Bethesda Chapel, Merthyr Tydfil facts for kids

Bethesda, Merthyr Tydfil was an important chapel in the Welsh town of Merthyr Tydfil. Chapels are like churches, but often for different Christian groups. This chapel held its services in the Welsh language. It was one of the first chapels built in this industrial town.

The Beginning of Bethesda Chapel

Bethesda Chapel started because of a disagreement at another chapel nearby called Zoar. In 1807, the minister at Zoar, Daniel Lewis, traveled to London. He wanted to raise money to pay off Zoar Chapel's debts. Some people in the chapel did not agree with this plan. An investigation looked into the matter and supported the minister. Because of this, many members left Zoar Chapel. They decided to start their own new church.

Building the First Chapel

At first, the new group met in different rooms around Merthyr Tydfil. In 1811, they decided to build their own chapel. Methusalem Jones became their minister and helped guide the building project. During his time as minister, many more people joined the chapel. This growth led to a new, bigger chapel being built in 1829. Bethesda Chapel also helped start other chapels in the area, like Bethania, Dowlais.

Later Years and New Buildings

In the 1850s, a famous composer named Joseph Parry was a member of Bethesda Chapel. He wrote many songs and hymns. Between 1858 and 1867, Rhys Gwesyn Jones was the minister. During this time, fewer people attended the chapel. This was partly because the Penydarren Ironworks closed down. Many people moved away to find work.

A Bigger and Better Chapel

By the late 1870s, the chapel needed to be larger and more comfortable. So, they decided to build a new one. In 1880, Mrs. W. T. Crawshay laid the foundation stone. Her husband, William Crawshay, owned the Cyfarthfa Ironworks. John Williams, an architect from Merthyr, designed the new chapel. John Francis Davies built it in Dowlais. The new chapel was finished in 1881. It cost about £1,200 to build.

The Chapel's Closure

Bethesda Chapel closed its doors in 1976. This happened because fewer and fewer people were attending services. For several years after closing, the building was used as an arts center. However, it eventually became old and damaged. The chapel building was torn down in 1995.