The current deacons from left to right: Paul Sussex, Marilyn Jeffreys, Mavis Evans, David Hill
Mavis Evans was appointed (The first woman deacon) in the early eighties, she has without break played the organ since 1952 (over 70 years) Marilyn Jeffreys was appointed in 1990, David Hill (treasurer) in 1995 and Paul Sussex (secretary) in 2017.
Mrs Mavis Evans
The chapel celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2007 it was originally built for religious and educational purposes.
Repair and improvements carried out at Saron:
- Replacing the red ash path in from the road at the front with concrete steps and pathway
- 1977 Vestry extension [NBC/Pantyfedwen Fund/UWI and Lady Grace Foundation]
- 1980 Boundary wall built on ground donated by Frank McCutchen
- 1982 Painting chapel interior [D. Roberts, G. Evans & J. Davies]
- 1983 4 new windows in front of chapel
- 1984 South side & rear walls re plastered
- 1985 Shed renovated [Neath Dev. Agency]
- 1985 Hand rails installed from front gate to front door of chapel
- 1985 New front door installed & 4 new windows
- 1991 Chapel interior painted
- 1997 Front path re-laid
- 1997 Gravel material at back replaced with a diagonal pathway from the back gate to the corner of the vestry
- 1999 Front door renewed
- 2002 New PVC windows in kitchen
- 2003 New notice boards
- New lighting in the chapel
- Since that time there has been very little improvement work completed
- Until the recent upgrade of the vestry and kitchen
Our membership has diminished but we have a core group of faithful members. Our pulpit secretary Karen has moved and lives in Merthyr but continues to ensure we have a minister every Sunday.
Congregationalists
Christians who join together to form a church on the basis of Faith, Freedom, Fellowship and Service. They conduct and decide their own affairs, including the appointment of Ministers, all members being equally responsible and assisting as they are able
May this church at Saron be a safe place, full of understanding and acceptance, where you can be as you are, without need of any mask of pretence or image.
There are so many different types of churches these days, it’s hard to know what’s the difference and which one is right for me. Saron is a Congregational church. This means that everybody has a place. Everyone matters in a Congregational church, everyone’s opinion matters and everyone is encouraged to use their gifts and abilities to be a part of the church.
Charities
Saron recognises the need to support numerous Charities these include:
SIM Serving In Mission, serving God among many diverse people groups in Africa, Asia, and South America.
SHELTERThe People and Homes Charity
Barnardos Century old charity working with disadvantaged children
Alcohol Abuse working to reduce alcohol related harm
CWM Council for World Mission – a partnership of Churches
Gideons Sharing the Bible and New Testament by placing them in many venues
Bible Society Bringing the Bible to life across the World
Undeb Yr Annibynwyr Union of Welsh Independents
Leprosy International Christian Charity diagnosing, treating and offering specialist care
Neath Food Bank One of over 400 food banks providing emergency food to people in crisis nationwide
Nepal Appeal In 2015 an earthquake killed over 8,000 and injured over 22,000 destroying 893,000 homes
Brazilian Team Visit
Saron are blessed each year to welcome visiting missionaries from Brazil.
Nadja, Allane, Melina, Paul, Fabricio, Susan, Anderson, David, Valerie, Mitze, Mavis, Marylin, David and Jennifer
