Calfaria(1885)

Welsh Baptist, Brook Street, Blaenrhondda

Built: 1891 , Extended or Rebuilt: 1910 [Sittings: 500]

One can trace the origins of this cause to 1867 when members of Libanus, Treherbert organised prayer meetings both at houses and the open-air. With the formation of Blaenycwm church, much nearer to Blaenrhondda, oversight of the cause passed to her in 1869.

  Image © Copyright Glamorgan Archives - Reference: MGCS/CS/54.142

The original chapel of 1875 was financed in its entirety by one John Ray. Subsequently converted to dwelling houses viz Nos 1 and 2, Baptist Row. The date of 1885 is quoted since that is when the cause was incorporated as a member of the Welsh Baptist Union.
    With increased membership, it was deemed neccessary to build a larger edifice. Opened in 1892 at a cost of ₤620 this witnessed the peak of its membership fortunes. Yet in 1909 a terrible storm caused a dam to burst. The resultant flood took away the back wall and pulpit of the chapel. On the 'extra content' section one can see a photograph of the damage so caused which neccessitated a complete rebuild in the following year.
    And whilst the church still had a membership of over 50 in the 1970's only 4 remained at its closure in 1995 who transfered to the 'Mother' church of Blaenycwm. The Trafodion article states that the non-occupied building still stood but subsequently demolished as I found so in 2009.

Document Sources:-
MGCS 54/142 (includes a separate type-written history)
Trafodion 1999 pg 40.