Soar-y-Mynydd

“Dyrchafaf fy llygaid i’r mynyddoedd:”

Soar-y-mynydd is about 14 miles north of the village beyond the winding mountain road around Llyn Brianne, that leads to Tregaron. A Calvinist Methodist chapel; often-repeated claim to fame being the remotest chapel in all Wales (“capel mwyaf pellennig/anghysbell Cymru gyfan”), built in 1822. A grade II listed building made of local rubble stone collected from riverbeds and ruined farmsteads in the area. Internally it has a prominent feature – a painted scroll above the pulpit with the text “Duw cariad yw”. In its graveyard, the most conspicuous recent burial (2001), is that of Professor John Griffiths, a prominent London cancer surgeon. The local school met in the chapel-house until the 1940s.

It was threatened with closure late 1960’s, but since early 1970’s Soar secured its status and has become a hugely popular destination with well attended Summer Services. Guest preachers from the whole of Wales and beyond grace its pulpit. Services are conducted in Welsh.