"The academy at Neuaddlwyd was opened in 1810 as the result of a decision of the Independent chapels in Ceredigion to establish a school for the sons of poorer families to be prepared for the ministry.

At that time Thomas Phillips the minister at Neuaddlwyd chapel had built a small two roomed house in the grounds of his farm at Penybanc in order to have somewhere to teach his own children. He offered this as a site for the school and so began his thirty year involvement as its master.

Initially the Rev John Maurice was appointed to teach Classics and Phillips theology. Unfortunately John Maurice died of tuberculosis before the end of the first year and thereafter, with help from some of his senior pupils, Thomas Phillips was responsible for the running of the school.

During this period Phillips claimed that more than 200 people had been prepared for the ministry in all denominations, and two students Jones and Bevan famously became the first Christian missionaries to Madagascar.

Many famous clergy received their initial education at Neuaddlwyd and the school was well known throughout Wales, and indeed the rest of Britain. Its fame had spread as for as America as Thomas Phillips received an Hon D.D,from what is now Princetown University.

Dr.Phillips, a Congregationalist minister, was born in Pencader, Carmarthenshire but spent his working life in Cardiganshire, based in the chapel at Neuaddlwyd about two miles east of Aberaeron. His ministry was wide ranging as he helped to establish chapels in many places within the county, and in addition to his pastoral duties taught at the Academy at Neuaddlwyd, wrote several commentaries on the scriptures as well as hymns, and was an active farmer at his home of Penybanc.

2010 will be the bicentenary of the founding of the academy, and it would be fitting if this event could be celebrated and recorded.

It is envisaged that a service will be held in the chapel ,at Neuaddlwyd, a visit made to the site of the school.

On the following day there would be talks about the life and work of Thomas Phillips followed by a dinner in the evening, these events being held at Lampeter University."

Article by Bryan Jones