07/09/2026
JUST UP YOUR STREET:
THE FORMER TABERNACLE INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, LLECHRYD.
The chapel was founded in 1880 by the Revd. William Rees and the chapel itself was built here in 1880-1. It opened on February 6th 1881, though it was still incomplete, and could seat 600 persons. It cost about £900 to build, and was constructed of brick with a stucco finish inside and out. The woodwork was primarily yellow pine. The land was given by Mrs. Finch – a local publican who had felt sympathy for Rev. William Rees for having been locked out of his own chapel at Yr Hen Capel/Capel Isaf, Llechryd, and forced to resign because of his unpopular views on temperance. During the course of building work, the supportive Llechryd Methodists had allowed the congregation to meet at Llwynadda vestry. The opening ceremony was slightly marred by the fact that the new building could not accommodate the large crowds that attended. The chapel followed the principles of Emmanuel Swedenborg. A surprise religious census in 1884 showed 183 persons attending in the morning and 228 in the evening – making Tabernacl the best attended place of worship in the parish. On August 6th 1889 Annie Rees, the only daughter of the Revd. William Rees, the Minister of Tabernacl, died aged 16 years. In 1918 the Revd. William Rees retired as the Minister. On January 14th 1919 Rev. William Rees died. In March 1920 a plaque in memory of Rev. William Rees was unveiled here.
On December 22nd 1920 the Revd. Daniel Adams of Dowlais, became the Minister of Tabernacl. From 1920 until 1950 Rev. Daniel Adams was the Minister. In September 1932 William Davies of Hendy in the neighbouring parish of Llangoedmor, died aged 77 years. He had been a member of the chapel since it opened, and was a senior deacon. In April 1937 Rev. Daniel Adams stated publicly that, contrary to local gossip, he had not canvassed on behalf of any candidate in a recent election. In June 1937 tenders were sought for painting and decorating the interior of the building. In June 1938 Rev. & Mrs. Daniel Adams celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. In 1938 the Tabernacl Deacons were named as: David James, Llwynduris, Llandygwydd (Precentor); John Davies, Clifton House; William H. Sallis, Milestone (Trustee); Griffith Jones, Olmarch (Trustee); Richard Evans, Glanderi, Cilgerran (Treasurer & Trustee); David Davies, Lanhurst (Publicist); Griffith Jones, Cwrcoed (Trustee); Enos George, Llwynduris; William J. Williams, Boncath (Secretary); and Benjamin Thomas, Glanarberth. There were about 135 members in the congregation at that time. On November 30th 1950 the Revd. Daniel Adams retired after 30 years as pastor.
In 1952 the Deacons were: William H. Sallis (Correspondence Secretary); David Davies; Richard Evans; William J. Williams (Secretary); and Benjamin Thomas. I. R. Howells was the Treasurer. There were about 106 members in the congregation at that time. In October 1953 the Revd. D. Rhys Thomas became the minister until 1976. On April 8th 1954 a Cymanfa was held here, with W. H. Sallis as the conductor. In September 1958 Rev. Daniel Adams moved to Carmarthen. The Revd. D Rhys Thomas succeeded him as the Minister at Tabernacl Chapel. In October 1975 Rev. D. Rhys Thomas announced his intention to retire in September 1976, and he finally stepped down in October 1976. In 1980 the chapel was redecorated externally and internally. In 1980 the deacons were: Harri Evans; W. J. Evans; Cadifor Griffiths; Ifor Howells; David T. Mathews; and Ronwy Sallis. Revs. D. Rhys Thomas and Tom Rees were Honorary Deacons. Mrs. H. Howells was the Treasurer and I. Gerwyn James was the Correspondence Secretary. There were then about 78 members in the congregation. On April 15th 1981 the chapel celebrated its centenary.
Text and Photograph Copyright (c) Glen K Johnson, 2023
The photograph shows Tabernacle Chapel as it appeared in 2001.
