History of Libanus Chapel
The original Libanus Chapel was built in 1823 and rebuilt in 1861 on the
west side of the Brecon to Merthyr Tydfil road. In 1969 the chapel was
demolished prior to the realignment and widening of the A470 Brecon to
Merthyr road. In 1972 the old chapel was replaced by a modern one on the
east side of the new road adjacent to the burial yard. By this time many
Congregational churches had merged with the Presbyterian Church to become
the United Reformed Church. The western edge of the burial yard was
disturbed during the roadworks and some graves were lost.
Libanus
Published 1886
Source: The Illustrated History and Biography of Brecknockshire by Edwin
Poole
This chapel is situated on the side of the high road from Brecon to Merthyr,
about four miles from Brecon. In the year 1820 two young men, David Davies
and Morgan Powell, were led to start a Sunday School in a cottage in the
neighbourhood. They were joined by David Lewis, a member of the Brychgoed
church. This was the beginning of the Independent cause at Libanus.
Mr Thomas Powell, Minister of the Plough Chapel, Brecon, hearing of the
efforts of these men offered his assistance which was accepted. Mr Powell
came over to preach at the cottage and also at Twynneuadd. His ministry was
blessed to the conversion of some of the farmers of the district who joined
the church at Brecknock. The congregation at the cottage increased and it
was found necessary to build a chapel. This was done and the chapel opened
for worship in October 1823. The site was the gift of W Hughes Esq,
Brecknock. The little vessel had scarcely set sail when it was almost
wrecked through the irregularities of one who held the office of treasurer
and the unprincipled person who became the first minister. The County
Association of ministers interfered and succeeded in throwing overboard both
these offenders.
For some time after, Mr Evans, Cwmwysg, had charge of the church. In the
year 1833 Mr Williams Moses, a native of Pontargothi, Carmarthenshire, was
ordained to the pastorate. Mr Moses continued in office until 1848 when he
moved to Cefn. In April in the same year Mr Stephens, Pantglas, took the
church under his charge. The cause revived and soon became a very
flourishing church. The great revival of 1860 made itself felt here and many
were brought to the Lord. In June 1861 the present chapel was opened for
public worship. It is larger and better than the former chapel on the same
site. The haulage of the materials was done free of charge by members of the
church and the £400 which the building cost was very soon cleared. Mr
Stephens continued pastor till his death in 1872. The following year saw Mr
J R Williams of the Independent College, Brecknock, ordained to the
pastorate of Libanus and Cwmcamlais. Mr Williams left for Hirwaun at the end
of 1877. In July 1878 Mr Thomas Thomas of the Independent College,
Brecknock, was ordained here and remained until December 1881 when he moved
to Llangadock, Carmarthenshire. In June 1882 Mr Rees Watkin Rees was
ordained to the pastorate and he continues to labour to this date (1885).
The services are conducted in the Welsh language.
Libanus
Publsihed 1912 by Joseph Williams & Sons, Tryst 1912, Merthyr Tydfil
Source: Brecon and Radnor Congregationalism: 1662 Commemoration Volume
edited by Rev T Gwyn Thomas and Prof Joseph Jones
Liabnus chapel is situated within four miles of Brecon, on the main road
from that town to Merthyr. The origin of the church in this place is most
interesting. It appears that in 1820 two young men, David Davies and Morgan
Powell, undertook to start a Sunday School in the district. They met in
private houses. Shortly afterwards they were joined by Mr David Lewis, a
member at Brychgoed, who, though illiterate, opened and closed the school by
prayer. The school so increased in numbers that a larger room became
necessary and a vacant house was rented.
At the end of 1821 Mr Thomas Powell, minister of the Plough Chapel, Brecon,
having heard of the good work done, expressed a wish to preach to the
people. He was heartily welcomed and conducted services at Twyn Neuadd and
other places. Finding that his ministry was appreciated at the close of one
service he announced that an after-meeting (cyfeillach) would be held. To
his great joy six people expressed their desire for admission into the
Christian Church and a short time afterwards there were twelve persons in
the district seeking church fellowship and were received members at the
Plough. Mr Powell continued to minister to them as often as was possible but
ultimately a piece of land having been procured from W Hughes Esq, Brecon, a
small chapel was built and opened October 6th and 7th 1823. Among the
ministers officiating on the occasion were the Revs J Morgan, Pentretygwyn;
D Jones, Maesyronnen; R Jones, Ffaldybrenin; J Jones Talgarth; and D
Williams, Llanwrtyd. At the close of the services the debt remaining was
£80. So far everything went on prosperously and augured well for the future.
But very soon after the opening of the chapel the newly planted church was
nearly uprooted. It appears that a dishonest person found his way into the
position of treasurer and secretary of the church. Through his mismanagement
the £80 debt increased to £120. Also the church was very unfortunate in its
minister at the time and these two officials between them nearly destroyed
the church. But through the exertions of some of the ministers of the county
the situation was saved and peace and order were restored.
Mr D Evans, the devoted minister of Cwmwysg, took charge and continued his
ministry for six years. When he left an invitation was given to Mr William
Moses, a member of Siloam church, Pontargothi, who was ordained September
24th and 25th 1833 and labored here until 1848 when he removed to Tabor,
Cefncoedcymer. During the later years of his ministry the church gradually
lost ground, but happily after his departure on April 16th 1848, the Rev
John Stephens of Brychgoed, took charge. A debt of £45 gave some trouble but
Mr Stephens, who was an incomparable collector, went from house to house and
very soon cleared it. He also made another collection and placed a new
pulpit in the chapel. The people were revived and encouraged, several
members were added, and the church has remained in a flourishing condition
till the present day.
In 1860 – the time of the great revival – scores were added to the church.
Mr Stephens, with his usual shrewdness, took advantage of the rising tide,
and proceeded forthwith to build a new chapel, which, with other necessary
improvements cost £400. On the opening day in June 1861 £300 of the debt was
paid; and before two years has elapsed, the remainder had been wiped off. Mr
Stephens ministered to the church faithfully till his death.
In 1873 Libanus and Cwmcamlais jointly called Mr J R Williams of Brecon
College to the pastorate. He was ordained August 19th and 20th 1873, and
remained for four years when he left for Nebo, Hirwaun. He had not been
blessed with a strong constitution but was a clear thinker, a popular
preacher and a strong supporter of the Sunday School. He published a very
instructive handbook on Sunday School work. He died in 1888 in the prime of
life.
In the year 1878 Mr Thomas Thomas of Brecon College was invited to the
pastorate of united churches and was ordained September 4th. He worked here
very energetically and proved himself a most earnest and devoted minister.
At the end of 1881 he removed to Llangadock, Carmarthenshire, where for many
years he did a noble work. He died suddenly in March 1908. He was succeeded
in the year 1882 by Mr R W Rees, also of the Memorial College, who was
ordained June 28th. Mr Rees labored there very successfully for 14 years
until his removal to Barry Dock in 1896. He was a pleasing preacher, a good
organizer, a strong advocate of temperance, a zealous supporter of the
London Missionary Society, an ardent Liberal and altogether a strong and
fascinating personality. The fine Sunday School library at Libanus is a
monument to his untiring energy and his devotedness to the Sunday School.
After a short ministry at Barry Dock he passed away in 1897 in the prime of
his life.
In June 1897, Mr John Lewis, pastor of the Ford Church Pembroke, became
minister. He labored diligently until 1905 when he removed to Blaenycoed,
Carm. Mr Lewis is a devoted minister, a gifted poet, and a popular preacher.
Mr M P Moses, the present pastor, commenced his ministry on 1st March 1908.
He is a powerful preacher, a clear thinker, and a faithful and valuable
member of the Breconshire Congregational Association.He has been chairman of
the Association and at present serves the churches of the county in the
capacity of joint secretary of the Brecon and Radnor Sunday School Union.
Libanus chapel is free from debt, is kept in an excellent condition, and has
an extensive burial ground. It appears that Mr William Morgans, who settled
in Bethesda, Brynmawr, is the only minister who commenced to preach at this
church.
Timeline
1820 David
Davies and Morgan Powell start a Sunday School meeting in private houses.
Shortly afterwards they were joined by David Lewis, a member at Brychgoed
1821 Thomas
Powell, minister of the Plough Chapel, Brecon conducted services at Twyn
Neuadd and other places. Fellowship increases
1823 Piece of
land procured from W Hughes Esq, Brecon, and a small chapel built.
Opened October 6th and 7th 1823
1827 ? D Evans, the devoted
minister of Cwmwysg, took charge and continued his ministry for six years
1833 William
Moses, a member of Siloam church, Pontargothi, ordained September 24th and
25th
April 1848 William Moses removed to Ebenezer & Tabor,
Cefncoedcymer and Rev John Stephens of Brychgoed, took charge on April 16th
June 1861 New chapel built at a cost of £400
August 1873 Libanus
and Cwmcamlais jointly call J R Williams of Brecon Collage to the pastorate.
He was ordained August 19th and 20th 1873. He remained for four years when
he left for Nebo, Hirwaun
1878 Thomas
Thomas of Brecon College was ordained September 4th He remained until the
end of 1881 when he removed to Llangadock, Carmarthenshire
1882 Rees
W Rees, also of the Memorial Collage, was ordained June 28th. His ministry
lasted 14 years until his removal to Barry Dock in 1896
June 1897 John Lewis, pastor of the Ford Church Pembroke became
minister until 1905 when he removed to Blaenycoed, Carmarthenshire
March 1908 Moses P Moses commenced his ministry on 1st March 1908