| Ddisgrifiad / Description | Calvanistic Methodism was introduced to Betws-y-Coed by Ann Jones of Henllan in 1749 when she went to work at a farm above the village. Under her influence, a small congregation came into being and developed into weekly meetings at Gartheryr Farm, now a ruin.
The cause was given impetus very soon afterwards when Howel Harris (1714-1773) preached to a village gathering at the cockpit. William Williams (1717-1791), Pantycelyn, also preached at the cockpit in 1775, being refused permission to Gartheryr where the owner declared that he was a follower of Harris after the constitutional split.
The formal separation of the Methodists from the Church did not occur until 1811 but the Vicar soon found that he had incurred the displeasure of his colleagues and tried to make amends by placing a board outside Bryn Mawr stating that it was not a Chapel but a School. He also instructed the Deacons to plant bushes, presumably in the hope of concealing his indiscretion. The Presbyterians as they are now known, have been on this site ever since. They rebuilt their Chapel in 1835, again in 1855 and lastly in 1872. During the 1834-1835 rebuilding, they met at the Royal Oak Inn on the site of the present hotel of the same name.
Original Index No. T0055. |