(Full text of the document held under Source Reference S379 "Calvinistic Methodist Archives - Bethel Llanwyno")
Chapter 1 - The Pilgrimage
The
full details of the commencement of the Methodist cause can be obtained
from ‘Welsh Methodism’ written by the Rev. John Hughes,
D.D., Liverpool 1851-6. There are no other details available except for
Glanffrwdd’s book ‘The History
of Llanwonno’, but regarding the history about the beginning
of the cause in the district, this was borrowed from the above
mentioned ‘Welsh Methodism’. Regarding more recent
information, ‘Glanffrwd’ has quite a bit to say, as one who
was born and lived in the parish, and as one who was raised through the
chapel- namely Bethel.
The first date referred to was
1736. In this year tradition says that Howell Harris visited the place to warn
the inhabitants regarding their apathy. It was shown that a Brotherhood was
formed in that year, but no school house or chapel was built at that time, but
they depended on his pilgrimage for many years.
It
was in a farm house with the name RHYD Y GWREIDDYN that the cause of non-conformists began
in the area. Only ruins denote the site now, but the name is sacred to the
Methodists of the area. The moral and
spiritual comprehension of the inhabitants at this time was described in the
following text:
The subject of the discussion in the ‘Fellowship’ one night
was ‘Life’s Journey’. There was much discussion on the subject but they failed
to understand exactly the true meaning of 'To Run Life’s Race or Journey'.
Many of the members decided that the statement should be literally interpreted
and after the meeting closed it was decided to carry out, as they thought the
meaning of the subject matter. So it was decided that they would all take part
in running a race on the common of Rhyd-y-Gwreiddyn in order to win the right
for a better life and according to local traditions of the parishioners, ‘there was much cheating there as well !!’
The farm
house at PWLL HELYG was the home of the cause in Llanwonno for many years. The farmhouse is
still in existence to this day, on the eastern side of Heol Bentref, Ynysybwl.
It is of a greyish look, and until recently it was used by the Methodists and
the following notes are given. 1). One Evan Morgan Lewis was living in Pwll
Helyg at the present time. Counsellors and Preachers visit the place from time
to time and amongst them ‘Harri Lloyd’ who gave council/ advice to the people to
flee. 2). Although the occasional Preacher called, it was difficult if not
impossible to get anyone who could officiate in the partaking of Communion. At
that time the Methodists did not have preachers who were ordained. The members
in order to partake of the communion had to travel to Llangeithio or Llaneilian.
This was almost impossible and so they travelled to the Parish Church to receive
communion through the Clergymen of the Church. This influence remained on the
small congregation well beyond the time when the opportunity to partake of the
Communion had increased. Amongst the Methodists, many went as before to the
church once a month to partake of the sacrament.
The next house which is mentioned is TY TAN Y WAL (the house
beneath the wall). There is
no certainty as to its location; it was said to be "somewhere at the
edges of Coed Cae, (wood field) Mynachdy (monastery)". If this is correct it
would not be far from Rhyd y Gweiddyn. It was noted that:
Whilst the church still existed, Thomas Edwards, Caerffilli
and Thomas Hopins of Llantwit Faerdref and others visited the place. We have
knowledge of a big meeting when John Evans from Cil y Cwm, who preached on the
text from Esiah 3 (verse 10). ‘Behold the people were shouting – a very loud
shout, and the sound was heard afar'.
It was said about the meeting ‘some
were fainting because of fear, other were crying, others were full of praise'.
This was the end of the pilgrimage of the Church in Llanwonno.
