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was built and, through the exertions of its members, was
soon paid for. The first minister was the Rev. J. Lloyd
and after him came the Rev. Lewis Probert.
Carmel, Treherbert. Services were first held here in a
dwelling house in 1857 and afterwards in the Long Room of the
Bute Hotel. The church was formed September 1857
and in March 1859 a commodious new chapel was
opened. The ministers who have had the pastoral care
of this church are
Rev. D.A. Jones 1860 to 1862
“ R.Whittington 1864 “ 1866
“ J. Rees 1867 “ 1895
“ J. Pethian Davies 1897 “
Calvinistic Methodists. As has been already stated,
some Methodist preachers and ministers visited the
parish before there was any regularily established cause
with any denomination here. In addition to those
already mentioned we have that the Rev. William Evans
of Tonyrefail preached at Gelli Framhouse on the 19th
of May 1820; on the 7th January 1821 he preached at Cwm-
saebren Farmhouse; on the 24th December 1824 at Ty Fry,
Ystrad and also at other places during the same year.
The following ministers also visited the parish at different
times, namely the Reverends D. Howells, Swansea; J.
James, Bridgend; A. Lumley, Cardiff; Evan Harries, Merthyr;
E. Matthews, Eweny; and D. Saunders, Swansea.
There were a few faithful Methodists in the valley in
the early years of the last century. It is said that the late
Mr. William Davies of Cwmsaebren often rode over the
Mountains to Pentwynbach chapel and afterwards to
Carmel. Aberdare. The late Mr. Evan Davies of Penrhys
and Mrs. Jane Phillips (Shan o’r Shop) Ystrad were