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Couple banned from chapel told they are 'going to hell'

Iolo Cheung
BBC News
BBC Layton Jones (left) with partner Gemma Baker (right), they both sit on a sofa. Gemma wears a red pull over hoodie and looks at the camera. She has brown hair with sweeping bangs and the rest pulled back. Mr Jones has a long light brown beard and long hair parted in the middle tied back. BBC
A couple who run a community enterprise have been banned from using their local chapel

A couple who run community events claim they were told they are "going to hell" and were stopped from using a chapel because they are not Christians.

For the last three years, Salvaged Creations Wales (SCW) have been running youth clubs, playdays, woodworking classes, and other sessions at a chapel in Markham, Caerphilly.

But now Layton Jones and partner Gemma Baker, who run the community interest company, say they've been told to leave the Markham Congregational Chapel, because they're deemed "a non-Christian organisation".

The couple say the decision to evict them was made by the Reverend Nick Holloway. Mr Holloway has been asked to comment.

The couple said they were shocked at the "unfair" decision, which they believe was taken without consulting the chapel's congregation.

Mr Jones said there had been no issues until earlier this year, when Mr Holloway, who took up his post two years ago, informed the couple indirectly via email that they would be leaving the chapel.

When the couple tried to arrange a meeting with him to discuss the reasons, Mr Jones claims the reverend launched into an "angry" tirade.

After first being told it was due to a contractual issue, the couple said Mr Holloway told them he did not want them there as they are a "non-Christian based group".

"Gemma tried to talk to him, and he just shouted in her face 'you're going to hell'," Mr Jones said.

The couple, who are unmarried, told him the work of Salvaged Creations Wales was nevertheless valued in the community, and that "all our values are Christian-based".

"He was having none of it," said Mr Jones.

"He was very angry towards us, [saying] 'my decision is final, I will not be changing my decision, you're out'."

Outside of Markham Congregational Chapel. A small grey stone chapel, on the side of a hill. A large arched wooden door is at the middle of the chapel, with two narrow windows either side. It sits among some grass and a path with railings. Trees can be seen either side of the chapel, with a row of houses up the hill behind it.
The couple said Reverend Nick Holloway told them his decision was final

Mr Jones and Ms Baker claim the decision appears to have been taken unilaterally by Mr Holloway, without a vote of the congregation.

But the reasoning, claims Mr Jones, could potentially breach equality laws and the chapel's own policies on discrimination.

"Whatever religion (or not) we are, we are entitled to use the premises of Markham Congregational Chapel," said SCW in a post on their Facebook page.

"Many chapels are used for a variety of groups, AA groups, mother and toddler, youth & scouts or brownies for example."

Gemma Baker Layton Jones (left) and Gemma Baker (right) stand behind a cardboard box full of toy donations in an Asda superstore. The entrance doors can be seen behind them. Gemma wears a bright red puffer coat and Layton wears black cargo shorts and a black pullover hoodie. Gemma Baker
Layton Jones and Gemma Baker with toy donations at Asda after the community group's Christmas toy drive in 2024

The not-for-profit organisation is now faced with finding new premises, something the couple says they can ill afford.

"Due to the changes forced upon us, we are now in a position of financial hardship, much more than what we already were," the post added.

Mr Jones and Ms Baker said that they had tried to appeal to the Congregational Federation, but that the chapel itself is ultimately its own entity.

"We are aware of the situation at Markham," said the Congregational Federation's trust and property manager, Kate Bass, in comments made to the Caerphilly Observer.

"While the church is affiliated, all governance and decisions lie solely with the individual church membership, as is the foundation of congregationalism.

"We hope a resolution on the matter can be reached for all concerned.".