What is presented on this site is a summary of the official history of Pantygwydr Baptist Church, based on the book written by Rev. Phillip Hill. You may also access our history at West Glamorgan Archives Service or in the Civic Centre, Swansea.

1890 Dec 29th - The membership of Mount Pleasant Church made the decision to plant a Church in the Brynmill area and the lease for the land was signed.

1891 Jan 29th - Trustees from Mount Pleasant Chapel agreed that Mr. Harris of Eastcheap, London would construct an Iron Chapel to accomodate 400 people. This Chapel was to be situated at Hamilton Terrace in Gorse Lane, (now King Edward Road) Swansea.

1892 May 12th - The Tin Tabernacle, as it was affectionately known, was built and opened at a cost of £600. Rev. James Owen the minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Chapel officially opened the Church, thus completing the Church plant; although initially both chapels shared hymn books - the younger boys fetching and carrying them between both buildings. It became known as Gorse Lane Chapel.

1892 Nov 27th - Rev. Cecil Shipley from Bristol Baptist College, began his ministry at a salary of £104.

1893 Jan 3rd - The first Church meeting was held and church membership had increased from 31 to 80. It was decided to erect a schoolroom next to the Tin Tabernacle at the cost of £230, in order to accomodate the growing Sunday School and weekday activities with 225 children attending each Sunday. This schoolroom was opened on 13th August 1893.

1897 - Rev. Cecil Shipley move to another Church and Rev. E. Palgrave Davy was inducted as Minister of Gorse Lane Chapel.

1898 - The complete debt for both the Church and schoolroom was finally paid.

1889 - Rev. Palgrave Davy moved away from Swansea to another pastorate.

1907 Feb 28th - Pantygwydr Baptist Church was officially opened by Mrs W. Walters of Ffyynone and 161 members took their place inside the new Church building. Around then and 1908 the original Church and schoolroom at Gorse Lane was demolished and re-erected next to the new Church. These buildings were used by the Sunday School, which had by now grown to over 400 and various other youth events until 1991.

1911 - Rev W. Thomas moved to another Church and Rev. Beynon Phillips became the Minister and remained until 1919

1920 - Rev. J. Lewis Roderick was inducted as Minister but suddenly died.

1923 - Rev. H Ingli James was inducted as Minister and in 1931 he moved to pastor a Church in Coventry.

1932 - Rev. H.J Flowers began his ministry and retired in 1944

1946 Nov 7th - Rev. Frank Lee began his ministry which laster well over 30 years when he retired. In the history of the Church he was the longest serving minister and a special service was held on 1st March 1979 to mark his retirement.

1979 Sep 29th - Rev. Ken Walker was inducted as Minister. In 1987, Ken moved to Beckenham Church, London.

1988 Dec 3rd - Rev. Philip Hill was inducted as Minister.

1991 - The Church meeting decided to replace the Schoolrooms and Tin Tabernacle with a new purpose built Hall. In October/November of that year the buildings were demolished at a cost of £2000. Money was raised for the demolishing by holding an auction and sale of surplus Church furniture, which included some of the original pews from Gorse Lane. The amount raised that evening was the exact amount needed.

1994 Apr 30th - The New Hall was officially opened by Mr. Donald Anderson M.P. (now Lord Anderson of Swansea)

1994 Nov - Rev. Tom Espy from Alabama became the an assistant Minister until 1996.

1995 Aug - Rev. Phillip Hill moved to become pastor at Church in Leighton Buzzard.

1996 Oct - Rev. Dave Cave became our Minister and during this time Pete Orphan was appointed as our Youth and Student worker.

1999 Aug - Rev. Dave Cave moved to Rhyl Baptist Church.

2000 Jan 15th - Rev. Geoffrey Fewkes, who at this time was our Associate Minister was inducted as pastor.

2003 Sep 25th - Pete was ordained as a Minister and joined the team as Pastor.

2006 Jul 31st - Rev. Geoffrey Fewkes retired and moved to Bridgend.

2006 Aug 1st - Rev. Pete Orphan was installed as our Senior Pastor.

2007 Jan 3rd - Rev. Tendai J. Mbaserah was inducted as Pastor and part of our Ministry Team

2007 Jan 8th - Renovation work began to alter the inside of the Church, dismantle pews and update the building for the 21st Century.

2007 Apr 8th - The Church was again open for services. Chairs replacing pews and a gradual ramp installed for easier access.

2007 Jun 8th/9th - The whole Church and hall buildings were opened to welcome community to visit. An Inside/Out Weekend with many activities, games, food and drink. A real insight into what we Pantygwydr Baptist Church was doing in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

"To God be the Glory Great things He has done". God has certainly done Great things throughout the history of Gorse Lane and Pantygwydr. We give Him thanks and praise for all He has done and look forward to all He will do in the future years.

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ABOUT US/HISTORY

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We are a community of Christian churches in and around the city of Swansea
committed to pray and be a blessing to our city.