AN AUSTRALIAN couple, who visited a Rhyl church to find out more about their ancestry, have praised the town's warmth and generosity.
Aaron Francis was the first minister of the United Reformed Church, on Water Street, in 1854 and his great-great grandson Peter Francis, and wife Gina, visited the town to find out more about him.
The couple live in Camberwell, Melbourne, with their five children who are all aware of their Welsh heritage.
Gina said: “Peter and I decided to travel to the UK to locate and visit sites where our respective ancestors came from, and in particular to pay a visit to the church in Rhyl.
“Indeed our whole holiday was planned around a service at the church, a service we could not afford to miss.
“After the service we were greeted by a number of the parishioners who were so welcoming and most interested in Peter's association with the church.
“We were delighted to learn that the church has a room named the Francis Room after the Rev Aaron Francis.”
Rev Francis, who was born in 1813 in Montgomery, was locked out of his church in Queen Street, Rhyl, after a dispute erupted because his services were more often conducted in English than in Welsh.
Together with his English followers Rev Francis set up the church on Water Street and built the original church with its 70ft spire, once known as Capel Francis.
After 30 years, the building was demolished due to it being declared unsafe and the current church built in its place in 1885.
Jackie Yeomans, an elder at the church, said: “It was delightful to meet them. They had researched their ancestry and found out the connection and came to visit us. This was a rewarding experience for all of us able to meet and talk with them. We hope they will come back again.”
Peter's father, Gordon Temple Francis, was born in 1909 in Wrexham and emigrated to Australia aged 17 and married Veronica Bennett in 1947, and had five children.
Prior to arriving in Rhyl the couple visited Edward Street, Wrexham where Peter's father was born.
“All in all it was an emotional and overwhelming experience, having travelled so far from Melbourne to Rhyl, albeit briefly.
“The warmth, hospitality and generosity shown by the people in Rhyl was extraordinary and made us feel very special. We will be back to see more of Wales,” added Gina.