BARDSEY CHAPEL RESTORATION

For over 130 years the Chapel on Bardsey has served both residents, visitors and pilgrims. Originally a Primitive Methodist chapel built by Lord Newborough for the island residents in the 1870’s, it has now become an ecumenical chapel open to all who come to the island.

In the last 4 years it has taken on a whole new lease of life with much more regular use both by visiting groups and pilgrimages as well as the residents on the island. A vital part of this new life has been the increase use for private devotions by most visitors to the island of whatever denomination or faith or of no particular faith at all; and an important part of this has been the opportunity to sit quietly for a while to reflect and maybe to light a candle for prayer or remembrance.

Care of the Chapel is the responsibility of the island Chaplaincy under the directions of the Spirituality Sub-Committee of Bardsey Island Trust Council; and in 2005 the committee made the Council aware of potential structural problems with the Bell Tower. This led to the launch of a Chapel Restoration Appeal to repair the Bell Tower, refurbish and rehang the Bardsey Bell itself and complete a programme of repairs, improvements and decorations to the main Chapel. Many of you who read this newsletter have donated most generously to the appeal and a considerable amount was also raised by Gwyneth Murphy through the sale of votive candles in the chapel itself.

The money has been raised and spent and we are so pleased to be able to say that the scheduled work has now been completed. In particular the bell tower has been extensively refurbished and strengthened. Much thanks and appreciation must go to Richard Williams (current Acting Chairman of Bardsey Trust) who with friends and volunteers completed most of the building work on the Chapel and Bell Tower.

We now hope and trust that the island chapel through all these endeavours will be there to serve residents and pilgrims for another 100 years.