Museum plan for historic chapel

The current chapel was built on the site in 1875

Plans for a museum and heritage centre as part of the restoration of the oldest active Welsh Baptist chapel have been discussed.

Deacons at Rhydwilym Baptist Chapel in Llandissilio met local people to hear about the proposals.

The chapel in Pembrokeshire was founded in 1668 and the aim is to make more of its place in Welsh history and culture.

The original building has long since disappeared, but the current chapel dates back to 1875.

Speakers at a meeting in Rosebush, near Maenclochog, included the Reverend Peter Thomas, chief executive officer for the Baptist Union of Wales.

It is hoped by restoring the chapel on the bank of the eastern Cleddau river a declining trend in numbers attending service can be reversed.

Senior deacon Rhys Adams said: "It was a very good meeting and people there seemed to be very supportive of the plans.

It was very important that we reach out to the local community and ask for views on the project Senior deacon Rhys Adams

"It's on the cards that there would be a heritage centre and small museum in the old caretaker's house depicting the history of the chapel from three centuries ago.

"It was the first Baptist chapel in the west and from there it spread into Cardigan, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

"At the time people were not allowed to meet outside the established church even though they wanted to because they had different interpretations of the New Testament which had been translated into Welsh."

He said as well as creating a greater interest in the chapel's past the meeting discussed repair work that was needed to the building.

"This is the fourth chapel on the site and was built in 1875, but it does need up keeping and possibly we might have to put a new roof on it.

"It was very important that we reach out to the local community and ask for views on the project so it meets the needs of the community as well as the chapel members."