Gadlys Chapel was a Baptist chapel in Railway Street, Gadlys,
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. It was built as a branch church of
Calfaria Chapel in Aberdare.
History
The cause of its formation began in 1858. It began as a
Sunday school
A Sunday school is an educational institution, usually (but not always) Christian in character. Other religions including Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism have also organised Sunday schools in their temples and mosques, particularly in the West.
Su ...
held in various houses until a schoolroom was built and opened on 6 February 1859.
49 members were released from
Calfaria, Aberdare
Calfaria Baptist Chapel, Aberdare, was one of the largest baptist churches in the South Wales Valleys and the oldest in the Aberdare valley. The chapel had an ornate interior, including a boarded ceiling with a deeply undercut rose, while the ...
to form a new chapel at Gadlys. It was built in 1864 on a land leased from Dr. J.L. Roberts of Gadlys Uchaf Estate.
The architect of the building was Thomas Joseph and the building cost were £675.
Its first
baptism
Baptism (from grc-x-koine, βάπτισμα, váptisma) is a form of ritual purification—a characteristic of many religions throughout time and geography. In Christianity, it is a Christian sacrament of initiation and adoption, almost inv ...
took place on 5 April 1863.
Benjamin Evans at Gadlys
He was the church's minister from 1876 until his death in 1900. he is also known as the 'Bishop of Gadlys'.
Twentieth Century
The history of Gadlys in the twentieth century was characterized by a series of comparatively brief ministries, none of which lasted for more than ten years. Myles Griffiths from Bangor College, but a native of
Neath
Neath (; cy, Castell-nedd) is a market town and Community (Wales), community situated in the Neath Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot County Borough, Wales. The town had a population of 50,658 in 2011. The community of the parish of Neath had a po ...
was inducted as minister in July 1902 at a service at which William Harris of
Heolyfelin presided.
He moved to Liverpool in 1906.
R. Gwenffrwd Hughes arrived from Valley and
Caergeiliog
Caergeiliog is a village in Anglesey, in north-west Wales. It is in the community of Llanfair-yn-Neubwll
Llanfair-yn-Neubwll is a village and community on the Isle of Anglesey in the north west of Wales. The community includes the villages o ...
in Anglesey in 1908.
During his time at Gadlys, Hughes became involved with Liberal Party politics and was nominated as a candidate for a seat on the Board of Guardians in 1910. although he was not selected.
After a brief ministry departed for
Pontlottyn
Pontlottyn ( cy, Pontlotyn) is a village located in the county borough of Caerphilly, within the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan, Wales. It is sited just to the south of Rhymney, and to the west of the Rhymney River.
History
Pontlottyn, ...
in 1910.
Shortly afterwards, Hughes was married at Gadlys Chapel to Ethel, daughter of the late Benjamin Evans.
In 1911 the membership stood at 195 members.
David Bassett, became the next minister in December 1912 and remained for ten years until his death on January 1, 1922.
then after him J.H. Jones came from Laleston beame minister in 1925 and remained minister for four years before moving to
Bonymaen.
He was followed by Thomas Richards, a student from Cardiff College who was inducted in 1933 and served for seven years before moving to Kensington Chapel, Brecon, in 1940.
A new organ was installed in 1940.
Iorwerth Davies moved from lower down the valley at Calfaria, Abercynon, in 1946 and served until 1951.
The minister from 1954 until 1957 was Gwyn Rogers.
Closure
The chapel closed in 1980 and was later converted into flats.
References
Bibliography
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External links
Coflein entry
{{coord, 51.7181, -3.4520, display=title
Chapels in Rhondda Cynon Taf
Aberdare
Churches completed in 1864
Former churches in Wales
Grade II listed churches in Rhondda Cynon Taf