Bethany, Ammanford

Bethany or Christian Temple is a Calvinistic Methodist chapel in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire. Services at Gellimanwydd are conducted in the Welsh language.

The chapel was founded around 1880 and was originally a branch of the older Methodist cause across the river in Betws. A committee of was formed and land acquired in Wind Street from Lord Dynevor. The new chapel was built at a cost of £900 and the first service was held in 1881[1]

Membership increase with the development of the town, with a particularly flourishing period during the ministry of W. Nantlais Williams, a noted poet and hymn writer, who was their minister from 1900 to 1944. Following the Religious Revival of 1904, Nantlais game up all involvement with competitive eisteddfodau to concentrate on pastoral work.[2]

By the 1920s the a chapel was considered too small, and a decision torebuild was taken in 1927. Bethany was re-opened in 1929 with a seating capacity at 800, with room for another 300 in the adjoining vestry.[1] The work as completed by William Evans, a local contractor and member of the Ammanford Urban District Council.

References
  1. Norman, Terry. "Bethany Methodist Chapel". Ammanford Website. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  2. "Ammanford. No More Eisteddfodau". Carmarthen Weekly Reporter. 30 December 1904. p. 3.

Sources
  • Lock Smith, W.T.H. (1999). Ammanford. Origin of Street Names & Notable Historical Records. Carmarthenshire County Council. ISBN 0906821371.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

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