Carmarthen Evangelical Church

When we read in the New Testament about the Church in Corinth or Colosse or Phillipi the account recorded by Paul concerns the church as a gathering of God`s people,

We get very little information about where they met , the size of building or size of congregation.  

We read of God`s dealings with His people and the letters give us an insight into the joys and also some of the problems in the Churches.

In this brief account I am not going to say a great deal about buildings ,their measurements, their condition but about the living stones that make up the church and the working of the Lord amongst His people.

It is difficult to know exactly where to start in this brief account as our memories often fail us and events may go on unrecorded . In the preparation of a booklet to commemorate the 25 year anniversary of the church in 1999 I met with Winford & Iona ( First pastor and his wife) and Ieuan Jones (Founder member) we found it was so difficult at times to be precise even though we were all present 25 years ago Reference to notes of meetings were made and we trust that we have recorded in the booklet the events correctly

God was moving to our knowledge in different parts of the British Isles ----In the Midlands and also here in Carmarthen

Those of us who are members of the congregation here in this church have much to be thankful for and we do indeed praise God for laying Carmarthen on the heart of our brother Winford Thomas as he was ministering and pastoring 2 welsh speaking Calvanistic Methodist Churches in Coventry & Rugby in the late 60`s.

Carmarthen

Amongst the many believers in Carmarthen in the latter years of the 60`s and early 70`s was Ieuan & Margaret Jones and their son Dafydd who were seriously considering moving out of Carmarthen to find a Church of the reformed persuasion,----- God had different plans for them!

Following a conversation with Elwyn Davies General secretary of the EMW who seemed to know everything that was going on even beyond the boundaries of the principality (who is now worshipping in the Welsh Church in this building ) Ieuan & Margaret were told that a minister in England was intending to start a work in Carmarthen.

Contact was made between the 2 families and theologically they were on the same wavelength. And they became firm friends----This was in the year 1971

Coming together for the first service which was held in the medium of the welsh language was Pastor Winford Thomas and his wife Iona and their two young children - Marc & Nerys..

From Carmarthen was Ieuan & Margaret Jones and their son Dafydd. –The first meeting being held in the home of Ieuan & Margaret on the Bronwydd Rd.. in the Autumn of 1971.

Weekly meetings continued in the home until Iona & Winford purchased their home in Waterloo terrace. Carmarthen. This property had a large lounge that could accommodate 30-40 people.. There was a measure of blessing at this time however due to the increasing number of English speaking folk who wished to attend it was decided in 1972 to turn to English.

Church Constituted

A number of families attended and it was in 1974 that the Church was first constituted on Good Friday April 12 1974 with 7 coming together to covenant themselves into a local church using the 1689 Baptist confession of faith as the doctrinal basis. It is pleasing that 6 out of the 7 are still worshipping the Lord at the present time.

Winford & Iona Thomas
Hazel & Brian Halliday
Ieuan Jones and his son Dafydd

Our dear sister Margaret Jones was called home to glory in 1994. Our pastor referred to her as a mother in Israel as she was a great encouragement to all in the Church and I can testify to that on a personal basis.

I know that Ieuan never expected to be here to celebrate this anniversary. The Lord has wonderfully kept him in good health particularly during the last 12 months and he continues to be active and alert to the things of God. I think he would win any debate among the congregation on things spiritual!

It is wonderful that we can record our thanks to the Lord for His keeping power over the Church from these small beginnings over these last 25 years . The scriptures tell us that none shall be plucked from our Saviour`s hand and we pray that will be so for all of us

It was at great personal cost to Winford & Iona to continue in the work and also bring up a small family. Their wordly assets were few and it was a great financial struggle .

In the early year`s Winford worked as an Insurance agent and later part time with Gwyn Jones in his garage dealing with the VAT affairs of the business. Iona was able to carry out nursing & Health visiting over the years to help Winford in the support of their family.

The Lord was good and gifts of money and help were received from all parts of the UK.  Church planting costs and our brother and wife can speak from personal experience of the hardships and also the joys

"The Lord shall supply all our needs in Christ Jesus."

The Church in the house was becoming too small at times and it was felt that a move to a more public building might encourage others to join in the congregation as it worshipped on Lord`s days.

In the providence of God an opportunity presented itself when a letter was received from the Mission in Mill Street inviting the two fellowships to join together under the pastorship of Winford Thomas using the 1689 Baptist Confession as the doctrinal basis.  The Church made this a matter of prayer and after this period there was agreement with everyone in the church that they should accept the invitation

The move to the Mission took place at Whitsun time 1976  The only members of the mission that joined into membership were Gwyn and Margaret who are with us today.

The life of the church whilst at the mission prospered and several families moved into Carmarthen and Joined the church

Albert & Beth Haynes & Ruth
John & Janet Roberts and family
David & Mary James who already lived in the town
Ann who is now known the world over as "Ann of Bala"
Cerys Davies

And others who are no longer in Carmarthen or worshipping with us.

The church was beginning to have a formal structure in its government with the first
time when Elders were appointed in 1979-;

----Albert Haynes & John Roberts.

There was a thriving childrens work on Wednesday Evenings under the leadership of Albert Haynes ably assisted by many other workers  "Ann of Carmarthen" had a particular role in bringing in the children from the surrounding estates

The mission consisted of one main Hall with a small room at the back which was proving to be quite restrictive in connection with outreach work. It was not long after moving in that it was felt that a move to a larger premises was desirable

After considering various options the Presbyterian College here on the parade was purchased in 1980

The college was in a state of disrepair and over the winter months of 1980/81 a lot of remedial work was carried out by church volunteers , -there was someone in the church almost on a constant basis.

We would acknowledge the sterling efforts of Mr & Mrs Baker who worshipped with us and later at Bryn moriah who had skills in renovating old properties . We thank the Lord that there was no problem in getting the workers. Everyone was only too glad to help in which ever way they could.

I am sure that in whatever church you are in today you are conscious of the difficulties on occasions in spreading the load amongst the body of the church , often the faithful few carry the the responsibilities not only of building maintenance but also of the outreach work of the church.

We have much to thank the Lord for in this church now that there are those who give of their all for the extension of the Kingdom.

When pastor started his ministry at the Parade it was quite a busy work schedule as there was a Welsh service at 10.00`o clock followed by an English service at 11.15a.m  Sunday school took place at 2.30pm followed by the evening service at 6.30.

Winford was responsible for the three preaching services each Sunday as well as leading an adult Bible Class in the afternoons.

There were the midweek meetings and prayer meetings as well as periodic Bible studies for a small nucleus of Bible students.

The Church was built up during this time

The English work grew out of the welsh work in 1972 and in the time in the" Presby" the welsh work grew out from the English work, The work starting with separate welsh services on Sunday and later during midweek prior to the establishment of an independent welsh evangelical church in 1989 under the pastorship of Dafydd Morris.. The welsh church celebrated its 10yr anniversary in March 1999..

In April 1999, an arrangement that had lasted 6 years with Dafydd Morris pastoring the 2 churches.ended with Dafydd Morris taking on the full time pastorate of the english church.

This situation was unique amongst evangelical churches although not so unusual in the denominational churches of our time.

During the 80`s and early 90`s there was a flourishing Sunday School work which was led by Albert Haynes as Sunday School superintendent. All ages were catered for and again we can name large numbers of children who are now in the Faith who came up through the Sunday school

It is a valuable work and should not be underestimated..

Adults had a profitable time with a Bible study followed by Question and answer sessions which was led by pastor and also John Roberts who is now in the Welsh Church

There was a period between 1982 & 1988 where there was a strong youth group in the Church who grew up together and became firm friends.

The majority of this group are on the Lord`s side to this day for which we thank the Lord.

The climax of the events that took place was an European trip in the Church minibus for the older age group where Keith Berry(now Pastor in Luton) was Chaplain.

I remember how in the early years of the youth group how it just took such a time for the group to gel with each other so that they all felt at ease and comfortable in each others presence.

Important for us to remember this now—we cannot force friendships just encourage and provide the right environment.

A feature of the Church for many years has been its warmth and hospitality shown to visitors and other members of the congregation.

The manse was hardly ever free of folk enjoying the hospitality of Pastor & Iona Thomas each Sunday.

For many years the Church has arranged a formal system of providing students with food on Lords days as services provided by the college at weekends have been withdrawn over the years.

It was a great surprise to the church to be told in the Summer of 1992 that Winford had allowed his name to be put to the congregation worshipping at Providence Chapel in Swansea for consideration with a view to taking on the pastorate of that church.

The church gave Winford the call and he left in Sept 1992.

The oversight had the responsibility of seeking for a pastor for the church and several young men came to preach –some are now pastors in other churches.

Dafydd Morris was ministering in the same building to the Welsh church and it was several months before we saw the hand of the Lord leading us in his direction..

The Church acknowledged the goodness of the Welsh Church in agreeing to share their pastor with us and this he continued to do for 6 years until taking on the full time pastorate of the English Church in April 1999.