Wesleyan Methodist Church Origin
In May 1882 the foundation stone, for the church, was laid by Mrs Greenhow, of Aberant, Llanidloies, with a gift of £10, and a Mr s Jones of Talyllyn gave £5, together with donations from members of the congregation.
1884
In 1884 permission was sought to build a manse, next to the chapel at a cost of £513.It was granted together with a gift of £80 and a loan of £100. The manse was called “Merton Villa”, the name was probably taken from “Merton Collage, Oxford”, and where the early Methodist influence was greatly felt.
1891-2
November 1909 Letter
Dear Sir The Wesleyan connection here in Towyn, with the sanction of the district synod, are proceeding to make certain alterations to their ministers house, which will cost them about £230.
The alterations have become necessary owing to lack of sufficient sleeping accommodation, bathroom, WC and other sanitary matters.
The congregations in the circuit being made up almost entirely of the working class are handicapped by the slackness of trade generally and especially of the slate industry in the district, though credible sacrifices have been made by them during the last two or three years in wiping off the then existing debit upon chapel property.
It is with regret that they are forced to appeal to the generosity of our wealthy Christian friends for a helping hand in the undertakings they are now called upon, and thus provide their minister with a decent and comfortable house suitable to the present day need.
On behalf of the circuit I shall deem it very grateful by any donation you may be prompted to give.
I am yours faithfully
Circuit steward
Rev J Smith (Minister)
1910 Memo of Agreement
Memo of Agreement made this day of – 1910 between the Revd John Smith of Towyn Wesleyan Minister, Hugh Davies of Tynllwyn near Towyn farmer, and John Lloyd of Towyn solicitor of the one part hereinafter called proprietors and Messrs Rees Jones and Son Contractors of Towyn hereinafter called the contractors. The contractors agree to make alterations and additions to the Wesleyan Manse in High street Towyn according to plans ABD specifications prepared by Chas.F Ellis Architect of Aberdovey hereinafter called the Architect for the sum of £195.15.0 which is liable to variations as hereinafter provided for.
The proprietors agree to pay the contractors such sums of money as may be certified for in writing by the architect and the balance within two months of the architect’s final certificate.
The contractors shall make alterations or additions to the work when so directed by the architect who shall value the same and adjust the difference in his final certificate.
The contractors shall carry out the work in a sound and workmanlike manner to the entire satisfaction of the architect who shall have power to reject or order the re-execution of any work which in his opinion is not in accordance with the plans or the specification or may be inferred there from.
The premises until the completion of the work to be in the care of the contractors who shall be held responsible for and to make good any loss or damage which might be occasioned by himself his workmen or servants or by fire storm theft accident or any cause whatever to the new work or to the existing work and any paint or other work that is damaged inside or outside the house must be made good by the contractor.
If the main stair case is used it must be cased with wood and the margins of treads and risers also the margins on the landings must be made good at the completion of the work.
The contractor must insure his men and be responsible for any accident under the workmen’s compensation act and shall hold blameless the parties hereto of the first part from any claim in respect of accident.
The whole of the work including any small quantity of extra work shall be completed on or before the – day of – next or the contractor shall allow the proprietors the sum of £-- per week or part thereof a week during which the work shall remain incomplete but the contractor shall be allowed reasonable extra time for any unusual bad weather or anything else outside of the contractors control such allowance if any to be determined by the architect should the contractors become bankrupt or make any assignment of his estate for the benefit of creditors or should he neglect the work and after twice being warned by the architect that the work was being neglected still fail to proceed with the same to the architects satisfaction in any case the proprietors shall have the power to take the work out of the contractors hands and be at liberty to complete the same by other contractors or workmen and pay the same out of any money due or becoming due to the present contractor and all paint materials delivered on or to about the site shall belong to the proprietors.
Should any dispute or claim of any kind arise whatsoever arise having to do with the work or contract as between the proprietors and the contractors the same shall be referred to the architect for decision which shall be final and binding on both parties
Signed
JNO Lloyd, Hugh Davies
28 December 1910 Trustees
New trustees appointed for Merton Villa. This is to supersede the last mtg of trustees dated 1884.
October 17 1931 Meeting of the trustees
In a meeting, which was called regularly, it was passed that permission be given to move the stone wall in front of the lawn at Merton Villa in addition to the wall of a building outside, for the purpose of making a garage to keep the ministers car. It was thought by everyone of the trustees that this would be an improvement, but it should be ensured that a new wall was built in order to keep the house private
9th October 1943 Trustees
Reverend Richard Jones who was the superintendent preacher of the circuit chairman, convened an mtg, in the schoolroom of the chapel, to appoint new trustees for Merton Villa. Of the original 21 trustees, 20 had passed away and one had “remained out of the United Kingdom for more than 12 months”
2nd June 1995 Conveyance
Merton Villa sold to Andrew Neil May and Sheena Katheleen Hughes for £41,000.00
October 2005 Conveyance
Merton Villa sold to the Ralph family.
April 2006
Merton Villa B&B opens.