Campaign to save Cwm Rhondda chapel for community

The hymn Cwm Rhondda was first sung at Capel Rhondda

A campaign to save a historic chapel where the hymn Cwm Rhondda was first sung has raised almost half the funds needed.

The last service was held at Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in December 2024 after the number or people attending services declined.

Now, the Grade II listed chapel has put up for sale by the Welsh Baptist Union with a price tag of £47,000, with the group saying it hopes buyers can help bring a "new chapter" for the building.

But locals concerned that the chapel might be lost to a property developer want to save it as a community space.

Cwm Rhondda, also known and Bread of Heaven, was first sung at Capel Rhondda just before Christmas in 1907.

It was composed by John Hughes to celebrate the chapel's new organ, which can still be found in the building.

Campaigner Rhian Hopkins, who grew up in Hopkinstown, said the building was "incredibly important to the history of Wales".

Ms Hopkins said it was "sad" that the chapel's closure led people to "realise its importance" to the community.

"We seem to have the support of lots of other people in the community, as well as people from all over Wales," she said on the crowdfunding page she launched.

"I followed my heart and put a post on Facebook," she said. "It kind of snowballed."

"We should feel incredibly grateful to The Baptist Union of Wales and to the hardworking individuals who looked after Capel Rhondda so well for many years," she added.

Rhian Hopkins wants the local community to be able to use the building

She told BBC Wales she did not want to see the chapel being bought by someone from outside the area.

"My main fear is that the price of the building is so low, relatively," she said.

"To a property investor, especially someone outside of the area, that [£47,000] is nothing," she added.

She was worried someone might buy it speculatively and that it might remain empty, and would prefer the local community to be able to use it.

Already in a fairly poor state of repair, it needs work, she said.

"I wouldn't really want to see it turned into flats," she said. "I don't think that does justice to the history of the building."

The Baptist Union has said the decision to sell the building was not taken lightly.

A deadline had been set for 18 July for potential buyers to bid for the chapel, but the Welsh Baptist Union has extended this to 28 July.

Ms Hopkins said she was "absolutely delighted" by the decision to extend the deadline.

By Monday, over £23,750 had been raised, and Ms Hopkins said they were "almost half way towards the asking price after just four days".

"I can't quite believe that we have managed to raise over £23,750, since setting up the crowdfunder in the early hours of Thursday morning.

"It really was at the eleventh hour, a desperate attempt to prevent the chapel from potentially being purchased by a property developer."

On the fundraising page Ms Hopkins said: "We have lots of ideas about how the building can be used going forward but really want to engage with those living in the village to find out what they want and need."

She added that a local musical organisation was keen to be involved, adding that would be "very fitting with Capel Rhondda being the place where Cwm Rhondda was sung for the first time".

She hoped to be able to get together with suitable community groups to put together a joint bid.

"We have a few exciting ideas for further raising the profile of what is being called our 'campaign'," she said.

Additional reporting by Owain Evans