THE historic Bethlehem Chapel in Newport has been saved for community use following a successful bid at a public auction on Friday, 30th August. The community-led Canolfan Bethlehem Community Project secured the winning bid of £145,000, ensuring that the chapel will be preserved and transformed into a Heritage, Arts, and Cultural Centre for the West Wales coastal town.

The auction, held at Llwyngwair Manor, marked the culmination of a determined campaign by Newport residents, who raised the necessary funds within just 14 days. The campaign was launched after efforts to negotiate a private purchase agreement for the chapel failed, leaving the community with a narrow window of opportunity to retain the building.

Cris Tomos, the community assets coordinator at PLANED (Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development), expressed his gratitude to the supporters who contributed to the campaign. “I’d like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign to raise enough funds,” he said. “The community has been so supportive in ensuring the funds were raised within just 14 days, and we’re now looking forward to developing this very important heritage centre for Newport.”

The purchase of Bethlehem Chapel is the latest in a series of community-led initiatives in Newport aimed at preserving local heritage and supporting community assets. Previous efforts included keeping the town’s Tourist Centre and library open through volunteer efforts, and the purchase of the 150-year-old Ironmongers shop, which reopened under community ownership in December 2022.

The new Heritage, Arts, and Cultural Centre will be dedicated to promoting the Welsh language, culture, and Newport’s maritime history. The community group envisions the centre as a “thriving, innovative and inclusive” space that will engage both locals and visitors, fostering a strong sense of belonging, or “cynefin,” among those who interact with it.

The successful bid is a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving its historical landmarks and ensuring that they remain in local hands. The project has been supported by local and national organisations, including PLANED, and has attracted interest from community-minded private lenders who have provided short-term loans to bridge the funding gap until a community share offer can be launched.

With the chapel now secured, the focus will shift to developing the heritage centre, with plans to create a vibrant cultural hub that celebrates Newport’s past while serving as a resource for future generations. Further information on the project and opportunities to get involved can be found at www.canolfanbethlehem.cymru.

The Canolfan Bethlehem Community Project’s success in saving the chapel is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision and determination to protect its heritage.