Ynysydarren Road

By 1945, we hear of a Spiritualist Church in Ynysydarren Road, Ystalyfera, presumably the same one having moved into more permanent premises. It is worthy of note that from the articles we have from 1945 to 1947 this establishment is referred to as the Ynynydarren Spiritualist Church.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 15th December 1945:-

Mr and Mrs White Maesteg, will occupy the rostrum at the Spiritualist Church Ynysydarren Road on Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2.45 and 6pm. Refreshments will be provided for visitors on Sunday afternoon at a nominal charge and a hearty invitation is extended to all interested.

From the South Wales Voice 19th January 1946:-

The speaker at the Spiritualist Church Ynysydarren Road Ystalyfera, on Sunday will be Mr W J Nicholas Landore. The service is to commence at 6pm. All interested in spiritualism are heartily invited to attend.

From the South Wales Voice 4th January 1947:-

The speaker at the Ynysydarren Spiritualist Church on Sunday next at 6pm is Mr Gibby Oystermouth. This is Mr Gibby's first visit to the locality. A hearty welcome is extended to all interested in Spiritualism. On Saturday last the members and children of the church held a Christmas tea and social evening. A Christmas tree was decorated for the occasion and everyone present received a gift. The part of Father Christmas was taken by Mrs S James.

Ystalyfera Spiritualist Church

By 1950, there is an establishment calling itself the Ystalyfera Spiritualist Church, rather than Ynysydarren, and possessed of a license to conduct weddings. This is presumably the same legal entity as today's Ystalyfera Spiritualist Church, off Saint David's Road, and would perhaps imply a further move of premises, from Ynysydarren Road to a new building.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 19th August 1950:-

SPIRITUALIST CHURCH WEDDING
A pretty wedding took place last Saturday at the Ystalyfera Spiritualist Church; the contracting parties being Miss Annie M J James only daughter of Mr and Mrs T M James 20 Varteg Road and Mr Haydn M Evans son of Mr and Mrs T Evans 7, East Crossways Alltycham Pontardawe.
There was a large attendance to witness the ceremony, the 1st to be performed in the Church, which had been tastefully decorated with a vast assortment of flowers for the occasion; the Rev Mrs M Hibbs Treherbert officiated, assisted by the president of the Church, Mrs R Thomas with Mr Sidney Evans at the organ.
The bride who was given away by her father, was charmingly attired in a gown of white georgette trimmed with braid and wore a full-length veil held in place by a white net halo trimmed with orange blossom, she carried a bouquet of red carnations.
She was attended by two bridesmaids, Misses Glenys Powell and Betty Bartlett, who wore full length gowns of pink and pale blue crêpe de chine respectively, with shoulder length veils and halos of net trimmed with lilies of the valley. Both carried bouquets of pink dahlias with gypsophilia.
The flower girl was little Karyle Arlene James, niece of the bride, prettily dressed in a gown of white charmeuse and a Dutch bonnet; she carried a basket of mixed roses and carnations.
On coming out of the church the bride was presented with two silver horseshoe by little Moira Lewis, niece of the groom and Margaret Smith her own niece.
The best man was Mr Gareth Price and the groomsmen Messrs T Evans and Lewis James brother of the bride; the ushers were Messrs William Steele and be Belcher, members of the church; after the ceremony the bride and bridegroom were presented with a handsome Bible by the church members as a souvenir of their unique occasion in the annals of the church.

Ministers of Ystalyfera Spiritualist Church

This section will include any information on the ministers of Ystalyfera Spiritualist Church that we are able to locate and collate.

NAME

DATA