FOR HEAVENS SAKE!

THIS IS THE BLOG OF COLIN JONES, RHYL TOWN COUNCILLOR: BODFOR WARD
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The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and not the views of the town council.
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The photo above was taken on November 10th 2008 of the Baptist Church, Sussex Street. At the front of the building are 3 large metal attachments to each of the pillars, and cables are wrapped round the pillars, and 2 rusty- looking loudspeakers sit high above the main entrance.

The overall appearance is tatty and there are weeds in evidence. I set out to discover whether council permissions had been given for the external alterations; three months later still no reply. Is there a conspiracy of silence about the disgraceful state of this Grade II Listed Building?

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SUN 17th JAN 2016 UPDATE: Just arrived here at Jones Towers is this old stereoview or stereoscopic card of the building. Through a special viewer you would have seen a single image which would be very lifelike.
Click on it to see a bigger version.

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SUN 5th MAR 2017 UPDATE: Originally the building was known as the English Baptist Church. It opened in 1863 and operated only in summer seasons to cater mainly for holidaymakers.

[The Welsh Baptist Chapel was in Water Street, the building now named the Islamic Culture or Cultural Centre.]

By the way, the Baptist Church, Sussex Street, is still Baptist but currently uses the name Sussex Street Christian Centre.

All clear?

Good.

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MON 23rd JUL 2018 UPDATE: Another example of a stereoview card. This time the photographer was standing on Victoria Pier, Rhyl, looking back at the pier entrance which had pay booths either side (the pier was privately owned at first).

In the distance with a long sign is the Belvoir Hotel, East Parade. The gap to your left of the Belvoir is Church Street; on the opposite corner eventually would be the Westminster Hotel.

So the date would be between 1867 when the pier opened and 1878 when the Westminster opened, and probably nearer the former than the latter.

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