Bethel History

During the later part of the 1700’s landowner Mr John Harries held sermons in his farmhouse, at the Lower Bryn Farm. As the congregation grew, there was a need for a permanent place of worship. Mr Harries then leased the land on which Bethel Chapel stands for a period of 999 years at five shillings per year. The building was built by a local builder and his sons, with it being said the congregation used to collect stones at night from the common areas around Sketty for use in the building. The building was completed in 1770 and Bethel Sketty Chapel was established becoming the second Welsh Independent Church in the Swansea Parishes. With the congregation continuing to grow and a need for a Welsh speaking Chapel, the congregation split into two separate Chapels in 1842 with the establishment of Bethel Newydd Sketty, (New Bethel Sketty and as such Bethel Chapel became known as the ‘Old Chapel’ or ‘Old Bethel. The land Bethel Sketty (Old Bethel) was built on is recognised as Singleton Road. Bethel Sketty unfortunately closed its doors in 2010. Bethel Sketty remains a place of worship with it now being The Sketty Mosque and Community Centre.

With the split in the congregation Bethel Newydd Sgeti was for Welsh speakers. The land on Carn Glas Road, Sketty for Bethel Newydd Sgeti (New Bethel Sketty) and cemetery was purchased from Sir John Morris a prominent industrialist, for the price of £60.00. Before the Chapel was built the cemetery was in use for several years. The Chapel was then built in 1842 at a cost of £800, with monies raised by the congregation and payment for the building was paid off within six years. The Chapel was designed by Thomas Thomas and in 1870 a front extension was built in ‘Italianate style’, then later a Vestry and Hall were added to the chapel during the latter part of the 1880's. The congregation continue to their services to the community by building a school room in Killay in 1847 and a further Chapel Hall in Cockett 1855. A house was also built on the grounds of Bethel Newydd Sgeti for the minister; later years used for the groundsman. Today the house is still part of the grounds but known as 10 Carn Glas Road. The cemetery was active around part 1830’s to serve both Sketty Chapel’s and the Parish of Sketty.

With New Bethel’s cemetery on high ground, it provided a ‘romantic’ place to be laid to rest, with views over the Bristol channel, Devonshire coastline and views of Cefn Bryn on the western horizon. Added to this, was the cost of burial. Initially a cost of burial was £1, but due to the closure of Swansea Churchyard and those beyond the Parish boundary area choosing Bethel Newydd Sketty, the Chapel was concerned about the cemetery meeting its capacity as at the time the cemetery was only of one acre. Therefore, the cost was raised to £2 and during the 1850’s raised to £4.00. With the growing wish to be buried at New Bethel’s cemetery, the cemetery grounds were extended. Today the cemetery grounds cover an area of four acres.

On 15th November 1993, the Chapel was listed as a grade Grade II* listed building, officially being of special architectural, historical, and cultural significance.

Unfortunately, due to dwindling numbers to the congregation New Bethel Sketty Chapel, the cemetery and house were put up for sale in 2022.

As to date it is unclear what future there holds for the Chapel, house and the cemetery. We are aware that a local Muslim group had put in a bid for the site and was accepted. However, there seems to have been no progress made on the sale, as the estate agent is no longer listing the site for sale.

The first Minister of Newydd Bethel Sgeti was Rev. E G Williams, with First Deacons being Mr Samuel Rosser and Mr John Bowen.

*As a result of the listing, strict limitations are imposed on the modifications allowed to the building's structure or fittings. In Wales, the authority for listing under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990[2] rests with Cadw.

[Lewis Davies 1858 listed in the Swansea and Glamorgan Herold]