Denomination
Independent (early 19thC) Congregational (late 19thC)
United Reformed Church 1972 to present
Tabernacle Chapel was built in 1811,
and rebuilt in 1841 and again in 1893.
The latest chapel is Simple Gothic in style and has a gable entry plan
The origins of Pennorth Chapel can be found in Aber
church, where a certain Mrs Harvard worshipped, until, in 1813, she persuaded
her husband William to host services at their home at Neuadd Farm in Scethrog,
with the help of local preachers. A year and a half later, a nearby cottage was
rented and converted to a place suitable for public worship. As fellowship
numbers increased, the little cottage chapel at Scethrog became too small, so a
more suitable position was found on land at Pennorth, leased for ‘one peppercorn
a year’. The new Tabernacle Chapel was opened in June 1841, with a burial ground
alongside and in 1857 a minister’s house was erected adjoining the Chapel.
Under the popular ministry of Reverend W Catwg Davys, the chapel was enlarged and refurbished in 1893. Reverend WM Saer was equally well-regarded. Sunday morning services were conducted in Welsh and in the evenings in English. He presided over lavish Centenary Celebrations in October 1913. Membership now averaged 40-60, the Centenary Sunday School Library was formally opened; and the assembled clergy, guests and congregation gave a very warm welcome to Reverend Elvet Lewis, the poet, preacher and hymn writer, revered for his enormous contribution to Welsh life and culture.
For nine years, Reverend Matthew Owen ‘commuted’ by train from Cefn-Coed every Saturday night, returning first thing on Monday morning, having stayed in Chapel House for the two nights. His welcome and charge to those entering the Chapel can still be seen, on the table in the back corner.
Emeritus Professor John Evans, B.A., of Brecon was highly regarded for exercising general oversight in the pastorate during the vacancy of 1906-08. He often cycled from Brecon to Pennorth to lead worship and had also been seen walking across the fields when the roads were blocked by snow. He was 103 when he preached his last service at Tredomen Chapel. The commemorative plaque to mark the occasion is displayed at Pennorth. In October 1949 Eifion Thomas took his first service at Pennorth as the newly appointed minister of the Brecon Rural Group of Independent Chapels (Ebenezer (Upper Chapel), Bethania (Lower chapel), Brechfa, Tredomen and Pennorth). Reverend Thomas remained at Pennorth for 40 years, taking three services every Sunday. It seems that after 1989, services were not necessarily held every week, and eventually a pattern was established offering worship every two weeks. In 1972 Pennorth became part of the United Reformed Church, Alan Willcocks was appointed Special Category Minister in 1999. In the Brecon area, a solution to dwindling attendance and ageing and deteriorating buildings was to amalgamate Ebenezer and Bethania, and for the Brechfa and Tredomen fellowships to decamp to Llanfilo village hall. Two years later, in 2005, the Llanfilo membership joined Pennorth. A new chapter began for ‘Pennorth with Llanfilo’, and the proceeds from the sale of Brechfa and Tredomen were used to refurbish Pennorth. When the Brecon Beacons Pastorate was formed in 2004. Ted Gascoyne from Pennorth became its first chairman. In 2006 Reverend Michael Hodgson was inducted as Minister in the Brecon Beacons Pastorate. Pennorth was refurbished, with updated lighting and heating; and a smart re-paint inside. The vestry/schoolroom was given a window over views to truly gladden the heart, and the kitchen was updated. Michael was joined in 2009 by Reverend Greg Thompson, a valuable support in a busy Pastorate, for 5 years. Following Reverend Hodgson’s departure in 2017 the Reverend Ian Kirby was inducted in 2018, with responsibilities for the Eastern side of the pastorate. In June 2019 we look forward to the Ordination and Induction of his wife Julie as Minister of the Western side.
Under the popular ministry of Reverend W Catwg Davys, the chapel was enlarged and refurbished in 1893. Reverend WM Saer was equally well-regarded. Sunday morning services were conducted in Welsh and in the evenings in English. He presided over lavish Centenary Celebrations in October 1913. Membership now averaged 40-60, the Centenary Sunday School Library was formally opened; and the assembled clergy, guests and congregation gave a very warm welcome to Reverend Elvet Lewis, the poet, preacher and hymn writer, revered for his enormous contribution to Welsh life and culture.
For nine years, Reverend Matthew Owen ‘commuted’ by train from Cefn-Coed every Saturday night, returning first thing on Monday morning, having stayed in Chapel House for the two nights. His welcome and charge to those entering the Chapel can still be seen, on the table in the back corner.
Emeritus Professor John Evans, B.A., of Brecon was highly regarded for exercising general oversight in the pastorate during the vacancy of 1906-08. He often cycled from Brecon to Pennorth to lead worship and had also been seen walking across the fields when the roads were blocked by snow. He was 103 when he preached his last service at Tredomen Chapel. The commemorative plaque to mark the occasion is displayed at Pennorth. In October 1949 Eifion Thomas took his first service at Pennorth as the newly appointed minister of the Brecon Rural Group of Independent Chapels (Ebenezer (Upper Chapel), Bethania (Lower chapel), Brechfa, Tredomen and Pennorth). Reverend Thomas remained at Pennorth for 40 years, taking three services every Sunday. It seems that after 1989, services were not necessarily held every week, and eventually a pattern was established offering worship every two weeks. In 1972 Pennorth became part of the United Reformed Church, Alan Willcocks was appointed Special Category Minister in 1999. In the Brecon area, a solution to dwindling attendance and ageing and deteriorating buildings was to amalgamate Ebenezer and Bethania, and for the Brechfa and Tredomen fellowships to decamp to Llanfilo village hall. Two years later, in 2005, the Llanfilo membership joined Pennorth. A new chapter began for ‘Pennorth with Llanfilo’, and the proceeds from the sale of Brechfa and Tredomen were used to refurbish Pennorth. When the Brecon Beacons Pastorate was formed in 2004. Ted Gascoyne from Pennorth became its first chairman. In 2006 Reverend Michael Hodgson was inducted as Minister in the Brecon Beacons Pastorate. Pennorth was refurbished, with updated lighting and heating; and a smart re-paint inside. The vestry/schoolroom was given a window over views to truly gladden the heart, and the kitchen was updated. Michael was joined in 2009 by Reverend Greg Thompson, a valuable support in a busy Pastorate, for 5 years. Following Reverend Hodgson’s departure in 2017 the Reverend Ian Kirby was inducted in 2018, with responsibilities for the Eastern side of the pastorate. In June 2019 we look forward to the Ordination and Induction of his wife Julie as Minister of the Western side.