Capel Als (Alse)

The Revd T Thomas, Glandwr, from Landore near Swansea, was the chapel architect.

Capel Als had thrown out three branches, namely Siloah Chapel, Seaside, Bryn Chapel and Park Congregational Church for the English speaking members of the congregation. In time Siloah had thrown out Dock Chapel.

The chapels were so popular that there was a need for more accommodation and it was decided to build Tabernacle Independent Chapel.

In 1873 Capel Als had a membership of 800 or 900 and average attendances were not less than 1,000 or 1,200.

The Cambrian reported in June 1853 “The formal re-opening of this beautiful and commodious structure was celebrated this week with more than ordinary splendour. Llanelly rarely presented a more animated and vivid scene than it did on Wednesday last, when to the credit of its liberal minded inhabitants, business was suspended and the shops closed. The Revd David Rees tendered the thanks of the congregation to the assembled multitude, and to the gentlemen of Llanelly, for the neediness, liberality, and brotherly feeling evinced by all the various denominations, irrespective of creed or rank, in relation to the erection and completion of the Chapel and otherwise, and in particular to the Revd Thomas, Glandwr, to whom they were much indebted for his assistance in the superintendence and design of the work. It is imputed that at the least nearly 2,000 people were present upon the occasion, and many failed to gain admittance in consequence of the crowded state of the Chapel, which was crammed. The arrivals by the trains of the South Wales and Llanelly Railways were immense – an additional engine had to be appended to the trains. £273 was collected, which in addition to £450 previously subscribed will reduce the debt nearly to half.”