Greenfield Chapel in 1908

The Sunday School building is on the left

Following the industrial revolution and the arrival of the iron horse the mainly Welsh-speaking town of Llanelli saw an influx of immigrants from all over Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and the Continent. As the local industries expanded so did the number of non-Welsh-speaking workers and the local Baptists took steps to provide for their spiritual needs.

Another factor that may have influenced their decision to build their church was that following the Religious census of 1851, it was estimated that there were five million people who did not attend any church or chapel.

Having agreed that there was a need for an English church a site was secured in 1858 and fund raising started. The ‘Christian Public’ of Llanelli were asked for their support for the building of this ‘commodious Chapel measuring 60 feet by 41 feet estimated to cost £1,300.’ The wealthy and the poor were asked to contribute and all donations were ‘respectfully solicited.’ The signatories to the appeal were: William Thomas John Thomas; Henry Thomas; David Evans; J Jones; J A Davies; D Clement; Captain Simon Samuel; Captain William Samuel; Thomas Roberts; Captain William Charles; John Evans and A Dale. All were prominent members of the town’s business fraternity.

Llanelli in 1858 was a home to sea-faring men and a busy maritime centre with many ships making use of the port facilities. On the Sunday morning of the first day of August of that year the doors of Greenfield Baptist Chapel were opened for the first time for public services. A prayer meeting was held at 7 o’clock in the morning by Revd W Hughes the minister of Bethel, Seaside, before the public services started. On the following Sunday August the Revd J R Morgan the minister of Zion conducted the services.

At these special services to mark the opening of the new chapel a total of £786 was given towards the building fund. On Sunday 15 August, eight members transferred from Bethel and ten transferred from Zion. Five other members were formally constituted by the Revd W Hughes and the Revd J R Morgan, into the new Baptist Church meeting and worshipping at Greenfield Chapel.

The 23 founder members were: John & Charlotte Evans; Harriett Evans; John Thomas; John A Davies; Elizabeth Davies; Mary Samuel; Mary Ann Roberts; Amelia Samuel; Howell Hughes; Elizabeth Thomas; William Evans; Catherine Humphreys; Maria Jenkins; James Jones; Catherine Davies; Sarah Williams; Rachel Jones; Sarah Palmer; David James; Jane Hart; William Thomas; Jane Thomas. John Evans and John A. Davies were elected as Greenfield’s first Deacons.

The Baptism of Mrs William Thomas on 5 September 1858 took place within a month of the opening and was the first at Greenfield.

The Welsh Baptists adhered to the principle of admitting to the Communion Table only those who had been baptised by immersion. From time to time the subject arose at meetings of the English Baptists of Greenfield.

At a meeting held on 20 February 1865 the members of Greenfield resolved ‘that it is not in accordance with Christ’s will to exclude from the Lord’s Table those whom we acknowledge to be the Lord’s people, it is, therefore, resolved that for the future Members of other Denominations may be admitted to communion in connection with this Church, but not into membership except by immersion.’

Our thanks to the Rev. David Jones, Minister of Greenfield, for his encouragement and for providing historical and background information.