Hope(1890)

English Baptist, William Street, Tynewydd

Built: [Sittings: 350]

In a community where Welsh was the predominant language, only one other township had, although geographly Hope was just inside Tynewydd, more than one English-speaking Baptist church. And given the close proximity between Bethany and Hope it is not hard to draw a conclusion for this.

  Image by permission of Rhondda Cynon Taf Libraries - Reference: 1579

It was my dear mother who could confirm my belief that this cause was a break-away from Bethany. The exact reason for this chism has not been handed down. Bethany's minutes pre August 1888, as written in its history, were 'destroyed at the request of W. Husband'. That initself raises more questions than answers since how could one person have such influence. But it can not be coincidence that Hope became a recognised Baptist church shortly there after.
    Yet Hope was not recognised by the English Association and for some years was listed by the Welsh Association. Now the Welsh-speaking Baptist churches practiced 'closed communion'. That is to say that only the church's members could participate whereas communion was 'open' to all attendees of the English-speaking ones. Could it be that some 'discussion' took place about a change of chapel polity that resulted in those in the minority leaving Bethany ?
    And whilst this seems hardly to be a significant reason for departure, some years later saw the formation of the short-lived Glamorgan English Strict Baptist Association of which Hope, and two other Rhondda churches were members. On the dissolution of this Association, Hope was admitted into the English Association, so maybe, in a sign of unity and reconciliation with Bethany.
    It is not clear if the building in the photograph was the original chapel. There exists in the Glamorgan Archives two planning applications for rebuilding around 1912 and 1913. The facade looks more 'modern' since after the chapel closed around 1967 the property was acquired by a local builder and used for storage.
     Subsequently demolished, the site is now occupied by the 'New Tynewydd Surgery'.