Yr Hen Dy Cwrdd (Chapel) Trecynon

Many eminent and respected members graced the chapel but the most famous was the Rev. Thomas Evans (Tomos Glyn Gothi). He was a prolific hymn writer and author of one of the first English-Welsh Dictionaries. In the early 1800’s he was imprisoned for two years for allegedly singing a song which the government felt treasonable. He died in 1853 and was buried in the chapel graveyard. Legend has it that eighteen years later, when is grave was opened for the burial if his daughter, his skeleton was found to be lying face down. The rumours were rife around Aberdare that the unfortunate man had been buried alive.

The Rev John Jones minister of the Aberdare Hen Dy Cwrdd from 1833-1863 and several of his congregation were well known advocates of “moral force Chartism” and contributed regularly to “Udgorn Cymru” Trumpet of Wales, the Chartist newspaper published in Merthyr Tydfil.

This congregation has included several notable figures over the years, the most prominent is Griffith Rhys Jones and the people of Aberdare knew as “Caradog” in 1872 and 1873 he led the South Wales Choral Union to victories in the Crystal Palace Challenge Cup. (Caradog was born at the Rose and Crown Inn Trecynon in 1834).

Thomas Dafydd Llewellyn was also a member of the congregation. In 1858 he brought the song “Maes Hen Wlad Fy Nhadiau” (Welsh Anthem) to public notice at the Llangollen Eisteddfod. He his is buried with parents in the Burial Grounds of the Chapel.

In memeory of Dafydd Llewelyn of this Parish Who died on September 19th 1857 Also of Martha Llewelyn wife of the above Who died Febrauary 19th 1877 Also of Thomas Dafydd Llewelyn their son Who died August 3 1879