[3] There was a Congrgationalist tradition at Dowlais before the growth of an industrial community there and the family of Gwernllwynisaf (one of the farms) were prominent in the cause at Ynysgau.

[4] One of the early leaders was Methusalem Jones (1769–1839), but following disagreements he withdrew and concentrated on leading the cause at Bethesda, which together with Ynysgau had been instrumental in establishing Bethania.

Aged 33 at the time, he remained at Bethania for thirty years, the longest pastorate in the chapel's history.

Hughes was a native of Capel Iwan in Carmarthenshire and had trained at the Neuaddlwyd Academy in Cardiganshire.

[5] Peter Price was ordained minister at Bethania in 1904 and proved to be a vocal critic of the 1904–05 Religious Revival.