Penycae (Copperas) Primitive Methodist chapel, North Wales

"Ted the Bishop"

Picture taken from a circuit centenary leaflet.
David Young

According to document 0814 Penycae at Wrexham county archives, the Primitive Methodist cause at Copperas began in the late 1880s, first in the open-air, then in a home. In February 1890 a spacious shed was acquired, which had previously belonged to some zinc smelting works and had been used by a blacksmith to shoe horses working for the smelting works.

However, the 1940 statistics for Methodist Church Buildings says the building dates from 1870. (Perhaps that is when the large shed was originally built?)

One of the pioneers and mainstays of the cause was Edward Hughes, who was known as Ted the Bishop.

The chapel closed fairly recently and has been demolished.

Comments about this page

  • Whilkst researching my grandmother, I found a newspaper archive from the Rhos Herald (Saturday 18th June 1927) confirming that my grandmother, Maud Tinsley, took part in the Sunday School Anniversary at the Copperas chapel the previous Sunday. The article references a procession and open air meeting at Plesbennion with an address given by Mr C Hotchkins (Rhostyllen). Mr Thomas Evans of Birkenhead conducted the afternoon and evening meetings. The 122nd Psalm was recited by Horace Price. Solos were performed by Leonard Jones, Ada Perry, Maud Tinsley (my grandmother, aged 9), Sarah Jane Valentine, Miss Rowley, Mrs S Ellis, of Ponkey. The following people gave recitations: Irene Dunne, John D Roberts, Elsie Jones, Elvet Price, Maud Tinsley, Norman Price, Emily Jones, Nellie Jones, Ivy Jones, Glwadys Jones, Gwyneth Jones, John Cooper, Muriel Matthews, Rosie Daniels, Mr Ceiriog Ellis and the President. There was a choir conducted by Mr W Edwards (Ruabon). The organist was Miss Jones , accompanied on other instruments by Mr T H Smith (Penycae), Mr E Parry (Ruabon), Mr G Hughes (Gyfalia – violin).

    By Michele Smith (02/02/2024)
  • Chapel not been demolished,t is a bungalow now , I was baptised their

    By Andrew Williams (17/01/2024)
  • The Primitive Methodist magazine of December 1847 (page 746) contains an account by R Tuffin of the opening of an earlier Primitive Methodist chapel at Penycae. It says that the new chapel opened on October 3rd 1847.

    By Christopher Hill (09/05/2019)

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