Ystalyfera History & Heritage
- Origins and Construction
- English Con Architecture
- Right to Solemnize Marriages
- The First World War
- Pastors of the English Con
- - Rev Melville Phillips
- Ystradgynlais English Con
- Dedication of a new Bible
- Renovations 1932-1934
- The 1939 Anniversary
- 75th Anniversary 1944
- World War 2 Memorial
- Demolition of the English Con
- Minute Book
- Yan Boogie
- In the Llais
Origins of the English Congregational Church
Information about the origins of the English Congregational Church, Ystalyfera, comes from several sources including the Llais (The Labour Voice/The South Wales Voice), an article by John Partridge, and the Minute Book of the church.
From 'The Beginnings of our Congregation' by John Partridge:-
The first service in the Ystalyfera Church was held in the present building on the 1st July 1869 so that the 1997 Church Anniversary was its 128th. The church was formed in January 1868, holding its meetings in the Wern Chapel on Sunday mornings after the Welsh service. Soon there were 31 members and also a thriving Sunday school was established.
When the church opened, it was in debt by £540. A Church meeting held on July 20th 1873 decided that anniversary services be held on Ladies Day, August 10th. The custom of the church at that time was to hold a tea meeting. This was like an Annual General Meeting with tea and cakes etc first and Guest Speakers afterwards.
From the newspaper article on the 71st anniversary:-
At that time the late Mr. James Palmer Budd was a great power here industrially and I have seen his personal signature on the lease granting the land for the building of the church. A prime mover in the cause was the late Mr. Henry Parrish, a native of Birmingham, who lies buried in the lower churchyard. Another was the late Mr. T. R. White, whom many of the old folk will remember, and who was the architect. The building shows that his plan was an unusual one for this district and was no doubt a copy of what he had been used to in his native county of Northumberland. Mr. Alexander Bain also, a loyal Scotsman and a native of Glasgow district. He lived at Hendreforgan at this time and used to ride down to church on his pony. He also was heart and soul in the work. They have left us a good example and lasting evidence of their labours, which we enjoy today. “By their fruits ye shall know them”.
From the Minute Book came the following note:-
April 9th 1868 – On this date … Mr Alexander Bain of Hendreforgan and Mr Henry Parish of the Limes Ystalyfera were appointed deacons of the church and the following were united with them in Christian fellowship:
Mrs Bain Hendreforgan
Mrs Parish of the Limes
Mrs Jenkins Pantteg
Mrs J R White Fountain Hall
Mr J Fox & Miss H Fox
Miss Thomas Pantteg
Mrs Davies Wern & Miss Davies Wern
Mr N Bennett Pantteg
Mr H Penhale Wern
Miss Jane Bonehill
Mrs Williams Wern
17th September 1869 – Purchase a lamb to be placed over Chapel door
DISCUSSION: Library for Sunday school
And raising money to pay for the harmonium already in use
From a newspaper article on the death of the last of the founders of the English Congregational Church came additional fascinating detail. Saturday 11th August 1934's edition of the South Wales Voice records:-
THE LAST OF THE BUILDERS
By the death of Mr Jenkin Davies at Cwrt Newydd Pontardawe, last week, the last link is broken in the actual builders of the English Congregational Church Ystalyfera. Peace to his memory.
If we could go back to the Ystalyfera of nearly 70 years ago we should see a very different place from what it is today. The main road through the place was merely a rough cart track and many of the larger houses and streets were unbuilt. There was no sewerage system, no bus services and the train services of comparatively recent date.
Where the Congregational Church now stands was the wasteland covered largely by coal level tips overlooking Mr Fisher’s house across the road. A few English friends had obtained a sublease of this land from the late Mr James Palmer Budd on which to build a church.
It was here after much consultation with the brave hearts that the friends commence to build. There was the late Mr T R White the architect, short and stocky in the prime of life. Then Mr Henry Parrish - a clerical type of man - cashier at the Ystalyfera works, who was somewhat older, but whose heart and soul were in the job. Mr Alexander Bain, also, the manager of the Hendreforgan Colliery, came riding down on horseback to watch the work. Truly their hearts were in the building and it remains a lasting tribute to their memory.
The contractors were Messrs William Evans and John Griffiths Pontardawe; Carpenter Lewis Williams; plasterer, slater and plumber Jenkin Davies; workmen William Dodd and William Thomas.
And now Jenkin Davies has passed on. The last - I believe- of the old builders. He is not forgotten.
The church has done good service down the years and truly the works of good men live after them.
They built well, perhaps better than they knew. They took pride in their work. I know that when Jenkin Davies was lately in Ystalyfera, he looked up proudly at the old church. Perhaps his thoughts were far away in the happy days of his long lost youth.