Bryn Seion Chapel, Cwmtwrch, Ystradgynlais

Bryn Seion Chapel, Cwmtwrch, is located on the Berrington Hill, and is accessed by a small bridge over a stream. It was constructed in 1877, and has been closed for some time, reportedly already having ceased use by 1996. As of August 2019, it has newly been listed for sale.

Bryn Seion, Upper Cwmtwrch began as a Sunday school for the Baptists, but was incorporated as a separate church in 1897 when Beulah gave the building to the new cause and saw 57 of its own members leave to create the new congregation. By 1902, membership stood at 174, which was to be its maximum, and in that year Bryn Seion created a daughter church at Bryn Gwilym, Cwmllynfell, when 33 of its members left to form the new church.

It is recorded that initially Rev B. James "took care of these chapels" so he presumably was the minister at this time of both Bryn Seion and its daughter church at Bryn Gwilym. He is listed as having been the minister of Beulah, Cwmtwrch, so these daughter churches would initially have seen a unity of the Baptist churches descended from that cause.

From the Llais

The Llais newspaper had always included a round-up of happenings at local churches and chapels, even when these were not part of any particular story. Sometimes they advertised forthcoming events, and at other times who was preaching, or had preached there recently.

Our aim in listing some of these here for Bryn Seion Chapel, Upper Cwmtwrch, is not to be exhaustive, but to list the major events, and a snapshot of other mentions during a couple of years so that a picture of the life of the chapel may be gleaned.

From the Labour Voice Saturday 23rd November 1918 came news of a new minister for Noddfa and Nant-y-Ffin. Reverend George R Davies had been minister of Bryn Seion, Cwmtwrch from 1905-1919, and of Bryn Gwilym, Cymllynfell from 1911 to 1919.

The people of Cwmllynfell and district regret very much to hear of the impending departure of the Rev G R Davies Minister of Bryn Seion and Bryn Gwilym Baptist Churches. Since he came to the Cwm, Mr Davies has made a large circle of friends and by his quiet unassuming manner has won the esteem of all. He has laboured hard in the district and has done good work. Mr Davies leaves for Nantyffin and Noddfa Abercrave early in the New Year.

Miss Rosina Davies was hired as minister of Bryn Seion Chapel, Cwmtwrch in March 1926. Click the link to see a full biography of this remarkable lady, as well as numerous articles from the Llais about her time at Bryn Seion, which she departed in 1928.

The Labour Voice newspaper of 1st May 1926 records that a visiting preacher occupied the pulpit of Bryn Seion for their anniversary services that year.

Bryn Seion anniversary services were held on Saturday evening and throughout Sunday last, when the Rev Joseph James, Cwmbach, attracted crowded congregations. Mr James is one of the most powerful preachers in the Baptist pulpit and his visit to this district is always eagerly looked forward to.

From the Labour Voice November 27th 1926 came news that Rosina Davies the pastor of Bryn Seion, Cwmtwrch, had preached throughout the previous Sunday at Noddfa Chapel, Abercrave:-

ABERCRAVE NOTES
PULPIT NEWS

Miss Rosina Davies, pastor of Bryn Seion, Cwmtwrch, preached eloquently at Noddfa Chapel throughout Sunday. There were good congregations. This was Miss Davies' first visit, but she will probably pay a second soon as she is very popular in the Baptist cause.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 12th January 1946 comes news of a visiting preacher for Bryn Seion, Cwmtwrch, something which might have become the norm by then:-

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, April 1946:-

Cynhelir
CWRDD COFFA
ar ol y diweddar Walter R. Powell, AR BRYNHAWN SUL, EBRILL 14, 1946, i ddechrau am 2-30. Roddir croesaw cynnes i bawb, ac yn arbennig i'r rhai a fu yn gwasanaethu yn y lluoedd arfog. Am fanylion, gwel y posters.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 29th March 1947:-

BRYN SEION - Rev. Dan Jones, Lower Cwmtwrch, was the preacher at Bryn Seion Chapel last Sunday.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 19th April 1947:-

Preaching Services - The Rev E. Dulais Jones, St. Davids, Pemb, formerly of Bethesda Chapel, Glanamman, occupied the pulpit at Bryn Seion chapel on Sunday last, and his inspiring sermons deeply impressed the large congregations. Mr Robert Lewis presided at the organ.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 24th May 1947:-

Bryn Seion - The pulpit of Bryn Seion Chapel was occupied on Sunday last by the Rev. Hubert Davies, Ainon, Ystradgynlais, who delivered eloquent and timely sermons during the day.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 31st May 1947:-

Pulpit News - Pastor George Griffiths occupied the pulpit at Bryn Seion Chapel last Sunday. The singing was conducted by Mr John Rees and Mr Robert Lewis was at the organ.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 14th June 1947:-

Pulpit News - The pulpit of Bryn Seion Chapel was occupied on Sunday last by the Rev J.J. Richards, Aberavon.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 21st June 1947:-

Bryn Seion Chapel - The pulpit of Bryn Seion chapel will be occupied on Sunday next by Professor J. Gwyn Griffiths, M.A., B.Litt, Swansea University College. He is a nephew of the late Professor John Griffiths, of the Baptist College, Cardiff, and his visit is eagerly looked forward to by the congregation.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 5th July 1947:-

Bryn Seion - The Rev W. Jones, Bonymaen, preached at Bryn Seion Chapel last Sunday, and his forceful sermons created a deep impression during the day. Mr Robert Lewis, who some weeks ago met with an accident at Cwmllunfell Colliery, was able to resume his duties as organist.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 9th August 1947:-

Pulpit News - The pulpit of Bryn Seion chapel was occupied on Sunday last by the Rev. Tudor Davies, Pembroke.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 6th September 1947:-

Sunday School Outing - In glorious sunshine, Bryn Seion Sunday School enjoyed their outing on Monday. Two buses conveyed them to the popular resort of Porthcawl. The arrangements were made by Mr Mervyn Mathews, Bryn Seion, also Mrs Annie M Davies (superintendent) accompanied the Sunday classes.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 13th September 1947:-

Bryn Seion - The Rev. John Thomas, Anglesey, a native of the district, preached at Bryn Seion Chapel last Sunday. On Saturday evening and throughout Sunday next half-yearly services will be held there, when the Rev. John Thomas, Blaenywaun, Pem, will be the special preacher. Mr Thomas was at one time the pastor of Bethesda Chapel, Glanamman.

From the South Wales Voice 20th September 1947:-

Upper Cwmtwrch

Pulpit News - Half-yearly services were held at Bryn Seion Chapel on Saturday evening and throughout Sunday last, when the Rev John Thomas, Blaenywaun, Pembrokeshire, was the preacher. Rev Dan Jones presided over the services and Mr John Rees, Woodland, conducted the singing. Mr Robert Lewis was the organist.
Rev Dan Jones, Lower Cwmtwrch, will preach at Bryn Seion on Sunday next.

The South Wales Voice of 24th March 1951 reported on the health of the precentor of Bryn Seion Chapel:-

We regret to learn that Mr John Rees, Woodland, precentor of Bryn Seion chapel is indisposed, and we extend to him our best wishes for recovery.

Dan Jones

Frequently, the name of Dan Jones, Cwmtwrch, pops up preaching in Baptist chapels across the district. This article from the Labour Voice January 8th 1927 has a little bit of information on him:-

Mr Dan Jones, Cwmtwrch, was the preacher at Gurnos Chapel on Sunday last, and his sermons were well thought out and delivered. We would not be greatly surprised if Mr Jones received a "call" in the near future, for he is very highly thought of in the Baptist denomination.

Views of Bryn Seion Chapel

These photographs of Bryn Seion Chapel, Upper Cwmtwrch, were taken in July 2019 and show that it has not, to date, been converted for use into anything else. NEW - as of August 2019, the chapel is formally up for sale with an estate agent's notice

Ystradgynlais & District

History and Heritage