Bethania Chapel, Aberdare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bethania, Aberdare |
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Bethania Chapel in ruins in 2014
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| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Calvinistic Methodist |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Late 19th century |
| Completed | 1853 |
| Closed | c. 1990 |
| Demolished | 2015 |
Bethania was a special kind of church called a Calvinistic Methodist chapel. It was located in Aberdare, a town in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. This chapel was quite large, able to seat about 550 people. It was a bit hidden, with its entrance found up a long flight of steps near the town center.
On October 1, 1991, Bethania Chapel was given a special status. It became a Grade II-listed building. This meant it was an important historical building. However, the chapel closed in the early 1990s. It was later taken down in 2015.
Contents
History of Bethania Chapel
How Bethania Chapel Started
The story of Bethania Chapel began with a Sunday School. This school was held at the Black Lion hotel. This hotel was right in front of where the chapel was later built. The first building for the chapel was finished in 1853.
Evan Griffiths, an architect from Aberdare, designed the chapel. David Evans built it on a field called Cae Tirion. This land was part of the Ynyslwyd estate. Building the first chapel cost about £500.
Important People at Bethania
A minister named William James led the chapel for many years. He was the minister from 1870 until 1908. William James came from a place called Trefin in Pembrokeshire. He also served on the Aberdare School Board for several years. This showed his commitment to the community.
Changes Over Time
After the Second World War, fewer people attended Bethania. The number of members went down quickly. However, a new Welsh-language school opened. This school was called Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Aberdâr. Its opening helped the Sunday School at Bethania for a short time.
Because of the new school, the minister could speak Welsh to the children. This was the first time in many years that this happened. In 1965, a special service was held at Bethania. This service celebrated 100 years of the Welsh colony in Patagonia.
