Historic Montgomeryshire is an inland county in north-central Wales. The town of Montgomery is just west of the English border.

Methodism in Montgomeryshire. The main towns in Historic Montgomeryshire are the county town of Montgomery, Carno, Llanidloes, Llanfyllin, Llanrhaedr ym Mochnant, Llansantffaid ym Mechain, Machynlleth, Newtown, and Welshpool. John Wesley's first journey through the county was on 5 August 1747 when he rode from Builth to Caernarfon on the unmaintained road; his last visit was on 9 August 1769.

Montgomery. The first known Wesleyan itinerant to preached in Montgomery was Thomas Olivers (1725-1799), born in Tregynon, Montgomeryshire, and visiting his home county in 1768. By the late 18th century the Calvinistic Methodists had a society in the town and opened their Sion chapel in 1824 which was replaced in 1885. In 1851 82 people attended the morning service and 100 the evening service. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built in Duck Lane in the late 18th century. In 1851 they had a morning Sunday school with an attendance of 36 scholars. The main services were in the afternoon when 45 worshippers were present and in the evening when 56 attended. In 1848 the Primitive Methodists had a preaching room in the town. In 1851 there were 38 people at the afternoon service and 109 attended the evening service.

Carno: After John Wesley had preached In Llanidloes on 10 April 1749 he went to a village 7 miles away where he was received with open arms, and gladly supplied with hospitality. This was probably Carno. Around 1794 Richard Price was converted under the ministry of Cleland Kirkpatrick. Shortly after he led a Wesleyan Methodist society in Carno. In 1812 a Wesleyan chapel was built in the town.

Llanidloes: On his way to Holyhead on 22 February 1748 Wesley reached Llanidloes at 11am. He preached on a stone in the market-place at 12 noon. Wesley visited again in 1749, 1750, 1764, and 1769. The Methodist society held its meetings in the Market-house. In 1802 the English Wesleyans built their chapel. In 1874 it was replaced by a chapel in Long Bridge Street. The Welsh Wesleyans built their Salem chapel in 1802 which was enlarged in 1822 and twice rebuilt in 1849 and 1875. The Calvinistic Methodist had the largest chapel in the town which was registered in 1843 but the start of the society is much earlier. The present building was built in 1872 and restored in 1983.

Newtown: On 9 August 1769 Wesley preached in Newtown market-place. After a few minutes Mr Evans the landlord of the New Inn appeared cursing and blaspheming and with a stick hit all who got in his way.The stick was wrenched from Mr Evans but the commotion he caused drowned out Wesley’s preaching. Wesley and his hearers moved to Mr Hardcox’s Lower Bryn farmhouse where he continued his sermon. The Wesleyan Methodists built their chapel in 1806 which was the first Nonconformist place of worship in the town. The Calvinistic Methodist chapel was built in 1810. The Primitive Methodists built their chapel in 1821.

Entry written by: DHR
Category: Place
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