Ebenezer Welsh Independent Church, Swansea

Ebenezer, Swansea was a Welsh Independent church, established in 1804 as an offshoot of Mynyddbach Chapel. The building is situated on Ebenezer Street, just off High Street, near to Swansea Station. In the early years, it had a large membership, drawn in the main from the poor streets and courts that used to surround the chapel, where Welsh was the home language.

By the First World War the area was starting to change. Many of the old courts were being demolished and their residents rehoused elsewhere, and an English mission had recently been established at Ebenezer. In 1976 Ebenezer was sold to a Baptist church from Waunwen and its members joined with those at Henrietta Street Chapel to become Ebenezer Newydd. The memorial however remained in the chapel until recently when it was brought to the Archive Service. Ebenezer Newydd in Henrietta Street closed in 2018.

This roll of honour records the names of 120 men from Ebenezer who served in the war. The names of the twelve who died are highlighted with black-lined capital letters. The roll measures 1m x 70 cm. It is finely drawn in ink and watercolour on paper, with a separate border pasted on. It seems to have been on display for a relatively long time, as the colours have faded in places, especially the red capital letters. Originally it was designed as one of a pair, the other one of which graced Ebenezer English mission and also forms part of this resource. Both have the same basic design, with the names listed on an unrolled scroll hung below an eternal flame, with arching banners above giving the name of the congregation. It is not signed, but at the foot of the list is '1920 E' at the left and 'Swansea' at the right.

Download a large version of the Roll of Honour (PDF) [2MB](opens new window)

Back to the list of names