{"id":67542,"date":"2022-11-15T16:29:32","date_gmt":"2022-11-15T16:29:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=67542"},"modified":"2022-11-28T15:10:06","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T15:10:06","slug":"bethel-chapels-overgrown-cemetary-a-grim-place-to-say-goodbye-to-loved-ones-who-deserve-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2022\/11\/15\/bethel-chapels-overgrown-cemetary-a-grim-place-to-say-goodbye-to-loved-ones-who-deserve-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Bethel Chapel&#8217;s overgrown cemetery &#8216;a grim place to say goodbye to loved ones who deserve better&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The last funeral at the privately-owned graveyard in Morganstown was in August<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A GROUP of grieving relatives are calling for the cemetery in which their loved ones are buried to be better maintained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/487911348779710\/\">Friends of Bethel Chapel<\/a> would like the graveyard at the Grade II-listed building, which is privately owned, to be restored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The chapel is owned by Gary Boyce. Under the terms of the 999-year lease on the property the burial ground must be preserved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Friends-of-Bethel-Chapel-1-edit-293x165.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Friends of Bethel Chapel meet in the Ty Nant to discuss the graveyard. Image: Richard Phillips.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>David Price, 61, is part of the community group. He said that residents often visit the graveyard to leave flowers, but \u201cpeople obviously don\u2019t like seeing the building in this state.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;They deserve better,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The last person buried in the grounds was Mr Price\u2019s aunt, Audrey Kinasz, whose funeral service took place on August 1 at Christchurch in Radyr. She was then laid to rest at the Bethel Chapel graveyard, which Mr Price said \u201cwas a grim setting to say goodbye&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Grave-C-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Those with relatives buried at the chapel still visit and leave flowers. Image: Bridie Adams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another member of the group, Rosina Ann Bridgeman, 79, said that she is &#8220;so sad\u201d that the chapel grounds are not maintained, and described the site as \u201cforlorn and unloved&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her grandfather was a member and a lay preacher in the early 20th century and her aunt, Enid Morgan, was an organist who played at the chapel until she was in her 80s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I am glad they cannot see what has happened to it,\u201d said Ms Bridgeman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Bethel-Chapel-side-W-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Residents of Morganstown are unhappy with the state of the chapel&#8217;s grounds. Image: Bridie Adams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Mr Boyce declined to comment on the current state of the site or his plans for the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Helen Jones, a councillor for Radyr and Morganstown, Mr Boyce\u2019s dream was to renovate the chapel into a &#8220;very special home&#8221; but under the terms of the lease the graveyard would remain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The community has attempted to raise funds for the replacement of the chapel\u2019s gate, which was stolen on April 12, 2022. Michael Deem started a Crowdfunder to raise the funds to replace the chapel gate, as well as to install a security light and tidy the graveyard and grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Gate-W-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The chapel&#8217;s gate was stolen earlier this year and has not been replaced. Image: Bridie Adams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The online Crowdfunder says: \u201cLocal residents were shocked, saddened and deeply distressed. The Chapel holds a special place in the hearts of many in our village and to think that a part of it has been taken has for many left an empty feeling inside.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any funds raised from the Crowdfunder were supposed to go towards commissioning a design and construction of a bespoke iron gate to replace the one that was stolen, as well as to install a security light and signage to deter criminals from the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The community also wanted to use the funds to hire a landscape gardener, who could trim the grass and remove the brambles, making it easier for residents to visit the graveyard and tend to the graves. Any money raised above and beyond the target would have been donated to a selection of local charities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Graves-W-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Some of the graves are obscured by long grass and brambles. Image: Bridie Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, due to a lack of donations, the project was not successful and therefore this work has not been done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The future of the chapel is uncertain. The community would like to find a buyer who could restore the chapel \u2013 but it is not known what purpose the building might serve or whether Mr Boyce is prepared to sell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a 2010 report, Michael Graham Young, an estate agent, argued that \u201cthere is limited demand\u201d and \u201cinsufficient parking\u201d for a chapel or a community hall on the grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He suggested that \u201cthe building would be well suited for a nursery or children\u2019s day care facility\u201d, although \u201cthe fact that it is set in a graveyard would detract from its marketability\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He concluded that \u201cthe most feasible potential use for this building would be as a single residential dwelling, with garden area and two parking spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-67614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2022\/11\/Rubble-M-edit-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">No one is sure what the future holds for the chapel building. Image: Bridie Adams.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bethel Chapel, previously a Methodist church, was built in 1842 and, by 1851, had a congregation of over 150. The chapel gained status as a listed building in 1977, due to its history as a chapel dating from the early development of the area. As the congregation dwindled in the late 20<sup>th<\/sup> century, the chapel was declassified as a religious building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Calvinistic Methodist Church of Wales considered converting the building into office space and using part of the grounds for parking. However, these plans were withdrawn due to local opposition, and the Church then sold the property to Mr Boyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A spokesperson for Cardiff Council previously told the <em>Cardiffian <\/em>that <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/02\/07\/morganstown-unites-to-save-crumbling-bethel-chapel\/\">&#8220;any concerns relating to this building&#8221;<\/a> are for the landowner only, and the council had no safety concerns that would require intervention.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The last funeral at the overgrown graveyard was in August.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":896,"featured_media":67592,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[285,3],"tags":[452,1058,4495],"coauthors":[8093],"class_list":["post-67542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-morganstown","category-news","tag-church","tag-community-group","tag-community-project"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Bethel Chapel&#039;s overgrown cemetery &#039;a grim place to say goodbye to loved ones who deserve better&#039; - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"People\u2019s relatives are buried in the overgrown graveyard of 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