A Cwmbran church has changed its name after around 200 years. Pontrhydyrun Baptist Church was started by George Conway at the site of his tinworks factory.
It was set up at its current location on Chapel Lane in Croesyceiliog in 1815 and then rebuilt in 1838.
Minister Jonny Raine told Cwmbran Life that the church is actually located in Croesyceiliog and not Pontrhydyrun. This confusion is believed to have been caused by boundary changes over the years and the growth of Cwmbran as a New Town.
He said the name of the church has also “tweaked a few times over the years.” The new name is Living Hope Church, and this was decided following a consultation among its 100 members.
Its name and location have caused issues with people having trouble finding the church and picking up parcels from its weekly foodbank.
He said: “We agreed to rename ourselves Living Hope Church, to communicate something of our message. The phrase ‘Living Hope’ is taken from Peter’s first letter in the Bible, where it says:
“‘In his great mercy God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.’
“The message we want to communicate is that we have good news to share about Jesus that can give us a hope that is very much real and alive, hope of an eternal life with God, and this based on the resurrection of Jesus.”
The church hosts a food bank, coffee mornings, a pre-school group, a running group, a board game group and youth clubs.
Around 150 people attended a special service yesterday with readings, prayers and songs to mark the new name change. It was followed by a hog roast.
The service was attended by Lord Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE, Her Majesty The King’s representative in Gwent, and politicians including Stephen Senior, MS for Sir Fynwy Torfaen, local county councillors for Croesyceiliog Jo Gauden and Richard Clark, and Anthony Hunt, council leader.