Public Invited to Welsh Week

100th Annual Gymanfa Ganu

The Historic Peniel Welsh Chapel was built in 1856. In 1923 they started the 1st annual Welsh/English Hymn Sing on the 4th Sunday in August. This year they are celebrating the 100th Welsh\ English on August 28. This Welsh tradition started in Wales in 1859 as a gathering of singing sacred hymns in rich 4-part harmony. The tradition has spread all over the world. Wales is known as the “Land of Sound” because of their historic singing tradition.

This year on Sunday, August 28, there will be a worship service in the morning at 10:30 am led by Rev. Joe. Corbin with harp played by Ann Lemmenes for special music. A Noon brunch buffet for $15 RSVP to penielchapel1856@gmail.com 719-427-9239

1:30 -2 pm A bagpiper will play outside. The 2:30 afternoon hymn sing will be led by Jay Williams III of central New York, accompanied by Rev. Tom White on a pump organ for the 55th year, and Sarah Conrad will play the upright piano. There will be a second hymn sing in the evening at 6 pm like in the good old days. For a donation a light meal will be provided at 5 pm between hymn sings.

TO CELEBRATE OUR WELSH HERITAGE, there will be many events held during the week.

AUGUST – Month-long Welsh Display at the Fond du Lac Historical Society at Galloway House and Village; 336 Old Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac W

Wednesday, August 24, The Ripon Historical Society, 508 Watson Street, Ripon 10 am Ripon walking tour; 1 pm a presentation on the local Welsh history featuring Jedediah Bowen, the Morgan and Welk Families; and 3 pm a cemetery walk. RSVP -920-748-6354

Thursday, August 25 at The Doe House, 456 Mt. Vernon Street, Oshkosh. 1 pm Presentations: Welsh in the Civil War; History of Oshkosh Welsh Settlement; Tea 101 Class – How to make a perfectly prepared cup of tea followed by a Te Bach or a little Welsh Tea refreshments. $10 RSVP .

Thursday, August 25 6 pm Jasper’s Food & Spirits, 6510 Hwy 44, Pickett Welsh Pub Night – Sing-along Welsh Folk music led by Danny Proud and Rev. Joe Corbin/ plus storytelling Order food off the menu.

Friday, August 26 Morgan House Tours, 234 Church Ave. Oshkosh 10 am to 3 pm. Winnebago County Historical & Archeological Society. 6 pm Zoar Cemetery Walk- local history. Located west of Peniel Chapel.

Saturday, August 27, PENIEL WELSH CHAPEL W9644 Zoar Road, Oshkosh

(location is 7 miles north of Rosendale on Hwy 26 take FF left for half a mile)

1 pm Ysgol Gan (Welsh singing school) Before the hymn sing they practiced their Welsh and harmonies.

2 pm Welsh in Wisconsin, presentation by Robert Humphries

4:30 pm The Drowsy Maggies Celtic Band

5 pm Welsh Miner’s Meal RSVP

6 pm The Peniel Quartet Four talented men: Joshua Giese, Devin Scherck, Christofer Guy, and Rev. Tom White from Peniel have been singing together for many years. A concert worth coming to. Call 719-427-9239 or email- penielchapel1856@gmail.com for more info or to RSVP. The Peniel Welsh Chapel (gps) W9644 Zoar Road Oshkosh, or just take HWY 26 north from Rosendale or South from Oshkosh and go west for ½ mile on ff. You will want to be part of this wonderful living history.