Our History
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 A
brief history of Glanrafon Chapel The building was finished
in 1903 and in the following year 1904/1905 their faith was
rewarded when God's Holy Spirit came in revival power. All the
places of worship in the town had their congregations swelled by
the revival. Those converted included many of the slate quarry
workers, who, until that time, used to drown the misery of their
cold damp poverty-stricken lives in drink. The remains of the
quarry where they lived and worked can be seen just below the
summit of the Horseshoe Pass which is on the Ruthin road
leading out of town. During the 1904/1905 revival the fervent
Baptist preacher R.B. Jones of Porth, South Wales , who was
instrumental in bringing a remarkable revival to
Rhosllanerchrugog near Wrexham, preached at Glanrafon Chapel. It
was only ten years after the revival that the first World War
began, it was followed soon after, by the second World War, and
together they deprived the chapels of many of their men folk who
had laid down their lives for their country. As is often the
case after a time of war a gradual decline began and by the late
nineteen seventies Glanrafon Chapel had to close. This was a
heartbreaking time for the few Welsh speaking members that were
left. Even when it had closed, two ladies would come and make
sure the chapel was clean, just in case it was ever needed
again, and this was to be the case in the not so distant future.
As the bible says in Psalm chapter 102 verses 13-14 “You will
 arise
and have compassion on Zion for it is time to show favour to
her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to
your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.” If only the
spiritual dust and ruins of the church aroused such pity in us,
then maybe revival would not be very far away. In 1979 four
Christians who worshipped at Penllyn Mission in Brook street ,
were moved by the Lord to begin a youth work in the town. It was
a young nine year old boy, at the mission, who was instrumental
in this, when he asked his father why there was no midweek
activities for young boys. When this work first began at what
was once the old Dorothy cinema, the
leaders of this growing youth work, which now reached young
girls as well, became increasingly unhappy with the location and
sought the Lord in prayer regarding a new location. They tried
a number of avenues of enquiry, but all to no avail, until they
were encouraged by a Christian lady to try and rent the
schoolroom of Glanrafon chapel. This they did, although the
schoolroom seemed too small for the increasing numbers. Within a
year of the work transferring to the chapel the building was put
on the market for sale. Once again by another young boy,
pointing them to a verse in the bible, they took another step of
faith and they decided that the Lord would have them buy the
building. Only three of the four Christians responsible for the
work were drawing salaries and one of them was soon to be
unemployed. In spite of this and the fact that a number of
commercial businesses and the County Council having plans to
purchase the building, the Lord provided for his work to
continue and so the building was redeemed at a price, just like
we are through Christ's precious blood. Space here is too short
to relate all the wonderful ways in which the Lord brought the
needs of this little group of Christians to the
 attention of
Christians all over Wales and England , but to God be the glory,
great things he has done. Since the chapel was bought in 1981
other Christians have joined the little band of believers and
they have seen a number of people coming to faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ through their witness to him, especially the
children of believers. The church has appointed elders and
deacons and practices believers' baptism by immersion and meets
each first day of the week around the Lord's table like the
early church in the New testament. The church called one of its
elders Mr Doug Pearse to be their pastor in 1988. He served
faithful as pastor until March 2007. He continues to serve as
an Elder at the church. A new pastor Mr James Cornford was
called by the church and stated his ministry in March 2007.
James was saved through the youth work at Glanrafon. Included in
the activities of the church are a Sunday School work, youth
work, a Bible bookshop. In July the church hosts a team of
Christians from across the UK and abroad. The team distributes
Bibles and Christian literature in many languages to those who
visit the International Musical Eisteddfod. We hope that you
have found this information interesting and if you would like to
know more about the church or about the Lord Jesus Christ
please contact us; See Pastors address on home page. |
Glanrafon Evangelical Church, Princess Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8RD 01978 860630