Celebrating 150 years of Hall Street Methodist Church.

On a cold and damp Saturday evening, John Wynne Hopkins Chairman of Llanelli Community Heritage opened the proceedings by welcoming the Rev Dr Leslie Griffiths, Lord of Pembrey and Burry Port, The Town Mayor Cllr Mike Francis and his consort Cllr H. Hitchman, The Rev Pauline Barnett and guests to the unveiling of this very important blue plaque. It was on this site between the Verandah Restaurant and the Parish Church that the Rev John Wesley, The founder of Methodism, preached to the people of Llanelli on numerous occasions. The Chairman went on to quote one of John Wesley’s visits

‘Thursday 18 August 1774 - I preached at five near sister Deer’s door to a good company of plain country people, and then rode over to the old ruinous house which Mr Cooke is making all haste to repair’

The Chairman revealed the story of how the blue plaque came to be, in that when he asked the owners of the Verandah Restaurant Koddus Ali and Abdul Khalique for permission to install a blue plaque on their building they gave that permission and immediately offered to sponsor the plaque as well. Llanelli Community Heritage thanked them for their generous sponsorship supporting the community and heritage of Llanelli. He went on to divulge future plans for blue plaques in that 20 were now in place with a further 16 to follow, sponsored by individuals, The Llanelli Rural Council and Communities First Glanymor.

The Chairman then called on the Rev Pauline Barnett who thanked Llanelli Community Heritage Vice-Chairman Mr Lyn John for producing the history for the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLT) grant application and the LCH Committee for also producing the exhibition for the 150th Hall Street Methodist Church celebrations.

Rev Dr Leslie Griffiths Lord of Pembrey and Burry Port then unveiled the John Wesley Blue Plaque. The Mayor Cllr Mike Francis closed the proceedings by thanking all present.

Waiting to unveil the plaque

The John Wesley Blue Plaque

Following the evening service of praise and thanksgiving a reception was held in the church vestry where the congregation were able to see the exhibition.

Town Mayor Cllr Mike Francis and Cllr H. Hitchman

Hall Street Methodist Church Exhibition

Rev Pauline Barnett, Town Mayor Cllr Mike Francis and Cllr H. Hitchman

Lord Leslie Griffiths speaks to children at the exhibition

Hall Street Church - LCH Christmas Card 2006

Llanelli Community Heritage would like to thank:-