|
Historic Highlights |
| 1668 |
Welsh Baptists, seeking to avoid persecution, travel many miles (up to 40 miles
on foot) to meet in a beautiful, remote valley in western Wales called Rhydwilym. |
| 1701 |
The first chapel is built in Rhydwilym, Wales. It is still in existence. |
| 1701 |
Arriving in Tredyffrin Township, several Welsh Baptist families from Rhydwilym,
Wales, begin to hold worship services in their homes. |
| 1711 |
On April 22, the Baptist Church in the Great Valley is formed with the
following sixteen charter members:
- Rev. Hugh and Margaret David
- Richard and Sarah Miles, and their daughters, Joan and Jane Miles
- Margaret Phillip
- James David
- Alexander Owen
- William Rees
- Morris Edward
- John and Margaret Evan
- William David
- Arthur Edward
- William Thomas Hugh.
|
| 1722 |
A 28 foot square log Meeting House is erected on land that is now the northwest
section of the cemetery. |
| 1726 |
A few families withdraw over difference of proper Sabbath Day and establish the
Seventh Day Baptist Church at French Creek, Pennsylvania. |
| 1771 |
A Baptist Church at Chester Springs, Pennsylvania is established. |
| 1776 |
The Rev. David Jones is granted a leave of absence to join the Continental Army
and serve as Chaplain to General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. |
| 1777 |
During General Howe’s march from Delaware to Philadelphia, British troops
break into the Meeting House and Pastor’s home stealing: "2 pewter dishes, 2
pewter pints, 1 diaper table cloth, 1 Bible of the British language, a change of raiment
for the administration of Baptism; viz. 2 linen shirts, a pair of linen drawers; the lock
of the chest the goods were in, the sexton’s tools for burials; viz. 1 grubbing hoe,
1 spade." |
| 1803 |
A Baptist Church in Lower Merion Township is established. |
| 1805 |
Construction on the present Meeting House is started. |
| 1810 |
The old log cabin Meeting House is dismantled and sold for $55.00. The logs are
used to build a store in Devon (which is still standing as a house). |
| 1816 |
A parsonage across the road from the Meeting House is erected. Though altered,
it is still standing. |
| 1821 |
Isaac and Rachel Cleaver leave to become medical missionaries to the Cherokee
Indians in Tennessee. |
| 1830 |
Baptist churches in Phoenixville (1830); Norristown (1832); West Chester and
Malvern (1833); and Radnor (1841) are established. |
| 1832 |
Begins the period of largest growth. Between 1832 and 1840, Rev. Leonard
Fletcher baptizes 448 people and is one of the founders of the Wilberforce Society in
Chester County. |
| 1871 |
The Meeting House is renovated - steeple, choir loft, and present windows are
added. |
| 1886 |
A chapel is erected on Cassatt Avenue in Berwyn to take advantage of the
population growth along the Pennsylvania Railroad. |
| 1891 |
A portion of land, including the parsonage and farm, are sold to the Penna.
R.R. for its "Trenton Cutoff." |
| 1949 |
Beginning of program to make the Meeting House the center of activities. The
Meeting House is renovated to include new lights and a central heating system. |
| 1953 |
The chapel and parsonage in Berwyn are sold, and ground is broken for a new
Church School building and parsonage on land to the north of the cemetery. |
| 1954 |
Parsonage occupied January 1, 1954. The Church School
building is dedicated on September 18, 1954. |
| 1958 |
A new Möeller "Double-Artiste" pipe organ is installed in the
Meeting House. |
| 1959 |
Classrooms are added to the Church School building, doubling the size of the
Church School facilities. |
| 1960 |
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission designates the church as an
historical site with a sign which reads: "The Baptist Church in the Great Valley
– Organized in 1711 by Welsh families, it is the third oldest Baptist Church in the
state and the mother of eight nearby congregations. The present building, the second, was
erected in 1805." |
| 1970 |
The Meeting House is renovated. A weathervane and bell are added to steeple. A
balcony, choir dressing room and modern restrooms are added. |
| 1996 |
A Cremains Garden is established in the far right corner of the cemetery. |
