Hot on the heels of the celebration of 100 years of Y Tabernacl's chapel organ comes the more significant 150th anniversary of the founding of sister Capel Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Cymru, Bethania (here, we find a digital organ albeit with an original console).
It was on this very day in 1865 that the Calvanistic Methodist cause (as the Presbyterian church was then called) was founded in Llanfwrog. After a period of meetings in sundry homes, a mass of some 100 congregants decided it was time to buy land and build. It began as Capel Sebuel, the brick-built chapel building on Mwrog Street immediately to the right of the current stone-dressed Bethania. After about 30 years, the number of congregants had increased so dramatically that the elders built a completely new building next door, converting Sebuel into the chapel's large vestry. For this, they raised money including a mortgage, paid off after 30 years. Such was the passion for worship that people were prepared to put their hands in their pockets. Can you imagine that today?
Bethania itself has changed little in its time. It seats 350, has a fine wooded ceil and pine pews but is now only full at funerals. Its galleried sister Y Tabernacl is grander inside & out; Bethania is plainer, as perhaps befits Llanfwrog when compared to Rhuthun/Ruthin itself. Y Tabernacl is older. It's predecessor, built in 1789 and rebuilt in 1828, is the post office outstation building on Rhos Street, still very discernible as a chapel. The present Y Tabernacl was built between 1889 & 1891.
Over the weekend of October 10th & 11th the Bethania elders put on celebratory events. This included an interesting exhibition of press cuttings, photographs, documents plus a slide show and a film of the 100 years' commemoration of the Bethania building itself. The following evening saw a concert, with significant involvement from young people, some of whom documented the early years in drama.
The current minster Y Parch Morris Pugh Morris, who himself has been pastor at Bethania for 19 of those 150 years (and at Y Tabernacl since 2010, upon the retire emt of Y Parch Tudur Rowlands), earlier said,
Only the Roman Catholic church, with its large catchment, can muster more than Bethania (about 200, in fact) and Bethania's congregation is relatively healthy when compared to some capeli and churches. This is a legacy of both the religious revivals of yore and the strong link twixt chapel and iaith y nefoedd. But can it and other capeli survive into the next generation, to celebrate another 150 years? Though Bethania is blessed with youngsters, once they hit secondary school & beyond, younger people seem disinclined to attend any form of religious worship. Come middle age, some migrate back but today's young adults are more likely to leave for university and not return. As the congregation ages, it is inevitable that Bethania will merge with Y Tabernacl but even that will not be the end of it, as the future looks uncertain.
One of its members who continues to worship regularly is Beti Watson of Trem y Foel, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
At its peak, Bethania held services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., while Sunday School for children as well as adults, was at 2 p.m.
Over the weekend of October 10th & 11th the Bethania elders put on celebratory events. This included an interesting exhibition of press cuttings, photographs, documents plus a slide show and a film of the 100 years' commemoration of the Bethania building itself. The following evening saw a concert, with significant involvement from young people, some of whom documented the early years in drama.
The current minster Y Parch Morris Pugh Morris, who himself has been pastor at Bethania for 19 of those 150 years (and at Y Tabernacl since 2010, upon the retire emt of Y Parch Tudur Rowlands), earlier said,
"Mae’r dathlu hwn yn gyfle i ddiolch am yr hyn a fu, ond hefyd i ystyried beth yw ein cenhadaeth heddiw"It is the second part of this sentence that is troubling, as it is for any chapel or church in modern day heathen Wales. The church/chapel and society are now divorced. Where once the nation accepted Christian values, it does no longer. Perhaps through necessity, now, chapels have become enclaves, looking inward. Out of a membership of between 100 and 200, the number of regular congregants at Bethania is about 50. Is this enough of a critical mass to do as Morris Pugh Morris suggests?
Bethania continues in a long and proud tradition of producing dramas. According to the 150th anniversary display, these started in 1937 (and are still going strong)
One of its members who continues to worship regularly is Beti Watson of Trem y Foel, who recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
At its peak, Bethania held services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., while Sunday School for children as well as adults, was at 2 p.m.