Bala-Bangor was a theological

seminary A seminary, school of theology, theological college, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called seminarians) in scripture and theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as cle ...

belonging to the Welsh Independents ( Undeb yr Annibynwyr Cymraeg), an association of Welsh

congregationalists Congregationalism (also Congregational Churches or Congregationalist Churches) is a Reformed Christian (Calvinist) tradition of Protestant Christianity in which churches practice congregational government. Each congregation independently a ...

. It was founded in 1841 at

Llanuwchllyn Llanuwchllyn () is a village and Community (Wales), community in Gwynedd, Wales, near the southern end of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid). It is one of the most sparsely populated communities in Wales. The electoral ward includes the small settlement ...

, then moved to a permanent location at

Bala, Gwynedd Bala () is a town and community (Wales), community in Gwynedd, Wales. Formerly an Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland), urban district, Bala lies in the Historic counties of Wales, historic county of Merionethshire, at the north end of Bal ...

in 1842 under the principalship of Michael Jones (1787–1853), who was followed by his son Michael D. Jones (1822–1898). During Michael D. Jones's principalship, a row broke out between two rival factions within Welsh

congregationalism Congregationalism (also Congregational Churches or Congregationalist Churches) is a Reformed Christian (Calvinist) tradition of Protestant Christianity in which churches practice congregational government. Each congregation independently a ...

over the seminary's constitution – Michael D. Jones and his followers wanted to keep and adhere to the old constitution but Rev. John Thomas of

Liverpool Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...

and his followers wanted to impose a new constitution upon the seminary. Michael D. Jones's argument was that Rev. John Thomas's plan would only lead to the presbyterizing of the seminary and of the Congregational churches in general. This row lead to a split and for a period the Congregationalists had two seminaries in Bala, Thomas Lewis's seminary at Plasyndre and Michael D. Jones's at Bodiwan. But by 1886 Thomas Lewis's seminary had moved to Bangor. Michael D. Jones retired in 1892 and this paved the way to unite the two seminaries once again and this time at Bangor thus explaining the seminary's eclectic name: "Bala-Bangor". The seminary remained in Bangor until its closure in 1989 by which time it was under the principalship of

R. Tudur Jones Robert Tudur Jones (28 June 1921 – 23 July 1998), better known as R. Tudur Jones, was a Welsh nationalist and one of the country's leading theologians. His nationalistic stance, combined with Calvinist doctrine, created an integrated vision that ...

, the last in the distinguished line of Principals to serve the Congregational churches in

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

. The seminary was closed mainly because of lack of demand for two Congregational seminaries in Wales. The Memorial College (having moved from

Brecon Brecon (; ; ), archaically known as Brecknock, is a market town in Powys, mid Wales. In 1841, it had a population of 5,701. The population in 2001 was 7,901, increasing to 8,250 at the 2011 census. Historically it was the county town of Breck ...

Swansea Swansea ( ; ) is a coastal City status in the United Kingdom, city and the List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, second-largest city of Wales. It forms a Principal areas of Wales, principal area, officially known as the City and County of ...

and then to

Aberystwyth Aberystwyth (; ) is a University town, university and seaside town and a community (Wales), community in Ceredigion, Wales. It is the largest town in Ceredigion and from Aberaeron, the county's other administrative centre. In 2021, the popula ...

) offered a more central location for a United College to serve the Congregational churches throughout Wales. Through the 1990s, the United College remained at Aberystwyth, until its closure – now Congregational training is based back in Bangor under the supervision of Rev. Euros Wyn Jones.

Alumni

David Evan Jones (missionary) David Evan Jones, Mizo name Zosaphluia (15 February 1870 – 10 August 1947), was a Welsh missionary to the Mizo people in the Lushai Hills, what is now Mizoram, India. Biography Jones was born at Brynmelyn, Llandderfel and educated at ...

John Hughes Morris ''The history of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists' foreign mission'' Page 319 1996 "DAVID EVAN JONES — Born February 15th, 1870, at Brynmelyn, Llandderfel. Educated at Bala Grammar School, Liverpool Institute, Bala and Aberystwyth Colleges. For two years pastor of Bettws church, Mont. Ordained in 1897. Sailed for India, June 26th, 1897, arriving at Aijal, Lushai Hills, August 31st. In 1903, married Miss K. E. Williams, Sylhet." * Susannah Jane Rankin

References

{{Authority control Congregationalism in Wales Former theological colleges in Wales 1841 establishments in Wales