Campaigners raise cash to save historic chapel

PEOPLE from around the world have donated to a campaign to save a historic Welsh chapel best known for being the place Cwm Rhondda (Bread of Heaven) was first sung.

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK

The Grade Il listed Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd, was put up for sale for £47,000 after closing its doors in December 2024.

When Rhian Hopkins decided to try to save it, just two weeks ago, she never imagined her campaign would result in donations from around the world.

Rhian, who attended Sunday school at the chapel as a child, was worried it would be snapped up by a property developer but thanks to media interest, donations began to flood in from around the world from places including Moscow, Hong Kong, the USA and Norway.

With an initial target of £60,000 donations have now exceeded £61,600, easily meeting the asking price. Rhian is so busy she has now enlisted 10 local community helpers with the campaign and they are now waiting to hear if they are the preferred bidder for the iconic chapel.