Saron Chapel, Aberaman

Saron was claimed to be the largest chapel in the Cynon Valley although Calvaria, Abercynon, Ebenezer, Trecynon and Siloa, Aberdare all had a similar capacity.

[1] The history of the cause at Saron can be traced to meetings held from November 1846 at a house in Cardiff Road, Aberaman, where Thomas Jones, minister of Adulam, Merthyr Tydfil had come to live and keep a school.

[2] At this time, the village of Aberaman was at a very early stage in its development as an industrial centre and, as workers frequently migrated in and out of the area the membership of the nascent church fluctuated.

[2] However, at this stage, the intervention of David Price, minister of Siloa, Aberdare was crucial in the formation of a permanent Independent church at Aberaman, which was inaugurated later in 1848.

In this atmosphere remaining members fell out amongst themselves, a number left for other churches and, ultimately, in August 1852, Joshua Thomas terminated his ministry at Saron.

[2] William Edwards, minister of Ebenezer, Trecynon, temporarily took on responsibility for Saron until a call was extended to the Rev John Davies of Llanelli, Breconshire, in June 1854.

[2] During this time, members of Saron had a part to play in the formation of the Tabernacle English Congregational Church, Aberdare John Davies had been a success at Aberaman and, in June 1863, he received a call from the church at Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff, and he ended his ministry at Saron on 14 June 1863.