Major funding award for Morriston chapel project

The Tabernacle Morriston Congregation has successfully applied to Swansea Council for £450,000 through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

Morriston Tabernacle Chapel, which dates back to 1872, is one of only three Grade 1 listed buildings in Swansea, excluding castles.

The reconfiguration works will lead to high-quality, accessible and flexible facilities for the community. This means people with mobility issues would then be able to access all activities in different rooms.

The new layout will also enable four or more simultaneous hires to take place, helping increase revenue potential. This would then create a sustainable model for the operation of the building in the coming years and safeguard the chapel for future generations.

To date, funding for the project has also been secured from the Welsh Government's Community Facilities Programme and Transforming Towns Programme, the UK Government's Community Ownership Fund and the Welsh Church Act Trust Fund.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: "The Tabernacle Chapel has been at the heart of Morriston life for many years, but this project will ensure it's an even better community facility in future.

"As well as major improvements to ensure the building is accessible to all, the project will also enable more activities and volunteering opportunities to be made available at the Tabernacle.

"This is important as it will help tackle isolation and loneliness in the community, while giving people of all ages the potential to develop their skills.

"Led and designed by local people, this is one of many projects the council will be allocating funding to through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund as we look to benefit as many Swansea communities and residents as possible.

"The project is one of a range of investments via Swansea Council, the Welsh Government and the UK Government in Morriston town centre."

Rhian Williams, Chair of Tabernacle Morriston Congregation, said: "This is wonderful news securing the future of the chapel, for its part in the local community bringing people in to this amazing building.

"The chapel has often been called 'the cathedral of nonconformity'. We as a congregation appreciate all the efforts made on our behalf in achieving these grants, which will not only secure the building as a place of worship for our congregation but will also be of benefit to the wider community."

Tabernacle has often been featured on television programmes such as Songs of Praise over the years.

It's also been visited by royalty as well as by generations of celebrated preachers, singers and leading concert organists.