CMA: Records of Danycastell Calvinistic Methodist Church, Crickhowell

Records of Danycastell (Tanycastell) Calvinistic Methodist Church, Crickhowell, comprising a series of accounts, namely seat accounts, 1855-1877, treasurer's and other accounts, 1883-1918, and weekly contributions of church members, 1896-1918; and papers concerning the history and administration of the church, consisting of letters and various papers relating to the formation of Crickhowell Evangelical Church and general administration, 1965-1983; a copy deed of enlargement concerning the vestry, 1974, and a history of Danycastell, 1975, 1994.

Nonconformists appeared in the Crickhowell area around the middle of the eighteenth century. Prior to the existence of a church, meetings took place in the surrounding farmhouses. In 1807 John Herbert of Crickhowell executed a deed transferring land for a chapel at Danycastell to his son Edward and others, although the building seems to have been already erected by 1805. Walter Rumsey, an acquaintance of Howell Harris, was one of the trustees. A vestry and stabling were added in 1817. In 1820 the trustees acquired a long lease on a piece of land for the foundation of a Sunday school at nearby Llangenny. English services were introduced at Danycastell under the influence of Roger Williams, who was also involved in the rebuilding of the chapel between 1825 and 1829. The first minister appears to have been the Rev. Thomas Rees, from 1853. Missionary activity among the lay members resulted in the establishment of new causes at Abergavenny, Clydach and Llanbedr. In 1976 the pastor and several members resigned from Danycastell to form Crickhowell Evangelical Church. Restoration of Danycastell took place in 1884. Repairs were necessary in 1938 both to the manse which caught fire and to the windows of the church which suffered storm damage. Commemorative services were held at Danycastell in 1912 and 1962 to mark the official 100th and 150th anniversaries of the denomination, rather than of the chapel building itself.

Arranged as two series: accounts, and papers relating to the history and administration of the church.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.

Deposited by the Rev. J. E. Wynne Davies, Aberystwyth, March 2004.; 0200401984

Nonconformists appeared in the Crickhowell area around the middle of the eighteenth century. Prior to the existence of a church, meetings took place in the surrounding farmhouses. In 1807 John Herbert of Crickhowell executed a deed transferring land for a chapel at Danycastell to his son Edward and others, although the building seems to have been already erected by 1805. Walter Rumsey, an acquaintance of Howell Harris, was one of the trustees. A vestry and stabling were added in 1817. In 1820 the trustees acquired a long lease on a piece of land for the foundation of a Sunday school at nearby Llangenny. English services were introduced at Danycastell under the influence of Roger Williams, who was also involved in the rebuilding of the chapel between 1825 and 1829. The first minister appears to have been the Rev. Thomas Rees, from 1853. Missionary activity among the lay members resulted in the establishment of new causes at Abergavenny, Clydach and Llanbedr. In 1976 the pastor and several members resigned from Danycastell to form Crickhowell Evangelical Church. Restoration of Danycastell took place in 1884. Repairs were necessary in 1938 both to the manse which caught fire and to the windows of the church which suffered storm damage. Commemorative services were held at Danycastell in 1912 and 1962 to mark the official 100th and 150th anniversaries of the denomination, rather than of the chapel building itself.

A hard copy of the list is available in CMA: Records of Welsh Chapels in NLW 2001-

July 2005

Compiled by Hilary A. Peters

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Reports of Danycastell Calvinistic Methodist Church, Crickhowell, 1911-1950; NLW MS 11414B; Davies, R.G., History of Danycastell (1975); CMA: Records of Danycastell Calvinistic Methodist Church, 2/3.

Usual copyright laws apply.

Action: All the papers deposited at NLW have been retained..

Accruals are possible.

A register of christenings, 1813-1836, is held at The National Archives, a copy of which is on microfilm at NLW: NPR Reel 8/4112 [ix][B/8]; annual reports, 1911, 1913-35, 1937-8, 1941-50 and items relating to the history and administration of the chapel are also in NLW: XBX 9102 C127; CMA EZ1/425/1-3; CMA EZ2/232; CMA EZ4/7; NLW MS 11414B.

Published