Church History

Edited from an original compilation by T Idwal Richards and with recent material from Max Munday, Church SecretaryIn the earlier part of the 1800s Llansamlet began to become a very industrialised area which consisted of many mines, tinplate works, smelters, saw mills and foundries. Due to this growth there came an influx of people to take up positions of employment in the various industries. Also at this time railway systems and canals grew and needed specialised workers. Llansamlet was in large measure a Welsh language village, but with the growth of industry many English only speakers came to the area. There were a few Welsh language churches in the area but this made it very difficult for those people who would love to join in fellowship but could not because of the language barrier.At the end of April 1884 a circular was distributed among the English speaking population of higher Llansamlet, inviting all who were not attending any place of worship, or who were members of Welsh congregations and might have a preference for services conducted in the English language, to attend a meeting at the vestry of Bethel Congregational Church on May 15th 1884. This step was taken by the Pastor and a few members of Bethel Church who had a deep conviction that it was their duty to do all in their power to provide for the spiritual needs of a considerable number of their fellow believers. The meeting was very well attended and after a spiritual address the meeting was thrown open and discussion invited on the possibility of establishing an English cause in the locality. Ultimately a resolution embodying that idea was put to the meeting and unanimously adopted.The following Sunday May 20th, an English Sunday school was held at Bethel vestry and at 5:30 the same evening a service was given by the Rev Lewis of Morriston whose efforts were greatly appreciated. This church was deeply interested in the success of a new English cause and generously granted the use of their vestry for several weeks for the purpose of Sunday school and evening services. As was expected the congregation increased so that it became imperative to look out for a more commodious place in which the whole services. The use of Bethel board school was applied for and obtained for a limited period. On the 13th July 1884 the congregation first assembled in the board school, and the Rev R Thomas conducted the service in the morning and another gentleman in the evening. At the close of the evening service an invitation was given to all those who wished to become members to remain behind. The pastor of the Welsh church presided over this after meeting, and by a show of hands it was proved that there were sufficient numbers present to be formed into a church according to the polity of congregationalists. At this meeting Mr William Davis and Mr Edward Lancey were chosen to be deacons and Mr JD Phillips secretary, whilst the Rev J Barrow Parry, with the consent of Bethel Church, undertook the oversight of a new church until some proper arrangement could be made.In the month of September 1884 at a general meeting of the church, it was resolved to seek a plot of land for erecting a Chapel and school room. An application was made to Major Gregory of Gwernllynchwyth for a plot which was granted on lease for 99 years at a rental of £3 per annum.The plans and specification of the building were prepared by Mr William Davis free of cost and the contract led to Messrs Llewellyn and Bevan of Llansamlet. On July 23rd 1885, the memorial stone was laid by then mayor of small Swansea Mr W Williams of Morriston in the presence of a large number of spectators. The inaugural services were held December 5th to December 7th 1885.Ten years after the formation of the church the first pastor of Peniel Green, Rev D H Wigley was ordained (July 2nd 1894) and served for three years. For the following six years the Church had no pastor. However in October 1903, by God's good grace, Rev D Picton Jones was appointed. He had been one of the early missionaries to take the gospel to the people of central Africa. He served the Lord at Peniel Green until March 1920.Rev D Picton Jones and Jessie Ann nee Harries​​The next 11 years were quite unsettled with Rev JC Davis as pastor for one year and Rev Stephen Phillips for two years 1928 to 1930.The Rev WS Griffiths became pastor of Peniel Green in August 1933. The prayers of the congregation were amply rewarded as there was much increase in the fellowship. However in 1943 he was invited to the pastorate of Blainau and accepted.For a time the church had to depend upon itinerant preachers. However, in 1945 the church began to consider calling a new pastor. Mr H Emlyn Howell of Corwen in North Wales was invited to preach. Mr Howell subsequently became pastor and his ordination and induction service was held on Wednesday March 7th 1945. Rev Howell was very much burdened for the young people who were beginning to readjust their lives after the ordeal of living with the uncertainty of the war. He was very much respected for his work and zeal and there was a very encouraging response from the young people and also by the community at large. In 1950 he announced to the church that he was being invited to the pastorate of two churches and he subsequently left Peniel Green. The church then had to depend upon itinerant preachers but in 1953 it was decided to invite students to support the work.  Having experienced three periods of short term student workers there was a feeling amongst members to extend the student support period to one year. One student put forward was Mr Luther Rees who lived in Skewen and was a student at Memorial College Brecon. In November 1955 Mr Rees began his full time student pastor role. This appointment started a new era in the history of the church, but also brought a new spiritual approach to church worship. It was evident that Rees was a man of prayer and this became more apparent as he relied much on the prayers of the people.When his student days were almost completed there was a strong feeling amongst the church members that his ministry should be continued. An invitation was extended to Mr Rees to become the pastor of the church. Mr Rees accepted and the ordination and induction was held on July 18th 1957 at Seion Chapel which was full for both the afternoon and evening services. The Rev Principal WT Pennar Davies of Brecon College conducted the ordination. Rees was a man of prayer and requested that the Lord's day should begin with a time of prayer. There was a teaching ministry in the morning service and in the evening the gospel was proclaimed. Members started bringing their Bibles to the services and it was evident that his ministry was drawing people to the church. Rees extended his ministry to holding Bible studies. There was spiritual growth within the church and an increase in church membership. The growth resulted in many coming to the weekly prayer meeting and attending on Sunday. Blessing was experienced at the various meetings during the week, including Christian endeavour and the sisterhood under the leadership of the Pastor’s wife. The Sunday School also rapidly increased.Some years passed. During the Pastorate of Luther Rees, Peniel Green joined the Evangelical Fellowship of Congregational Churches. This resulted from concerns over doctrinal and other issues resulting from the merger of the Congregational Union with the Presbyterian Church. At this time many congregational churches refused to join the new body which became known as the United Reformed Church.As the years passed it became evident Luther Rees was finding the work of being the pastor becoming physically hard partly due to increased work that was needed in overseeing a sister Congregational Church at Gendros. It was a very sad time for the Church as Rev Rees had endeared himself not only to the church but also to the community at large. However he promised that he would continue as pastor until such a time that a successor would be found. A recommendation was received by the Church concerning a student at Barry Bible college Mr John Crichton and having heard him preach it was decided to extend an invitation for him to become pastor of a church. The induction service of Mr Crichton was held on September the 20th 1975 the ministry of Rev Crichton lasted from September 1975 to September 1978. For a few months after the departure of Rev Crichton the situation at Peniel was very quiet, but early in 1979 new faces started appearing at the church and there was a pleading to God in the prayer meetings and there was also an increase in attendance.On the Lord’s day April 1st 1979, Mr R Brian Higham preached and was well received but unfortunately he had already accepted a call to another church in England. However in July, news came that Mr Higham had become free from the previous commitment and he agreed to come to Peniel Green in July 1979 for a weeknight service. Subsequently it was decided to extend an invitation to Mr Higham to become the pastor of the church. Mr Higham began his ministry, and the induction and ordination service was arranged for 13th November 1979 with the Rev Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones officiating. Realising the following which the Doctor had the church sought permission to hold the induction at Bethel Welsh Congregational Church. The church was full and the service was one which would live in the memory of many who attended.As the ministry of Higham progressed there was witnessed a new incoming of people to the Sunday services, many being converted and becoming members of the church. With the increase in church membership there was a very marked increase in attendance at the prayer meeting. There was much prayer in the fellowship and this prompted members to open their doors for house meetings which became Bible studies and missionary prayer meetings. Also the Manse was used on Sunday evening fellowships. Mrs Higham also started a work amongst younger people in the church which grew into quite a gathering. Also at this time a coffee morning was started for parents whose children were in school. The period between 1979 and 1985 was a period of great blessing in the church with many people converted and the congregation growing. The churches ministry was extended to many of the outlying districts. During for last few months of 1984 news came to Peniel that a neighbouring church at Trallyn was to leave its premises. Peniel Green deacons decided to invite the congregation to join them at Peniel until such a time that God would make the situation clearer for them. It was a joy that they accepted the invitation and they acknowledged the welcome that had been extended.During the early 1980s Mr Higham worked closely with Rev Luther Rees who was still in the congregation and helped with some of the services. Luther Rees was called home to his rewarding glory on December the 15th 1982.Rev Higham continued his ministry in the church for many years. However by 2000-01 he felt it was time for him to give up the full time pastorate. The deacons started the process of pastoral search. During 2002- 2003 the deacons were very blessed with the ministry of Rev Neil Pfeiffer from Coedpoeth in North Wales who had preached to the church on several occasions. It was decided to extend a call to him in February 2003 and he duly accepted to become the minister of Peniel in April 2003 and was inducted in August of that year. Rev Pfeiffer faithfully ministered at Peniel for over 10 years resigning from the pastorate in 2013. For the decade after 2013 Peniel Green was again dependent upon itinerant ministers but was greatly helped in the period by Rev Dr Hywel R Jones and Rev Dr Eryl Davies who both assisted in the role of Moderators.During 2024 the Church had been blessed by the visits from Mr Luke Rowcroft who was serving as a Christian worker at Heath Evangelical Church in Cardiff. Luke sensed a strong call to Christian ministry and the church at Peniel asked Luke and his home Church whether he might consider coming and supporting Peniel Green during his theological training. The members were delighted that he accepted to come and work with us during his training period, and Luke joined us in September 2024 as a trainee pastor. We pray God’s blessing on his ministry with us.