SAVE BETHEL CEMETERY

Bethel chapel was closed in 2022.  The Bethel Trustees decided to put the chapel, vestry, caretaker's house and the cemetery up for sale as a job lot, stating that it was a "redevelopment opportunity".  As a result, the future of the cemetery became uncertain.  We formed a Friends' group with the aim of trying to safeguard the future of the Cemetery. 
There are 11,000+ souls buried here, including our loved ones, who all deserve to have their final resting place protected. We have Commonwealth War Graves, memorials of those that never returned home from the wars, Cape Horner's, missionaries, past ministers, members of Bethel's congregation and many who died as a result of the bombing of Swansea during World War Two.

The entire property was sold in April 2024 to the Islamic Al-Khoei Benevolent Foundation based in London, with the Imam Khoei Islamic Centre Swansea to manage and run the site.  Their aim is to turn the vestry and Chapel in to a Youth and Community Education Centre, providing Islamic culture, youth and community activities including language classes.  The House (10 Carnglas Road) will be rented out. 

In regards to maintaining the Cemetery The Imam Khoei Islamic Centre, Swansea have stated they currently have no funds to provide maintenance.  Therefore it remains a concern for our Friends Group.  The committee of the Friends Group are continuing to meet with the Imam Khoei Islamic Centre, Swansea to secure a way forward that protects the cemetery and plot owners their legal Rights, for generations to come. 
 
We continue to fight for our Rights to visit our relatives and loved ones' graves, our contractual Rights 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.