History
Former Welsh Academy or Presbyterian College built in 1840. It was founded in the later C17 to train students for the Nonconformist ministry, specifically for the Independent denomination. Sited first at Brynllywarch, then Abergavenny, it came to Carmarthen c1704, with premises in Priory Street, then in Lammas Street, associated with Heol Awst chapel from its building in 1726. But standards fell and in 1733 the Presbyterian Board in London amalgamated the academy with a school near Hay. In 1743 it returned to Heol Awst, in 1779 after another decline it moved to Rhydygors mansion, in 1785 to Swansea, and in 1796 to Heol Awst again. The students were generally some dozen in number, and the ministers at Heol Awst also taught private pupils. From 1838 the college revived and took a Unitarian character, following Dr David Lloyd, founder of the Unitarian chapel in Carmarthen, principal from 1838. The college was affiliated to the new University of London in 1842, the first institution in Wales to offer training for a university degree, and then became known as the Presbyterian College, having though no connection to the Presbyterian church.
It was open to students of all denominations, and educated many leading figures including Thomas Charles, Griffith Jones, Watkin Williams, David Davies, David Peter and Elfed Lewis among ministers, also Sir John Russell, chemist and David Williams polemicist. George Morgan, architect, designed extensions in 1894.
It became purely theological in 1896, affiliated to the University of Wales, but in 1959 the Independent tutors and students amalgamated with the Brecon College in a congregational College at Swansea and the Presbyterian Board closed the college in 1963. After a period as offices re-used as Carmarthen Evangelical Church.
The 2 right bays and the E side are the original, the centre porch and 2 left bays being added to match in 1894.