Bethel Baptist Church, Llantwit Major, Wales
Seeking to Know Christ and Make Christ Known
History
History of Bethel
In 1819 a few members belonging to to Cowbridge Baptist Church decided to step out in faith and establish a fellowship in Llantwit Major. In furtherance of this purpose, six members decided to meet regularily for public worship and the meeting place provided for this purpose was Ebenezer or Ty Isaf a house that was rented at a cost of five pounds per annum.
Incidentally the old local branch of the post office Llantwit Major stood where the original meeting place stood. Soon the numbers increased by folk coming from Cowbridge, Wick etc. In 1822 a new fellowship was formed with 26 members. During the early formative years the first Baptist minister who took office was Rev. Jabez Lawrence. The meetings continued in this particular venue until 1830, when a specifically built place of worship was opened in Commercial Street. The deed of conveyance for the premises was made in July 1830, from Mr William Hardee to the Rev. Jabez Lawrence and others, who were the original trustees of the property.
The first sermon preached in the new chapel was given by the famous one eyed preacher Christmas Evans. Another well known landmark in the history of Bethel was the sending out of the Rev. Daniel Jones, the first missionsry to go out from Llantwit Major. Rev Jabez Lawrence continued his ministry from 1823 to 1852 and is buried in the adjacent graveyard.
In 1878 the church statistics were shown in English for the first time. It would appear that this was the time when the church officially became an English language church.
The longest pastorate was Owen Davies who became pastor in 1884. He remained pastor until he resigned in 1920.
A special meeting was held in 1923 to celebrate 100 years which was led by Rev. Davies of Porthcawl and Professor W.T. Chance of Cardiff Baptist college.
In January 1984 a small church hall was opened, this was more than doubled in size in 1998.
Over the years the church has maintained strong links with the RAF camp at St Athan and with the students at Atlantic College a number of which attend the church on a regular basis.
The doors have remained open for 170 years and the Lord continues to lead His flock to this corner of His vineyard.
Office Address:
The Manse
Durrell Street
Llantwit Major
Val of Glamorgan
CF61 1AD