Holy Trinity, Pwll, owes its beginnings to the enthusiasm and dedication of John Rees who became a Police Constable at Pwll when he left the Army. John had relatives living in Garnant, and when he visited them he met the Vicar elect of Pembrey, the Revd David Jones. John was eager to establish a church in the village and asked the Vicar if he would consider having a church built at Pwll when he began his ministry there. The Vicar agreed provided that John could gather a group of villagers together by the time he arrived to take up his ministry.

The small flock held their meetings in the front room of Police Station and John Rees took the service. His wife had been the organist at St John’s Church in Llanelli before their marriage, so when John began the services in the front room of the Police Station, she played accompaniment on the harmonium.

Before long the room became too small, and on Trinity Sunday 1903, church services began in the schoolroom belonging to the Pembrey School Board. (In later years the school was converted into Pwll Community Centre.)

By the time the new Vicar arrived, there was a congregation ready to greet him, eager and ready to work for a new church. At first, a member of the congregation intoned singing, until Mrs. Rees lent her harmonium, which was then carried over to the schoolroom each Sunday. There was great enthusiasm regarding the singing, with practices every Sunday after evening service. Over 300 people were present people present when the first Harvest service was held in October 1903 and the first Christmas Service ever held at Pwll was celebrated on Christmas Day 1903.

The records show that offertories for January 1904 were:

January 4th …………............... 4s. 6d. [ 22½p]

January 11th …………............... 3s. 9d. [18p]

January 18th .…………............... 4s. 9½d. [23½p]

January 25th …………………...... 5s. 2d.[26p]

There was great enthusiasm and excitement at the prospect of a Church at Pwll, and members started collecting funds. John Evans, a local builder and contractor designed a lectern of pitch pine in readiness for the new church. The lectern, communion table and pulpit were all made by Messrs Brown, Thomas and John at Erw Yard.

Originally plans were made for a corrugated iron structure but after careful consideration, it was decided to build a stone church. Even though it would cost more initially, it was felt it would be easier to maintain and would be a more permanent structure. The site was chosen and local stones were obtained from the quarry alongside the present churchyard. The land was given by Mr. Cyril Arengo Jones, an architect and the Squire of Cilymaenllwyd.

When work started both the plans and construction were supervised by the Parish Church warden.

The contractors for the masonry work were Messrs. Thomas Evans & Son, and the woodwork contractors were Messrs. Brown, Thomas & John.

The energetic, enthusiastic and willing members helped to cut the foundations.

When the plans were drawn up, provision was made for a chancel, and an arch that was incorporated was filled in with stonework. The total cost of the structure was £550. The roof of Holy Trinity was originally covered with Ruabon tiles – the same type as used on Castle Buildings. The church was heated and ventilated by a new process patented by Arengo Jones.

The dedication of the church took place at 3 pm on Tuesday 16th November 1904 by the then Lord Bishop of St. David’s, the Rt. Revd John Owen. Because the first services were held in the schoolroom on Trinity Sunday 1903, it was decided to name the new church Holy Trinity. It was also the wish of John Rees, the local police constable, who had gathered the little flock together and held the first service in the front room of the Police Station.

The day the dedication took place, there were so many clergy present, that they decided to robe at Bryngobaith, the home of David Charles. From there they went in procession to the new Church. There were around 300 at this service and most of the congregation had to remain outside. In spite of this, they joined in the service and were able to hear the Bishop’s voice loud and clear.

The church was crowded again for the service at 6.30 pm when the preacher was the Ven. Owen Evans, MA, Archdeacon of Carmarthen. After the service the Revd T Thomas, Vicar of Abergwili, gave a Welsh discourse.

On Wednesday, evensong was held at 7 pm in English, with the Revd D. Williams, Vicar of Llangyfelach, officiating. Even more people gathered at the church on Thursday evening when the special preacher was the Revd Anthony Britten, Vicar of Gorslas. The service and sermon were entirely in Welsh, the anthem “Pebyll yr Arglwydd” was sung. Mr Britten held the congregation spellbound for the greater part of an hour, and after concluding his sermon, he descended to the nave to have a more familiar “talk” with the people. This was interspersed with some well-known Welsh hymns, which were heartily sung by those present. Members of the congregation described it “Altogether, a most exhilarating and inspiring service, that will be remembered for a long time”.

On Friday, the last of the special services was held in English, when the special Preacher was the Revd Ebenezer Jones, Vicar of Llandovery.

In 1904 the Revd Watkin Davies, moved from the Parsonage at Pembrey to the Parsonage at 29 New Road (now Elgin Road), Pwll, and John Rowlands of Erwfach, Pwll, was the first to be baptised on 20 November of that year. On Sunday 21 November Holy Communion was celebrated for the first time, when the Vicar was the celebrant and 42 took Holy Communion. The church was filled to overflowing again for Evensong.

Special services were held every three months to raise money for the Building Fund so that the church’s debts could be cleared.

In January 1905, a sewing class was started to prepare for a sale of work. These sales were held on the lawn at Cilymaenllwyd or at the school and in later years at Cilymaenllwyd gymnasium.

A cricket team was also formed, captained by Tom Worgan and a Young Men’s Guild was also established.

The first Dedication Festival was held on Sunday 19 November 1905.

Many gifts were given at the time of the dedication and many more have been given over the years. The following are a few that were donated:

1904 Plans - Mr C. Arengo Jones

In August 1906, the boundary wall was built and it was decided to use the same stone as the Church. It was also decided to erect an iron gate – which cost £70 – to replace the wooden one and the contract was given to Messrs William Davies & Son.

The average Sunday offerings at this time were 12s. [60p], and it was decided to give the organist and choirmaster £1 each for their services.

The first burial was that of Reginald John Lewis aged 8 weeks of Penllech Cottage on 5 March 1907.

In 1908 recommended charges to be made for the burial fund were:

Digging, 2s [10p] per foot for a single grave

Digging 3s [15p] per foot for a double grave

In November 1909, central heating was installed, and only £90 was left owing on the building. Following the death of Sir Emile Algernon Arthur Keppel Cowell Stepney, in America in the same year, his only child Catharine Meriel Stepney, inherited his estates. Around this time Cyril Arengo Jones left the Llanelli area.

In 1911 Catharine Meriel Stepney married Sir Edward Stafford Howard and during 1913 they substantially rebuilt Cilymaenllwyd in Pwll, making it their residence when living in Llanelli. They took a great interest in local affairs and supported the church.

On 21 August 1914, a day of Intercessions [a day of prayer] was held for those engaged in war, and as a small token of appreciation and goodwill for their self sacrificing spirit it was proposed that Bibles should be sent to the men from the church who had joined the colours.

At the 1915 Easter Vestry, “it was proposed and seconded that two sidesmen from henceforth should take their position at the back of the Church to maintain peace and order”. A collection was made towards the Llanelly Motor Ambulance amounting to £1 4s. 7d. [£1.23p].

In April 1916 Sir Stafford Howard KCB, the first Chartered Mayor of Llanelly, died unexpectedly, after a short illness, at his London residence, 11 Lowndes Square. His widow Lady Catharine continued to take an interest in local affairs and because of her generosity she was affectionately known as “Lady Bountiful”.

A quote from the minute book in 1916:

“The members of the Church desire to put on record their deep regret at the sudden death of Sir Stafford Howard and to express their great appreciation of his valuable services and useful life, of his intense devotion to duty, and of the thorough and conscientious manner in which he undertook everything connected with the Church. The members do wish to convey to Lady Howard and family their deep sympathy with them in the great loss they have sustained.”

The 1917 Easter Vestry decided that future Anniversary services would be held on Trinity Sunday.

In 1918, Lady Catharine Stafford Howard donated the War Memorial at the rear of the Church.

In 1924, it was decided to build the Chancel, and a bazaar was organised to raise money for the purpose. The contractor was George Mercer & Sons, and the cost was £850 plus £30 for the architect’s fee.

The Chancel and the porch were added in 1925 by Lady Catharine Howard Stepney and the memorial stone was laid by Stafford Vaughan Howard Stepney (son of Lady Catharine and Sir Edward Stafford Howard of Cilymaenllwyd) on 8 April 1925 and the Rural Dean, the Revd Thomas, Rector of Llanedy, officiated.

The Chancel opened on 6 September 1925, with services continuing throughout the week. The entrance porch was also added at that time and electricity was installed. Fees for ordinary graves were 30s. [£1.50p].

1928 saw the need for a Church Hall, and it was estimated that a hall 60ft. by 30ft. would cost £360. The contract was given to Mr Byng of Llanelli, and it was completed about Christmas 1928.

On August 20 1929, the first wedding took place when the bride was Florence Alberta Hannah and the groom was Francis Felix Rogers.

In the 1930s fetes were often held on the fields where the present Graig School stands – tables were borrowed from Cilymaenllwyd and benches from the Blue Anchor. A popular attraction at these fetes was the fortuneteller’s marquee.

A petition dated 7 August 1932 was sent to the Bishop, requesting him to consecrate the Church, which until then was known as Holy Trinity, Chapel of Ease or Mission Church and on 7 September the Bishop, the Rt Revd David Lewis Prosser. consecrated the Church and grounds.

In 1934, the retaining wall was built to the north side of the Church and the question of water being laid on at the Church was raised. In order to pay for this work it was decided to hold a male voice party concert.

In 1935, the question of either building a new Church Hall or building an extension to the existing one was raised. After carefully considering finances, it was decided to build on to the rear of the hall, and this was done in 1936. A concert was held at the hall, admission being 1s [5p] and 1s 6d [7½p] per ticket, with entertainment provided by the Kid Dramatic Co. and The Minstrel Troop.

In 1951, the year before Lady Catharine died, she gave the top part of the churchyard to the Church. Lady Catharinehad changed her name to Howard Stepney to perpetuate the family name. The Bishop, the Rt Revd W. J. Havard, consecrated this additional piece of land in 1953.

On Trinity Sunday 1954 Holy Trinity celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Two other special services were held during the week and a social evening was held at the hall on the Friday. New lighting was installed in the Church.

Until this time, Llandyry, Holy Trinity and St. Mary’s Church came under the Parish of Pembrey, and the feeling of the PCC was that it should be divided into two. They wrote to the Bishop, the Rt Revd D. L. Prosser, four times concerning this, and as the then Vicar of Pembrey, Canon D. J. Morgan was leaving, they thought it opportune to ask once more. The Bishop attended a meeting of the PCC at the Parish Hall and granted their request, and so the new Conventional District of Burry Port with Pwll came into being. The Conventional District became the Parish of Burry Port with Pwll on 1st May 1959.

In 1959 the original organ was sold and replaced by a pipe organ costing £400. This was used until 1978 when a Livingstone electric organ replaced it. The organ chamber was then converted into an Altar vestry. Plans were drawn up for a lychgate, but this did not materialise.

In 1961 electric heating was installed.

March 21 1965 saw the first and only Confirmation Service ever held at Holy Trinity – officiating was the Rt Revd John Richards, Bishop of St David’s.

In 1970, the Church bought 19 Elgin Road, as a Parsonage and this was used by the resident clergy until 1980.

When Holy Trinity celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 1979 a special morning service was arranged for 4th November.

In 1981, because there was no prospect of having a curate in the foreseeable future, it was decided that the Parsonage, which had been kept empty for a year, should be sold.

The 60th Anniversary of the Mother’s Union Branch was celebrated on 13 February 1983, and a special service was held with all the members taking part. A party was also held at the Church Hall and to mark this special occasion and the branch presented the Church with an All Seasons Altar Frontal.

The Sunday School first started at the Talbot Inn, Pwll, before transferring to the schoolroom on Trinity Sunday 1902. The Superintendent was David Davies, and the teachers were Miss Worsfold and Messrs. Tom Worgan and W. Robins (Secretary).

In January 1903, a Penny Bank was started which proved to be a great success, with 24 members. The Penny Bank secretaries were the Revd Watkin Davies and Mr D. Davies.

On New Year’s Eve 1903, the first prize-giving was held when Cyril Arengo Jones (chairman), gave a Christmas tree, and Mrs C. Arengo Jones distributed the prizes. By the time the Sunday School had completed its second year, plans for the new Church were well under way. During the summer the children helped in collecting funds for an organ and lamp.

Holy Trinity was dedicated on Tuesday 16 November 1904 and the Sunday School continued to advance steadily, and a Band of Hope was held every Tuesday at 6 pm.

The Sunday School continued to thrive and in November 1905 two new classes were formed plus a Welsh class. Prize-givings were held each Christmas, together with a concert and competitions. The Sunday School prizes created much excitement amongst the children and a very high value was placed on the books. The annual treats continued and in 1906 about 160 people marched in procession from Church to Stradey Castle.

In 1908 there was tremendous excitement when the Sunday School set off for a treat at “far off “Mumbles. A Bible class was started for the children and an examination was held at the end of the season. In November of 1908 it was decided to open a separate Sunday School fund.

The Sunday School thrived for many years and for about three decades it was held in the Church Hall until 1979 when it returned to the Church. The Sunday School continues to be held in the church on Sunday mornings [2002].

Eighty years is a very short period of time compared with other churches in and around Llanelli but the parishioners of Trinity were proud to celebrate the 80th Anniversary in 1984. The enthusiasm, determination and loyalty shown by John Rees at the beginning of the 20th century is reflected in the modern-day congregation.

When Holy Trinity celebrated the 80th Anniversary of its dedication in 1984, Elaine Unsted, the Honorary Secretary, prepared a booklet about the history of the church. Information for the booklet was gleaned from magazines, photographs and other literature and John A. Nicholson, BA, a local historian from Pembrey, gave advice and encouragement. Mrs Unsted recalled that one of the worshippers lent her Parish magazines bound in leather, but unfortunately the lady died and it is uncertain where the bound copies went.

Vicars

2002 - Revd. Canon G. D. Harries (resides in Burry Port)