Site of Capel y Bwlch, Llanengan
A Methodist chapel was built in the village in the 1870s to replace an earlier chapel situated nearby which became unsuitable for various reasons.
But the very first Methodist sermon was preached in the area in January 1741 at a small remote farmhouse above Porth Neigwl (or Hell’s Mouth) called Pengogo, which is near the coast south-west of Llanengan. The site is marked by a slate plaque beside the footpath.
In this period there was no right of worship without the permission of the Established Church. If the rector found out, punishment would follow. Pengogo was the home of William Griffith and his family. After some years of Methodist meetings at his home, William and two others from the parish were summoned to the Bishop's Court to give an account of their activities. But the small group of Methodists continued to meet elsewhere, and the cause grew.
The first Capel y Bwlch was registered at the Bishop's Office in October 1807. The building was extended in 1813, 1826 and 1854, but the opening of the nearby Tan yr Orsedd quarry in 1840 led to increasing problems with dust and rock-blasting.
It wasn’t until December 1870 that the Methodists were able to lay the foundation stone of their replacement chapel, on the site now marked by a slate plaque. The local GP, Dr Thomas Williams, persuaded a friend to give some land to build the new chapel. Wood and stone from the earlier building were used for the new one. However, Hen Dȳ Capel (the old chapel house) still stands near the site of the original chapel, not to be confused with the Tȳ Capel you see here, at the site of the second chapel.
The portrait of the Rev William Hughes is shown here courtesy of the National Library of Wales. He was a minister at Capel y Bwlch. His daughter Ellen Hughes became a well-known campaigner for women’s rights and temperance in the early 20th century. Click here for our page about her.
Following a decline in membership and the chapel’s condition, the building was demolished in 1990. Worship continued in the vestry until 2019.
With thanks to the Diogelu Enwau Llanengan group
Postcode: LL53 7LD View Location Map