Shadow as chapel marks 150 years

Repairs are likely to cost £150,000

A service marking the 150th anniversary of a chapel has been held "under a shadow", as worshippers fear it may have to be pulled down.

Triniti Chapel in Llanelli first opened its doors in 1858 but the celebration is being held at nearby Bethel as the main building is too dangerous to use.

Repairs could cost around £150,000 - money the congregation does not have.

Radio Cymru broadcast its first live morning service from Triniti and it was used for wartime BBC programmes.

Chapel organist Gethin Hughes said: "It really has cast a shadow to be honest, and we are very sad that we can't use it at the moment because of its condition.

"They say it would cost in the region of £140,000 to £150,000 to put it right.

Wartime

"We don't know what the future of the chapel is going to be - it's in the balance but it looks quite black at the moment."

Mr Hughes said Triniti was one of the longest standing chapels in Llanelli, with a rich history.

"It all started in the warehouse of Thomas Roberts, a grocer that was down at New Dock Street, with a group of about 12.

The chapel was used to broadcast BBC programmes during World War II

"Eventually it went to about 50 so it was too big to go to the warehouse and they build the chapel.

"They started the work and four years after they first met in the warehouse in 1858 the first chapel was built on this site.

"We were the first chapel or church in Wales to broadcast a live morning service [on Radio Cymru] - up until then all the services had been held in a studio - either in Cardiff or Swansea.

"Also during the World War II years the [BBC] studios in Swansea were bombed and the BBC used it a lot for recording."

The congregation is still able to use the adjacent vestry for regular services and Mr Hughes said that would not change.

"This vestry is a big vestry and what ever happens, even if the chapel has eventually to be demolished, we will still be able to keep the vestry and the name of Triniti will carry on."