A LINK WITH JOHN WESLEY
Some six miles west of Chepstow, off the Shirenewton to Earlswood Road is a single track lane which runs down into Earlswood Valley. Almost a mile long – with no ‘passing places’ – the lane reaches the bottom of the valley and, as it begins to ascend again towards the Wentwood Forest, a small white painted chapel meets the eye – it is believed to be the oldest Methodist Chapel in Wales that is still in use by a devout congregation each Sunday. Where the members come from, and the journey they must make is in itself a wonderful act of faith and devotion. How did it begin?
In 1769, John Wesley was preaching his gospel of salvation on the Welsh side of the River Severn. One evening he preached in the vicinity of Chepstow. A young woman of 22, Ann Richards, listened that evening to John Wesley and was so moved by his preaching she gave her heart to Jesus Christ. Filled with the Holy Spirit she followed John Wesley through Usk, Abergavenny and even Cardiff listening and learning from the great preacher. Several times she crossed the Severn by ferry, walking to Bristol to meet with Wesley and his associates there.
Inspired, she returned to Earlswood, where, now married and with her husband Thomas Lewis, she organised Prayer Meetings in their cottage, among the farmers and villagers in the area, and with the growth of this early Methodist Fellowship Ann conceived a dream of a local church to serve the community. She became a tireless worker, travelling throughout local areas – Llanvair Discoed, Earlswood, Wentworth, and Shirenewton – calling at houses and cottages, collecting funds and encouraging converts.
Gradually funds were raised, the plot purchased at the foot of Greyhill, and eventually work began. The chapel was built largely by voluntary labour and Ann was among the women who used to carry stones from the local quarry in their aprons.
Sadly, Thomas Lewis died in 1790 before the chapel was completed, but with her second husband, John Rosser, Ann saw the opening of the church of “Earlswood-in-the-Vale-Beside-The-Brook”. One of Ann’s daughters, who died in infancy, lies buried in the spot which is now under the pulpit.
Ann and John Rosser lived on, working for their faith into their 80’s, but tragically a fire destroyed their cottage in November 1831. Ann, deeply shocked, died less than two months later in January 1832. The ruined remains of their cottage can still be found on Chapel Farm land. In her obituary, Ann was described as a person who was “eminently useful in leading sinners to Christ, and in encouraging believers to hold fast their confidence”.
This confidence supported the Earlswood congregation in the 1970’s when they successfully resisted plans to move their chapel to St. Fagan’s Folk Museum.
On the 20th September 1981, a unique service was held at Earlswood chapel when some 20 direct descendants of Ann Rosser, and 10 through marriage, joined with members of Earlswood. The service was conducted by the Rev. Leslie Tiplin Vickery, a retired Methodist Minister, visiting this country from Brisbane, Australia, and an ex-president of the Queensland Methodist Conference, a great-great-great-Grandson of Ann Rosser. Descendants came from London, Weston-S-Mare, Newport, Chepstow, Usk, Cardiff and Penarth.
Following the service, tea and refreshments were provided by the ladies of the chapel, and then, joined by a number of friends from Chepstow, Caldicot and Hope Chapel, a packed chapel joined in an hours hymn singing of the hymns that would have been sung in the chapel at the time of Ann Rosser. What an inspiration to all those present!
Ann Rosser was the great-great-Grandmother of Miss Lois Tiplin, and great-great-great-Grandmother of Cyril Lee, two of the descendant attendees at this service.
It was ultimately the wish of all present on that evening, that a service of re-dedication such as this should be held each year.
Credit
The above description is drawn from a document written by Cyril Lee in 1981. I have adjusted his original text to reflect research information that has come to light since it was penned.
Listed Status
As of the 30th January 2001 Earlswood Chapel became a Listed Building. You can access the government record for this here.