Information Sources

All information must come come from somewhere. So on this page I will give full credit to the sources of information I have relied upon to prepare this site.

  Mid Glamorgan Chapel Survey

Towards the end of the 70's, the planning department of the then Mid Glamorgan County Council undertook a quite ambitious task to document all the chapels within its boundaries.

The survey included, naturally, drawn plans of the buildings, photographs and histories.

They did not manage the magical number of 151 but there are still files of 148 chapels covering the Rhondda. Sadly, some of those files were empty as the chapels had even ceased to exist during the planning stage of the survey and for other unexplained reasons.

Even so, over 140 chapels were documented.

The survey has since been made available for public inspection at the Glamorgan Archives (formerly Glamorgan Record Office) in Cardiff. The survey represents a rich resource for anyone who wishes to study this fascinating subject or simply wants to fuel their knowledge of a single chapel where their parents, grand-parents etc worshipped.

This site acknowledges the generous co-operation of the Glamorgan Archivist without whose assistance this site would be all the poorer or might not have happened at all.

Further information about the Glamorgan Archives can be found here.

  Rhondda Cynon Taf Digital Archive

The present unitary Authority (a merger of the Mid Glamorgan districts of The Rhondda, The Cynon Valley and Taff Ely) has compiled a vast photographic archive of some 20,000 pictures all of which are available to view online. Prints or digital copies are also available for purchase.

There are many photographs of chapels within the archive some of which are unavailable elsewhere.

This site acknowledges the generous co-operation of Mr Nick Kelland, the Information Services Librarian, who administers the archive for the permission to reproduce some of these photographs in these pages.

Further information about the digital archive can be found here.

  Welsh Chapels and Churches

If the study of the architecture of religious buildings appeals to you, I can certailnly reccomend a visit to Jill Muir's site.

You will find examples from most, if not all, of the Welsh counties.

This site acknowledges the co-operation of Jill Muir in her permission to reproduce content from her site in these pages.

You can visit this site here.

  The History Press

It is often said that a single picture can say more than many words. People will dwell on old photograhs reminding them of the past or spotting a half-forgotten relative.

The History Press is in the forefront of publishing books dedicated to old photographs and there are many titles specifically on The Rhondda.

This site acknowledges the kind co-operation of this publisher, and the compilers of these books, in allowing photographs published in their books to be reproduced on this site viz:

A view of Upper Dunraven St, Tonypandy - "MID-RHONDDA From Penygraig to Llwynypia by David J. Carpenter", Page 64

Wesley Methodist Church, Williamstown - "MID-Rhondda by David J. Carpenter", Page 23

Ebenezer, Maerdy - "Maerdy Rhondda Valley by David Owen", Page 60

Mardy Road, Maerdy - "Maerdy Rhondda Valley by David Owen", Page 66

Cymmer Chapel, Cymmer - "Porth And Rhondda Fach by Aldo Bacchetta and Glyn Rudd", Page 19

Capel Y Porth, Porth - "Porth And Rhondda Fach by Aldo Bacchetta and Glyn Rudd", Page 24

Tabernacle, Ynyshir - "Porth And Rhondda Fach The Second Selection by Aldo Bacchetta and Glyn Rudd", Page 82

Moriah, Ynyshir - "Porth And Rhondda Fach The Second Selection by Aldo Bacchetta and Glyn Rudd", Page 82

To see the full range of books by this publisher, consult their catalogue here.

  The Glamorgan Chapels Database

This project is hosted on the GENUKI website - a vast resource of all matters connected to UK & Ireland geneology.

The Rhondda comprises of three ancient county parishes.

Information for each of these parishes is separately described within the GENUKI site.

Most of The Rhondda Fawr (Big Rhondda) and part of The Rhondda Fach (Little Rhondda) are described on the Ystradyfodwg pages.

Part of the Rhondda Fach (Blaenllechau, Wattstown, Stanleytown and Pontygwaith) plus Porth and Trehafod are described on the Llanwonno pages.

Finally, Dinas, Williamstown and Cymmer are described on the Llantrisant pages.

The pages contain cross-reference links for the sources of the information there contained so this website will not duplicate that information.

  Notes on access to ministerial information

This site is in the process of being updated and an improved Database of Ministers, extended to more recent data, will also be available from the main menu.

With this in mind, I consider it useful to expand on the sources I have utilised to obtain the information.

  The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

All the principal Welsh denominations - Baptists, Independents and Calvinistic Methodists - have published pocket diaries showing names of chapels and the ministers appointed to them. The library holds a complete run of these. The extact name(s) of these publications has changed over time especially with the Calvinistic Methodists and since 1974 the diary information is incorporated into the Year Book.

For the Wesleyan Methodist, Primitve Methodist and United Methodist (formerly Bible Christian and Free Methodists) all united in 1932 as 'The Methodist Church' things are slightly more complicated since ministers are not appointed to individual chapels but to a curcuit containing several chapels. You have to consult the 'Returns Of Accommodation' to establish the circuit name and when 'armed' with that information consult the 'Minutes of Conference' for the ministers so appointed.

The following two libraries contain a complete run of The Minutes with the first named also holding a full run of Accommodation returns and the second holding a more limited number. Alternative to the actual Minutes of Conference are complimentary publications named 'Hall's Circuits and Ministers' which, over several editions, lists the Wesleyan circuits and all ministers so appointed. The 'mirror' publication to give it it's proper title 'Ministers and Probationers...' is commonly known as 'Hill's Arrangement' which lists ministers in alphabetical order and the circuits they served. Whilst no official work has been published for either the Primitive Methodists or the United Methodists, although the latter did publish a 'History' in 1932 which had sections for both the circuit information and the minister information but was only dated from 1907, both are served, as independent publications, as the equivalent of 'Hill's Arrangement'.

  The Methodist Archives

The Methodist Archives are located at the John Rylands University Library, Deansgate, Manchester. The archives do not cater for family history research but covers serious academic research into the Methodist Connexion. This site acknowledges the kind co-operation of the archives in allowing the publication of extracts from accommodation returns and also the filling of the gaps in the ministers' database for both the Welseyan and Primitive Methodist Connexions.

More information about the Methodist Archives can be found here.

  The New Room, Bristol

John Wesley built his 'New Room' in The Horsefair, Bristol, in 1739. It is the oldest Methodist building in the world. The library, which is available for bone-fide research, is now located within the vistor centre adjacent to the chapel. Not withstanding that, the chapel itself is certainly worth a visit and its preservation to the present day is due in no small part to the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists.

More information about The New Room can be found here.

  The Angus Library, Regent's Park, Oxford

This library is specific to the Baptist denomination. It contains the archive of the Baptist Union of England and Wales.

These libraries have a registration policy which may be different to when I visited them. So I suggest, if you are thinking of a visit, which must be pre-booked (except for the NLW but you still require a reader's ticket), you contact them well in advance since you may also require, as I did with some of them, some form of official introduction from your local chapel etc.

  The Surman Index

This is a card-based index, which contains career details of Congregational Ministers, held under the care of The Doctor Williams' Library formerly at Gordon Square, London. That library was also the principal non-conformist library in the UK and contained major runs of Baptist, Congregational and Unitarian Year Books. Unfortunately, the library is now closed and the library's trustees are currently seeking a new home for it's collection. I will update this section when I am aware of it's situation.

Thankfully, the index has been digitized and is available online here.

  Glamorgan Family History Society

Not withstanding what is already written about the Calvinistic Methodists due mention must be made via the CD publications (also available as a download) of the GFHS of 'Y Darluniadur'. This publication from 1900 gives ministerial detail of the Welsh East Glamorgan Association including information earlier than what is available from the aforesaid diaries. The society has graceously allowed me to extract data from this CD.

You can learn more about the society, and their publications from here.

Somewhat closer to home the Central Library,Cardiff, theoretically, holds un-complete runs of the Year Books on request, both English and Welsh, previously mentioned. I say 'theoretically' since I have seen these but was recently advised that they are currently not available. That, hopefully, will change in the near future.

Practically unknown to many researchers is The Arts and Social Studies Library in Cathays, Cardiff being part of the University of Wales. It is open to the general public, no pre-booking required. Specific to the above, their collection is limited but you may still find what you are looking for.

But I cannot complete this section without mention of The South Wales Baptist College, Richmond Road, Cardiff. I learnt about this potentional source when I was in contact with John I. Howells who was writing a book (if only I could afford to do that for The Rhondda) about the Cardiff Baptist churches. Published postumously, I provided a modest contribution to that work. Whilst other semi-local sources have proven somewhat in-accessable (you know who you are), the College has been more than willing to assist. Visits can only be made for certain days when the librarian is present and there is a modest fee valid for a full 12 months. Being a Baptist College the periodicals, mostly Baptist, they hold is not complete and must be pre-ordered. Even so, the several visits I have made save me much travelling and money.

  Chapel histories

In compiling this site, I have consulted as many of the written chapel histories that I can find. Most are long out of print so they now only to be found in libraries and other archives.

One notable exception is Dr. Peter Brooks' 2008 history of Salem Newydd, Ferndale. The book is bi-lingual so even this monoglot Welshman can appreciate it without resort to translation. Dr. Brooks also seeks to describe the type of society that existed in association with Nonconformist chapels during their time rather than just, as most histories do, look inwards at itself.

Copies are available for sale at The Pontypridd Cultural Centre (Tabernacle Chapel) and at The Rhondda Heritage Park at the very nice price of £10 with any profits going to Christian Aid. The book is profusely illustrated which makes me quite envious this being the sort of material I can only dream of for inclusion in this site.

  Private Sources and Resources

I would also like to thank Mr Eben Phillips, former secretary of Ainon Chapel, Ynyshir, for the copies of the denominational annual handbooks from the 1920's which is the prime source of founding dates and seating capacities.

Also special thanks to The Reverend W.Cyril Llewelyn, former minister of Ramah Chapel, Treorchy, for the photograph of that chapel and his insight into the whole genre gained from his many years in the ministry.

Likewise to Karen Larsen for the old postcard that shows Calfaria, Clydach Vale.

A recent (May, 2020) addition to the site is a most excellent photograph of Penuel, Llwynypia. It was taken by Richard Nelson Lewis who grew up in Llwynypia and became a photographer. Both his father, William , and grand-father, Richard William , were very involved in this chapel being lay preachers. Thanks to Sian, daughter of Richard Nelson Lewis, for the photograph.

Details of sources of sundry photographs can be found here.

I have also made extensive use of the large scale Ordnance Survey maps (County Series 25 inch to the mile) of 1919/1920 which accurately identify the location of most chapels. Using these, and modern OS Grid References, the chapels can be individually identified even though most have now vanished.