In 1807, Daniel Lewis, the minister at Zoar, visited London and other places to raise funds to clear the chapel's debts.

Some members of the congregation objected, and when an independent investigation found in favour of the minister, a number left to establish a new church.

[1] Initial meetings were held in rooms and premises at various places in the town, but in 1811 it was decided to build a chapel under the guidance of Methusalem Jones, who had become the minister.

Bethesda was also the mother church of a number of chapels in the locality including Bethania, Dowlais.

During the ministry of Rhys Gwesyn Jones between 1858 and 1867 the membership reduced owing to the closure of Penydarren Ironworks.