Nazareth(1867)

Welsh Baptist, George Street, Blaenllechau

Built: 1867 , Extended or Rebuilt: 1901 [Sittings: 700]

The origins of Nazareth rest with a deacon and several members of Seion, Cwmaman. Prior to the building of their chapel, they met in the 'long room' of the Glynhedynog Hotel.

  Image © Copyright Glamorgan Archives - Reference: MGCS/CS/54.083

The first chapel had cost ₤800 but as a result of a major mine explosion the membership was decimated leaving the few that remained facing a major debt. Assistance in this respect came from sister churches. Membership also recovered quite quickly as the mine attracted new conscripts. The debt was cleared around 1891.
    The original chapel had to be demolished in 1900. The new one, at a different location cost ₤2,651.
Nazareth's longest serving minister, Thomas Humphreys, witnessed both of these events.
    The source document states that the church had been pastorless since 1963 in contradiction with what was officially recorded. But maybe since Gareth Mathias was not full time at Nazareth he did not 'count'.
    Nazareth appears to have been active up to 2009. As of 2021 the chapel was still en situ but vandalised.

Source Document - MGCS 54/83.