Bethania Chapel, Dowlais facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bethania |
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| OS grid reference | SO06570769 |
| Location | South Street, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil |
| Country | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Denomination | Independent (Congregationalist) |
| History | |
| Founded | 1824 |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | late 19th century |
| Completed | 1895 |
| Closed | 1998 |
Bethania, Dowlais was a special church building called a chapel in South Street, Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. It was an Independent or Congregationalist chapel. This means each local church made its own decisions.
The church group started in 1824. The building you see today was built in 1895. It was made much bigger and changed in 1910. Bethania is a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical place.
The Story of Bethania Chapel
Bethania Chapel began as a new part of an older Congregationalist chapel. This older chapel was called Ynysgau in Merthyr. Even before Dowlais became a big industrial town, there were Congregationalist groups there. A family from a farm called Gwernllwynisaf was very important to the Ynysgau church.
One of the first leaders at Bethania was Methusalem Jones (1769–1839). He helped start the church. Later, he focused on leading another church called Bethesda. Both Bethesda and Ynysgau helped to create Bethania.
Early Growth and New Buildings
A big religious movement, called a revival, happened in South Wales in 1829. At this time, Bethania shared its minister with another church, Zoar, in Merthyr Tydfil. Samuel Evans was the minister at Zoar from 1810. He also took care of Bethania starting in 1828. Mr. Evans passed away in 1833 when he was 56 years old.
John Hughes became the new minister in 1833. He was 33 years old when he started. He stayed at Bethania for thirty years. This was the longest time any minister served the chapel. John Hughes was from Capel Iwan in Carmarthenshire. He studied at the Neuaddlwyd Academy in Cardiganshire.
A brand new chapel building was opened in 1838. This new building was very large and could hold 1250 people. By 1848, Bethania also had a Sunday School. About 600 adults and children attended the Sunday School. During John Hughes's time as minister, a new branch of Bethania was opened. This new church was in Gwernllwyn, Dowlais.
Later Ministers and Closing
On July 13 and 14, 1868, John Evans became the minister at Bethania. He was a student from Brecon College.
Peter Price became the minister at Bethania in 1904. He did not agree with the big religious revival that happened in 1904–05. Mr. Price left Bethania in 1910 after some disagreements.
The Bethania chapel closed its doors in 1998. Today, the building is used by a different church group.
