Abergavenny is a market town in Monmouthshire on the confluence of the river Usk and a tributary of the river Gavenny. It is six miles from the English border. Abergavenny’s meaning in Welsh is mouth of the Gavenny. The town is mostly surrounded by hills and mountains.

Methodism in Abergavenny

John Wesley went to preach in Wales for the first time in October 1739, encouraged by Howell Harris, and Abergavenny was the second place he preached, using a stand built for Harris and previously used by George Whitefield.

Calvinistic Methodism: Howell Harris preached in the town in 1739 and shortly afterwards a Calvinistic Methodist society was formed. Frogmore Street Calvinistic Methodist Chapel and Sunday School was built in 1871 and in 1908 the society moved to Penypound and built the chapel which is now known as Whitefield Presbyterian Church.

Wesleyan Methodism: with the gradual division of large circuits, Abergavenny became the head of a circuit in 1821 and remained so until merger with Pontypool in 1909. The Castle Street church was opened in 1829 and it claimed a congregation in 1851 of 80 (morning), plus 40 scholars, and 300 (evening).

Primitive Methodism: The Tabernacle Primitive Methodist chapel was opened in Victoria Street on 23 June 1850, with room for a Sunday school and a manse. In the census a year later there were 36 at the morning service and 32 scholars in the Sunday school. 44 students attended the afternoon Sunday school and 90 the evening service.

Entry written by: DHR
Category: Place
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