Peniel Welsh Chapel – Directions
GPS location of (and directions to) the chapel: W9644 Zoar Road, Oshkosh (7 miles north of Rosendale on Hwy 26 then 0.5 mile west on County Hwy FF)
For more information, find Peniel Welsh Chapel on Facebook or contact Tom White at (920) 266-7739 or tjwhite65@charter.net.
Peniel Events
Peniel Welsh Chapel has the following events planned for this year. All events are held at Peniel Welsh Chapel unless otherwise noted. A downloadable brochure will soon be available.
ST. DAVID’S DAY GYMANFA GANU AND CELEBRATION
March 1, 2026 – 2:30 p.m.
LOCATION: WE Community Church, 2644 State Road 116, Waukau WI
Director: Rev. Tom White; Accompanist: Ann Lemmenes
Te bach to follow. Here is the poster.
THE NEW GENERATION SINGERS
May 9, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Peniel Welsh Chapel
“The New Generation Singers”
Refreshments to follow.
AG AND QUILT DAY
June 27, 2026
LOCATION: Peniel Welsh Chapel
1:00 p.m. Farm machinery and animals on the chapel grounds
Food available for purchase during the afternoon
6:00 p.m. Polka service by Larry Albright
Refreshments to follow.
PROGRAM TO BE DETERMINED
July 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Peniel Welsh Chapel
Refreshments to follow.
WELSH WEEKEND SATURDAY EVENTS
Welsh Weekend Poster is forthcoming
August 22, 2026
LOCATION: Peniel Welsh Chapel
Plans for the Welsh Weekend Saturday activities are under way
WELSH WEEKEND SUNDAY WORSHIP AND ANNUAL GYMANFA GANU
August 23, 2026
LOCATION: Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 479 Clairville Road, Oshkosh WI
9:00 a.m. Worship Service
LOCATION: Peniel Welsh Chapel
2:30 p.m. 104th Annual Gymanfa Ganu
Director: TBD; Reed Organist: Rev. Tom White; Pianist: Sarah Conrad
Te bach to follow.
WOODWIND QUINTET
September 19, 2026 – 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Peniel Welsh Chapel
Refreshments to follow.
NOTABLE PENIEL EVENTS
Peniel Chapel is on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places
On November 14, 2025, Peniel Welsh Chapel was officially listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. The chapel’s inclusion reflects not only its architectural integrity but also its central role in preserving the cultural traditions of Welsh immigrants in rural Wisconsin. The historic designation comes as a strong affirmation of Peniel’s cultural value. The chapel is known statewide and beyond as home to Wisconsin’s longest-running Cymanfa Ganu, a Welsh-style hymn singing festival. 2026 marks the 104th annual Sing, scheduled for August 23, an event that draws visitors from across the country and internationally. (Article excerpted from Ninnau January-February 2026 issue written by Alexis Ludewig.)
Peniel Welsh Chapel – 100th Anniversary of Gymanfa Ganu
In 2022 a number of special events were planned in the Oshkosh area to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Peniel Gymanfa Ganu. Most were held at Peniel Welsh Chapel in the Town of Eldorado. Proceeds benefitted community outreach programs and Peniel Chapel restoration. Participants were encouraged to come in costume to the themed events.
Peniel Welsh Cookbook
Sisters Olwen Morgan Welk and Ilah Morgan put the Welsh Cooking book together so that everyone preparing food for Welsh events would have the same recipes.
In 2022, the Peniel Welsh Chapel 100th Gymanfa Ganu committee modernized these recipes, added to the collection, and used stories and photos to develop a Peniel Welsh Chapel Historic Highlights/Welsh Cooking book.
Its introduction says: “As a way to commemorate the 100 years of cymanfaoedd canu (the Welsh plural of gymanfa ganu, a Welsh/English song gathering), this scrapbook contains some historic milestones of Peniel Welsh Chapel as well as favorite Welsh recipes. Biographies of the families that helped build the church’s heritage complement this book. We hope you enjoy the tasty recipes provided. These recipes were donated by the many ladies who touched the history of Peniel Welsh Chapel, both past and present.”
To obtain a copy of the 2022 cookbook, contact Lynette Booth, Treasurer, Peniel Welsh Chapel Association by mail at 893 Harmel Ave., Oshkosh WI 54902 or by email at boothlynette@hotmail.com.
A donation of $10.00 or more is suggested.
Peniel Volunteer Opportunities
We welcome you to be part of the Peniel Welsh Chapel family by sharing your time and talents as a caring new or continuing volunteer. We have many opportunities available. These are as simple as being a greeter or supplying food for only one event, to becoming a board member for a 3 year term or longer.
The Peniel Welsh Chapel Association bylaws state our purpose: “The purpose of the Peniel Welsh Chapel Association is to preserve the 1856 Peniel Chapel as a house of God for Christian worship and the annual Gymanfa Ganu, for celebrating the Welsh heritage and welcoming community events.”
Please consider offering your talents to promote our purpose and welcome guests to this special House of God.
Peniel Remodeling Effort
The Peniel Welsh Chapel remodeling effort began in 2011. Thanks to individual, family, and business donations, and much sweat equity Peniel Welsh Chapel has been remodeled over the years to make it a safer historic chapel for summer events, worship, weddings and other activities.
Remodeling plans continue, and maintenance is constantly taking place. Send donations to: Peniel Welsh Chapel Association, c/o Lynette Booth, Treasurer, 893 Harmel Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54902.
2016: The name “Peniel” is defined as “The face of God.” Peniel Welsh Chapel was far from that! The “face,” or entrance, to the building had major damage in the spring of 2016 and needed a face-lift. A section of the concrete step had broken away. Many cracks which had been securely repaired in the past had separated. The wooden steps were coming apart and none of the front entry was up to building code and was a safety hazard.
Improvements included a composite deck and steps with an added handicap ramp, plus new doors with opening windows, bringing the entire entrance to building code and handicap accessibility. An overflow crowd at the 2016 Annual Gymanfa Ganu enjoyed the new facade.
The first photo was taken by Phillip White; the second photo was taken by Carolee Schultz.
2018: Fundraising began to add stainless steel siding, insulation, trip, soffit and fascia improvements.
2021: Before the 100th anniversary of the Peniel Gymanfa Ganu in August, exterior and interior improvements were completed.
(photo by Joanna Kamps)
