Bethania Chapel, Mountain Ash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bethania |
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| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Independent (Congregationalist) |
| History | |
| Founded | 1850 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed building |
| Designated | 18 February 1999 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Mid-19th century |
| Completed | 1859 |
Bethania is an old and beautiful chapel in Mountain Ash, Wales. It belongs to a group called the Independent churches, which are also known as Congregationalist churches. Services at Bethania are held in the Welsh language, keeping a special part of Welsh culture alive.
How Bethania Chapel Started
The story of Bethania began in 1850 with a Sunday school. Before that, people met for religious gatherings at Daniel Rowlands' home. The very first chapel building was finished in 1854. It cost about £320, which was a lot of money back then!
However, the chapel quickly became too small. This was because of a big religious movement in 1859, when many people in Wales became very interested in their faith. Also, a large coal mine called Deep Duffryn Colliery opened nearby in 1855. This brought many new families to the area, and they needed a place to worship. So, a bigger chapel was built in 1859 for £950, with enough space for 750 people.
A Famous Choir Leader
One very important person at Bethania was David Edward Coleman, also known as Coleman Bach (Little Coleman). He was a talented musician and led the chapel choir for many years. He also helped lead the South Wales Choral Union. This group won a huge competition in London at the famous Crystal Palace in 1872! Coleman also owned a grocery and fabric shop in Mountain Ash.
The chapel was made even bigger in 1887, and a new room called a vestry was added. Thomas Llewellyn was the minister from 1854 to 1888, followed by Owen Jones, who served until 1909.
Bethania in the 20th Century and Today
Ministers like John Phillips (1911-1945) and Haydn Davies (1950-1960) led the chapel through much of the 20th century.
Today, Bethania Chapel is still very well-kept and looks beautiful. In 2004, it had 20 members. The Mountain Ash and District Choral Society, a local singing group, uses the chapel's vestry for their practices and rehearsals. This shows that Bethania continues to be an important part of the community.
