Jewin Welsh Presbyterian Chapel facts for kids
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The Jewin Welsh Presbyterian Chapel is a special church in the City of London, England. It's a place where Welsh people in London can gather and worship in the Welsh language. This chapel is part of the Presbyterian Church of Wales.
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About Jewin Welsh Chapel
This chapel is important for keeping Welsh traditions and language alive in London. It serves as a community hub for many Welsh people living far from Wales.
A Long History in London
The current chapel building opened in 1960. It is located next to the Golden Lane Estate. This building replaced an older chapel that was sadly destroyed during World War II. Air raids in September 1940 caused the damage.
From Old Buildings to New
The congregation, or group of people who attend the church, moved to the destroyed chapel in 1879. That chapel was near Jewin Crescent, an area now part of the Barbican Estate. Before that, the Jewin Crescent chapel had opened in 1822. Even earlier, the first services for this community took place around 1774. Those very first meetings were held in Cock Lane, Smithfield.
A Modern Design
The current chapel building was designed by a company called Caroe & Partners. They used a modern style of architecture. This style is sometimes called the New Humanism. It has a look inspired by Swedish designs.
Saving the Chapel's Future
Around 2013, the number of people attending the chapel became very small. This put the future of the building and the community at risk. To help save it, a well-known BBC News presenter named Huw Edwards stepped in. He sometimes played the organ at the chapel.
A Famous Face Helps Out
Huw Edwards agreed to lead a campaign to save the chapel. The goal was to keep the traditions of the London Welsh community alive. The First Minister of Wales at the time, Carwyn Jones, also supported this effort. He chose the campaign as his contribution to the BBC Wales Today show for Children in Need in 2013. Thanks to these efforts, the chapel continues to be an important place for the Welsh community in London.
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