Open doors for interfaith week

Capel Rhondda is one of the nine churches in the Pontypridd area taking part in Open Churches Sunday

Nine churches around Pontypridd are opening their doors to people of any faith or no faith as part of national interfaith week.

The week which runs from 15th-21st November aims to build awareness and understanding of different faith communities within the UK

Among the participating churches is Capel Rhondda where famous Welsh hymn tune Cwm Rhondda was first played.

The churches are holding an 'Open Churches Sunday' this weekend.

Many people may be put off going to a church on Sunday as they're unfamiliar with the order of service or they're worried they may be asked to sign up as a church member.

Open Church Sunday (November 15th) is seeking to make one time only visitors especially welcome, with church members happy to take time to explain why their services run the way they do. There definitely won't be any pressure put on visitors to join the church.

The project is a joint venture between the Chaplaincy of the University of Glamorgan and Pontypridd Christians Together.

Church members are happy to explain to visitors how their services run.

The Rev Dr Gareth Leyshon associate chaplain to the University of Glamorgan and chairman of Pontypridd Christians Together says that the project is aiming to demystify the experience of attending a church service.

'No Sunday is a "closed" Sunday for our churches, but we recognise that any church service can seem strange to someone not used to it.'

'A casual visitor might find it embarrassing not knowing what to do, never mind trying to understand why everyone is doing it. On this special "open" day we want to make everything easy as follow and as transparent as possible to guests. Even our regulars might learn something!' he adds.

Amongst the participating churches are Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown where the great hymn tune and rugby anthem Cwm Rhondda was first played 102 years ago. Also taking part is the Grade II listed St Dyfrig's Catholic church built in the style of an ancient Roman Basilica and celebrating its 82nd anniversary this weekend.

Details of all the participating churches and times of the services can be found online at:

Glamfaith - Open Churches Sunday

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