UNION OF WELSH INDEPENDENT CHURCHES
2012: Anniversary of the dawning of the 'Chapel Age' in Wales
In 2012 Welsh Nonconformists will commemorate the 350th Anniversary of a period of persecution of Christians who refused to worship at their parish churches. This led to illegal worship meetings, and eventually to the building of thousands of chapels across Wales.
“It is once again a dark period in our country’s history, and the need for a religious revival as great as ever,” said the Revd Andrew Lenny, President of the Union of Welsh Independents, in his New Year’s Message."Many Independent churches were established during a period of bitter persecution, when it was illegal to worship outside the parish church,” he said. “A small number of dedicated and courageous people 'kept the flame alight in those dark days' - in the words of Dr R. Tudur Jones, the great historian of the Independent tradition. It is our privilege, as Independent Christians today, to keep the flame alight in a different darkness – the darkness of atheism, major social uncertainty and economic distress,” said Revd Lenny. "In 2012, we pray that the Christian flame will ignite the Welsh nation once again, that people will feel the need for God in their lives and see how the light of the Lord Jesus Christ can dispel personal and social concerns and fears of all kinds."
(HISTORICAL NOTE: 1662 was the year of the 'Great Ejection’ when hundreds of Dissenting ministers were replaced by Anglican priests in parish churches. Independent Christians and others meet in caves, barns and houses. These illegal meetings were often violently disrupted by the authorities and a number of leaders arrested and imprisoned. Following the Toleration Act of 1689, the situation improved gradually, and Independent chapels were built throughout Wales. Nearly 450 such chapels are still open today, in addition to a substantial number belonging to other denominations.) |
