Historic birthplace of famous Welsh hymn saved through local fundraising and Welsh Government support
AN ICONIC Welsh chapel, famed as the birthplace of one of the nation’s most recognisable hymns, has been saved for future generations after being secured by the local community.
Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown, near Pontypridd – where the hymn Bread of Heaven (Cwm Rhondda) was first heard – has officially entered a new chapter after community group Capel Rhondda Cyf. completed the purchase of the historic former Baptist chapel.
The building’s future had been uncertain, but a determined community fundraising campaign raised £72,600, attracting support from both local residents and donors from across the world. The project has also received £10,000 from the Welsh Government’s Perthyn grant scheme, which will help fund surveys, planning and essential early-stage works.
The achievement was marked by a visit from the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford, who attended the chapel a day after the community group received the keys.
During the visit, members of the Pontypridd Male Voice Choir performed Bread of Heaven inside the chapel where the hymn was first sung more than a century ago, in what many described as a deeply moving moment.
The visit came ahead of Wales’ first home Six Nations match of the season, when the hymn will once again be sung by thousands of supporters at the national stadium, and on the eve of Dydd Miwsig Cymru, the national celebration of Welsh-language music.
Rhian Hopkins, a director of Capel Rhondda Cyf., said the purchase showed the power of community action.
“The purchase of Capel Rhondda demonstrates what is possible when people come together. We are so incredibly proud of our community fundraising achievement and grateful for every donation received, from individuals and organisations, near and far.
“Community ownership of the chapel is not just a powerful symbol, but ensures that the future of Capel Rhondda will be shaped by local voices, preserving an important community space for generations to come.
“The backing we have received from the Perthyn grant is instrumental in helping us to take the next steps, allowing us to carry out essential surveys and plan the necessary repairs to be able to re-open the doors of this precious building. While we recognise the many challenges that lie ahead, we are committed to consulting with residents to create a welcoming space for all, where our heritage will be treasured.”
Mark Drakeford said the project represented both cultural preservation and community renewal.
“It was an honour to visit Capel Rhondda so soon after the community received the keys and to celebrate what has been achieved. Hearing the choir perform the hymn in its birthplace was a moving experience.
“I am proud to support this project through the Perthyn grant, helping to safeguard a building of real historical and cultural significance for future generations, while creating a hub for the whole community, where the Welsh language can be promoted and used.”
The Perthyn grant scheme supports communities in turning local projects into sustainable community initiatives, with the Welsh language at the heart of the work. Since 2022, more than 70 grants have been awarded across Wales to help establish cooperatives, protect community assets and create new opportunities.
Following the expansion of the scheme nationwide, Capel Rhondda has become the first project in the south Wales valleys to benefit from Perthyn funding – marking a significant milestone for community-led heritage preservation in the region.
Local leaders say the project now represents not only the safeguarding of a historic building, but the creation of a future community hub rooted in Welsh culture, language and shared identity.
