Ordination Services
Honouring Mr. W. J. Williams
Cwmbach
27.09.1930
The ordination services of Mr. W. Williams, Cwmbach, to the joint pastorates at Bow Street and Borth, Aberystwyth, were conducted on Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Mr. Williams is a native of Cwmbach, and a product of Bryn Seion Welsh Congregational Church. He received his preparatory education at Myrddin College, Carmarthen, the University College Cardiff, and the Memorial College, Brecon. Mr. Williams’ popularity at Cwmbach was demonstrated by the fact that 120 of his friends journeyed to Bow Street to wish him. God-speed.
The service on Tuesday evening was held at Barth, and two inspiring sermons a were delivered by Principal T. Lewis, M.A., B.D., Brecon, and the Rev. Fred Jones, B.A; B.D., Talybont. Wednesday’s services were held at Bow Street under the presidency of the Rev. John Davies, Bwch-y-Dderwen. The morning service was introduced by the Rev. D. S. Davies, Bethesda.
Principal Lewis, on behalf of Brecon College, presented Mr. Williams to the churches as a young man of fine character and ability, after which the charge to the churches was given by the Rev. D. Davies, Llanbadarn.
In the afternoon, the ordination service was held, under the presidency of the Rev. J. Davies.
The Rev. G. Penrith Thomas, Aberystwyth, introduced the meeting, after which the chairman gave a short account of the history of the churches, stating that they were in better circumstances today than they had ever been, assuring Mr. Williams that he would receive every encouragement and support.
Mr. E. Jenkins, Hendre (secretary of the churches), then gave the history of the call, stating that Mr. Williams had made a fine impression upon them on his first visit, and that his second visit, amongst them only deepened that impression, and had ultimately led to the unanimous call which had been extended to him. Mr. Jenkins read congratulatory, messages from the Rev. R. H. Davies, B.A., Denbigh; Mr. Williams former pastor, the Rev. Thomas Phillips, Nantymoel (a native of Cwmbach), and Mr. D. J. Hughes-Jones, Cwmbach (Mr. Williams former-headmaster).
Mr. W. J. Williams then ascended the pulpit and gave the large congregation a clear, straightforward statement of his call to the ministry, his religious beliefs, also his aims for the future.
The ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. D. Glannant Davies, Talybont. The Chairman then called upon Mr. D. E. Williams (secretary of Bryn Seion, (Cwmbach), who, on behalf of his home church, presented Mr. Williams to the churches.
Mr. D. W. Wilcox, a deacon at Bryn Seion, on behalf of the church, presented to Mr. Williams a substantial cheque and a number of books, stating that Mr. Williams had also received a number of valuable books from his former headmaster, Mr. Hughes-Jones, Cwmbach.
The Rev. W. Bryn Thomas, Port Talbot (a former pastor at Bryn Seion), complimented the churches on their choice, recommending Mr. Williams to them as a young man full of zeal und missionary, spirit.
The Rev, I. James Rees, Treherbert, spoke on behalf of Mr. William fellow students, stating that they had in Mr. Williams an exceptionally honest young man.
The Rev. Fred Jones, B.A., B.D., Talybont, also addressed the meeting, extending to Mr. Williams a hearty welcome to the district.
The service was closed by prayer by the Rev. Rees Jones “Taliesin”.
The new-pastor, the Rev. W. J. Williams, presided over the evening service, which was introduced by Mr. E. Hughes, of Brecon College, and the Rev, R. J. Pritchard, B.A., Aberystwyth, and Rev. W. B. Thomas, B.A., Port Talbot, delivered eloquent sermons.
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