'Mimosa centre' plan for chapel

The chapel has been deserted for a year

A deserted chapel in Aberystwyth could be turned into an interactive visitor centre on migration to and from Wales.

Tabernacle Chapel was closed last November because the cost of keeping it open had become too expensive for the 70-strong congregation.

The 'Mimosa Project' would include an exhibition centre, concert venue and research facility.

The scheme takes its name from the ship that took 153 people from Wales disillusioned with the state of Welsh religion and society to Patagonia in1853.

A working party has drawn up plans to completely renovate the building in the hope of attracting thousands of tourists to the seaside town.

With modern technology we could set up a pulpit rising from the floor at the flick of a switch Hefin Jones, working party chairman

The project will chart the history and experience of people who have migrated to and from Wales.

These include the large Italian and Irish communities which flocked to the south Wales heartlands during the industrial revolution.

It will also focus on the experience of hosts of Welsh men and women who settled in places like Australia, America and Argentina.

A representation of part of the Mimosa could be included in the visitor experience.

"We intend to turn the chapel itself into a high-tech exhibition centre and tourist attraction including virtual reality and computer technology," said Elvey MacDonald, who is leading Mimosa project.

A 500-seat concert hall showing films about migration during the day and concerts at night is also part of the plan.

Study

Mr MacDonald said that if the idea comes to fruition it would attract visitors with Welsh ancestors from all over the world.

A feasibility study and a trust will now be set up to try to find money for the project.

The chapel was built in 1879 but closed a year ago with its members joining other chapels in the town.

Hefin Jones, chairman of the working party on the chapel's future, said members were very excited at the thought of the building becoming a tourist attraction.

They had been approached by a group who wanted to use part of it as a chapel on Sunday nights.

"With modern technology we could set up a pulpit rising from the floor at the flick of a switch."