At the beginning of the 19th century, prayer meetings tended to be held in private dwellings. After the founding of Pantteg Chapel, a branch was formed in Gurnos, and in 1839 a chapel was built by the Wesleyans, where Gurnos Chapel now stands.

In 1858, the chapel was sold to the Congregationalists. A year later the branch was incorporated into a church, and Rev. Philip Griffiths took charge. As Minister of Pantteg, he took charge of the young church until things became settled, and advised the members to appoint a Pastor.

Rev. Benjamin Thomas of Walker, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne was approached and was inducted on Whit Sunday and Whit Monday 1858. He would serve as Minister until 1884.

Information from The South Wales Voice, 29th May 1943 included the following information:-

In his history of the Chapel, Mr. Timothy Lewis said, the cause at Gurnos was started at the beginning of the last century. At that time prayer meetings were held in dwelling houses. When Pantteg Chapel was founded, the local residents became members and a branch was formed at Gurnos. In 1839 a Chapel was erected on the site occupied by Gurnos Chapel by the Wesleyans, and in 1858 it was sold to the Congregationalists. A year later the branch was incorporated into a church. The Rev. Philip Griffiths took charge of the young church until things became settled and advised the members to appoint a pastor. A call was extended to the Rev. Benjamin Thomas of Walker near New Castle on Tyne. Mr. Thomas was inducted on Whit Sunday and Whit Monday, 1858. Within a year the Chapel became too small and it was enlarged by fitting a gallery. The church developed so rapidly that it became necessary to enlarge and rebuild it. This was in 1864 and the cost of the two contracts was £569. The price paid for the Chapel to the Weslyans was £192. The building then had seating accommodation for 600 persons. During this period two ministers were produced by the church, the Revs. Dr. Gurnos Jones and T. Penry Evans, New Quay.

For the full article see Gurnos Chapel Jubilee, 1943.

The History and Heritage of Ystalyfera is put online by Swansea Valley researcher Val Trevallion and Wolfian Design. All copyright remains with the original copyright holder, and all original research is copyright Val Trevallion, YEARGroup.

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