Moriah Church “The Mother of Welsh Churches” / Moriah Presbyterian Church

Side A: Moriah Calvinistic Methodist Church was organized on November 23, 1835, in the home of Daniel Edwards, Brynele. Although Welsh settled Gallia County in 1818, they did not build a church until more families arrived during the 1830s Welsh tide of immigration into Gallia and Jackson counties. They named their new church Moriah, meaning “appearance of Jehovah” in the Bible. Joshua Parry built the original log church in 1836 in the northwest corner of Moriah Cemetery. This was enlarged the following year and Enoch Thomas built the present church in 1846. Moriah Church, centrally located in the growing Welsh settlements, was the first in what became a circuit of 12 Welsh Calvinistic Methodist churches. For this, Moriah Church is known as Ein Mam ni oll or “the Mother of Us All.” (Continued on other side) Side B: (Continued from other side) The Moriah congregation worshipped at Gymanfas and Jubilees that drew huge crowds to “the Grove” across the road from the church. The congregational singing by these vast throngs was an experience few forgot. A Tŷ capel (a “tea house” for circuit preachers to eat a meal) stood on the grounds 1868-1953. The Rev. Robert Williams was considered the first and most influential minister associated with Moriah Church. A gifted preacher from Wales, Rev. Williams spent 40 years serving Moriah and was widely mourned at his 1876 death. During the 1920s the Calvinistic Methodists merged with the Presbyterian Church to form the Presbyterian Synod Ohio (Welsh) and the “Parish of the Templed Hills” succeeded the circuit. In 2023, many members attending Sunday School and Worship at Moriah Church have Welsh heritage.