Sadly, Siloam closed its doors at the end of the year. It brought to an end a witness and worship that has spanned over more than two hundred years.

 

It began in 1796 when a group of non-conformists gathered together, believe it or not, in an old brewery in Alstred Street led by the Rev Josiah Watkins. It reminds us that many early non-conformist congregations met in pubs and taverns some fifty years before the mid-victorian temperance movement.

 

Initially, Siloam was a branch of Penuel Carmathen and Salem St Ishmaels. Its membership grew rapidly enabling it to establish its own chapel in 1834. Mr Harries of Castle Farm invited the members into his home to worship. He subsequently donated land in front of his farm which was the orchard. The members contributed weekly donations of 1p, 3p and 6p. It was completed in 1892 at a cost of £1,500 and could accommodate 400 people.

 

Since then the chapel has been sustained by a succession of distinguished ministers. Notably, the exceptional contribution of the Reynolds family; the father John and then his two songs George and John. The membership at this time was around 200. This family ministered at Siloam from 1834 - 1861.

 

In 1902 the Rev H.R Jones, who came from Staylittle, North Wales, was ordained as a minister in Siloam. The number of members at this time was 104 and the chapel was £1,200 in debt. The new minister and the members set about clearing this debt and by 1920 they succeeded. To celebrate this achievement, special services of thanksgiving were held on 26th and 27th September 1920.

 

In 1928 a vestry seating approx 75 people was built at a cost of £600 and the membership was 200.

 

During Rev H.R Jones’s ministry until 1939 the chapel continued to flourish: dramas were performed every Boxing night, children's operettas every Good Friday and the Sunday Schools were well attended.

Eisteddfodau were held between various Baptist chapels in Carmarthenshire, and Cymanfa Ganu on Easter Monday. So much of the social life of this town revolved around the chapels.

 

In 1941 Rev W.O Williams from Merthyr became the next minister and left in 1963. Again, he contributed greatly to the life of this borough.

 

In 1966 Rev Meurig Thomas was ordained. He stayed until 1973. He was the last minister. Since then we have had visiting ministers and lay preachers. In 1977 the Rev Richie Vaughan Jones retired to Kidwelly (he was the son of H.R Jones) and he ministered of Siloam regularly for many years.

 

Yes, while we yearn the loss of our chapel, we should also remind ourselves that the earliest members of our congregation thought it more important to worship our Lord together, wherever..