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Notable Churches in and around Llanelli

The information in this section is an edited version taken from Llanelli - Birth of a Town a CdRom by William and Benita Rees

 Chapels & Churches     Nonconformity

Religious Activity

In 1881 the census organised by the Llanelly Guardian on a Sunday in November showed that a total of 5,759 people attended Sunday School and 8,414 attended the evening services. By adding together the number of people at the evening services and half of the number of children who attended the Sunday Schools (a large number of children did not attend the evening services) the total amounted to 11,293 which was equivalent to 56% of the population.

In 1970 a similar calculation was made from information given from minister, clergy and other sources, the figures are given in round numbers:

 From the Llanelly Official Guide 1923/24

THE TOWN is the centre of considerable religious activity and is particularly well off in the number of churches and chapels available for public worship.

The Parish Church, a venerable structure in the centre of the town, has recently been restored. Here Welsh Services are held, the English Community worshipping at All Saints, a handsome edifice in Goring Road.

Nonconformity is very strong in the town, the most powerful of the denominations being the Baptists, Congregationalists and the Calvinistic Methodists. It is not without interest to recall a ‘religious census’ organised in 1881 by a local newspaper and the attendances at all the places of worship being taken on a given Sunday. This was the result:

Sittings Attendances