Bethel Chapel History Launched
September 25, 2008
A new book has been launched to celebrate the history of a much-loved chapel in the Cynon Valley.
Elfed Davies from Gadlys, Aberdare, who is a member of the Hirwaun Historical Society organized the launch jointly with the Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Libraries and Museum Service.
The launch of The History of Bethel Chapel took place at Hirwaun Library and was attended by fellow historians, friends and family.
Mr Davies, a former headmaster of Hirwaun Junior School, published his first book, The Story of Carmel, Trecynon in 2002.
The village of Hirwaun grew from the need to provide houses and services for the workers at the Hirwaun Ironworks that was founded by John Mayberry in 1757.
Bethel Chapel in Bethel Place, Hirwaun was built by the Calvinistic Methodist movement in 1823 to answer the spiritual needs of much of its population.
For 185 years the chapel has stood as a major landmark in the village and Mr Davies compiled the history of the establishment in an effort to preserve the many stories associated with the building.
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