LAST TIN CHURCH IN VALLEYS CLOSES ITS DOORS
F ROM the outside it looks like nothing more than a large shed made of painted metal
Yet Dinas Mission Church, in the Rhondda, has occupied a special place in its Valley community for more than a century, until now.
At 4pm on Thursday afternoon, the final service was held at one of the last remaining churches in the Valleys with a “tin roof”.
As I entered the church on Thursday afternoon I was greeted by a small group of ladies who were making tea and sandwiches.
They were putting together drinks and nibbles for people after the service – something that, if you grew up in the Valleys would be considered the norm to see when attending church.
“Hiya love – come in. Let me intro- duce you to everyone,” one lady said.
The church first opened 121 years ago.
Towards the end of the 19th century, as the industrial population of the Rhondda rose rapidly, the Llandaff Diocese decided to build Anglican churches throughout the area.
Their first churches were generally constructed using corrugated, galvanised iron and tended to be of the same size and design.
Known as “tin tabernacles” or “mission rooms”, they were used as temporary buildings until congregations were formed and funds were raised to allow stone structures to be built.
But no permanent plans were ever made for the little church in Dinas and it has always remained a “temporary” iron building.
Even though some may say it has seen its best days it has remained the only witness to the Christian faith in Dinas to this day.
Many years ago pews would be full with worshippers and the little church was a true hub for the community.
But over the past few years it’s struggled to raise funds and attract people.
Despite the efforts of a group of ladies who have worked to maintain the building, less than a month ago the congregation was told that Dinas Mission would close its doors.
Roy Hamer, 82, has done all sorts of jobs for the church over the years and it holds a very special place in his heart.
He said: “It was in 1897 that we were given the land for this church. It was given to the people on the condition that it was only used as a place of worship and nothing else.
“I’ve been coming here for 60 years. My wife has been coming here since she was about five or six years of age. We found out it would close about three weeks ago but it’s been contemplated for a while.”
Despite the efforts made by people like Roy to keep the church alive, it hasn’t been possible.
Fewer than 10 people attend a general weekly service and they haven’t got sustainable funds to keep it going.
It comes as a big blow to people like Roy, who attends church not only to worship but to sustain what small part of the traditional community the little Rhondda village has left.
Roy accepts that times are changing and traditions change too. “Today is not just about this church,” he said. “Years ago 95% of people around here would know the Lord’s Prayer.
“Today no one knows the Lord’s Prayer. There’s only about four or five who worship here – what can you say?
“It’s been like it for years. We have just kept it going for as long as we can.”
Roy’s wife Sheila also found it diffi-