Salvation Army(1879)

Salvation Army, Carne Street, Pentre

Built: 1887 , Extended or Rebuilt: 1991

Pentre, after Treherbert, was the second town within The Rhondda to have a Corps. It's initial story is all the more interesting due to two remarkable ladies, Pamela Shepherd, affectionately known as 'Mother Shepherd', who had been sent by William Booth to evangelise the mining districts around Aberdare in the late 1860s and more in particular her eldest daughter, Kate, , who at the time of her introduction to The Rhondda was barely eighteen years of age.

  Image © Copyright Glamorgan Archives - Reference: MGCS/CS/54.115

Captain Kate left Aberaman to take charge of the Pentre Corps in 1879, the Corps having been formed in February of that year. She was assisted by another young lady, a Lieutenant Charlotte Bateston.
    The appearance of these young ladies sparked a mini revival within The Upper Rhondda. The initial meetings were held at Siloh Chapel and subsequently transfered to the Public Hall. Interesting inasmuch that at this time one finds a predominately Welsh-speaking population, Miss Shepherd only addressed her congregation in English. But the 'warmth' of her voice won over those who were more accustomed to hear only their native tongue. It is also written that her appeal was more to a class of society that traditional chapel had marginalised.
    In 1887 a stone-laying ceremony took place at the building of the Corps permanent home. It was reported that General Booth was present and accompanied by Richard Cory who was on very friendly terms with The General. Whilst Richard Cory was a Baptist by belief he, and his brother John were financially supporting other denominations. And whilst it is not specifically mentioned, due to the brothers' mining interest in Pentre, I believe they played a significant part in financing the first citadel just as they initially did in Cardiff and later in Aberdare.
    The source document states that the building could seat 1,200 persons. A contempary newspaper report suggests a little over 1,000. I have chosen not to adopt these figures since in my mind they appear excessive given the capacity of other local chapels.
    The original citadel was demolished in 1990 and by 1991 a somewhat more modest building was errected at the same location. The Pentre Corps continues to this day whilst Pentre does not have a single traditional denomination chapel left.

Source documents:-
'Woman Of The Valleys - The story of Mother Shepherd' - Charles Preece 1988.
'The History of the Salvation Army in Wales to 1900' - R.M.Smith Unpublished Phesis.