Adwy Chapel History
Adwy Chapel History
Adwy Chapel History
&
BETHLEHEM CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH RECORDS
SMITHY ROAD COEDPOETH
Mr Lester of Adwy invited some members to meet at his home and Mrs C Griffiths of Lloftwen invited others to her
house. The Sunday school survived by various members taking scholars to their own homes. Mr Lester offered to build a
room over his coach house at Bron Offa to use as a meeting place for the time being - this opened in March 1884.
Professor T Lewis of Bangor College opened a Congregational Church on June 27 1884 in this place and the church soon
prospered with many more members added to the Church Rolls.
In August 1889 the Church was able to secure the services of Rev E Garmon Roberts as a joint pastor until he left the area
after two years.
In April 1891 Rev J Banner Griffiths was ordained minister and it was under his pastorate that efforts were made to build a
new church and an appeal raised £300.
In January 1893 Rev Griffiths left and three months later Rev Edgar Moses became pastor. The church was still at Bron
Offa until 1896 when again it was ` locked out `.
To enable to keep the church together, a room over Mr Gibbons shop was rented for 2/6 a week. Services were held there
for six months until the church then moved to Coedpoeth Infants School.
Eventually a suitable plot of land was found and purchased from Mr & Mrs Smith, Smithy Rd for £20.0.0
A new church was built for £345.0.0 by Harrison & Griffiths and was opened on December 14 1897.
A vestry was added later at a cost of £119.0.0
In the same year the name of the Church was changed from the Congregational Church, Adwy to Bethlehem
Congregational Church, Penygelli. A wall and fencing were built for sum of £45.0.0 and on Monday Sept 20 th 1897
memorial stones were laid on the front walls. Mr Joseph Wilcoxon presided over the ceremony. Mr Samuel Moss laid the
first stone with a silver trowel, which was suitably inscribed for the occasion.
Stones were laid by:
Mr Samuel Moss, Chester
Mrs M Vaughan Griffith, Coedpoeth
Miss Bronwen E Roberts, Gobowen
Rev. Robert Roberts, Rhos
In 1907 the Church joined with others at Brymbo and Moss and in 1910 the Rev Gwilym Thomas commenced ministry of
the three Churches.
During 1907 arrangements were made to obtain seating from Hill St Church, Wrexham that was closing.
Gifts of furniture were made by members;
Mr J Powell. A new pulpit
Mr E Thomas A communion table
Mr R W Powell A chair for the ministers use at communion
Mrs M A Jones Cushions for the pulpit seat
Mr S Powell Jnr. A table and desk for the vestry
Before 1910 coal stoves and five parrafin lamps heated the church, it was then decided to install gas heating and lighting.
The lamps were sold for 7/6 and members of the church were given priority if they wished to buy them
In 1914 individual communion cups were provided by contributions from members.
In 1916 the church lost one of its members, Mr Arthur Abram due to a fatal accident, he had been precentor for a number
of years.
The church was re-decorated in 1919 and in 1923 Bethlehem was registered for marriages.
Rev. J L Woodhouse officiated at the first marriage ceremony between Mr E D Peters and Miss Rosina Roberts on June 6 th
1927 when the couple were presented with a bible.
Between 1926 and 1938 there were many changes as ministers left the area and new ones took their places.
During the later war years some members joined the forces and were presented with a Bible.
In case of emergencies a stirrup pump was purchased and a warden kept a spare key. An unexploded bomb was found and
diffused in the field opposite the church by Mr Harold Abram
After the war more change took place with the appointments of new deacons and alterations to the building itself, with
new heating being installed and re-decoration taking place.
Between 1978 and 1983 the church lost valuable members with the deaths of two deacons and the treasurer.
In 1984 the church celebrated the centenary of its beginnings in 1884 by the founder members who were ;
William Lester Samuel Roberts
Charles. James Gibbons Sarah Vernon
Samuel Powell Albert William Ashford
Alice Roden James Vernon
Anne Jones Letitia Jones
Edward Roden Mary Anne Jones
Ada L Jones Samuel Pickering
M A Lester Annie Jones
Wm Percy Jones Anne Powell
Maggie Roberts William Davies
Ann J Pickering Harriet Gittins
Edward Samuel William Hughes Elizabeth Miner Sept 25 1883 Penygelli Aug 10 1884
John Edward Pryce Williams Mary Collier Aug 29 1882 Adwyr Clawdd Aug 10 1884
Ellis Pryce Williams Mary Collier Mar 14 1884 Adwyr Clawdd Aug 10 1884
John Henry Edward Gittins Harriet Collier Sept 27 1884 Penygelli Nov 16 1884
Ann Th Prydderch Elizabeth Carrier Feb 25 1885 Adwyr Clawdd Apr 12 1885
Samuel Saml. Powell Ann Collier Apr 14 1885 Adwyr Clawdd May 31
1885
William Geo Anderson Jane Plumber Sep 17 1884 Vron July 12 1885
William Henry Wm Hughes Elizabeth Miner Apr 17 1885 Panygelli July 12 1885
Charlotte Beatrice Chas A Gibbons Mary Ellen Accountant Sep 20 1885 Plas Maelor Nov 29 1885
Martha Jane Pryce Williams Mary Collier Feb 14 1886 Adwyr Clawdd Apr 18 1886
Sarah Elizabeth James Vernon Sarah Collier Feb 14 1886 Talwrn Apr 18 1886
John William John Meades Sarah Eliz. Carpenter Aug 4 1887 Adwyr Clawdd Jul 11 1886
Penelope Kate Gwendoline Chas J Gibbons Mary Ellen Accountant Sep 1 1887 Plas Maelor Oct 23 1887
George Albert George Anderson Jane Plumber Sep 3 1887 Vron Colliery Jan 15 1888
Samuel Saml Powell Ann Collier Nov 6 1887 Adwyr Clawdd Jan 15
1888
Arthur Ernest Saml. Roden Elizabeth Quarryman Feb 6 1888 Nant Bersham Apr 22 1888
James Geo. Anderson Jane Plumber May 12 1889 Vron Colliery Aug 4 1889
Sarah Ann Jos. Williams Mary Eliz. Collier Feb 26 1890 Adwyr Clawdd Jun 18 1890
Margretta Wm. Hughes Elizabeth Miner Apr 7 1890 Penygelli Jul 6 1890
Ernest Edward ( Unmarried) Sarah Strange Dressmaker Apr 25 1890 Awyr Clawdd Jun 1 1891
May Chas Walker Jane Walker Leadwasher Apr 25 1891 Nant June 30 1891
Sarah Ann Joseph Williams J Williams Collier Feb 26 1890 Adwyr Clawdd Jun 15 1890
Eliza Ann John Pritchard Mary Ann Collier Mar 22 1891 Coedpoeth Oct 29 1891
Robert Robert Johnson L Johnson Quarryman Dec 26 1892 Adwy Jan 15 1893
Ann Ginor Thomas Bryan Theresa Bryan. Collier Mar 1896 Penygelli Apr 1896
Arnold Willm. Davies Alice Miner Jul 5 1896 Adwy Aug 1896
Sidney Chas. Walker Jane Miner Jul 21 1893 Nant Oct 1896
Albert Saml. Vance Marg. Anne Collier Jul 4 1893 Adwy Sep 1896
Iorweth Edw Griffiths Harriet Collier Feb 25 1890 Penygelli Mar 1898
Ernest Edward Roberts Margaret Ann. Collier Apr 6 1898 Penygelli May 1898
Bertie Thomas Roberts Hannah Jane Collier Dec 29 1899 Penygelli Jan 21 1900
Emlyn John Williams Margaret Jane Collier June 5 1900 Coedpoeth July 8 1900
Ada Leticia Samuel Roberts Margaret Ann Collier Aug 30 1900 Adwy Oct 10 1900
Beatrice Maud Matthew Rance Jane Ann Fitter Mar 3 1901 Coedpoeth May 5 1901
Samuel Moss Morris ? Elizabeth Ann Engine driver Mar 8 1901 Talwrn June 9
1901
Robert John Hughes Mary Ann Collier Aug 10 1901 Coedpoeth Sept 12 1901
Samuel Charles John Powell Eleanor Collier Sep 18 1901 Talwrn Oct 10 1901
Agnes Maud Arthur Abraham Eliz Catherine Collier Nov 2 1901 Penygelli Dec 15 1901
Rosina Samuel Roberts Margaret Ann Collier June 9 1902 Adwy July 12 1902
Rose John Griffith Sarah Elizabeth Aug 25 1902 Adwy Nov 13 1902
Ethel Arthur Abraham Catherine Elizabeth Collier Apr 1903 Penygelli June 7 1903
Edith Mary Matthew Rance Jane Ann Fitter May 3 1903 7 Rock Place Coedpoeth Jun 17 1903
Ethel Samuel Roberts Margaret Ann Collier July 13 1903 6 New Rd Adwy Sep 5 1903
James Arnold Thomas Rance Mary Louisa Mason Jun 29 1903 Adwy July 1903
Edith Maud Thomas Watkins Jane Elizabeth P Constable Aug 28 1903 Chirk Sept 24 1903
Walter Matthew Rance Jane Ann Fitter Aug 25 1904 7 Rock Place Coedpoeth Oct 14 1904
Arthur Ewart Samuel Roberts Margaret Ann Collier Sep 4 1905 6 New Rd Oct 22 1905
Eleanor Maude Thomas Daniel Rance Mary Louisa Sept 3 1908 Adwy Dec 15 1908
Percy Thos C Hughes Rebecca Hughes Joiner May 25 1909 15 Talwrn Rd Jun 27 1909
John Thomas Daniel Rogers Esther Wentworth Rogers Collier Sep 11 1907 Pattisons Row Talwrn Dec 13 1909
Thomas Edward John Rogers Beatrice Rogers Collier June 30 1908 Pattinson Row Talwrn Dec 13
1909
Prudence May Thomas Watkin Jane Elizabeth P. C. Nov 11 1909 Assembly Road Jan 22 1910
Annie R Rowland Jones Margaret Anne Collier Jan 13 1910 Assembly Road Mar 10 1910
Thomas Whitriga Richard Mollington Edith Mary Collier June 25 1910 43 Talwrn Rd July 26 1910
Prudence May Thomas Watkins Jane Elizabeth P Constable Nov 11 1910 P Station Assembly Rd Nov 22 1910
George William R Rowland Jones Maggie Jones Collier Oct 22 1911 3 Assembly Rd Dec 12 1911
Dilys Edward Powell Elizabeth Jane Fireman Feb. 23 1912 3 Heol Offa Apr 14 1912
Eva Thos C Harries Rebecca Joiner July 16 1912 Castle Rd Sept 8 1912
Hilda David R Hughes Sarah Aeiu ? Collier Apr 15 1912 4 School Lane Penygelli Sept 8 1912
Goronwy James Edward Powell Elizabeth Jane Colliery Fireman Dec 25 1914 Gwynfa Llewelyn Rd Apr 7 1914
George Harold Arthur Abram Eliz Catherine Collier May 31 1914 Smithy Rd P .. July 21 1914
Elsie James Owen Jones Sarah Collier Aug 24 1914 Waen Rd T.. Oct 20 1914
William Arthur Robert Harding Kate Colliery Ostler Nov 17 1914 Rhosberse Rd Adwy Feb 2 1915
Joy Lily John Rogers Beatrrice Collier Dec 6 1914 Celyn Place Adwy Feb 14 1915
Elizabeth Catherine Arthur Abram ( Deceased) Eliz Catherine Collier Apr 30 1916 63 Heol Maelor Coedpoeth June 19 1916
Randolph Edward Powell Elizabeth Jane Colliery Fireman June 14 1917 Gwynfa Coedpoeth Sep 1 1917
Robert Edward Robert T Harding Kate Colliery Ostler Sep 3 1919 16 Rhosberse Road Adwy
Leslie Rob ? R Jones Margaret Ann Collier Nov 2 1919 62 Heol Maelor Coedpoeth Feb 8 19120
Myfanwy Mary John Leonard Williams Myfanwy Gwenhwytan ? Jan 27 1920 Barton Green Rossett Feb 14 1920
Ivor Samuel Powell Sarah Ann Wheelwright Jul 5 1920 3 Heol Offa Adwy Aug 31 1920
Glyn Samuel Powell Sarah Ann Wheelwright Jan 22 1922 3 Heol Offa Adwy Apr 9 1922
Vera M E Samuel Griffiths Hannah Elizabeth Collier Apr 5 1922 6 Castle Road Coedpoeth May 17 1922
Kate Robt J Harding Kate Colliery Ostler Jun 2 1922 Rhosberse Road Adwy Aug 2 1922
John Leonard John Leonard Williams Myfanwy G Farm Labourer Sep 23 1922 Burton Green Rossett Oct 8 1922
Gwilym Edward Powell Elizabeth Jane Colliery Overman Sep 5 1922 Gwynfa Coedpoeth Nov 7 1922
Mary Lavinia Eric Edwards Mary Ellen Collier Nov 12 1922 4 Tabor Hill Coedpoeth Dec 10 1922
Arthur Dennis Joseph A Marsden Ethel Collier Mar 22 1923 1 Cemetery Road Coedpoeth Apr 18
1923
Richard Edward Hughes Lizzie Jane Clerk Mar 9 1923 5 School Lane Coedpoeth Apr 11 1923
Anne Samuel Powell Sarah Ann Wheelwright Dec 15 1923 3 Heol Offa Adwy Feb 1924
Elsie Samuel Powell Sarah Ann Wheelwright Dec 15 1923 3 Heol Offa Adwy Feb 1924
Doreen RB Rosina Collier Mar 25 1930 New Road Adwy May 14 1930
Robert Cunliffe Eric Edwards Mary Ellen Collier Dec 1929 4 Tabor Hill Coedpoeth May 14 1930
Beryl Evan Thos William Beatrice Plasterer Oct 5 1930 Park Road Coedpoeth Dec 10 1930
SURNASURNAME FORENAME WHEN DIED AGE RANK OR CAUSE OF DEATH WHERE BURIED
PROFESSION
JONES Ann 24 Mar 1885 71 Widow Paralysis Daresbury
GRIFFITHS Robert 17 Jan 1888 17 Labourer Consumption Salem Coedpoeth.
LITTLIER Sarah 17 Sep 1888 33 Married Tumour on the brain Minera
JONES Ada Letitia 17 Sep 1891 21 Teacher Wrexham New Cemetery
LESTER Mary Ann 16 Jan 1892 74 Married Minera
DAVIES Alson 19 Dec 1894 33 Married New Cemetery Coedpoeth
RODEN Edward 26 Nov 1895 35 Married New Cemetery Coedpoeth
VERNON Annie 19 Nov 1908 30 Dressmaker Adwy
POWELL Eleanor 27 Sep 1905 30 Married New Cemetery Coedpoeth
JONES Samuel Jul 1916 71 Infirmity New Cemetery Coedpoeth
ABRAM Arthur 12 Feb 1916 58 Collier Fatal Accident Coedpoeth Cemetery
POWELL John Coedpoeth Cemetery
HUGHES Eddie 1937 Coedpoeth Cemetery
POWELL William 1937 Coedpoeth Cemetery
RANCE Thomas Dec 1937 Coedpoeth Cemetery
VERNON Margaret Mar 1938 Housewife Coedpoeth Cemetery
GRIFFITHS Samuel 1938 Collier Coedpoeth Cemetery
VERNON James 1939 Collier Coedpoeth Cemetery
1947 Sept 20 Wm Vincent Worthington 20 Ba Factory Worker The Bungalow Wern Minera
Elsie Jones 32 Sp Brynclwyedog Coedpoeth.
1949 May 12 Norman Williams Ba Insurance Agent Council Houses Llidiart Fanny
Dorothy May Taylor Sp Shop Assistant Adwy
Date of present entry Name Age Residence Date of pledge taken Remarks
30/5/1905 Mr A Jones