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Holy Trinity, Farmer's Row, Felinfoel

The Church of Holy Trinity, Farmer’s Row, Felinfoel

Felinfoel village’s Parish Church, was built in 1857, to ease the burden on Llanelli Parish Church. Holy Trinity was financed by many members of the Nevill family who lived in the village, near the church.

Charles William & Richard Nevill were powerful businessmen, sons of Richard Janion Nevill who lived, first at Field House, Llanelli and then at Llangennech where he died in 1856. Charles and his young brother Richard both lived with their families in Felinfoel; Charles at Westfa Mansion and Richard at Felinfoel House.

Before Holy Trinity was completed in 1858, the only place of worship at Felinfoel, was Adulam, which was a chapel established by the Baptists in 1709. As the Nevill brothers were not of the Baptist persuasion, Felinfoel House and Westfa Mansion, were used as meeting places for worship until a new church was built in the village of Felinfoel.

The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, built by R K Penson, and financed by the Nevill Family was completed in 1857 and consecrated on Trinity Sunday in 1858.

The first child to be baptised in the newly consecrated church was John Harry, son of William and Elizabeth Morgan of Llanelli.

The first marriage ceremony was that of David Charles of Llanelly and Mary Phillips of Hengoed Fawr Farm.

The first banns of marriage to be called were between Howard Williams and Sarah Davies, both of the parish of ‘Llanelly’.

The first burial was Reginald Seymour Nevill, youngest son of Richard and Mary Sophia Nevill, of Felinfoel Cottage, aged 15 months.

The Church, which is cruciform with a tower at the crossing, has beautiful stained glass windows including three in memory of the Nevill family.

In 1879 when the parish was created, Holy Trinity became Felinfoel Parish Church, 21 years after it was first consecrated.

Soon after the Revd J W Roberts became Vicar following the establishment of Felinfoel Parish, Holy Trinity became the mother church when two other churches were built within the parish. The first was Graiglwyd Mission church (Eglwys fach y Graig) and the second church was St John’s.

Noteworthy aspects

The office of Verger, still in existence in 2000 – an office which had disappeared from most parishes.

A Strong choral tradition. The choir was affiliated to the Royal School of Church Music and designed to lead the congregation.

The church was listed as a Grade 2 building of historical and architectural interest having undergone little change since 1857. In the1960s the roof was completely renovated when the original stone spire was replaced by green copper, giving a unique appearance.

Three notable developments within the churchyard:

Most of the kerbstones were removed in the 1970s.

The graveyard was extended in 1990s when the site of the former garden of the National School was consecrated for a burial plot.

The lychgate was restored in 1998.

Incumbents of Holy Trinity Church

Vicar J W Roberts

Revd T Geler Jones

Revd Canon Philip Harries

Revd Canon Samuel Morgan

Chancellor Donald Jones

Revd Cannon Alan Meats

Assistant Curates

Revd J R Jones

Revd John Davies

Revd T J Goodwin

Revd W R Goodwin

Revd D T Davies

Revd Richard Arch, lived at a house called Hillcot at the entrance to Ridgway, Swiss Valley Road, (further up the hill from the vicarage) later became Vicar of Cilycwm near Llandovery.

Revd D T P Lewis - Lodged at Salem Road

Revd J H David - Lived at Salem Road – famed for his electrical skills and for his ability to preach!

Further Information:

Holy Trinity, Felinfoel, compiled by Revd Canon Alan J Meats and produced by Revd Bob Hope.

Llanelli - Birth of a Town, a CDRom by William & Benita Rees

see http://www.llanelli-history.co.uk

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