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Pillars Of Faith

Remembrance of Nonconformist and other chapels in The Rhondda

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The Origin Of Chapel Names

Ainon

Welsh. Derivative of 'Aenon' meaning "springs" . The name of a place near to Salim (not to be confused with Salem) where John baptised.

Bethania

Aramic word for the place better known as Bethany.

Bethany

Scholars tend to disagree on the meaning of the word - 'House of Dates' or 'House of Misery'.

A village some two miles from Jerusalem near the road to Jericho.

The scene of some of the most important events in the life of Jesus. The home of Mary and Martha and from where he raised Lazarus from the dead.

Bethabara

A place on the eastern bank of the Jordan river where John baptised.

Bethel

'House of God'

It is first mentioned in The Bible with reference to Abraham who built an alter there.

Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, had his vision at this location of the staircase reaching into the heavens with the angels ascending and descending on it.

Bethesda

'House of grace'

A pool in Jerusalem where Jesus performed one of his healing miracles.

Bethlehem

'House of bread'

The birthplace of Jesus. It was also the ancestral home of David.

Beulah

'Married'

Isaiah’s name for the Promised Land.

Caersalem

Caer(Welsh) = 'Stronghold, Fort, City' + salem

Calfaria

Welsh for 'Calvary'. Derives from the latin 'Calvaria' meaning 'The Skull'

The place of execution outside Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified.

Carmel

'Orchard of God'

The name of a mountain range and a town in the Old Testament.

Ebenezer

'Stone of help'

A place where Israel was defeated by The Philistines and The Ark Of The Covenant was captured.

Some twenty years later the defeat was reversed and a stone named 'Ebenezer' was placed to commemorate that reversal.

Elim

'Large Trees'

An encampment of The Israelites after they crossed the Red Sea.

Emanuel

Welsh. Derives from Emmanuel 'God with us'.

The title applied to The Messiah.

Gosen

(also Welsh: Cosen)

Derives from Goshen. A fertile land in Egypt where Jacob and his family were allowed to settle during the rule of Joseph.

Hebron

'Alliance'

City to the south of Jerusalem.

It was here that the angels revealed to Abraham that he would have a son who would be called Isaac.

Hermon

'Sacred Place'

A mountain east of the Jordan river. The probable site of the transfiguration of Jesus.

Hope

Christian 'hope' has a special meaning. It is not about wishful thinking but a firm assurance of thing s that are unseen and are in the future.

Horeb

'Mountain of God'

Where Moses heard God speaking through the burning bush.

Jerusalem

The 'City of David'. The capital city of the Israelite nation.

The city played a signification role in the life and ministry of Jesus.

The ancient city was completely destroyed by the Romans in AD70 and a new Roman city built.

Libanus

Latin version of 'Lebanon'. Would refer more to Mount Lebanon than the country.

The mountain is rich in cedar wood and there is a reference in the Old Testament of it being used to build the temple in Jerusalem.

So, in that context, Libanus could simply mean 'Temple'

Moriah

The hill at Jerusalem where Solomon built his Temple.

Mount Zion

(also Welsh: Bryn Seion)

Strictly, a hill overlooking the pool of Siloam named after the fortified city, Zion.

Nazareth

'watchtower'

A town in lower Galilee where Jesus spent his early years.

Nebo

The name of a mountain opposite Jericho from where Moses viewed the Promised Land.

From the story of Lot and the destruction of the wicked cities including Sodom and Gomorrah. Zoar was spared as it was only, as its name implies, a little city.