Trerhondda(1867)

Welsh Independent / Congregational, Strand, Ferndale

Built: 1867 , Extended or Rebuilt: 1878 [Sittings: 800]

The origins of this cause can be traced back to the early 1860s when people of mixed denomination met at a house and later at colliery premises. Their first chapel was built at Long Row, Blaenllechau and was named 'Goshen'.

  Image © Copyright Glamorgan Archives - Reference: MGCS/CS/54.075

With the rapid expansion of the area the church, as had been established since 1864 relocated to a more central location on The Strand. Trerhondda suffered badly from several mining disasters that took the lives of officers and other members.
    Trerhondda recovered and was even able to foster 'Daughter' causes in Tylorstown (Ebenezer) and Maerdy (Siloa) plus an English-speaking cause also in Ferndale (North Street). And even with the departure of members to these causes, the church enabled yet another Weslh cause in Ferndale (Tabernacle).
  :  Trerhondda's longest serving minister was W.G. Thomas who shepherded them for over 50 years including the bleak days of the depression etc. He would also be their last pastor.
    At the time of the MGCS, Trerhondda could still boast a membership of some 150.
    The church appears to have existed until the early 2000s with the chapel later used as an 'Arts Factory'. Whether this is still the case requires ferther research.

Source Document - MGCS 54/75.