Bethania Chapel, Mountain Ash

Interior

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.[1] 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.[1] A new chapel was therefore built at a cost of £950 with seating for 750.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1] Thomas Llewellyn was minister from 1854 until 1888.[1] He was succeeded by Owen Jones, who remained until 1909.[2]

John Phillips was minister from 1911 until 1945 and Haydn Davies from 1950 until 1960.[1]

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.[1]

• Jones, Alan Vernon (2004). Chapels of the Cynon Valley. Cynon Valley Historical Society. ISBN 0953107612.

• Media related to Capel Bethania, Aberpennar at Wikimedia Commons
• Cadw listing

51.6838°N 3.3768°W / 51.6838; -3.3768