Bethesda Chapel in Fairoaks, an independent evangelical church near the Library and Dinas Powys Primary Juniors, will celebrate its centenary in November 2025.

Preparations began in summer 1923, when two young men preached in a tent at the end of Millbrook Road and continued evangelism for two years. By late 1925, the group felt inspired to establish a church as a result of their efforts, as recorded in the first leaders' meeting minutes. 'Being convinced that the time has come when Christians in Eastbrook should obey God's express command 'Do this in remembrance of Me' and convinced that we have the mind of God on the matter, we purpose carrying out this ordinance for the first time at Eastbrook on Sunday next Nov. 15th 1925? Where would this new church meet? There was an old store building used by Mr. Dix, one of the five people who started the church, which they rented from him. There were stone walls, no mod cons, no toilets and no plaster. The house is currently called The Old Forge and is on the sharp bend near The Royal India Restaurant in Eastbrook.

What did they do? - Communion Service, a Sunday School of about 30 children, Gospel service on Sunday; prayer and teaching meeting on Tuesday evening, children's meeting and another teaching meeting on Thursday. The minutes repeatedly note a lack of funds. 1926 was the year of the General Strike and The Great Depression. They often struggled to afford paraffin for lighting and coke for heating, even paying for coke in instalments. At one point, they discussed switching to gas, though it's unclear if this happened.

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Despite financial hardship, they managed to fund Sunday School outings to Llantwit Major by charabanc, requesting a 'sober, preferably married driver.' A local caterer offered crockery, hot water, and a bun for 1/- per person, or a more generous tea for 1/8d—they chose the cheaper option. Twice during this period, when women in the church were in urgent need, the leadership gave them all the church's available funds.
The premises in which they met were clearly not suitable, the roof leaked, the pipe taking the smoke from the stove to outside became corroded and draughts came in through cracks in walls and ceilings. To cap it all, the north wall was slipping out of place and threatening to collapse. They were told it would cost £40 to put the wall right. They tried to get an old army hut, but that would cost £64.

Finally, a Christian architect thought that a T girder would solve the problem, or a length of railway line which could be purchased cheaply from a 'junk yard' - the cost of the whole job, £15-£20.
By 1933, we find the church in an ex-army ht on Cardiff Road at the entrance to what is Perclose, next to Andrew Wilson Motors. It had a Bible verse painted on its roof at some stage and must have been seen by thousands of train passengers. Some of the members of Eastbrook were still there, and there were also new members, the numbers being about 20 at the time.

The small green hut posed challenges due to its size and lack of modern facilities— including no toilets-with creative, undocumented solutions. Despite this, the church ran a Sunday school, children's meeting, Ladies Bible Class, and Tuesday teaching sessions. Efforts to find a new site included a rejected offer on land in Greenfield Ave and an unused opportunity in Eastbrook. In 1958, they purchased the plot the hut stood on and decided to build there. Members submitted design ideas, and by May 1959, architectural plans were presented to the church.

After some membership growth, revised plans were approved by the church in July but rejected by the Cardiff Rural District Council. Attempts to secure land at Valley View through builder Mr. Northway and later the Council failed, as no land was available for church use. An appeal was made to the Welsh Office, prompting involvement from the county council. Their representative suggested buying land behind the current hut from local farmer Mr. Meredith, but this also failed. A second approach to the council was again unsuccessful. Persistent prayer followed —and finally, in May 1960, came a breakthrough.

The Anglican Church in Wales was offered land on the Murch, prompting calls for independent churches to be given the same chance. As the only independent group to apply, the Bethesda leaders were invited to meet with the Council Surveyor and offered a plot-now the site of Bethesda Chapel. However, building was not allowed until a builders' road was constructed, which would only happen when nearby houses were built, and the church would have to contribute to the cost.

The land was initially priced at £1,100, more than the church's £800 fund. Advised to seek a price reduction, they approached the local rector for support. Though he agreed in principle, he didn't follow through. Still, the council reduced the price to £265, and the church purchased the land— though building was still not permitted at that stage. The land was put to use, however, by having a five-week tent mission on it the following summer. (1961)

A second breakthrough came in 1962 when plans for a new junior school near Bethesda's plot meant access would be created, allowing them to build. Their plans were approved by November, and groundwork began in March 1963 after winter delays. On the day concrete was to be poured, heavy rain turned the site into a quagmire. The ready-mix lorry couldn't reach the footings, so the concrete had to be transported by dumper, driven by Len Triggs. It was a tough, muddy job, but with teamwork, they completed the work by 8 p.m.
Despite exhaustion, everyone attended communion the next morning—tired but undeterred.
Much of the building work would have to be done by church members themselves, and in that period the church had grown, including members who had the skills we would need. From these a building committee was formed.

The church engaged Bert Parker, a Christian from Cardiff, to do all the brickwork. They were held up somewhat by a hard winter, but by March 1964 the roof was on, the plastering was finished, the drains were nearly finished and the electrics were to be done. The church had received gifts of labour, expertise, materials and some financial gifts. On the last Saturday of August 1964, the new church was named Bethesda Chapel, and an opening conference was held.

By the end of 1968 the purchase of more land was being looked into. The Sunday school had grown, as had the youth work, and the church had increased in membership. The need for extra accommodation had become more acute. Boy Covenanters had now started soon to followed by Girl Covenanters whose Sunday meetings were held in the homes of Austin Evans and Dave Nurcombe.

Negotiations with the Council to buy land next to the chapel for a sports hall were lengthy, concluding in October 1969. The initial price of £1,000 was reduced to £375. Planning permission was granted, and construction was carried out by a building firm, overseen by church member and quantity surveyor David Nurcombe. Church members played a key role in preparing the timber flooring, salvaging and processing wood from a Cardiff yard. The original building cost £5,000, and the extension £8,000.
Relief came with the completion of the sports hall, the enclosed Oasis area, a new kitchen, and classrooms. Further extensions and improvements have since been made, resulting in excellent facilities, including a quality car park.

A pick-up taxi service was arranged for those who found it otherwise difficult to get out on Sunday evenings. Children were picked up from Michaelston-le-Pit for Sunday School. One aspect of the work that Dinas Powys residents may remember well was Covenanters, which commenced in 1970 under the leadership of Norman Courtney ably helped by Dave Nurcombe, who later took over the leadership helped by Austin Evans, Peter Reid, John Loosemore, Malcom Thomas, John Cann, and later Ken Lewis, Roger Newberry and Doug Reed. At its peak the Boy Covenanters numbered over 50, and at one time were the second largest group in England and Wales.

A little later, Girls Covenanters started and were ably led by Margaret Stuffins, Shirley
Nurcombe, Diane Evans, Pat West, Jean Reid, Shirley Lewis and Jean Newberry. Children's meetings were held, led by Derrick Morse and John Foote.

 

Bethesda Chapel has an interest in missionary activity - Paul and Cheryl Davies were commended to Hebron school in India, and more recently Mark West who went to work in Lesotho. Mark's parents were instrumental in setting up Hebron Hall.

Over the years the work of Bethesda has grown. Besides our main Family and Teaching services, we have Discoverers Inc, a Sunday children's group, BLAST! a group for young people in Years 5-8, which meets on a Sunday and a Friday evening, Sunday Morning Youth which meets on a Sunday and on Friday as Friday Night Youth. All have been DBS checked! During the week we meet in Small Groups for prayer and Bible Study and hold monthly, a whole church Prayer Meeting. In addition, there is the weekly Coffee Morning on a Wednesday at 10:30, Scallywags - the pre-school toddlers and parents/carers group on a Tuesday at 9:30am and Purls of Wisdom, a crafting group that meets fortnightly on a Thursday evening. Bethesda has hosted the Vale Foodbank every Tuesday for the past 11 years and partners with Cardiff's Rainbow of Hope to support the homeless, refugees, and asylum seekers. It became a Warm Welcome space during the energy crisis and continues to serve the community by hosting funerals and weddings.

The church works closely with Dinas Powys Primary School through the TLG programme, seasonal events like Easter Cracked and Christmas Unwrapped, the annual carol service, and half-term assemblies. Bethesda also supports and collaborates with the local library, regularly sharing resources
Other special events are advertised on our outside notice screens and our website
www.bethesdachapel.com. We can also be contacted for any details or information on 07859
014834.

We will be celebrating our centenary in November with a Bethesda Open Day on 15th November when every church activity will be showcased and a very special Centenary Family Service on November 16th at 11:00am - all are invited. These will be followed by a year of special events - details to be announced.