Until the opening of Bethania Chapel in 1876, baptisms had taken place in the River Llan, near to the
present stone bridge and Cricket ground in Victoria Road, Gowerton. Reverend WILLIAM DAVIES,
Baptist Minister at Seion, Waunarlwydd (the next village) made the first move to establish a
recognised place of worship in Gowerton when in 1867, he leased a quarter of an acre of ground to
build a “schoolroom” for the village Baptists from JOHN SHAW owner of the Gurnos Estate.
The Chapel was opened on the 2nd of October 1868 and named BETHANIA. The builders
were WILLIAM EDWARDS and Son, Waunarlwydd and the cost £250. The same contractor also built
the Chapel house at a further cost of £195. The first Minister was Rev. JOHN DAVIES. The village
medical practitioner and chapel member Dr. D.G. PROTHEROE, a native of Blaena, Llandybie laid the
foundation stone on the 2nd October 1876. Baptisms in the River Llan ceased on the opening of the
Chapel following the building of a baptismal well in front of the pulpit.
The burial ground to the rear of the chapel, together with that of BETHEL Calvanistic
Methodists in Sterry Road was the last resting place of many of the local community until Pontybrenin
Cemetery was opened in 1902. Many of the founding members of the Chapel are buried here;
unfortunately the ravages of time have not allowed the preservation and identity of most of the graves.
The area is largely overgrown, grave stones were laid on the ground due to instability; graves are not
marked.
The Chapel was closed in 1988 due to problems with its structural stability; the organ and
pulpit were removed to the Vestry, interior woodwork removed in 1989 followed by demolition in 1991.
Services are still taken on Sunday afternoon in the Vestry at the rear of the old Chapel; the
land on which it stood is now occupied by domestic housing. The local library holds a copy of a
booklet entitled HANES BETHANIA, Gowerton 1874 –1974 gan Y Parch TREFOR OWEN (History of
BETHANIA, Gowerton 1874 – 1974 written by REV. TREFOR OWEN).
Inside the Vestry there are a number of memorial wall tablets, a Roll of Honour for those
Chapel members who went to fight in the Great War 1914 –1918 that includes the name of five men
who did not return, a clock, a painting of the Chapel prior to its demolition, the Silver trowel used to lay
the foundation stone of the Chapel in 1876 and a number of photographs of Ministers, Deacons and
chapel members.
Further reference to and photographs of BETHANIA Chapel can also be found in the book
“Talking about Gowerton” with J. HYWEL REES, copies can be obtained from the Gowerton
Community Council or borrowed from the local Library.
