122 Golden Lane, London, EC1Y 0TL, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 7251 8414 Fax: +44 (0)20 7251 8600

METHODIST heritage in Wales is celebrated in various parts of the principality but Powys contains three sites which are particularly notable.

Coleg Trefeca is where the Howell Harris Museum tells the story of the Welshman whose conversion in 1735 at St Gwendoline's church in Talgarth led to the founding of Welsh Methodism and of the community, Teulu Trefeca (the Trefeca Family), which he founded in 1752.

The displays include furniture and a long case clock made by members of the family, together with a depiction of a life-sized Howell Harris preaching from his mobile pulpit and panels telling the story of his conversion, his itinerant ministry throughout Wales and beyond as well as the life of the Trefeca Family.

The Trevecka Press was added to the family's activities in 1759 and soon became a major source of Christian literature in South Wales.

A collection of 32 religious books is displayed in rotation (many printed by the Trevecka Press), including a copy of John Wesley's "Primitive Physick" - shown alongside an electrifying machine such as he advocated for the treatment of many ills. He visited Trefeca five times and wrote in his journal after one of these visits: "This is Howell Harris's work, who has likewise greatly enlarged and beautified his house. So that with the gardens, orchards, lakes and pieces of water that surround it, it is a kind of little paradise."

Coleg Trefeca is now a residential training and conference centre and the programme of courses and activities is available from the warden. Groups and individuals are welcome to stay at the centre, whether for a conference, retreat, meeting or holiday.

The Llanlleonfel parish church at Garth is notable for the marriage on April 8 1749 of Charles Wesley to Sarah Gwynne of nearby Garth House, the ceremony being performed by his brother, John. The church's leaflet tells us that "The wedding party was small and walked across the fields from Garth House half a mile away". Diaries record that it was "a sombre affair with much prayer and hymn-singing".

The brothers first visited Garth in 1747 and Charles is said to have written the hymn "Jesu, Lover of my Soul" in an upstairs room during a thunder-storm as he watched a sparrow shelter on the window sill. The Gwynne family had lived at the Manor of Garth since its purchase by Judge Gwynne towards the end of the 17th century.

The declining fortunes of the church - the site of which dates back to early Roman times - followed those of the family and in 1873 the Rev Francis Kilvert describes it thus: "the ruined church tottered lone upon a hill in desolate silence."

It was rebuilt in 1876 and, due to the links with John and Charles Wesley, has strong connections with Methodists both in the British Isles and abroad.

At Pontrobert, Meifod, is the John Hughes Memorial chapel (Hen Capel John Hughes), with the cottage which was home for 40 years to the weaver who went on to keep a day school, joined the Calvinistic Methodists, began preaching in 1800 and was ordained into full-time ministry at Bala in 1814. His wife, Ruth, was formerly a maid at Dolwar Fach, the home of hymn-writer Ann Griffiths, who, although brought up in the Anglican Church, followed her brother in joining the Methodists after hearing the preaching of the Rev Benjamin Jones in Llanfyllin.

Ruth recited to her husband the poems Ann Griffiths had recited to her: he wrote them down and they were published by the Rev Thomas Charles in 1806, a year after Ann's death in childbirth following her marriage to Thomas Griffiths of Meifod.

The fully restored building was reopened in 1995 and there is a programme of day retreats. August 12 is celebrated as Ann Griffiths Day.

In North Wales, at Denbigh, stands the first Welsh language Wesleyan Methodist chapel to be built, Capel Pendref, and in Carmarthenshire the Parc Howard Museum and Art Gallery, set in a civic park, displays a collection of local paintings and Llanelly pottery which includes Wesleyana. It can be seen, therefore, from all the foregoing that Wales will amply reward the Methodist heritage-hunter.

Further information

Howell Harris Museum

Contact: the wardens, the Rev Gethin Rhys/Dr Fiona Liddell, tel: 01874 711423, fax: 01874 712212, (e-mail: trefeca@surfaid.org).

Opening times: Monday-Friday 9 am-3.30 pm. Appointment preferred. Other times by prior appointment. Part of residential conference centre - rates on application.

Admission: No charge - donations welcome.

Facilities: Toilets. Limited disabled facilities. Car parking and coach access. Catering available by arrangement.

Llanlleonfel parish church

Opening and admission: Usually open, no charge.

Facilities: Toilets in village. Church access has three steps with rail. Parking. Coach access to bottom of drive.

Ty Hen Capel John Hughes

Contact: Nia Rhosier, Guide, Centre for Christian Unity and Renewal. Tel/fax: 01938 500631.

Opening times: Open: 2-6 pm, Tuesday-Friday. Closed Monday; open Saturday and Sunday by arrangement.

Admission: No charge - donations welcome.

Facilities: Toilets. Car parking. Minibus access, coaches at bottom of lane. Some disabled access.

Capel Pendref

Opening times: Open: Key available at all reasonable times - telephone in advance.

Admission: No charge, donations welcome.

Facilities: Toilets. Disabled toilet and car parking nearby. Coach access.

Park Howard Museum and Art Gallery

Contact: Mrs Anne Dorsett, tel: 01554 772029, fax: 01267 223830.

Opening times: Open October 1-March 30 Monday-Friday 11 am-1 pm and 2-4 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2-4 pm. April 1- September 30 Monday-Friday 11 am-1 pm and 2-6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 2-6 pm.

Admission: Free.

Facilities: Toilets.

Further information from Llanelli Tourist Information Centre, Borough Library, Vaughan Street, Llanelli SA15 3AS. Contact: Mr M Jewell, tel: 01554 772020.Open 9.30 am-5 pm.