Ebenezer, Ammanford
Ebenezer is a Baptist chapel in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Services at Ebenezer are conducted in the Welsh language.
| Ebenezer, Ammanford | |
|---|---|
| |
| 51.7914°N 3.9887°W | |
| OS grid reference | SN629121 |
| Location | Lloyd Street, Ammanford |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Baptist |
| History | |
| Founded | 1849 |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Early 19th century |
| Completed | 1851 |
The chapel was founded in 1849 by baptists who previously worshipped at neighbouring Llandyfan and Saron.[1] The following year, a new chapel which was named Ebenezer was built near Quay Street adjacent to a property known as Primrose Cottage. Primrose Cottage was subsequently acquired by the chapel and served as the chapel caretaker's residence until it was demolished in the 1960s and replaced by a car park.[1]
As Ammanford's population grew, the chapel building proved to be too small, resulting in Ebenezer being rebuilt and enlarged in 1877.[1]
John Griffiths was inaugurated as minister of Ebenezer in 1908, having previously served at Ponciau near Wrexham.[2] At that time, Ebenezer had around 600 members.
In 1919, Griffiths was elected to represent Ammanford on Carmarthenshire County Council as a Progressive candidate, comfortably defeating a Labour candidate. A few months later, however, Griffiths resigned his pastorate to move to Llandudno.[3] Within a few weeks, however, Griffiths reversed his decision and returned to Ammanford. He left for Cardiff some years later.
The poet E. Llwyd Williams was minister of Ebenezer from 1936 until his early death in 1960. Williams won the chair at the National Eisteddfod at Rhyl in 1953 and the following years won the crown at the National Eisteddfod at Ystradgynlais.[1]
John Talfryn Jones became minister at Ebenezer in 1977 and has served for over forty years.
References
- Norman, Terry. "Ebenezer Baptist Chapel". Ammanford Website. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- "Ammanford. New Pastor". Carmarthen Journal. 4 September 1908. p. 3. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
- "Presentation to the Rev. J. Griffiths B.A. B.D." Amman Valley Chronicle. 4 September 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 23 September 2019.