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Bethany was the first English Baptist Church in Cardiff, and was formed in 1806, when, after their baptism in the river Taff, 3 men met with 3 friends to worship in a room in the King’s Head Hotel. Six months later, the Fellowship moved to a nearby stable which had to soon be enlarged to hold 900 congregation. By 1865, Bethany was ready to move into a new church in St. Mary Street. It was to house a flourishing, influential Church in the heart of the city whose members helped to form many other Baptist Churches.

With such a history of faithful witness, why move out? By the ‘40’s and ‘50’s the church building was completely surrounded by shops and offices making reaching people more difficult. James Howell, now House of Fraser, were anxious to acquire the premises and so, in 1959, the momentous decision was taken, to move out to the fast developing area of Rhiwbina. In 1964 the ‘new’ Bethany was opened and began to reach out to the hundreds of new houses being built, attracting many young families. For Bethany, under God’s guidance this gave wonderful opportunities for growth. Now, 40years on, the maturing area presents the Church with a new thrilling, exciting missionary Christian challenges.


Eileen Thomas & Anne Highway

History of Bethany Baptist Church