Thomas Rees (Congregational minister)
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Thomas Rees (13 December 1815 – 29 April 1885) was a Welsh Congregational minister, who wrote a history of nonconformism. He was twice elected chairman of the Union of Welsh Independents.
The son of Thomas Rees and his wife Hannah William, Rees was born at Pen Pontbren, Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire, and brought up by his mother's family at Banc-y-fer, Llangathen, where he helped his grandfather, Dafydd William, a basket maker. He joined the Independent chapel at Capel Isaac and began to preach in March 1832. He took a job at a colliery at Llwydcoed, Aberdare, but fell ill and then set up a small school. In 1836 he moved to Craig-y-bargod, Merthyr Tydfil, and took charge of a small school there.[1]
Pastorates
Rees was ordained a minister on 15 September 1836 and then served as pastor at Craig-y-Bargoed (1836), Trecynon, Aberdare (1840), Llanelli (1842), Cendl (Beaufort), Breconshire/Mon. (1849) and Abertawe (1860).[2] His chapel in Beaufort was Carmel Chapel; Beaufort was in the county of Brecknockshire (Breconshire) until 1879: see photos of Carmel Chapel on the Beaufort website.
