Bethesda Chapel, Merthyr Tydfil facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bethesda, Merthyr Tydfil |
|
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | SO047064 |
| Location | Bethesda Street, Merthyr Tydfil |
| Country | Wales |
| Denomination | Independent (Congregationalist) |
| History | |
| Founded | 1807 |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | mid 19th century |
| Completed | 1881 |
| Closed | 1976 |
| Demolished | 1995 |
Bethesda, Merthyr Tydfil was an important early chapel in the Welsh industrial town of Merthyr Tydfil. It was a place where people gathered for worship, and all services were held in the Welsh language.
Contents
The Story of Bethesda Chapel
How Bethesda Chapel Began
Bethesda Chapel started because a group of people wanted to create a new place of worship. In 1807, a minister named Daniel Lewis from a nearby chapel, Zoar, traveled to raise money for his chapel's building needs. Some members of the Zoar community disagreed with this plan. After a fair review, a group decided to leave and form their own new church.
At first, this new group met in different rooms around Merthyr Tydfil. By 1811, they decided to build their own chapel. This happened with the help of Methusalem Jones, who became their minister. Under his leadership, many more people joined. A new, larger chapel was built in 1829. Bethesda Chapel also helped start other chapels in the area, like Bethania, Dowlais.
Growth and Change Over Time
In the 1850s, a famous Welsh composer named Joseph Parry was part of the Bethesda community. Later, between 1858 and 1867, fewer people attended the chapel. This was partly because the Penydarren Ironworks, a big local employer, closed down. Many families moved away to find work, which affected the chapel's numbers.
A New Building for the Community
By the late 1870s, the community decided they needed an even bigger and more comfortable chapel. In 1880, Mrs. W. T. Crawshay, whose husband owned the Cyfarthfa Ironworks, laid the first stone for the new building. John Williams from Merthyr designed the chapel. John Francis Davies from Dowlais built it. The new chapel was finished in 1881 and cost about £1,200.
The Chapel's Final Years
By 1976, fewer and fewer people were attending Bethesda Chapel. Because of this, the chapel had to close its doors. For some years after, the building was used as a place for arts and culture. However, it eventually became too old and damaged. The building was taken down in 1995.
