Nebo, Hirwaun was an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Merthyr Road,

Hirwaun Hirwaun is a village and community at the north end of the Cynon Valley in the County Borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, South Wales. It is NW of the town of Aberdare, and comes under the Aberdare post town. At the 2001 census, Hirwaun had a populati ...

Aberdare Aberdare ( ; cy, Aberdâr) is a town in the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, at the confluence of the Rivers Dare (Dâr) and Cynon. Aberdare has a population of 39,550 (mid-2017 estimate). Aberdare is south-west of Merthyr Tyd ...

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

Early history

Nebo was established in the early 19th century, when the Hirwaun ironworks were in operation At that time a number of members of the Independents, the Calvinistic Methodists and the Baptists lived in the village of Hirwaun. For communion they went to Aberdare, but they came together for prayer meetings at houses in Hirwaun. The Independents were generally members of

Ebenezer, Trecynon Ebenezer, Trecynon was an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Ebenezer Street, Trecynon, Aberdare, Wales. It was one of the earliest Independent chapels in the Cynon Valley and remained an active place of worship until 2009. Early history ...

. In 1823, a small chapel was built which was called Nebo, or Pennebo. This was used until 1830, when, following a revival which drew many additional members and listeners, a larger chapel was required. This was used for several years without formal seating or adornments. Eventually, in 1836, this was rectified. The minister from 1823 until 1835 was Joseph Harrison of

, but when his ministry at Ebenezer came to an end so did his connection with Nebo. In early 1836, John Davies of

Llantrisant Llantrisant (; "Parish of the Three Saints") is a town in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales, lying on the River Ely and the Afon Clun. The three saints of the town's name are SS ...

became minister at both Ebenezer and Nebo, and he remained until 1840, when he moved to Mynyddbach, near Swansea. Thereafter, Ebenezer and Nebo had separate ministers.

The pastorate of William Williams 1841–77

William Williams was inaugurated at Nebo in May 1841. By 1850, the chapel had become much too small to house the congregation, so a larger chapel was built at a cost of £1,100: it could accommodate 800 people. The new building was opened on 9 March 1851. In 1853, Nebo was recorded as having a membership of 250, with 200 in the Sunday School. Williams died in January 1877. A number of ministers officiated at his funeral, including

Thomas Rees Thomas Rees may refer to: Religious figures * Thomas Rees (Congregational minister) (1815–1885), Welsh Congregationalist minister * (1869–1926), Welsh theologian and editor, principal of Bala-Bangor Independent College, see 1926 in Wales * Th ...

of Swansea.

The 1904-05 Religious Revival

During the Revival of 1904-05, the leading evangelist Evan Roberts visited Hirwaun and services were held at several chapels, including Nebo, The chapel was said to be full at 9.00 a.m. and the congregation remained in the crowded building until Roberts finally arrived in later afternoon.

Closure

The chapel remained open into the 21st century, but closed in 2007. The building was sold for conversion to a dwelling. It featured in the BBC TV series Restoration Home.

References

Bibliography

External links

*
Coflein entry
{{coord, 51.738661, N, 3.509106, W, display=title Chapels in Rhondda Cynon Taf Grade II listed churches in Rhondda Cynon Taf