Can eight people form a church? Can that same eight people (two of them not in employment) three months later call a pastor to a part-time ministry, and after three years support him full-time? Can this young church hope to purchase and renovate chapel buildings to the figure of £65,000 within ten years without incurring a penny's interest? Can all this happen in one of our spiritually declining South Wales valleys? The answer is, 'Yes, when the Lord is in it'. 
   
Below is a brief history of the formative years of the church, describing how God in his mercy and grace raised up a gospel church in Nelson.
  
1974
Against a background of spiritual decline a group of local Christians began meeting on one Saturday evening each month. The meetings quickly become an avenue of contact between Christians in the immediate district as well as contributing to their encouragement at that time.
1975
A desire for real fellowship developed and a weekly prayer meeting was started. Those attending this meeting decide to read through the Bible together in their daily devotions. During this time there was a marked spiritual growth and a growing sense of fellowship.
1976
On completing the reading through of the Bible, a desire came for something more, so a Bible Study was suggested. Despite meeting with all kinds of opposition and obstacles, one was started, meeting fortnightly on a different night to the prayer meeting. 
Seeing the opposition to anything really spiritual, the group realised more than ever the deadness of their existing places of worship. However, a desire to leave their respective churches was curtailed by the lack of a live church in the immediate area.   
1978
Seeking the Lord's guidance and realising the spiritual obligation of believers in gathering together, the group left their varied places of worship to gather together as a church. 
1979
Despite having no church building to meet, and having only eight members, the new church called the Rev. Terry Williams to be their Pastor on a part-time basis.
Soon after the Induction of the Pastor the church began to meet in the Reading Room at the Workman's Institute in the centre of the village.
1982
As a result of church growth the Reading Room began to look full. The provision of a church building, though never far from the congregation's minds, began to seriously occupy their prayers.
Also at this time, the congregation was able to support the Pastor full-time.
1983
The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel on Heol Fawr was offered to the church at a cost of £500 plus legal costs. On the negative side the congregation were professionally advised that renovation costs could be as high as £45,000 due to a severe outbreak of dry rot in the chapel and the derelict appearance of the vestry.
With no other local buildings available however, and the cost of a new building put at £120,000, the buildings were purchased.
1984-1985
Following extensive renovation work the chapel was finally opened on 16th March 1985.
1987
Work commenced on the renovation of the vestry. The final renovation costs of both buildings would eventually cost £65,000.
1988
The vestry is opened on 19 November 1988.
  
To The Present Day
After many years of proving God’s goodness, we can give thanks to God for encouragements, for growth and for a number of conversions. ‘This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes.’
 

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