Disused chapel may become new home for Mormons (From Western Telegraph)

Disused chapel may become new home for Mormons

A former Pembrokeshire chapel in need of a new tenant could revert to a place of worship because a religious group is keen to take on the lease.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormon Church, has been meeting in Johnston for the last 30 years.

But it now wants a presence in the south of the county and believes the Garrison Chapel in the former Royal Dockyard at Pembroke Dock could suit its needs.

Missionaries from England and from Utah currently live in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven but they want to spread their faith to other parts of the county.

Retired Pembroke GP Robert Dickie, who was responsible for resurrecting the church in Pembrokeshire in the 1960s, said the chapel would be an ideal meeting place for the congregation.

"It would be nice if this building could continue to be used as a church. To turn it into office accommodation would be a reflection of the commercial attitude of society today,'' he said.

When Dr Dickie moved to the area in 1959, he was given the names of three others who were officially members of the Mormon movement.

Since then membership has grown to 90 and at least a third of this number regularly attend the Sunday services at the Johnston Institute.

The renovation of the Garrison Chapel is being funded through the Pembroke Dock Townscape Heritage Initiative and planning permission and building regulations are in place for it to be used as an office space.

Dr Dickie, a second counsellor, said the Church had been hunting for new accommodation when members read about the chapel project in last week's Western Telegraph.

"We are very keen to talk to Pembrokeshire County Council about this building,'' he said.