Pre-1850, the area which is now Pentre was made up of several scattered farms tended by tenant farmers for absentee landlords.

With the discovery, in the early 19th century, of economically viable coal deposits in Dinas Rhondda it was not long until expeditions reached the mid valleys.

In 1857 Edward Curteis of Llandaff leased the mineral rights of Tyr-y-Pentre from Griffith Llewellyn of Baglan and soon had two levels opened, the Pentre and Church.

During the early part of 1864 deeper shafts had been sunk by the Pentre Coal Company.

Pentre is also home to St Peter's Church (1890),[3] the 'Cathedral of the Rhondda', the largest religious building in either valley.