AN ICONIC Aberaeron chapel where generations of townspeople have worshipped for the past 180 years may be facing its last Christmas due to dwindling membership, the Cambrian News has learnt.

Peniel Independent Chapel has seen congregations decline sharply in recent years and members are now being asked to cast their votes by the end of the year on plans to sell the building.

At a recent meeting chapel deacons agreed unanimously to notify members of the plan to sell the Victorian building and are now awaiting their votes on the proposal before the end of the month.

Financial secretary Dan Evans said the fact the chapel was registered with Cadw as a listed building would probably prove prohibitive to a swift sale if that was what members decided.

“The chapel has seating for 500 people and we feel that to keep the status quo just doesn’t make sense under the present circumstances,” he added.

“We are facing a huge bill of £20,000 to £25,000 because all the windows and guttering need replacing and the toilets need modernising. If members decide the chapel should indeed be sold, services would continue to be held in the vestry.”

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