Religion was once a very important part of life – children would not play, men would not work on the farms and washing would not be hung out on a Sunday. Families would attend chapel or church once, if not twice, on the Sabbath. They were also important places of education and played a large part in the survival of the Welsh language. Sadly, many of the chapels and churches, especially in rural areas, have closed and are either ruined or residential.
Calvinistic Methodism became established in Wales in 1811. This followed a revival of Welsh religion in the 18th century led by Howel Harris who travelled around Wales preaching in the Welsh language. The movement brought Welsh bibles into the communities and started Sunday Schools for both adults and children thereby improving literacy and keeping the Welsh language alive.
The Church in Wales – The Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church occurred in 1920. The Act placed the Church on the same footing as non-conformists and it became independent.
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