(Corrections and additions will posted as deemed necessary and appropriate. Contact dilyswr@gmail.com with your suggestions.)
1833….Chicago was incorporated as a town – population, 350
1837….Chicago was incorporated as a city – population, 4,000+
1844….A Sunday School was started by Welsh immigrants at the home of shoemaker William Davies and later at the home of tailor, John Davies. This laid the foundation for the first Welsh Church.
1851…The first Welsh church (Calvinistic Methodist) was built on Des Plaines Street between Randolph and Lake.
1853….On January 1st, 1853, a group of Welsh businessmen met at the home of Owen Owens and formed a society to aid recent and impoverished Welsh immigrants. They called themselves “The Ancient Britons Benevolent Society of Chicago”.
1853….On March 1st, 1853, the new society held its first St David’s Day celebration.
1871…The Great Chicago Fire, October 8 – 10. There are no reports of Welsh lives lost but many lost their homes and businesses.
1893…The World’s Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago, May – October
1893…September 5 – 8, Welsh International Eisteddfod was held on the grounds of the Exposition.
1933…A Century of Progress
