The Island Place Mission Ghost

Location: Island Place

Reported in the Llanelly Guardian 16th July 1914. The Island Place Mission, A Strange Story, The Vision on the Wall

THE ISLAND PLACE MISSION HALL is a small building with seating accommodation for about two hundred people. It was at one time used by the Latter Day Saints.

It is a dingy looking place, but for some months past a mission has been held in it and there have been reports circulated from time to time of revival scenes having been witnessed there, but whenever the writer paid a visit the service was merely of the ordinary type. There was in fact, no distinguishing feature about it apart from the addresses delivered by the Missioner (Mr Stephen Jeffreys) who sandwiched his Welsh with sentences in English and spoke with a fervour and hwyl that played upon the emotions of his hearers.

Since then, however, far more remarkable things have, so it is said, have been witnessed. Persons stricken with illness are said to have been healed and it is claimed that their recovery wrought through implicit faith is not only complete but permanent. Two cases in particular are regarded by the little band of worshippers of the Island Place Mission Hall, as miracles. On the part of the general public there is a great deal of incredulity which as been increased since it has become known that members of the congregation state without the slightest hesitation that they have seen figures on the wall behind the pulpit on two occasions.

Face on the wall

Some of the worshippers became hysterical and the scenes are in themselves rather remarkable according to those who have witnessed them. Members of the congregation bring their emotions into full play and weeping and sobbing is quickly followed by joyful cries. It is claimed that a number of converts have been made and it must be remembered that either out of curiosity or revenge people remain at the service much longer than they would be prepared to stay in any chapel.

The services at the Island Place Mission Hall are often very protracted and notwithstanding the discomforts of a suffocating atmosphere people continue to frequent the Mission and they regard the apparition which they declare they have seen with their own eyes as proof that their work is being blessed abundantly. Even in this congregation, however, there are sceptics and they are equally as emphatic that no vision has been seen.

Various rumours have gained credibility about the visions. Some say that a head was first seen, others that a figure appeared out of a great cloud, while others state that they first saw a lamb followed by a head with a crown of thorns. Those who disbelieve the remarkable statements may contend that in their ecstasies some of the worshippers saw shadows on the wall caused by the flickering of the light and dampness of the wall.

There can be no mistaking the firmness of those who state they behold the vision which they declare time can never eradicate from their memory. To them they state it has come as a wonderful revelation of the Lord’s favour and their zeal and enthusiasm for the work they have undertaken has been increased thereby.

Missioner’s Statement

When interviewed with regard to the rumours, Mr Jeffreys said:

“We have had many conversions but what occurred last week transcends all those one could have hoped for. My back was turned to the portion of the wall where the vision appeared and my attention was drawn to it by some of the congregation who were spellbound to see the face of our Blessed Lord standing boldly out of the wall.

“There was no mistaking the appearance it was the Man of Sorrows, looking on us with ineffable love, and compassion shining out of his wonderful eyes. The effect upon us was one that will never be forgotten by any who were privileged to behold it. Some of the congregation saw the head crowned with thorns but I cannot speak as to this as I did not see it.”

“The face however, was not to be mistaken and it still haunts me. It remained on the wall for hours after the service closed and we kept the building open in order that all should have the opportunity of witnessing this wonderful revelation. Many unbelievers came in and fell on their knees in penitence. It was a proof to us that the Lord is with us in our work and will inspire us to more whole-hearted consecration in His service.”

The Service

On Sunday mornings the congregation numbered about 60. At times the service was taken out of the hands of the Missioner as members starting singing hymns or saying prayers quite spontaneously. There was nothing orthodox about the proceedings with the observance of the Lord’s Supper having at least one innovation in the form of each member taking a pinch of the loaf which the Missioner handed round.

No set sermon was delivered on this occasion but the Missioner read a portion of the Scriptures and made running comments on the verses his observations being interspersed with loud cries of ‘Diolch Iddo’, ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Praise His Holy Name’.

Incidentally, the Missioner referred to the vision of the Man of Sorrows and he had no sooner done so than there followed a Babel of voices, the din being such that it was impossible to catch what was said until the Missioner in a stentorian voice shouted “Let the world call us what they will, we know that we have risen our tickets for heaven and that we shall be received into His Holy presence by the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This declaration was followed by further cries of ‘Glory be to God’, ‘Praise Him’ and ‘Diolch Iddo’. Two converts were announced and the congregation then went into ecstasies. Towards the close, testimonies were invited and men, women, girls and boys, quickly regarded the converts being to the forefront.

Meanwhile the Missioner’s face was wreathed in smiles but occasionally the building would resound with his loud exclamations of ‘Diolch Iddo’. No visions were seen on this occasion.

The Wonderful Vision

Addressing a crowded congregation at the Sunday evening meeting the Missioner (Mr Stephen Jeffreys) said:

“Some have come here tonight out of curiosity because they have heard of the wonderful vision we have had. It is quite true that we saw the Lord here praise His Holy Name. But if you have come here unsaved you are very daring.”

“I would not care to
confront the face of my Lord without first having had salvation. There are some who were here when the Man of Sorrows revealed his face to us and they would have preferred if they had not seen Him at the time they were not right with God and the fear of the Lord fell upon them. What we desire tonight is that the fear of the Lord should possess you.”

“Glory to His name we have respectful fear towards Him as His children and we do not want to do anything that will draw a frown across His face. Possibly we shall not have the privilege of looking upon our Masters face as we saw upon the wall last week but as I have said you have run a great risk if in your worldliness you have come here out of curiosity to see the vision.”

“Possibly the revelation that was made to us heralds the Second Coming of Christ which I believe is near at hand. Don’t run away with the idea that we were deceived by a little dampness on the wall. What we saw was a reality. We saw the face of Christ whether you believe it or not.” 

This story is courtesy of Llanelli, Birth of a Town, By William & Benita Rees. http://llanelli-history.co.uk/index.htm