Bethany, Ammanford facts for kids

Bethany Chapel is a special Christian church in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, a county in Wales. It's a type of church called a Calvinistic Methodist chapel. Services at Bethany are held in the Welsh language.

The Story of Bethany Chapel

How It Began

Bethany Chapel was started around 1880. It began as a smaller part of an older Methodist church across the river in Betws. A group of people formed a committee to find land for the new chapel. They bought land on Wind Street from a person named Lord Dynevor.

The new chapel cost about £900 to build. That was a lot of money back then! The very first service was held in 1881.

Growing Stronger

As the town of Ammanford grew, more people joined Bethany Chapel. It was a very successful time, especially when W. Nantlais Williams was the minister. He was their leader from 1900 to 1944. Nantlais Williams was also a famous poet and writer of hymns (church songs).

After a time of renewed religious interest called the Religious Revival in 1904, Nantlais decided to focus only on caring for the church members. He stopped taking part in competitive eisteddfodau, which are Welsh cultural festivals.

A Bigger Home

By the 1920s, the chapel was becoming too small for all the members. So, in 1927, they decided to build a bigger one. Bethany Chapel was reopened in 1929. It could now seat 800 people, with space for another 300 in the room next door, called the vestry.

The building work was done by William Evans. He was a local builder and also a member of the Ammanford Urban District Council, which helped manage the town.

Images for kids

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  Bethany Chapel