Bethel, Gadlys facts for kids

Bethel, Gadlys was an Independent (Congregationalist) chapel in Railway Street, Gadlys, Aberdare, Wales.

Early history

Bethel was established in 1860 when thirty members from Salem, Robertstown broke away to establish a new church. The chapel was designed by Evan Jones of Aberdare and built at a cost of £747. The original chapel seated 600 people.

The first minister was William Harrison who was followed in 1859 by Hugh Hughes, known as Huw Tegai. He was previously a minister in Manchester but died suddenly in 1864, three days after collapsing while preaching in the pulpit.

Robert Evans was minister from 1866 until 1877 and D, Onllwyn Brace from 1885 until 1888. The membership in 1890 was 245. This rose to 344 in 1905, in the wake of the religious revival but fell to 280 by 1914.

J. Richards was minister from the late 1890s until 1907 when he departed for Bethel, Caernarfonshire.

Twentieth Century

In 1913 the chapel was rebuilt at a cost of £2,975 with an organ costing £420. The new chapel had an elaborate interior including a ceiling covered with roses and a substantial gallery with an organ chamber at the far end.

Bethel remained open until the late 1980s. Derelict through the 1990s it was demolished in November 2003 and a house was built on the site.