Bethania Chapel, Cwmbach facts for kids

Bethania, Cwmbach was a Baptist church located in Cwmbach, a village in the Aberdare Valley in Wales. This church held its services in the Welsh language. It faced significant damage during an air raid in 1941 but was later repaired. Bethania Chapel served its community for many years before closing its doors in the 1980s.

Starting the Church: Early Years

A Baptist church was officially registered in Cwmbach in April 1841. The very first services were held in a building called 'The Square' in Abernant-y-Groes. A pioneer of the Baptist faith in Cwmbach was William Thomas David. He owned the land where the first deep coal mine in the Aberdare Valley opened in 1837. This mine produced coal for sale, which was a big step for the area.

The church officially became a community on January 14 and 15, 1845. Morgan Lewis became the first minister in 1845. He also ran a day school to support himself. Sadly, Morgan Lewis passed away in 1849.

J.D. Williams took over as the second minister in 1851. He also taught at a day school. Williams left in 1855. T.E. Jones became minister in the same year but only stayed until 1858.

Building a New Chapel

A new chapel building was constructed in 1858. The old building was then sold to another religious group called the Unitarians. William Harris became the next minister in 1859, but he moved to a nearby church in 1862.

In 1865, a vestry (a room used by the minister or for meetings) was added to the chapel. Walter Samuel became minister that year and stayed until 1878. For the next nine years, from 1878 to 1887, Robert James, a lay minister (someone who leads services but isn't officially ordained), looked after the church.

David Thomas became the minister in January 1888. He had just finished his studies and was from Letterston in Pembrokeshire. He served the church until his early death in January 1902. During his time, David Thomas also helped the community by being a member of the Aberdare School Board.

The Twentieth Century and Growth

In 1903, the Rev. Joseph James became the minister. He stayed for almost 25 years, leaving in 1927.

The church saw its highest number of members after the Religious Revival of 1904-05. In 1906, there were 469 members. However, this number slowly decreased to 273 by 1932.

G.J. Morgan became the minister of Bethania in 1930. He later moved to Australia in 1937.

Wartime Damage and Repair

On May 30, 1941, during World War II, Bethania Chapel was badly damaged by an enemy air raid. The vestry next to it was completely destroyed.

Even with the damage, the chapel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1944. Services were held in the schoolroom at Ynyscynon, which had been built during Joseph James's time as minister.

The chapel was finally repaired and restored in 1950 and 1951. It officially reopened on April 14, 1951.

Later Years and Closure

Idris Williams became the minister from 1946 to 1956. He was followed by D.W. Thomas, who started in 1961.

By 1978, the church had only fifteen members. Bethania Chapel closed its doors around 1980. The building itself was taken down in 1995.