Lampeter

Lampeter is an anglicised form of “Llanbedr” (the church of Peter). The town itself probably originated from around Norman times. In 1137 Owain Lawgoch, Prince of Gwynedd, invaded Ceredigion and destroyed Lampeter’s motte and bailey castle. In 1188 Gerald the Welshman and Archbishop Baldwin (the Archbishop of Canterbury) preached at Lampeter in order to persuade men to fight in the Second Crusade.

By the seventeenth century the Christian faith was at a low ebb, but in the following century came the Great Revival, led in Wales by Howell Harris, Daniel Rowland (based at Llangeitho, only 8 miles from Lampeter) and William Williams. Howell Harris visited here many times and mentions that he “preached to vast crowds on the street in Lampeter”.

The population today is about 2,500 (in 1728 it was estimated that 300 people lived here). Lampeter has always retained its Welsh character, even from the beginning (in 1302-03 the names of its 21 burgesses only included two who were not of Welsh origin). The Welsh language and its culture continue to play a vital part in the social and economic fabric of the town.In 1822 a new dimension was added to the life of the town with the founding of St. David’s College (now the University of Lampeter) which, apart from Oxford and Cambridge, is the oldest university institution in England and Wales. It continues to contribute vibrantly to the town.

Lampeter Evangelical Church (LEC) was established in 1981, and at the beginning was associated with Tŷ Brasil, a missionary centre in Pumsaint (about 10 miles from Lampeter). From those beginnings, in spite of a number of changes, it has grown substantially, and our prayer is that God will continue to bless us as a congregation. Our Sunday meetings are held at Victoria Hall, Lampeter.

Yr Hedyn Mwstard, namely Lampeter Christian Centre, was opened by a group of Christians in College Street some few years ago. Apart from the coffee shop, the Christian Book Stall and local crafts, and the meeting room, a few Christian students are accommodated upstairs.

Within driving distance from Lampeter we have many attractions, such as Middleton – The National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Llanerchaeron, Gwili Pottery, Aberaeron Craft Centre, Aberglasney Gardens, Strata Florida Abbey, Talley Abbey, Dolaucothi Goldmines, Carreg Cennen Castle etc. Leaflets are available in the coffee shop should you like more information on the various attractions to be found in the area.

Llanbedr

Ffurf Saesneg ar “Llanbedr”, sef eglwys Pedr, yw “Lampeter” wrth gwrs. Sefydlwyd y dref ei hun yng nghyfnod y Normaniaid, yn ôl pob tebyg. Yn 1137 ymosododd Owain Lawgoch, Tywysog Gwynedd, ar Geredigion gan ddinistrio castell mwnt a beili Llanbed. Yn 1188 pregethodd Gerallt Gymro a’r Archesgob Baldwin (Archesgob Caergaint) yma i geisio perswadio dynion i ymuno â’r Ail Grwsâd.

Erbyn yr ail ganrif ar bymtheg roedd yn ddyddiau enbyd ar y ffydd Gristnogol, ond yn y ganrif ddilynol daeth y Diwygiad Mawr, a arweiniwyd yng Nghymru gan Howell Harris, Daniel Rowland (a oedd yn byw yn Llangeitho, dim ond 8 milltir o Lanbed) a William Williams. Ymwelodd Howell Harris â’r dref lawer tro a soniodd ei fod wedi “pregethu i dyrfaoedd enfawr ar y stryd yn Llanbed”.

Mae’r boblogaeth heddiw tua 2,500 (yn 1728 amcangyfrifwyd mai 300 oedd yn byw yma). Mae Llanbed erioed wedi cynnal ei Chymreictod, hyd yn oed o’r dechrau (allan o 21 o fwrgeiswyr yn 1302-03, dim ond dau oedd heb fod o dras Gymreig). Mae’r iaith Gymraeg a’I diwylliant yn dal i chwarae rhan allweddol ym mywyd cymdeithasol ac economaidd y dref heddiw. Yn 1822 ychwanegwyd deimensiwn newydd i fywyd y dref gyda sefydlu Coleg Dewi Sant (Prifysgol Llanbed erbyn hyn), sef y sefydliad prifysgol hynaf yng Nghymru a Lloegr y tu allan i Rydychen a Chaergrawnt. Mae’n parhau i wneud cyfraniad pwysig i’r dref.

Cychwynnwyd Eglwys Efengylaidd Llanbed yn 1981, ac ar y dechrau cysylltwyd hi â Thŷ Brasil, canolfan genhadol ym Mhumsaint (ryw 10 milltir o Lanbed). O’r dechreuadau hynny, er gwaethaf nifer o newidiadau, mae wedi tyfu’n sylweddol, a’n gweddi yw y bydd Duw’n dal i’n bendithio ni fel cynulleidfa. Cynhelir ein cyfarfodydd yn Neuadd Fictoria, Llanbed (fel y gwelir ar y map syml ar y tudalennau canol).

Agorwyd Yr Hedyn Mwstard, sef Canolfan Gristnogol Llanbed, gan grwˆp o Gristnogion yn Stryd y Coleg rai blynyddoedd yn ôl. Ar wahân i’r siop goffi, y stondin lyfrau Cristnogol a chrefftau lleol, a’r ystafell gyfarfod, mae rhai myfyrwyr o Gristnogion yn lletya ar y llawr cyntaf hefyd. O fewn pellter car o Lanbed mae gennym nifer o amwynderau megis Middleton – Gerddi Botaneg Cenedlaethol Cymru, Llanerchaeron, Crochenwaith Gwili, Canolfan Grefftau Aberaeron, Gerddi Aberglasni, Abaty Ystrad Fflur, Abaty Talyllychau, Mwyngloddiau Aur Dolaucothi, Castell Carreg Cennen ac ati. Mae taflenni ar gael yn y siop goffi pe baech chi am gael mwy o wybodaeth ynghylch yr amwynderau amrywiol sydd o fewn yr ardal.