The new owner of one of Newtown's finest church buildings has spoken about his plans to transform the venue into an exhibition space for international art.
The unnamed Mid Wales buyer, who is an artist of international reputation, wanted to assure townspeople that the Zion Baptist Chapel, also known locally as Newtown Baptist Church, is in safe hands after it was sold at auction last week for £200,000.
“I am interested in the future of not only the building but of the town and would like to develop it as a people’s palace," said the buyer who lectured at Birmingham University for 16 years.
READ MORE | Newtown Baptist Church sold at auction for £200,000
“I am beyond thrilled to be the new owner of this imposing building which I think looks like St Paul’s Cathedral without the dome. It’s Neo-Baroque architecture is quite unusual for the 1880s and quite unique.”
The large and imposing building, with its stone Corinthian Pedimento portico and pillars to the front, is a Newtown landmark for many travelling through the town along New Road.
The Grade II*-listed building had been put up for sale after the previous owners found that the maintenance had become "quite a burden on a dwindling membership". The final church service was held on October 27.
The building then went under the hammer for twice its asking price at an auction handled by Halls in Shrewsbury on Friday, November 29.
Halls director James Evans, based at the company’s Welshpool office, said: “We are delighted with the price achieved for the chapel, which is a most unusual and interesting building.
“It just goes to show that Halls’ collective property and land auctions are a great way to sell unusual properties with sensible guide prices that can then go on to realise their full potential.
“It’s especially pleasing that the buyer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has plans for an art gallery which will hopefully secure the future and integrity of this wonderful, cathedral-like building.”
The Baptist Union of Wales Corporation, as trustee of the building, said it had been working closely with Reverend Maggie Rich and members of the church about the future of Zion Baptist Chapel.
"As with many churches throughout Wales, the responsibility of maintaining such a large and iconic building has become quite a burden on a dwindling membership," the corporation said.
“There is no intention for the church to cease worship and it will continue with its services but activities in the future in a more convenient and functional building.
“The corporation has discussed various possible options regarding the chapel building and has come to the decision that the only way forward is for it to be sold.
“The corporation is totally aware of the historical and architectural significance of Zion and has explored several avenues to avoid the sale of this building but to no avail.
“It is also necessary that the current Minister and members of the continuing church decide how they wish to proceed in the future.”
The church is looking to relocate to a smaller building in the New Year after the building in New Road and New Church Street became “too much” for the congregation to cope with.
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The church building joins the growing list of places of worship in Newtown that have closed during the past two decades.
St David's Church and Bethel Chapel closed in 2006 before the latter was demolished in 2021. The Newtown United Reformed Church and School House, which closed in 2016, could be converted into homes if planning permission is granted.
The former Welsh Congregational Chapel in Milford Road was recently vacated by Newtown nursery Little World and will soon be put up for sale.
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