:Bethania Chapel, Mountain Ash
{{Short description|Chapel in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Bethania
| image = Bethania Welsh Independent Chapel (3).jpg
| image_size = 250px
| imagealt =
| landscape =
| caption =
| osgridref =
| location =
| country = Wales, United Kingdom
| denomination = Independent (Congregationalist)
| founded date = 1850
| architect =
| completed date = 1859
| construction cost =
| closed date =
| demolished date =
| capacity =
| architectural type = Chapel
| heritage designation = Grade II listed building
| designated date = 18 February 1999
| style = Mid-19th century
}}
Bethania is an Independent chapel in Phillip Street, Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, Wales. Services at Bethania are conducted in the Welsh language.
Early history
File:Y tu mewn i gapel Bethania, Aberpennar.jpg
The church began in the form of a Sunday school built in 1850, although earlier meetings had been held at the home of one Daniel Rowlands, which later became the Glancynon Inn.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}} The first chapel was built in 1854 at a cost of £320, but became too small as a result of the religious revival of 1859.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}} A new chapel was therefore built at a cost of £950 with seating for 750.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}} This coincided with the sinking of the Deep Duffryn Colliery in 1855, which led to a large influx of people into the area.
David Edward Coleman (Eos Hefin), also known as Coleman Bach (Little Coleman), was a prominent member of Bethania. For many years he conducted the chapel choir and was one of the conductors of the South Wales Choral Union which won the first prize at a celebrated choral competition at the Crystal Palace in London in 1872.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}} Coleman kept a grocery and drapery business at 54 Commercial Street, Mountain Ash.
The chapel was enlarged in 1887 and a new vestry built alongside.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}} Thomas Llewellyn was minister from 1854 until 1888.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}} He was succeeded by Owen Jones, who remained until 1909.{{cite news|title=Mountain Ash Pastor's Retirement|url=http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3578519/ART68|accessdate=12 June 2015|newspaper=Aberdare Leader|date=11 December 1909}}
Twentieth century
John Phillips was minister from 1911 until 1945 and Haydn Davies from 1950 until 1960.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}}
The chapel remains beautifully preserved and maintained. There were 20 members in 2004. Mountain Ash and District Choral Society hold their practices and rehearsals at the vestry.{{sfn|Jones|2004|pp=44–45}}
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book|last=Jones|first=Alan Vernon|title=Chapels of the Cynon Valley|year=2004|publisher=Cynon Valley Historical Society|isbn=0953107612}}
External links
- {{Commons category inline}}
- [https://cadwpublic-api.azurewebsites.net/reports/listedbuilding/FullReport?id=21373 Cadw listing]
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Category:Chapels in Rhondda Cynon Taf