Gilead Chapel was originally built in 1826 on the site where it still stands in Heol Spencer, Coity. It appears that it was then one small room ( now the vestry ) built of stone and mortar. It was a ‘’Meeting Place’’ or ‘’Meeting House’’ as a place of worship formed by the Independent denomination and built on land rented by a John Bennett of Laleston House, Laleston. ( The Squire.) The number of people attending this meeting house being between 20 and 40 coming from the surrounding areas and as far afield as Llantwit Major, Llanharan, Pencoed, Laleston and Heol Y Cyw.

There is no record as to who was the first minister; whether it was a ‘’daughter’’ or branch chapel of another, or whether it was Welsh or English.