SIX years after a Valleys chapel was rescued from demolition, its members have once again rallied round to build it a new hall.

The Sardis Chapel in Ynysddu was due to close in 2000, but was saved by its members who secured enough funding to see it renovated in 2006.

They are now focusing on building a new community hall next door to host some of its events and activities such as art and exercise classes, children’s groups and even belly dancing.

Around 100 people a week attend the chapel’s activities.

The old Sardis Community Hall, also known locally as the Ambulance Hall, had a leaking roof. It was knocked down last month and builders are now on site to rebuild it.

Wendy Roberts, 77, a member of Sardis Chapel, explained how a surveyor visited the hall and advised that it would be better to rebuild it rather than just patch it up.

The new hall, which is expected to cost £129,000 for the basic building work alone, is due to be completed by Easter.

Sardis Chapel’s 16 members secured grants for the project, including £50,000 from the United Reformed Church, £25,000 from the Community Archives Programme and they are also hoping to receive £68,000 from the Welsh Government’s Communities Facilities Activities Programme.

The chapel also raised £10,000 for the hall themselves through fundraising events such as fairs and concerts.

Mrs Roberts said: “It has been a miracle.”

The Sardis Chapel itself was renovated in 2006 after it was marked for demolition and redevelopment by the United Reformed Church in 2000.

It was built in 1909, but by 2000, it only had three members left and had dry rot, woodworm and 26 windows badly in need of repair.

Mrs Roberts joined the three elderly members and managed to persuade the Church that it could restore the chapel.

Mrs Roberts said a questionnaire was sent around the village about what they wanted from the chapel and 77 were returned.

A village committee was then elected and a constitution written.

The restoration cost around £221,000, which came through grants, donations and the committee’s fundraising.

This included £84,000 given to the chapel from the sale of a Presbyterian church in Cwmfelinfach which joined Sardis Chapel.