The membership and supporters at Ebenezer provided materials and haulage without cost, and the chapel was built by local builder William Evans

Clearly, the move to a more central location was successful and, even though the small membership were saddled with a debt of £600, by 1870 there were 71 members and a Sunday School of 123 children

As a small congregation, Tabernacle were unable to sustain a permanent minister, and relied on visiting preachers. It wasn’t until 1875 that Tabernacle had its first minister, Rev David Evans (from Brecon), and he stayed for the next 18 years

No long after his appointment, with world trade suffering and difficulties at Melingriffith, there was much unemployment in the village. Rev David Evans gave up his paid pastorate, but still fostered spiritual care until 1893 when it was again in a position to support a minister. Sadly, Rev Evans died just the following year

After the difficulties of the latter part of the 19th century, Tabernacle flourished again with an ever-increasing membership and Sunday School. An organ chamber was built in 1909 by Edwin Williams, the son-in-law of the original builder, and a schoolroom at the rear built in 1929 by Taliesin Williams, the grandson

Gas lighting was installed in 1903 and electricity provided in 1920

Tabernacle remained Welsh-speaking for the first 30 years, with English services introduced by the 1890’s. By 1895, all services were in English

Tabernacle is rightly recognised as an important part of our village history and is listed Grade 2 by CADW. Even the front boundary walls and railings are listed!

But what about Ebenezer? Well, it continued as an independent chapel for a few years, and then as a Sunday School for Tabernacle, before finally closing in the 1880’s. Surprisingly, the building is still there, but was converted into a terrace of 3 pretty cottages nearly 150 years ago. The 3 cottages are now known as Providence Place. Although they are much older than Tabernacle and have a fascinating history, they are not listed. I wonder why?

This piece has raised lots of questions:

Who were the Calvinistic Methodists and when did they start in Wales?
And when did they become Presbyterians?
What has happened to them? (There is now a very recent Welsh-speaking church planted at Tabernacle)
What about the shop next door, and what about the church members?

Does anyone have any answers?

Especial thanks to Jan Cox for a lot of the information on this piece, also intriguing information from Old Whitchurch by Edgar Chappell and The History of Nonconformity in Cardiff (published 1901)

 

  Back