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| Pics https://www.visitcaerphilly.com/en/listings/groeswen-chapel/ |
Our second trip was to do with more recent history. Groeswen Calvinistic Methodist Chapel (later Congregationalist) was built in 1742 (Grade II listed). |It was the first purpose built Metofist place of worship in Wales. Its graveyard has been described as a Welsh Westminster Abbey as many Welsh poets are buried there. A bit lost on me to be honest. Their first long serving minister was WIlliam Edwards, also a builder, whio built the disticnctive bridgge in nearby Pontypridd.
Among those buried there
- Ieuan Gwynedd (Evan Jones, 1820–1852) fiercely patriotic journalist, independent minister and poet celebrated in Wales for his passionate defence of Welsh women and national character following the derogatory British government report known as the "Treason of the Blue Books" in 1847.
- Caledfryn (William Williams, 1801–1869) one of the nineteenth century’s most formidable Welsh-language poets, literary critics and Eisteddfod adjudicators. Served as a minister at Groeswen later in his life.
- The Coslett Dynasty. Highly influential family of local bards and scholars, including Gwilym Tawe (William Coslett) whose ornate family headstones form a significant piece of the graveyard's historic character.
- John Thomas "Llanwrtyd" (1839–1921) well-known Welsh composer and teacher who took his bardic name from his hometown.
- D C 'Christmas' Williams (1871–1926) prominent early 20th-century Welsh composer and conductor whose music was widely celebrated in chapel culture across South Wales.
- Griffith Hughes (1797–1839) charismatic minister who led the Groeswen flock during a time of immense growth and regional religious revivals.
- Tawelfryn (Charles Thomas, 1880–1927) beloved long-serving minister, local historian and writer, instrumental in documenting the chapel's rich history.
Also, some victims of the Senghenydd Colliery disasters. Beyond the famous cultural figures, the graveyard serves as an important site of industrial heritage, holding the remains of several local coal miners who tragically lost their lives in the massive Senghenydd colliery explosions of 1901 and 1913 - the latter being the worst mining disaster in British history when over 400 died, including, it turns out, one David Lewis Morgan, who lived here where I sit in our new home in Penyrheol, Caerffili. He was 35 when he died and left a wife and three children. See here.
