Llangwm Local History Society

Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

Methodist services were first held in Llangwm in 1824 but at that time no Chapel had at been built. It was 10 years later in 1834 that Methodists were able to meet in their own building. This building held 168 persons and congregations soon outgrew its capacity.

With the commencement of a Sunday School in 1881 and regular concerts and anniversaries, the old chapel tended to become 'densely packed' at such events. 'So much so that when lamplight was needed, the lighted lamps would gradually grow dim as the oxygen became exhausted by the large congregation.' So in 1896 land was acquired on Llangwm Green and the present chapel was built at a cost of £1,285; paid for by the hard-earned wages of the chapel members, subscriptions, teas and concerts.

The men from the Chapel dug the stone for the building from the Roose Ferry Quarry, which was owned by Sir Owen Scourfield of Williamston, who gave it free. It was loaded into rowing boats and ferried to Guildford Pill, often by men on their way home from work at H.M. Dockyard.

In 1935 electricity came to the village and was immediately installed in the Chapel. A genuine Willis organ was bought and installed in 1948.

Although social attitudes to Sunday changed over the years, the Wesleyan cause prospered in Llangwm throughout the 20th century in the hands of many of the descendants of the early followers of Methodism.

Sadly the Methodist Chapel closed its doors for worship on 13 February 2022, the congregation having dwindled in numbers over the past few years, making maintenance of the building unsustainable. Nevertheless the proud history of the chapel will remain in the village memory and consciousness for decades to come.