Soar(1831)

Welsh Baptist, Penygraig Road, Penygraig

Built: 1831 , Extended or Rebuilt: 1858, 1902 [Sittings: 850]

This cause was the first 'Daughter' of Nebo, Ystrad. However Penygraig did not exist then with the area known as 'Ffrwdamos'. Even more intersting is that early denominational records refer to the church as 'Dinas Colliery'.

  Image © Copyright Glamorgan Archives - Reference: MGCS/CS/54.040

The first building had cost ₤300 and measured just 32 feet by 24 feet. The 1858 rebuild cost ₤759. However the subsequent building that still stands to this day cost a total of ₤5,700 including an organ at ₤470.
    Soar was served by many fine ministers. But there are two stories to tell. After his term at college, 'Rufus' Williams, later to be the celebrated minister of Soar's 'Mother' church, received an invitation to serve Soar. He was undecided whether to accept this call or the one at Bethel, Dowlais, which he finally accepted. He wrote two letters. One to his father stating the reasons why he could not acccept the call from Soar. However, he accidentally put this letter in the envelope delivered to Soar. Yet this mistake did not diminish the respect that Soar held for him when he came to The Rhondda.
    The secomd story refers to the shortest-serving George Griffiths who had accepted the call to Soar in 1896 when he had served Penuel, Rhymney for some 12 years. Yet, before he was fully settled at Soar, Penuel persuaded him to return. For Soar he was affectionally known as George of the 9 sundays.
    Possibly Soar's most celebrated minister was Hugh William Hughes or 'Arwystil' his bardic name. He served Soar for 20 years and in that time was instumental in forming several branch causes including these specific to The Rhondda ziz Jerusalem, Llwynypia and Bethel, Tonypandy.
    As with most churches, Soar's membership dwindled from a high of almost 400 at the time of The Revival to under 30 by 1980. The main chapel had become internally unsafe and services had for some time been held in the adjoining vestry. It would appear that services finally ended around 2017.
    Yet the main chapel was 'saved'. The frontage was retained plus the upper gallery with the rear part rebuilt as a fine community centre. A fitting tribute to its heritage.

Document Sources:-

MGCS 54/40.
Soariana - John Thomas 1905. With English translation and subsequent publication by Glamorgan Family History Society.