Seion and Bwlch y Rhiw - The Independent Chapels of Myddfai

Seion Chapel stands on the eastern edge of the village of Myddfai. First built in 1823 as a branch of its 'mother' chapel "SARDIS" - Sardis was a small chapel built on land leased from William Rogers of Blaencwm and was situated at the lower edge of Myddfai Parish just off the Llangadog Road. However, with a diminished congregation the chapel closed in the mid 1950s and was demolished in 1961.
Thomas Thomas a founder member and minister of Sardis had frequently preached at Blaencwm House prior to the building of the chapel nearby. David Davies from Rhos, Llangeler who followed Thomas as minister at the chapel was influential in the building of Seion Chapel at Myddfai in 1823. A lease of land was obtained and following ite erection led to services being held in both chapels on the Sabbath, the morning in one and evening in the other.
As Seion was more central to the population of the Parish and with the growth of the population as a whole, the chapel was rebuilt in 1844 with an attached piece of land obtained as a cemetery.
In 1872 a lease of land was made for 999 years at a rent of one shilling per annum from George Jones Esq. Ystrad House, Llandovery to build the small chapel of Bwlch y Rhiw. This was on land belonging to Bwlch y Rhiw farm. A further piece of land adjacent to the chapel was acquired in 1907. The chapel is situated on the old Myddfai to Trecastle road about 2.5 miles North East of Myddfai village. Built in 1871, it was officially opened in June 1872 but it was not until August 1876 that the first communion was administered.
Following Thomas Thomas and David Davies, a long line of ministers officiated in the three independent chapels at different times over the years. The 20th century gave us the following: David Richards inducted in 1876 was a minister for a remarkable 51 years until his retirement in 1927. He was followed by William J Jones and then Morlais Evans from 1937 - 1950. W. Triffan Hughes 1951 - 1962 with T. Meirion Sewell from 1963 - 1969. In 1970, David Huw Roberts became minister and remained until 1991. During this time the chapels of Salem Llandovery, Capel y Groes Cilycwm and Capel Cynfab Cynghordy came under his care. Miss Jill Hailey-Harries followed in 1992 until 2002. Presently, although remaining independent of each other, Seion and Bwlch y Rhiw have united in holding their services together, worshipping in both chapels alternately.
Notes provided by Mrs Beryl Morgan, Cwmclyd, Myddfai.
Seion a Bwlch y Rhiw- Capeli Annibynnol Myddfai

Saif Capel Seion yn ymyl ffin ddwyreiniol pentref Myddfai. Adeiladwyd y capel yn wreiddiol ym 1823 fel cangen o "SARDIS" y fam Gapel - Capel bach oedd Sardis wedi ei adeiladu ar dir a leswyd oddi wrth William Rogers o Flaenycwm ar safle tuag at ffin isaf plwyf Myddfai prin oddiar Heol LLangadog. Er hynny cauwyd y capel yng nghanol y pum degau a' i dymchwelwyd yn 1961.
'Roedd Thomas Thomas sylfaenydd a phregethwr Sardis yn pregethu yn aml yn nhy Blaenycwm cyn adeiladur y capel gerllaw. 'Roedd David Davis a ddilynodd Thomas fel pregethwr y capel yn ddylanwadol ar adeiladu Capel Seion yn Myddfai yn 1823. Cafwyd les ar darn o dir ac wedi ei adeiladu cynnalwyd wasanaethau yn y ddau gapel ar y Sabath, y bore yn un a'r hwyr yn y llall.
Am fod Seion yn fwy canolog i bobol y plwyf a gyda chynnydd yn y boblogaeth ar y cyfan ail-adeiladwyd y capel yn 1844, gyda darn o dir a gafwyd yn ymyl y capel fel mynwent.
Yn 1872 cafwydd les ar darn o dir am 999 o flynyddoedd am rhent o swllt y flwyddyn oddiwrth George Jones Ysw. Ty'r Ystrad LLanymddyfri, i adeiladu capel bach Bwlch y Rhiw. 'Roedd y tir yn perthyn i fferm Bwlch y Rhiw. Cafwydd afael ar darn o dir arall cyfagos i 'r capel yn 1907. Saif y capel ar yr hen heol o Myddfai i Drecastell tua dwy filltir a hanner i'r gogledd ddwyreiniol o bentref Myddfai. Adeiladwyd y capel yn 1871 ac agorwyd hi yn swyddogol yn 1872 ym Mis Mehefin, ond roedd yn Awst 1876 cyn i 'r cymun cyntaf gael ei weunyddu.
Yn dilyn Thomas Thomas a David Davies mae rhestr hir o bregethwyr wedi gweunyddu yn y dair capel annibynnol ar wahanol amserau dros y blynyddoedd. Mae'r ugeinfed ganrif wedi cynnwys y rhai a ganlyn : Bu David Richards a sefydlwyd yn 1876 yn bregethwr am 51 o flynyddoedd hyd iddo ymddeuol yn 1927. Dilynwyd ef gan William J Jones ac yna Morlais Evans o 1937 hyd 1950, W Triffan Hughes o 1951 i 1962, gyda J.Meirion Sewell o 1963 hyd 1969. Yn 1970 daeth David Huw Roberts yn bregethwr a bu yno tan 1991. Yn ystod y cyfnod hwn daeth Capel Salem LLanymddyfri, Capel y Groes Cilycwm a Capel Cynfab Cynghordy o dan ei ofal. Dilynwyd ef gan Miss Jill Hailey-Harries yn 1992 tan 2002. Yn y presennol er fod Seion a Bwlch y Rhiw yn annibynnol o'u gilydd maent wedi ymuno i ddal eu gwasanaethau gyda'u gilydd i addoli yn y ddau gapel bob yn ail.
Nodiadau gan Mrs Beryl Morgan, Cwmclyd, Myddfai.



Thursday, May 1