Presbyterian Church of Wales

The Presbyterian Church of Wales (Welsh: Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Cymru), also known as Calvinistic Methodist Church (Yr Eglwys Fethodistaidd Galfinaidd), is a denomination of Protestant Christianity in Wales.

Presbyterian Church of Wales
Modern logo of the Presbyterian Church of Wales
Classification	Protestant
Orientation	Calvinist
Polity	Presbyterian
Moderator	Professor John Gwynfor Jones
Associations	Cytûn, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Conference of European Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Council of Churches
Region	Wales
Origin	Formally separated from the Church of England in 1811 during the Welsh Methodist revival; Presbyterian Church of Wales formally established as an independent church in 1823.
Separated from	Church of England
Congregations	620
Members	20,000[1]
Ministers	45 plus 30 Christian workers

History

Castle Square Presbyterian Church, Caernarfon

The church was born out of the Welsh Methodist revival and the preaching of Howell Harris and Daniel Rowland in the 18th century and seceded from the Church of England in 1811. In 1823, a Confession of Faith was created and adopted, based on the standard Westminster Confession.[2] Theological colleges for ministerial training were opened in Bala, then in Merionethshire, now Gwynedd (1837), Trefeca, then in Brecknockshire, now Powys (1842), and Aberystwyth, in Ceredigion (1906). It produces a quarterly journal Y Traethodydd and a monthly periodical the Treasury. It is distinguished from other forms of Methodism by the Calvinistic nature of its theology. For the history of the church, see Calvinistic Methodists. In 1840, the Foreign Missionary Society was formed in Liverpool to provide missionaries to India. It held its first General Assembly in 1864. In 1928 it officially adopted the name Presbyterian Church in Wales but still retained the name Welsh Calvinistic Methodism with equal standing. In 1933 its constitution was modified as a result of the Presbyterian Church in Wales Act of Parliament in 1933, receiving Royal assent.[3] In 1947 the Association in the East was established for English-speaking churches. In 1978 Pamela Turner became the first woman to be ordained as a minister. In 2004 the central office moved to Whitchurch, Cardiff. In 2007 new boundaries and structures was adopted for presbyteries.[4] It claims to be the only truly Welsh denomination in Christianity, and is rare among Presbyterian Churches, by originating in the Methodist Revival rather than deriving from the Calvinist Reformation.[5][6]

Statistics

Tabernacle, Whitchurch, Cardiff

The Presbyterian Church of Wales has around 20,000 members who worship in around 620 churches. Most of these churches are in Wales, but due to strong historical links between the Welsh and certain English cities, there are churches using both the English and the Welsh languages in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry and Liverpool.[7] Churches belong to one of eighteen Presbyteries, grouped into three Provinces, the Association in the South, the Association in the North (Welsh language), and the Association in the East (English language), along with a General Assembly.[8] About 0.5% of the Welsh population are members of the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

The Church offices are located at the Tabernacle Church, 81, Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1DD.

Social issues

The church is active in discussing social issues within Wales. In 2014, the church opened up a discussion on whether to bless or recognise same-gender relationships.[9]

The church has ordained women as ministers since 1978.[10]

List of churches

Map of pastors

Presbytery of Môn (Welsh)

Churches	Link	Minister
Capel Abarim, Llanfachraeth Capel Bethania, Llangaffo Capel Bethel Hen, Llanrhuddlad Capel Bethesda, Amlwch Capel Bethesda, Cemaes Capel Bethlehem, Garreglefn Capel Brynrefail Capel Cana, Rhostrehwfa Capel Carmel, Llannerch-y-medd Capel Ebeneser, Niwbwrch Capel Gad Newydd, Bodffordd Capel Glasinfryn, Llanbedrgoch Capel Gorslwyd, Rhos-y-bol Capel Gosen, Llangwyllog Capel Jerwsalem, Mynydd Mechell Capel Lôn y Felin, Llangefni Capel Moreia, Llangefni Capel Nyth Clyd, Talwrn Capel Parc, Llannerch-y-medd Capel Peniel, Llanddona Capel Penygarnedd Capel Rehoboth, Burwen Capel Seion, Llandrygan Capel Siloam, Cemlyn Capel Ty Mawr, Capel Coch Capel Ty Rhys, Llangoed Capel Ty'n y Maen, Llanfachraeth Eglwys Unedig Hyfrydle, Caergybi Eglwys Unedig Noddfa, Bae Trearddur Newry Street Presbyterian Church, Holyhead		None
Capel Barachïa, Llandegfan Capel Benllech Capel Horeb, Brynsiencyn Capel Mawr, Porthaethwy Capel Paradwys, Llanallgo Capel Pengarnedd, Rhosgoch Capel y Drindod, Biwmares		(Geraint Roberts)
Capel Aberffraw Capel Bethel, Bodorgan Capel Beulah, Bodorgan Capel Bryn Du, Ty Croes Capel Dothan, Ty Croes Capel Engedi, Ceirchiog Capel Hebron, Bryngwran Capel Horeb, Llangristiolus Capel Jerwsalem, Gwalchmai Capel Paran, Rhosneigr Capel Tabor, Y Fali		Gerallt Lloyd Evans
Capel Disgwylfa, Gaerwen		(Jim Clarke)
Eglwys Unedig Rhos-y-Gad, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll

Presbytery of Arfon (Welsh)

Churches	Link	Minister
Capel Horeb, Llanfairfechan Capel Noddfa, Caernarfon Capel Peniel, Nantmor Eglwys y Berth, Penmaenmawr		None
Capel Bethania, Abergwyngregyn Capel Bethania, Y Felinheli Capel Berea Newydd, Bangor		Elwyn Richards
Eglwys Unedig Jerwsalem, Bethesda		(Geraint Hughes)
Capel Cefnywaun, Deiniolen Capel Coch, Llanberis Capel Rehoboth, Nant Peris		(John Pritchard)
Capel Brynrefail Capel Caeathro Capel y Cysegr, Bethel Capel y Rhos, Llanrug		Marcus Wyn Robinson
Capel Baladeulyn, Nantlle Capel Brynaerau, Pontllyfni Capel Bwlan, Llandwrog Capel Carmel Capel Ebeneser, Clynnog Capel Glanrhyd, Llanwnda Capel Horeb, Rhostryfan Capel Seilo, Caernarfon Capel y Groes, Penygroes Eglwys y Bryn, Groeslon Eglwys y Waun, Waunfawr		Gwenda Richards

Presbytery of Gorllewin Gwynedd (Welsh)

Churches	Link	Minister
Capel Abergeirw Capel Bethel, Tywyn Capel Bethesda, Manod Capel Bethlehem, Bryncrug Capel Bryncir Capel Brynengan Capel Caersalem, Abermaw Capel Deunant, Aberdaron Capel Dinas, Llaniestyn Capel Edern Capel Garnfadryn Capel Horeb, Dyffryn Ardudwy Capel Libanus, Pantglas Capel Llithfaen Capel Moreia, Llanystumdwy Capel Nasareth, Penrhyndeudraeth Capel Peniel Newydd, Llanbedrog Capel Peniel Newydd, Llanegryn Capel Pennal Capel Rhydbach, Botwnnog Capel Salem, Sarn Meyllteyrn Capel Smyrna, Llangian Capel Ty Mawr, Bryncroes Capel Ty'n Ddôl, Abergynolwyn Capel Uwchmynydd, Aberdaron Capel y Babell, Llanalhaearn Capel y Bowydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog Capel y Bwlch, Llanengan Capel y Ddôl, Llanbedr Capel y Graig, Abersoch Capel y Traeth, Criccieth Christ Church, Barmouth		None
Capel Salem, Dolgellau
Capel Llwyndyrus Capel Pencaenewydd Capel Uchaf, Chwilog		(Aled Davies)
Capel Cwm Prysor Capel Maentwrog Uchaf, Gellilydan Capel Moreia, Trawsfynydd		(Anita Ephraim)
Ala Road Presbyterian Church, Pwllheli Capel Berea, Efailnewydd Capel Bethel, Penrhos Capel Isaf, Abererch Capel y Drindod, Pwllheli		Bryn Williams
Capel Bethel, Golan Capel Jerwsalem, Garndolbenmaen Capel Peniel, Tremadog Capel y Porth, Porthmadog		Christopher Prew
Capel Ebeneser, Y Ffôr Capel Isaf, Nefyn Capel Moreia, Morfa Nefyn Capel Pentreuchaf Capel Tudweiliog		R. Roberts

Presbytery of Conwy a Dyfrdwy (Welsh)

Churches	Link	Minister
Capel Bethel, Cynwyd Capel Bryn Ebeneser, Llansantffraid Capel Carmel, Conwy Capel Cefn Nannau, Llangwm Capel Cefnbrith, Glasfryn Capel Cynfal, Melin y Wig Capel Cynllwyd Capel Dinmael Capel Glan-yr-afon Capel Hebron, Hen Golwyn Capel Hermon, Llandrillo Capel Jerwsalem, Cerrigydrudion Capel Maes yr Odyn, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr Capel Moriah, Gwyddelwern Capel Peniel, Deganwy Capel Pensarn, Cyffordd Llandudno Capel Rhosygwalia Capel Seion, Carrog Capel Tabernacl, Llechwedd Capel Ty Mawr, Cwmpenanner Capel y Gro, Betws Gwerfyl Goch Eglwys Unedig Seion a Bryneglwys, Corwen Eglwys Unedig Seilo, Llandudno		None
Capel y Rhos, Rhos on Sea
Capel Bryn Mawr, Betws y Coed Capel Heol Scotland, Llanrwst Capel Moreia, Dolwyddelan Capel Peniel, Trefriw Capel Seion, Llanrwst Eglwys Bach Eglwys Unedig Penmachno		Gerwyn Roberts
Capel Bethel, Melin y Coed Capel Cefn Coch, Llangernyw Capel Padog Capel Pandy Tudur Capel Salem, Efail Uchaf Capel Seion, Capel Garmon Capel Seion, Y Ro-wen Capel Seion, Ysbyty Ifan Capel Tal-y-bont, Conwy Capel Ty'n y Groes Capel y Cwm, Llangernyw		Helen Wyn Jones
Capel Cwmtirmynach Capel Llidiardau, Y Bala Capel Parc, Y Bala Capel Saron, Llandderfel Capel Talybont, Rhyduchaf Capel Tegid, Y Bala		Hywel Edwards
Capel Glanaber, Llanuwchllyn		(Carwyn Siddall)
Capel Cefnddwysarn		(Cath Williams)

Presbytery of Dyffryn Clwyd (Welsh)

Churches	Link	Minister
Capel Gellifor Capel Mawr a Seion, Dinbych Capel Prion Capel Trefnant Capel y Brwcws Capel y Dyffryn, Llandyrnog Capel y Fron, Dinbych Capel y Glyn, Llanrhaeadr Capel y Pentre, Llanrhaeadr Capel y Waen, Bodfari		Andras Iago
Capel Hyfrydle, Betws-yn-Rhos Capel Mynydd Seion, Abergele Capel Tabor, Llanfair Talhaearn		Ifor ap Gwilym
Capel Bethel, Caerwys Capel Bethel, Diserth Capel Bethlehem Unedig, Llanelwy Capel Clwyd Street, Rhyl Capel Ebeneser, Rhuddlan Capel Nasareth, Trelawnyd Capel Rehoboth, Prestatyn Capel Salem, Towyn		Brian Huw Jones
Capel Cefn Meiriadog		(Rhodri Glyn)
Capel Cefnberain Capel Coffa Henry Rees, Llansannan Capel Groes Capel Henllan Capel Llannefydd Capel Nantglyn Capel Peniel Capel Saron Capel Soar, Llanfair Talhaearn		Rhodri Glyn
Capel Bethania, Rhuthun Capel Bethel, Pentrecelyn Capel Bontuchel Capel Clawdd Newydd Capel Derwen Capel Rhewl Capel Salem, Cyffylliog Capel Salem, Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd Capel Tabernacl, Rhuthun Eglwys Unedig y Rhiw, Pwllglas		Morris Morris

Presbytery of Gogledd Ddwyrain (Welsh)

Presbytery of Trefaldwyn (Welsh)

Presbytery of Ceredigion a Gogledd Penfro (Welsh)

Presbytery of Myrddin (Welsh)

Presbytery of Morgannwg Llundain (Welsh)

Northern Presbytery (English)

Churches	Link	Minister
Castle Square Presbyterian Church, Caernarfon Golftyn Presbyterian Church, Connah's Quay (Jonathan Hodgins) Quaystone United Church, Connah's Quay		None
Menai Bridge English Presbyterian Church
Tyddyn Street United Church, Mold		Kathryn Price (URC)
City Road Presbyterian Church, Chester		Maureen Roberts (URC)
Ewloe Green Presbyterian Church		Kathryn Price (URC)
Northop Hall Presbyterian Church, Mold		Jonathan I Hodgins
Mancot Presbyterian Church, Hawarden		Johnathan Hodgins
Two Mills Presbyterian Church, Wirral Clubmoor Presbyterian Church, Liverpool		Mike Ward
Moreton Presbyterian Church
Trinity Church, Penyffordd		Robin Fox (Meth)
Bangor-on-Dee Presbyterian Church Bethel Presbyterian Church, Garden Village Caergwrle Presbyterian Church Rossett Presbyterian Church Tabernacl Presbyterian Church, Rhostyllen		David Jones
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Wrexham
Ruthin Presbyterian Church		Gareth Roberts
St Thomas' Presbyterian Church, Denbigh
Moriah Presbyterian Church, Penbryn		(Huw Powell-Davies)
Gloddaeth United Church, Llandudno		Neil Kirkham
Penrhyn Bay Presbyterian Church
Nant Hall Road Presbyterian Church, Prestatyn		(Mike Smith)
Rhyl United Church		(Paul Robinson)
Seion Presbyterian Church, Colwyn Heights		(Glenys Gough-Hughes)

Mid Wales & Border Presbytery (English)

Presbytery of South West Wales (English)

Presbytery of South East Wales (English)

Bodies to which PCW is affiliated

• Cytûn – Churches Together in Wales
• Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
• Conference of European Churches
• World Communion of Reformed Churches
• World Council of Churches[11]

See also

• Religion in Wales

References

1. "Who we are". The Presbyterian Church of Wales. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
2. www.ebcpcw.org.uk/english/about/beliefs
3. www.reformiert-online.net/adressen/detail.php?id=1467&lg=eng
4. www.ebcpcw.org.uk/english/about/our-history
5. www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/presbyterian-church-of-wales
6. www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=38767
7. Welsh Presbyterian Church, Liverpool
8. www.cwmeurope.org/en/about-cwm-europe/presbyterian-church-of-wales Archived 15 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
9. www.digitalvirtue.com, Digital Virtue - w. "The Presbyterian Church of Wales - Live: The General Assembly". www.ebcpcw.cymru. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
10. www.digitalvirtue.com, Digital Virtue - w. "The Presbyterian Church of Wales - Our History". www.ebcpcw.cymru. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
11. www.ebcpcw.org.uk/english/what-we-do/mission

External links

• Presbyterian Church of Wales website.
• Calvinistic Methodist confession of faith, 1823, Creeds of Christendom website