History
The beginning of the cause started in a building at the Plough Inn here in the village in 1825. Then services were moved to a barn on the Backway, known today as Heol Gwallter. The first chapel built on the present site was on Glansawdde farmland in 1840. The original chapel was rebuilt and extended in 1883 by the Revd Thomas Thomas, West Cross, Swansea, to include the vestry and the chapel house that are connected to the chapel. The chapel is an example of one of the last Welsh chapels designed by this prominent and noteworthy architect. The chapel was listed along with the other buildings by Cadw as Grade 2.
The present part time minister is the Revd Catrin Ann who has ministry care for Providence and Bethlehem, Dyffryn Ceidrych. The number of members currently at Providence is 107, though the members who attend services regularly have declined to around 17–20 in number following the Covid pandemic.
The chapel’s address is, Llangadog, Carmarthenhsire SA19 9BR.
Activities
Sunday school is still held here even though the number of children has decreased significantly over the past few years. By now the children attending are between 4 and 8 years old. We still hold the Sunday school exam here yearly in the Tywi valley, it is known as Hwyl y Gair, and an annual trip is organised for the children to go to the seaside. Services are held by the children during our annual meetings and at Christmas time and a service is arranged for the beginning of the year when the chapel youth take lead the service by reading parts of the scripture, praying and introducing hymns to be sung by the congregation. A special service including communion is held on Christmas morning also.
Meetings of the cultural society occur monthly during winter time organised by our most faithful members, and a small eisteddfod is held for the children for St David’s Day. The chapels’ eisteddfod has been especially popular at one time when the adults would also take part.
Charities
Among some of the charities supported by the members through financial contribution are: The Bible Society, the Mission, Christian Aid, friends of the local hospital in Llandovery, and food is contributed to the foodbank in Llandeilo after our thanksgiving service in the autumn.
D. Wyn Williams
Secretary
