'Penny Brick' Centenary Celebrations

"Penny Brick" is the local name for Neath Methodist Church which stands
on Stockham's Corner in Neath. The Minister says it was built in 1914. Prior to that, local Methodists worshipped in Hope Chapel (built c1851). Hope Chapel was in Mile End Row (about half a mile from the existing Church) but no longer exists.    Source: Glamorgan-L Archives.

Jeff Griffiths writes - Neath Methodist Church - widely known as 'The Penny Brick Church' from the manner of its funding - held a flower festival last weekend as part of its centenary celebrations. A wide number of exhibits from fellow churches and other organisations decorated the church, each illustrating a Biblical quotation. Visitors were warmly welcomed to the festival which was accompanied by a tearoom where the best value in town could be had from Friday to Sunday. Not the least of this additional attraction were the lady volunteers serving the teas who dressed in black and white with fetching caps reminiscent - for those of us who can remember them – of the so called 'Nippies', the smartly-dressed waitresses who staffed the old Lyons Corner House tea shops. The centenary celebrations will continue with a presentation on the church's proud history in September.