The Bethel Chapel Scandal
The recent purchase of Bethel Chapel in Sketty by the Islamic Al-Khoei Benevolent Foundation based in London, has sparked significant concern among local residents and the Friends of Bethel Chapel Cemetery group. The new owners have embarked on unauthorised building work work on this Grade 2 listed property, raising alarms about the future of the historic site and its neglected graveyard.
The community's distress is palpable as the once-tended cemetery suffers from neglect, with long grass and potential hazards making it unsafe for visitors. The committee has made multiple attempts to collaborate with the new owners to establish maintenance plans, only to be met with claims of insufficient funds. This stands in stark contrast to the attempted building work within the chapel itself. Unauthorised removal of fittings such as church pews with chainsaws and use of heavy machinery have been documented, violating the necessary Listed Building Consent and planning permissions.
The swift response from Swansea Council’s Planning Enforcement and Cadw, the body safeguarding Wales’ historic places, has brought temporary relief. Work has been halted, and the new owners must now submit formal plans for assessment.
The Friends of Bethel Chapel extend their heartfelt gratitude to the vigilant individual who reported the unauthorised work, Councillor James McGettrick, and the proactive Swansea Council officers. Their combined efforts have momentarily preserved the site’s integrity. However, the fight is far from over. Local residents are urged to remain watchful for any further unauthorised activities. Reporting such instances to the Friends group or directly to the council is essential.
The committee also acknowledges the frustration and disappointment felt by many, especially after the ‘Meet and Greet’ event where the new owners assured the community of their good intentions. The owners’ subsequent actions, however, contradict their promises, particularly regarding the cemetery's upkeep and the protection of historic elements like stained glass panels and war memorials.
There are many rumors circulating about the true purpose of the new owners' plans. While the Imam Khoei Islamic Centre representatives have repeatedly stated that the chapel will serve as a community and educational centre, some believe it may become a mosque. The committee has vowed to seek clarification, though past interactions suggest that obtaining a truthful response might be challenging.
Despite verbal reassurances that burial rights will be honored, the committee seeks written confirmation to ensure these promises are upheld. The Friends group remains skeptical but continues to advocate for a resolution that respects the community’s heritage and the rights of those with family buried at Bethel.
Efforts to collaborate with the new owners for cemetery maintenance have been met with reluctance, placing the burden on the Friends group to raise funds and organise volunteers without any formal agreement. This situation is untenable, and the committee is wary of accepting responsibilities without legal guarantees.
The Friends of Bethel Chapel encourage community members to join their efforts. Volunteers are needed to serve on their committee, and to help with general maintenance, although current unsafe conditions limit organised work. The committee continues to press for public liability insurance from the new owners to ensure volunteer safety.
Historic Bethel Chapel Sold in Controversial Deal
It is believed that the sale by its Trustees was finalised in April of this year and was done so while being shrouded in secrecy and devoid of consultation with community stakeholders such as the families of the 11,000 individuals buried there.
In recent years, the Trustees of Bethel Chapel re-registered the charity under a new name, Bethel Independent Chapel Sketty, Eglwys Annibynnol Bethel Sgeti, and updated their charitable documents to focus on evangelical missions, omitting any mention of their responsibilities towards the chapel and graveyard. This re-registration enabled the Trustees to sell the property, which includes a valuable 3-bedroom semi-detached house, potentially worth over £300,000.
Local residents have expressed frustration and anger over the lack of communication from the chapel’s Trustees and Minister, Parchg Jill Hailey Harries in the lead-up to the sale. “The community trusted Bethel Chapel to care for our loved ones’ graves,” said one resident. “Now, we don’t even know if we can visit the graves, let alone if we can be buried in the family plots we thought were reserved.”
The history of Bethel Chapel is deeply intertwined with the community. Established by Welsh Independent churchmen to serve a mining district, the graveyard was the only burial option in the area for many years. The chapel, vestry, and superintendent’s house were built to support the growing congregation, which thrived for decades. However, in recent years, the congregation has dwindled, and the chapel faced increasing financial strain.
The chapel’s maintenance costs, including a £15,000 annual bill for grass cutting, and the need for significant repairs, prompted the Trustees to make drastic decisions. They opted to sell off properties and reinvest in the chapel’s infrastructure, including the superintendent’s house. Yet, these efforts were insufficient to stave off financial difficulties.
With the sale now complete, the community is left in the dark about the future of the graveyard. Neither the Trustees, the Minister or the new owners have provided information on how they plan to address the ongoing responsibilities towards the graveyard and its interments. The sales literature for the property referred to it as a “Redevelopment Opportunity,” with no clear plans for preserving the graveyard.
The lack of transparency and engagement with the community starkly contrasts with the guidance provided by other denominations, such as the Methodists, who emphasise the importance of communication and compensation in similar situations. The Trustees’ decision to avoid any dialogue with the affected families has only deepened the community’s sense of betrayal.
The fate of Bethel Chapel’s graveyard remains uncertain. The families of those buried there continue to seek answers and assurances that their loved ones’ final resting places will be respected and maintained. In the meantime, the once-vibrant community hub stands as a reminder of the challenges facing many historic religious sites across the country.
The local community remains vigilant, urging transparent communication and responsible stewardship from the new owners. As discussions and enforcement actions continue, the preservation of Bethel Chapel's historical and cultural legacy remains a priority for all stakeholders involved.
Please click the image link below this post to join the Friends of Bethel Chapel Facebook group. Secretary Fiona Nixon put it best; there is strength in our numbers and we will stand together to fight for what is right. We don't just do this for ourselves. We are fighting for justice for all of us, for our rights to visit our relatives and loved ones, to honour the wishes of people wishing to be buried or interred in this lovely cemetery and also for our community that might just want to walk through or sit for a while in this beautiful and peaceful place. We do this for both the living and the dead and for now and for the future.
